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Phone: All Reader Reply items list telephone and fax numbers. Many include Web site addresses. Call suppliers directly and mention Converting.

Prevents melt leakage

This flat die design was originally developed to stop melt leakage at the deckled portions of the die gap in extrusion coating, but it now provides the same benefits for cast film, says co. This new system combines an internal deckle and an external deckle. The external deckle provides more effective seals than internal deckles, whose main advantage is their more streamlined diversion of melt flow.

Extrusion Dies, Inc., 715/726-1201, fax: 715/726-2205, www.extrusiondies.com

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With tension multiplexer

The MAC multiamplifier Card and the IMUX tension multiplexer, when used in combination, allow multi-point tension monitoring. The 5.5 x 7 in. MAC circuit card amplifies the signals from up to eight sets of tension transducers, supplying a corresponding number of 0 to 10VDC signals proportional to tension. These signals may be used as inputs to drives, PLCs or other tension monitoring or closed-loop tension control devices. The MAC outputs can be connected to the IMUX multiplexer accessory for multichannel tension signal display. The IMUX with switch and meter is used to select and display between multiple inputs from the MAC.

Dover Flexo Electronics, Inc., 603/332-6150, fax: 603/332-3758, www.dfe.com

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For measuring yield behavior

The new R/S-SST soft solids tester measures yield behavior in gels, pastes and liquid/semi-solid materials with suspended particles. This tester features the ability to operate in both controlled stress and controlled rate modes. Vane spindles are used with this instrument to provide both viscosity and shear stress measurements. The head of the R/S-SST rheometer can be adjusted to proper height by easily sliding it up and down under manual control. The base has adjustable clamp holders for positioning and fixing the sample in place during testing.

Brookfield Engineering Laboratories, 800/628-8139, fax: 508/946-6200, www.brookfieldengineering.com

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Strain gauge construction

The GLT transducer design is said to eliminate drift and frequent recalibration problems encountered with conventional half-bridge, semi-conductor type load cells. They are Wheatstone Bridge constructed with temperature compensation and strain gauge construction. Outline dimensions are identical to existing equipment, which provides for simple, drop-in replacement.

Thermo BLH, 781/821-2000, fax: 781/828-1451, www.webtension.com

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Cuts production time 90 percent

The new Easy Setter-CNC system is a fully automatic machine that builds male stripping forms to process a range of materials such as corrugated, paper and paperboard. It uses only six different pin types and can build up to 90 percent of stripping tools without lower pins. Co.'s proprietary Dynastrip software is compatible with today's CAD programs, and pin-type changes are done automatically from a storage magazine. Pins can be set at various heights to reduce pressure load from the stripping station in the platen diecutter.

Metall+Plastic GmbH, 49/7738-9280-80, fax: 49/7738-9280-85, www.metall-plastic.de

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For use in extrusion coating, laminating

This new line of modular ozone generators for use on extrusion coating and laminating lines is said to improve the adhesion of the laminate and allow increased production speeds. These generators apply ozone to the web at the laminating or coating nip. It is designed to isolate the ozone-generating portion of the system from all other components to minimize the possibility of corrosion due to ozone leaks from the reactor. The reactor uses ceramic-coated components for corrosion resistance and longer life.

Corotec Corp., 800/423-0348, fax: 860/674-5229, www.corotec.com

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For narrow web applications

The Lithocure 200™ is a UV-offset ink for narrow web applications, which has been reformulated with further improvements in press performance and adhesion characteristics. This ink offers adhesion to a very wide range of synthetic substrates, especially to PE, PVC and metallic foils. Lithocure 200 is designed to be used for narrow web, rotary offset but can also be used in UV-rotary letterpress printing.

Akzo Nobel Inks, 800/328-7838, fax: 763/559-0243, www.aninks.com

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Cuts overlaminating noise level

The Silencer is a tension control device designed to reduce noise levels to 5 decibels above ambient noise when self-wound overlaminating film is being used. It has a clamp-on attachment that is adaptable to any roll label press. The Silencer is available in 8, 12, 14 and 16 in. measured between roller arms, and non-standard widths can be fabricated as custom orders.

International Graphic Films, 800/490-4350, fax: 330/650-3566, www.igf-films.com

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Analyzes process performance

Optim+™, an advanced information system, offers an analytic view of printing process performance. Designed to provide a real-time, informed overview of the entire printing operation, it zeroes in on a user-specified timeline for an individual press, product or shift. The shift report screen automatically logs downtime events and associated waste, while prompting the press operator to select a pre-defined downtime reason from a pop-up menu. Plant management also has the ability to customize downtime reasons to their own operations. Remote access to the production overview display shows status, speed and production totals for each press, including estimated job completion time, as well as multiple views of the data for analytical and decision support.

RDP Marathon, Inc., 450/687-7262, www.rdpmarathon.com

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With peel value

DURO-TAK® 34-449A hot melt adhesive provides a 180-deg peel value of 100 oz/in. after 20 min and a value of 105 opi after 24 hrs. The dry film components of this adhesive comply with the compositional requirements of the FDA indirect food contact regulation, 21 CFR 175.125 adhesives and 21 CFR 176.170. DURO-TAK 34-449A hot melt adhesive will not penetrate foods or other products.

National Starch & Chemical Co., 800/797-4992, fax: 609/409-5699, www.nationalstarch.com

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For variable speed

The Reliance MD60 microdrive offers V/Hz operation from 1/4 to 5 HP. The drives are available in 115V AC, 230V AC, and 460V AC ratings. Features include a built-in LED display and keypad, eliminating the need to add a separate keypad. A finger-safe IP20 enclosure comes standard, with an option to modify with a NEMA 1-kit addition. The drive also features internal dynamic brake circuitry for use with externally mounted resistors.

Rockwell Automation, 864/281-2171, fax: 864/281-2433, www.reliance.com

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Non-metallic

The MDC Pro-Family line of non-metallic doctor blades meets numerous applications for flexo, specialty and gravure printing. They are made of specially formulated materials designed to resist wear, prevent ink buildup and allow for safe handling. These specialty doctor blades are corrosion-, crack- and split-resistant and can be custom cut-to-length or shipped in roll stock.

Max Daetwyler Corp., 704/875-1200, fax: 704/875-0781, www.daetwyler.com

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Non-stop inline

A new sheeter/stacker system takes material coming off a production system and sheets it. The sheets are stagger-stacked onto pallets that are automatically changed out when full. A festoon-type accumulator allows on-the-fly changeout; while pallets are being changed out the accumulator collects the web so the web doesn't have to stop. The stagger-stack makes it easy to collate or count product.

Contech, 800/961-6449, fax: 316/722-2976, www.contech-usa.com

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For tag & label grades

Valéron® Strength Film and V-Max® Synthetic Paper—in tag and label grades—are certified for use with ITW Thermal Films' ribbons for thermal-transfer printing. Valéron manufactures coated and uncoated synthetic stocks for use in applications that require high strength, outdoor durability and superb printability. Resin ribbons are fade-, smudge-, water- and scratch-resistant. Combining ITW ribbons with Valéron films meets the needs of high-performance applications such as lumber, steel, brick and valve tags. Valéron Strength Film is a cross-laminated polyethylene manufactured under ISO 9002 certification.

Valéron Strength Films, 800/825-3766, www.valeron.com

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Field-configurable, brushless

The new BX25A20 family of servo amplifiers outputs 25 amps peak, 12.5 amps continuous and operates off 60-200 volts DC. Dipswitches enable the user to change current scaling and mode of operation. These units operate in current, open-loop, encoder velocity, Hall velocity and tachometer velocity modes. A second set of dipswitches allows the operator to configure active fault level, inhibit/enable, and latching/non-latching faults in the field. Units are CE-compliant and UL-recognized. Typical applications include material handling equipment and robotic systems.

Advanced Motion Controls, 805/389-1935, www.a-m-c.com

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Real-time production data

The new CIMPLICITY® PalmView, a handheld PDA with collaborative production management software and a wireless Ethernet card, allows operators and managers to view real-time graphical automation and production data from anywhere in a plant without additional screen configuration. The bi-directional data capabilities of PalmView permit users to interact with their production systems through the popular Compaq iPAQ™ Pocket PC. Benefits include mobility, quick access to critical information, easy connection, lower administration and development costs, and widespread use of existing HMI screens, limiting the need for new screen creations. With CIMPLICITY PalmView, users have the flexibility to move around work centers while maintaining quick access to critical systems and processes.

GE Fanuc Information Center, 800/648-2001, fax: 434/978-5205, www.gefanuc.com

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Stainless steel

The Electromatic XVI is 70 percent smaller than the standard size head, says co. The applicator head is intended for use with cold adhesives, coatings, fragrances, silicones, marking inks, water, lubricants and other similar fluids. All wetted parts are stainless steel, with only one moving part, and with no seals or packings to wear or inhibit its movement, high speed, drip free operation is ensured, and maintenance is minimized.

Spraymation, Inc., 954/484-9700, fax: 954/484-9778, www.spraymation.com

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Long-range static control

Virtual AC™ Intelligent Static Neutral-lizers achieve new standards in static-control distances from the web surface, across the web width, as well as optimum neutralization based on web speed. They reportedly neutralize static charges up to 8 in. away for web-span applications and up to 20 in. away on unwind/rewind installations. Converters can connect several Ion 8001 static bars to reach up to 140 in. using a single Virtual AC 8011 solid-state power supply, and up to 360 in. using the new 8011XL power supply. The Virtual AC is engineered to neutralize high-speed webs at 2,500 fpm and faster.

Ion Systems Industrial, 888/310-3334, www.ion.com/industrial

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AC-drive system

The Model 625C slitter/rewinder is designed to slit and rewind paper, films, foils, labelstock, and laminates. It is available with lift-out and cantilevered rewind mandrels. The AC drive system offers complete flexibility and high speed processing capabilities. All levels of controls are offered from manual operation to a PLC-based, recipe storage, touchscreen interface. Standard models can process webs up to 62-in. wide and rewind rolls to 24 in. in diameter.

Phoenix Machine, 973/691-8029, fax: 973/691-8939, www.phoenixmach.com

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For film applications

A new group of premium octene copolymer polyethylene (PE) resins, SCLAIR ASTute™ FP120, consists of five grades each with excellent performance. Specifically for use in film applications, including food packaging, laminations, co-extrusions and heavy-duty shipping sacks, the grades meet U.S. FDA requirements for food contact. Resins have densities of 0.920 g/cm³ and melt indexes of 1.0 g/10 min. The products exhibit excellent dart impact and puncture resistance, good tear strength, sealability, and optics. They also provide excellent melt stability for improved blown-film processability.

NOVA Chemicals, 412/490-4000, fax: 412/490-4155, www.novachem.com

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Efficient, compact design

The Ecodrive DKC 16 controller is said to offer the benefits of larger high-power drive controllers in an efficient, compact and easy-to-install design. The new compact DKC 16 extends the Ecodrive series to a lower power range. Installing the DKC 16 is reportedly quick and easy, thanks to plug connections and direct power connection, eliminating the power transformer. Also electronic brake control minimizes other external components. The DKC 16 uses SERCOS, DeviceNet, Profibus, Interbus-S, and CANopen interfaces. Several motors work with the DKC 16, including the MKD for standard applications and the MKE for hazardous environments.

Bosch Rexroth Corp., Electric Drives and Controls, 847/645-3747, fax: 847/645-6201.

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Low solvent retention

New STERLING™ lamination inks are part of a high-performance flexographic system that enables flex-pack converters to achieve strong bonds on demanding solventless, adhesive laminations. In addition to enhanced bond strength, the new STERLING inks are said to produce superior printed results on a wide range of films with very low retained solvents. The ink system is reportedly ideal for stand-up pouches, outdoor packaging applications, and food and snack-food packaging. STERLING inks are compatible with standard nitrocellulose-base inks and are available in matched colors or as a blend vehicle and base system. They can be used in process and line printing and offer easy clean up. Recommended substrates include polyethylene, co-ex polypropylene, oriented polypropylene, cast or coated polypropylene, Saran-coated polyesters, and nylon.

Flint Ink, Flexible Packaging Div., 513/934-6508, fax: 513/934-376, www.flintink.com

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10X longer life

A new M-2 slitter blade under field tests has shown that it wears up to 10 times longer than standard carbon-steel blades. Able to replace any conventional blade, including those used in all slitting and converting processes, the M-2 slitter blade provides a long-lasting sharpness that results in more accurate cuts and significant reduction in web and/or trim tears, thickened edges, wavy edges, contamination build-up and downtime from blade replacements. The M-2 has a hardness rating of Rc 63-66 and is available from stock in the slotted blade shape used in most slitting applications.

Specialty Blades, Inc., 800/742-7741, www.specialtyblades.com

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