Stuck Splice - Troubleshooting Paper Defects


Even when producing paper rolls for web offset printers, a paper mill must make splices to their rolls.  This is most often referred to as a "mill splice" since this designation specifies that it happens at the paper mill. Troubleshooting this issue requires understanding how it happens.

How a stuck splice happens
Since mill splices are only necessary on rare occasions, most rolls do not contain them. Paper mills are obligated to show the location of the splice in the roll so that the press operator can watch to see if it comes through.



Mill splices is indicated on the side of the roll.
Mill splice is indicated on the side of the roll.


What is a stuck Splice?


Exposed splice tape from mill.
Exposed splice tape from mill.


The exposed part of splice tape will stick to the layer of paper that is tightly wound above it.  On a web offset press, the paper will break when released at high speed. On a sheet fed offset press, the sheets will feed double and jam.

What to do?
The best defense is awareness.  Watch for indications of these splices.  When we see these marked on the side of rolls at our web presses we do the following.

1. Everyone is on  high alert and has a hand on the stop button when a mill splice is about to go through.
2. We sometimes slow down the press.
3. We reduce tension to the lowest possible until the splice is through.
4. Someone is waiting at the end of the press to remove the copies if the splice makes it through.
5. If there is a break, a claim is made against the paper company for downtime and waste.

Offset sheet fed printers need to examine the sides of each stack of sheets that they run. They are rare, but they do occur.  Here is an example of a mill splice that made is through.  It's not a stuck splice, but it illustrations that mill splices effect all types of offset printing on paper.



Troubleshooting this problem is not difficult if you know it broke on a mill splice. You just need to find the mill splice as proof for the paper company.


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