Deccofelt cuts die damage with new Contech systems

Staff -- Converting Magazine, 12/1/2000

Deccofelt, an adhesive coating, laminating and custom converter based in Glendora, Calif., manufactures a variety of specialty products. When the company recently experienced costly damage to its cutting dies and slowed productivity, managers turned to new Contech converting machinery for solutions.

One product Deccofelt makes is a die-cut sponge pad used to separate and protect glass sheets during shipment. "We'd run the ground sponge pads on our machine, and the dies would get torn up by stray particles in the sponge," says Gary Smith, Deccofelt production manager. "Each die ran $1,500, and production speeds were well below what we needed.

"We went to the CMM show and priced three companies that produced the equipment we needed," Smith continues. "We chose to purchase a Contech because they were willing to customize their machinery to fit our application."

Deccofelt went with a Contech UltraPress and also had Contech build a custom matrix remover. The UltraPress provides for thermal diecutting, embossing, and steel-rule kiss-and diecutting.

"The steel-rule diecutting was the most important feature," Smith says. "Instead of hiring an outside company to repair a die, we can now produce them in-house, saving us both time and money. The new press is faster too; we are nearly doubling our capacity.

Deccofelt also chose a Contech CompuSheeter to replace an older machine. That unit gives the converter increased capabilities, faster throughput and closer tolerances.