Doncaster, UK-based Empire Tapes (www.empiretapes.com) has purchased its third slitter from Ghezzi & Annoni (www.ghezzi-annoni.com/en), a newly developed FA300 model. Supplied through UK agent Eurograv, this fully automatic, high-output machine handles 1.5- and 3-in. cores as well as being able to change to log winding within 20 min. Fitted with “plug and run” size-change components, the machine is said to allow for an extremely flexible production with dedicated slit widths. It is also available with a universal change part that accommodates less-requested sizes up to 300 mm.

Empire Tapes purchased its first G&A semi-automatic slitter five years ago, followed within six months by a second machine, this time a BA400 for 1-in. ID cores. Now the company aims to expand with the purchase of the FA300.

“G&A's philosophy of offering greater flexibility and higher outputs matched our own internal desire for an automatic yet more flexible machine that can cope with and deliver slit rolls in the various widths, together with an efficient output of logged-roll material,” says Empire Tapes managing director Dean Sherrif. “After performing trials on the FA300, we immediately decided to purchase our most expensive investment in machinery. We predict our turnover will grow to nearly US$16 million after we install the new machine.”

The new slitter will allow Empire Tapes to produce rolls of extremely high quality, “guaranteeing the correct tension control of each roll, thus preventing the on-going issues that arise when using the more traditional “log and lathe'' process,” the company explains. The system rewinds rolls up to 12-in. OD with widths ranging from as narrow as 0.33 to as wide as 65.0 in. —Converting Today