With magnetic particle

This co. provides high capacity magnetic particle brakes and clutches with up to 300 lb/ft torque. These brakes and clutches are said to be ideal for tensioning, torque limiting, load simulation, and soft starts and stops. Slip torque is precise, smooth, and silent, says manufacturer. The torque is proportional to D.C. input current and independent of slip rpm. Placid Industries, Inc., 518/523-2422, www.placidindustries.com

With RIP

The Quickmaster DI short-run color press can now be equipped with the latest MetaDimension 4.1 Raster Image Processor (RIP) said to increase overall performance and flexibility of the system. MetaDimension 4.1 for this press combines prepress software with workflow technologies that includes the co.'s proven Prepress Interface and can go as far as InRIP trapping and color management systems. The RIP is connected to the Quickmaster DI via a network cable. This allows the transfer of data during the imaging cycle directly from the RIP to the press. Heidelberg, 888/472-9655, fax: 770/794-6272, www.heidelberg.com

For printed film

This co. has developed a slitter/rewinder specifically for the printed film industry. The machine features light controlled tension capability, cantilevered differential rewinding, 3 to 6 in. cores, razor slitting comb or shear, 600 fpm web speed, edge guiding and inspection options, and a length counter. A variety of widths are provided. This machine provides an easy to use operation with emphasis on flexibility and quality to eliminate blocked layers and ruined material, co. reports. Pinnacle Converting Equipment, Inc., 704/376-3855, fax: 704/376-2207, www.pinnacleconverting.com

To protect large rolls

Responding to the increased demand for protection of extra large rolls, this co. has introduced a line of super heavy-duty suspension plastic sleeve plugs to its line of roll protection products. Used in combination with the co.'s endboards, H-channels and chips, these sleeve plugs are said to safely suspend extra heavy rolls. Plugs are available in both 3 and 6 in. models. Badger Plug, 920/757-7300, www.badgerplug.net

For platesetters

This co. is pleased to announce that Fujifilm Brillia LP-NV plates are now certified for use with their PlateDriver platesetters. The certification is valid for 30mW violet laser versions of the PlateDriver 4, PlateDriver 8 and PlateDriver 8 HS platesetters. Enovation Graphic Systems Inc. will be the primary distributor for the Fujifilm Brillia LP-NV in the U.S. market, says co. Esko-Graphics, 413/583-4100, www.esko-graphics.com

With different ranges

This co. offers a complete line of pinhole inspection equipment ranging from the basic DC2000 to the fully loaded DC2040. They accurately and reliably detect either surface and/or embedded anomalies down to 1/64 in. at line speeds up to 6,000 fpm, reports co. Performs on most substrates including paper, film, foil, and nonwovens. This equipment is said to offer 100 percent realtime cross-sheet inspection. Summit Engineering, 434/736-0114, fax: 434/736-0614, www.summitengineering.com

For web & sheet-fed

This co. releases its Great Plate Digital, an innovative plate cleaner specially formulated for use on CTP plates. The product is a non-emulsion, acid-based cleaner that can be used "on the fly" for web applications, as well as by hand for sheet-fed printers. Utilizing a unique cleaning technology, Great Plate Digital is said to effectively clean and condition plates without any damage to the plate's image area, making it more ink receptive. Tower Products, Inc., 800/527-8626, fax: 610/258-9695, www.towerproducts.com

For removing conveying air

This co. introduces the SS2K slant screen separator for removing conveying air and momentum from cut waste material in pneumatic trim handling systems. It is ideal for converting, printing, plastic film processing, and other installations where the higher capacity of the co.'s original slant screen separator may be untapped, reports co. The SS2K slant screen separator is modeled on the same proprietary technology as its larger predecessor but is 40 percent smaller to deliver high performance operation while permitting installation inside facilities and on rooftops where cyclones and spirators either would not fit or would not be able to handle the volume or type of material. The SS2K was developed for separating nonwovens, films, corrugated board, paper and other materials. Precision AirConvey, 302/999-8000, fax: 302/266-7559, www.precisionairconvey.com

For bubble bags

This co. has developed an innovative compact bubble-bag converting machine—The Kangaroo. The new Kangaroo automatic pouch machine converts two- and three-layer bubble wrap into pouches. Examples include: converting bubble wrap laminated to paper into Mailer bubble bags, metallized anti-static bubble wrap into Shielded anti-static bubble bags, and bubble wrap laminated to Foam into Thermo bubble bags. Pouch sizes run between 8 and 29 in., at any length required, with or without adhesive tape for sealing at a rate of 20-25 bags per minute. The Kangaroo is designed to run small and large orders with a minimum of 10 minutes setup change between runs. Ronipal Ltd., 847/400-0479, info@acpk.com

Wrings maximum productivity

Techsperse™ PM1570E4 is a new high-performance purge material that helps wring maximum productivity from plastics processing equipment. This purge material has been engineered to reduce downtime between changes of highly loaded color and additive plastics, and to aid in preventive maintenance with most processing equipment from film extruders and injection molders to wire coaters and extrusion compounding equipment. Techmer PM, LLC, 310/632-9211, fax: 310/886-3485, www.techmerpm.com

For printers

The Proline™ portfolio and Trio™ portfolio are designed to provide printers an ideal product solution for virtually every anilox printing application, including corrugated, tag and label, flexible packaging, envelope, newspaper, gravure, and offset coating. The Proline includes many of the co.'s existing innovative engraving technologies to offer flexo printers the best performance characteristics available for the rapidly evolving anilox-roll technology. The Trio offers printers an anilox-roll, complete with the co.'s standard warranty and service. Praxair Surface Technologies, Inc., 800/822-7569, www.Praxair.com

Electronically controlled

The OPTIMISER™ ink dispensing system is an electronically controlled system that fills ink ducts automatically, enabling printers to manage print runs with greater efficiency and less manual ink handling, reports co. Now available for use with either 5 lb. canisters or 55 gal. Drums, the OPTIMISER system is said to deliver greater pressroom efficiencies and improved print quality to commercial and packaging printing operations with high-volume color usage. The system is capable of monitoring ink in the fountain, and replenishes the ink supply where necessary, dispensing ink directly to low spots in the duct. Flint Ink Corp., 734/622-6362, fax: 734/622-6131, www.flintink.com

For commercial & package printers

The new Approval NX digital color imaging system is the next generation digital halftone proofing system. This system uses the latest in thermal imaging technology to produce digital halftone proofs. Featuring Rapid Recipe Color technology, the Approval NX system is said to accurately produce millions of spot colors in a fraction of the time it took on previous co. systems. Kodak Polychrome Graphics, 203/845-7115, fax: 203/845-7173, www.kpgraphics.com

Vision integrator

This co. has launched the Cognex Certified Vision Integrator (CVI) program in North America. The program provides training, sales and marketing materials, software updates, and special pricing for CVIs. For their customers, it ensures local and technical expertise from the co.'s certified system integrators. The CVI program gives integrators and their customer's access to the industry's most robust machine vision software and a powerful product family that spans the full range from vision sensors to PC-based vision systems. Cognex Corp., 508/650-3000, fax: 508/650-3333, www.cognex.com

Double bladed

Trilogy™ is a heavyweight double blade coated material that is said to offer deluxe thermal printing on the face with a third coating on the backside, creating a sheet that is flexo and offset printable on both sides with the added benefit of having lay flat qualities. Trilogy has outstanding thermal transfer ribbon receptivity with all ribbon types; wax, wax/resin and straight resin, reports manufacturer. Suggested uses for Trilogy include thermal transfer tags, clothing/garment tags, barcode tags, and retail hang tags. Contract Converting LLC, 800/734-0990, fax: 800/734-0994, www.contractconverting.com

With one-year guarantee

This co. has expanded their pressure-sensitive product offerings with the addition of digital paper and film products. This new line of Fasson-brand digital products was developed in partnership with HP Indigo. These HP Indigo-certified products include super-calendered semi-gloss products and rich vellum-smooth uncoated wet-strength papers. An assortment of clear and white BOPP films are available, along with metallized films for mirror-like reflectivity. Avery Dennison, 440/358-4943, fax: 440/358-4712, www.fasson.com

Expands measurement range

The TR Tension Roll® transducer is an integrated idler roll and tension sensors. Because the operating limits of a single pair of tension transducers may not be broad enough to cover some tension extremes, an operator usually has one option to accurately measure process web tension when switching from high- to low-tension substrates on a multi-substrate press: two sets of tension transducers may each be installed at two different positions in the web path. The operator can then switch between them. The TR Tension Roll transducer can be mounted between a pair of THN tension transducers at one position in the web path. Dover Flexo Electronics, 603/332-6150, fax: 603/332-3758, www.dfe.com

For flexo

The Dortmann Interstation Dryer is specifically designed for drying water-based flexo inks of film, paper or foil. High-velocity, low-temperature impingement air makes it ideal for films like PE, says co. This system consists of a Dortmann 8000 nozzle, duct heater, re-circulating blower and control panel. Radiant Energy Systems, Inc., 800/486-7786, 973/423-5228, www.radiantenergy.com

For alignment

This co. introduces a new spindle and shaft alignment kit for industrial machinery. Machine operators, plant engineers, and maintenance professionals can now check the alignment and performance of their machinery quickly and efficiently, says co. The new Microgage Spindle Alignment kit consists of a laser that is mounted to the drive shaft, spindle, or a gearbox flange and projects a precise reference beam along the centerline. A digital target receiver catches the laser beam and provides a measurement reading to show if the receiver is off-center. Pinpoint Laser Systems, 800/757-5383, www.pinlaser.com

With high dyne levels

The TNT (Touch 'N Treat) corona-treating electrode (patent #6,624,413) was developed specifically for blown-film, laminating and extrusion applications. The TNT electrode is said to deliver high dyne levels and an even electrode gap: from 1 in. to 7.2 meters. Designed for quick and easy set-up, the TNT raises and lowers to treat at the touch of a finger, says co. QC Electronics, Inc., 608/742-1661, fax: 608/742-3122, www.qcelectronics.com

With two-dimensional measurements

The Z500 laser measurement sensor combines a wide-beam laser and a two-dimensional CCD to conduct extremely accurate two-dimensional measurements in a single procedure. This eliminates the time needed by traditional laser sensors for multiple single-point measurements and increases accuracy by eliminating sensor and object movement during measurement. The Z500 includes a sensor, controller, programming console, and liquid crystal monitor that can display measurement data in four different formats to meet the needs of the user. Omron Electronics LLC, 800/55-OMRON, fax: 847/843-7787, www.info.omron.com

For detection & measurement

The Voyager™ portable gas chromatograph is used for on-site identification of common VOCs in air, water and soil. Completely self-contained and portable, the Voyager brings fully enabled gas chromatography to field applications. The Voyager utilizes a three-column analytic engine along with PID and ECD detectors to support the broadest of VOC detection requirements. The instrument's method is open and accessible allowing the operator to adjust the analytic technique for optimal results in the field environment. Photovac, Inc., 781/290-0777, www.photovac.com

For side seams

This all-electric, bottom-up glue station can be used as a replacement for folding carton glue pots. The bottom-up glue station requires less maintenance than glue pots and eliminates glue pot refills, reports co. The electronically-controlled, enclosed station enables the use of a wider variety of adhesives, including high-performance formulas. Valco Cincinnati, Inc., 513/874-6550, fax: 513/874-3612, www.valcocincinnati.com