Basics on Stahl* Fold Rollers & Gripping

In the world of folding, a positive, consistent grip is everything. Without it, productivity drops and waste gets expensive. Here’s a quick guide to common gripping patterns so you can match performance and wear to your work.

Common Stahl* roller patterns

• Standard urethane pattern- The steel land between the urethane bands is wider than each band. This was the OEM standard for many years and offers a balanced grip and life for general work.
  
• Super-grip with soft polyurethane (PU)- The steel land is narrower than the soft PU bands, so bands slightly overlap the sheet path for increased grip— great on slippery stocks. Because the compound is soft (sponge-like), improper roller settings will accelerate wear.

Super-grip with urethane

Delivers most of the super-grip advantage with improved longevity versus soft PU. It’s the best compromise of grip and durability among Stahl* casting roller patterns.

Spiral urethane pattern (Stahl* style)

Maximizes contact area between stock and roller for steady feed on challenging jobs.

Repair & recovery options

Consider recovery when:

• The roller’s steel core shows excessive wear.
• You can afford the machine downtime for recovery.
• Budget favors repair over replacement.

Our typical recovery process:

1. Inspect each roller to confirm it’s a good candidate.
2. Strip, clean, and straighten the core.
3. Apply new urethane to spec.
4. Finish-grind to size and profile.
5. Final QA inspection.

Rule of thumb: the softer the urethane, the stronger the grip—but the faster it wears. For coated stocks, super-grip patterns usually perform best.

MBO* style fold rollers

Unlike banded Stahl* rollers, MBO* rollers use a spiral pattern and can typically be reground but not recovered.

Service & support

We service Baum, MBO, Stahl, H&H, and Vijuk fold rollers. Call 1-800-229-0009 for options, turnarounds, and recommendations.

*Stahl and MBO are referenced for compatibility; trademarks belong to their respective owners.