Measures roll diameters

Available in 6-m diffused and 30-m retro-reflective modes, new VDM35 Series laser displacement sensors offer fully scaleable 4-20mA analog outputs and dual discrete PNP switch points, along with simple push-button programming. These sensors can measure and provide feedback regarding roll diameter, making them well suited for printing and converting applications, and nearly any other application where measurement of roll thickness is required.

PEPPERL+FUCHS, 330/486-0001, fax: 330/405-4710, www.am.pepperl-fuchs.com

For the envelope industry

As the first servo-driven press specifically for the envelope industry, the new ESP stack-style press prints up to six colors of outside printing and two colors of inside printing on both coated and uncoated envelope paper stocks. Ergonomically designed, each ESP print station is independently servo-driven and uses an advanced sleeve system for both print cylinders and anilox rolls for fast job changeover. It prints both spot and process color at speeds of up to 1,500 envelopes/min.

F.L. SMITHE MACHINE CO., 814/695-5521, ext. 239, www.flsmithe.com

With four-, six-, eight-up configurations

To be displayed at Chinaplas 2007 (May 21-24), co.’s high-speed, wide-width film winder fits cast-film, extrusion-lamination, fabric-coating, liquid-coating and laminating, blown-film and sheet applications. It can be engineered in four-up, six-up and eight-up configurations, including winders with 25-sec cycle times and winders capable of handling 20-in. dia. rolls as well as short hand-wrap rolls. Other featured equipment includes high-barrier film and extrusion-laminating machinery with unwind speeds to 2,500 fpm.

DAVIS-STANDARD, CONVERTING SYSTEMS, 315/598-7121, www.bc-egan.com

Economical; fits short runs

Co.’s new LX400 color label printer turns out full-color images and photos on labels with a high-quality print resolution of 4,800 dpi. Printed labels are said to be both waterproof and scratchproof for either primary-container decoration or shipping box-end applications. The $1,495 LX400 comes equipped with printer drivers for Windows® and Macintosh® along with NiceLabel SE Primera Edition label-design software.

PRIMERA TECHNOLOGY, 800/797-2772, www.primeralabel.com

“No-label-look” option

OptiFLEX PP 200 H TC-332 A-208 TRACrite 100 label stock is a new lower-cost option for front and back beverage labels that require “no-label-look” graphics for beer, juice, soda, wine, spirits and water. Designed for price-sensitive beverage labeling applications, it features A-208 permanent pressure-sensitive acrylic adhesive that provides “water-clear” wet out on glass and polyester containers and resists hazing during pasteurization and ice-chest storage. The stock is a 2-mil top-coated PP film backed with a TRACrite 100 ultra-smooth polyester release liner.

FLEXCON CO., INC., 508/885-8370, fax: 508/885-3999, www.FLEXcon.com

Boosts operator safety, efficiency

Co.’s new Smart Ride System® (SRS) provides an ergonomic operator platform for press changeovers. On either side of the press, an electro-hydraulic platform is strategically located in front of the print stations to facilitate changeover of plate sleeves, carriers and anilox sleeves. Designed to lift both the operator and a sleeve cart (which has a safe, pinned position on the platform itself), the SRS lets the operator position the platform at a precise color-deck location via a dedicated keypad. By placing the operator in a more comfortable position, sleeve changes are carried out quickly and easily, boosting efficiency and productivity.

FLEXOTECNICA, 920/499-2291, www.flexotecnica.it

For machine guarding

New MiniSafe® MS4800 Series safety light curtains are designed to satisfy the most demanding machine safety applications in Advanced, Standard and Basic versions to optimize the cost of safeguarding design. A cascaded configuration reduces cabinet-space requirements and provides an effective guarding solution in multi-sided and dual-axis guarding applications. Optical scan codes eliminate cross-talk, which enables OEMs to consistently build identical machines without staggering the transmitter and receiver position. Individual beam indicators simplify alignment, and machine test signal allows the machine-control system to confirm proper operation of the light-curtain safety outputs.

OMRON SCIENTIFIC TECHNOLOGIES INC., 800/479-3658, fax: 510/744-1442, www.sti.com

Secures product for shipping

The Roll Handler™ secures and protects single or multiple rolls during shipping. Specially configured end walls interlock with lumber rails to create a sturdy, durable shipping package. Rolls are secured and suspended end-to-end with co.’s sleeve plugs. Pre-cut slots on rail ends accept standard steel or plastic banding to keep rails from being jostled during transit. Custom configurations are available for various roll diameters and lengths.

BADGER PLUG, 920/757-7300, fax: 920/757-7339, www.badgerplug.com

Provides for real-time monitoring

Sheet and blown-film extrusion can now be monitored and controlled in real-time with ProHelp® EPM Version 7.1 software. It provides for simplified integration of all processes within a factory, allowing total continuity in production and process monitoring and reporting. ProHelp EPM includes a SPC/SQC program for process exception reporting, real-time voice and e-mail alarms, linear regression analysis associating part dimensions and weights to machine processes.

MATTEC CORP., 513/683-1802, fax: 513/683-1619, www.mattec.com

Record of sustainability

Co. has a new suite of custom paper and board products for packaging. Leading brands such as Estee Lauder, Elizabeth Arden, Tiffany and Bloomingdale’s have all reportedly relied on the wide range of performance fibers to meet their growing marketplace needs for high-quality environmental packaging, including FSC-Certified Post Consumer Waste, recycled material, and various “tree-free” fibers. Substrates also feature security elements and inclusions for in-board/on-board brand protection.

MONADNOCK PAPER MILLS, 877/877-2098, www.mpm.com

At this fall’s Labelexpo Brussels

Cohesio system can convert preprinted face stock into a finished label, including in-line coating of silicone and adhesive, diecutting and finishing. Since its original introduction, the technology has matured for production of clear-on-clear labels and in-line siliconizing. The total in-house production method eases the manufacture of high-quality pressure-sensitive stock.

ETI CONVERTING EQUIPMENT, 450/641-7900 fax: 450/641-7911, www.eticonverting.com

Eco-friendly for on-press or tank use

Formulated especially for removing ultraviolet-curable inks from narrow-web presses, anilox rolls and all equipment, UV Re-Leez™ cleaner is intended for on-press use in mind as well as for ultrasonic cleaning tanks. A one-week soak test found that UV Re-Leez is non-corrosive for aluminum, says co., and it can clean cold-seal adhesive from roll without noxious odors. Its advanced surfactant is environmentally friendly, using no petroleum distillates or hazardous chemicals. It is also a biodegradable, low-vapor pressure and low-VOC cleaner.

HARPERSCIENTIFIC, 866/588-8686, www.HarperScientific.com

Consistently yields 1-micron EVOH layer

The 9-layer MAXICONE® die, in conjunction with the co.’s VAREX® blown-film line, can reportedly produce a consistent 1-micron-thick EVOH layer. Demonstrated at a recent open house, the barrier film produced had a total thickness of 30 microns with a width of 94.5 in. The 1-micron EVOH layer was sandwiched between two nylon layers (each 1.5 microns), followed by two layers of adhesive, two mLLDPE layers and one EVA layer and a layer of LDPE. Significant material cost savings are possible (at $3 per lb) by reducing the barrier layer from 2-3 microns with new layer uniformity at only 1 micron.

WINDMOELLER & HOELSCHER CORP., 800/854-8702, www.whcorp.com

High-gloss wrapping

LumiLabel G, a new high-end, flexible-packaging paper specifically designed for premium coffee wrappers, is said to offer converters both high gloss and high brightness. It fits requests from brand owners for an environmentally friendly wrapper that supports complex print graphics and withstands the rigors of high-speed coffee packaging processes. LumiLabel G comes in basis weights of 49- and 55-lb with print-side smoothness and ink holdout for high-fidelity process printing. It has high opacity for good laminated brightness.

STORA ENSO SPECIALITY PAPERS, 715/345-8046, www.storaenso.com

Dyne-test pens

Ideal for production use

Quick and convenient EZ Read Poly Test Pens, used to determine surface-treatment levels between 38 and 40 dyne/cm, are easy to read. Said to be ideal for production situations to quickly determine the presence of treatment, the pens can also be used to identify backside treatment. Offered in red and blue ink, the EZ Read Poly Test Pens feature a tight-lock cap for shelf-life of up to one year.

JEMMCO LLC, 262/512-9559, www.jemmco.com

For lab applications

A tabletop corona treater for sheetfed and continuous web processing is said to be ideal for lab applications in evaluating coating methods for printing. A combined unwind station and sheetfed system designed for assessing coating/treating methods, it can be outfitted with a Uni-Dyne® power supply. Other features include an external electrode air-gap adjustment, adjustable brake tension for unwind and stepless speed adjustment for sheet and web processing.

COROTEC CORP., 800/423-0348, fax: 860/674-5229, www.corotec.com

For web transport, unwinds

The new MDR (magnetic-driven roller) System, an advanced solution for handling light webs at lower tension levels and higher operating speeds, can be applied to both web-transport systems and to co.’s line of high-performance unwinds. MDR applies a magnetic link between web-transport rollers and the drive system, substantially reducing or eliminating the negative impacts on a web resulting from roller inertia, bearing friction, speed change and boundary-layer air. The system then operates at significantly higher speed and lower web tension. Co. has matched process speeds of up to 2,000 fpm with light web zero-speed splicers.

MARTIN AUTOMATIC, INC., 815/654-4800, www.martinautomatic.com

FDA-compliant for laminating

Co. achieves FDA compliance for its electron-beam curable laminating adhesives. Extensive migration and toxicity data supporting the safe use of this technology for food packaging was approved. The adhesives are said to provide good bonding to a variety of substrates (PET, BOPP, LDPE, metallized films, aluminum foil and paper). The one-part product requires no mixing or adjustment. Full bond strength is achieved immediately upon curing to end WIP delays.

NORTHWEST COATINGS LLC, 414/762-3330, www.northwestcoatings.com