A knurling tool is a lathe-mounted device used to create textured patterns (straight, diagonal, or diamond) on the surface of a cylindrical workpiece.

Types of Knurling Patterns

Knurling tools produce patterns defined by DIN 82 standards. The most common patterns are:

Knurling Tool

Pattern Type	Visual Appearance	Typical Applications
Straight	Parallel lines along workpiece length	Push-fit assemblies,press-fit components
Diamond	Crossed diagonal lines	Hand tools, grips, maximum grip in all directions
Diagonal	Lines slanting left or right	Directional grip applications

Pattern coarseness is determined by Lines Per Inch (LPI):

Fine (33 LPI): Smooth feel, precision instruments

Medium (21 LPI): Balanced grip and comfort, general purpose

Coarse (14 LPI): Aggressive grip, heavy-duty tools

How to Choose Form Knurling:

*Working with soft, ductile materials (aluminum, mild steel)

Maximum surface finish quality is required

Material cost is a concern (no material removal)

*Workpiece is thin-walled or small diameter

Material is hard or brittle (stainless steel, cast iron)

Minimal diameter change is critical

Working with plastics or non-metals

High-line Count Anilox Roller with 60° Hexagonal Cells

When a higher anilox roller line count (e.g., above 800 LPI) is required to achieve finer and more uniform ink layer transfer, The 60° hexagonal mesh is widely recognized as the optimal choice.

"Hexagonal" here primarily describes the shape of the mesh openings carved out by laser. Compared to the quadrangular (pyramidal) or other shapes produced by mechanical rolling, the hexagonal design (honeycomb-like) offers significant advantages:

Advantage dimension	characteristics of 60° hexagonal mesh	Benefit
structural stability	The mesh walls (the partitions between mesh pockets) are narrower, more uniform, and possess high structural strength	It is more wear-resistant and scratch-resistant, maintaining the integrity of the mesh holes even under high linear speeds, thereby extending the service life of the roller
ink transfer performance	U-shaped or hemispherical cross-section, with a large opening degree, and a flat or smooth bottom	With a larger ink storage capacity, the ink release and transfer are more thorough and smooth, enabling the formation of a more uniform ink film

The flexibility of laser engraving allows for almost arbitrary setting of dot shapes. The 60° hexagonal shape, with its high utilization rate per unit area and excellent ink transfer performance, has become the preferred choice for high-precision flexographic printing.