Patent pending

Giugni® NIC™ Printing Plate Cleaning System represents a cutting-edge technological solution, where the acronym NIC (Non-stop In-line Cleaner) immediately reveals its main function: uninterrupted in-line cleaning. Currently Patent Pending, this system is not only a benchmark for the tissue and hygiene industry but is also widely appreciated in printing on paper, paper derivatives, and nonwoven fabrics.

The need for such a system arises from a specific issue in these sectors: repeated contact with fibrous materials releases residues onto the printing plate surface. If not removed, these accumulations rapidly degrade print definition, traditionally forcing operators to perform frequent machine stops for manual cleaning operations that interrupt production.

Architecture and technical functioning

Giugni® NIC™ is designed with a modular structure governed by a central PLC, which allows for the management of repeated and customized cleaning cycles for each printing unit. The control is integrated into a basic module (cabinet) that centralizes the management of vacuum, filtration, air, and fluids, distributing them to the individual cleaning modules.

The cleaning action is entrusted to a moving head mounted on a linear guide (driven by a servo motor for large systems or pneumatically for narrow machines) that runs axially along the plate roller. The head houses a micro-nozzle system that generates a “dual-action” mixture of air and water. This very fine-grained composition is sprayed at high speed onto the plate, instantly removing dirt, ink residues, or fibers anchored to the surface.

The process is a closed loop: a powerful vacuum system immediately captures the broken-off residues, conveying them to a cyclone where fluids, solid particles, and air are separated. Finally, a drying phase ensures that the printing plate is perfectly ready to receive new ink from the anilox roller.

“Non-stop” operational mode

A distinctive feature of Giugni® NIC™ Printing Plate Cleaning System is its ability to operate in “Clean mode” while the machine is running. By utilizing the small action area of the cleaning head, the system intervenes exclusively during the fraction of rotation where the plate has already deposited ink onto the substrate but has not yet been re-inked. This touch-free approach (without abrasive mechanical contact) preserves the integrity of the plate.

Operational and qualitative benefits

The adoption of Giugni® NIC™ system transforms the workflow, offering tangible benefits:

• Production continuity: By eliminating the need for machine stops for manual cleaning (even after register adjustments), production output is optimized and operating costs are reduced.
• Constant quality: The automatic and constant removal of fibrous residues ensures uniform print quality from the beginning to the end of the job.
• Safety and durability: The absence of manual intervention increases operator safety and, thanks to touch-free cleaning, significantly extends the service life of the printing plates.
• Sustainability: Reduced start-up and production waste promotes more ecological and efficient management (“environmental friendliness”).