Despite lower attendance figures for both converters and exhibitors, the Intl. Converting Exhibition 2001 at the RAI Centre in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Feb. 27-March 2 was the site of several new machinery and material launches.

Show organizer Angel Business Communications, London, reported a total of 185 suppliers on hand for an audience of 2,662 converting professionals from 35 different countries. Visitor numbers represent a 21 percent decline from the 1999 event. ABC says it plans to present ICE again in spring 2003.

Control vendor ABB showed its new Pressductor load cells. Billed as sensitive and accurate, yet rugged, the cells can reportedly withstand high overloads and vibrations and operate over a wide range of tensions. They are said to eliminate the need for regular recalibration and web brakes (as well as failures due to overloading) and frequent load-cell replacement. A range of designs to suit different applications cover loads from 0.1-20 kN.

The Abitech Div. of U.S. pressure-sensitive tapemaker American Biltrite introduced three low-cost converting machines: a rewind logger, a cantilevered laminator, and a 200-mm paper core cutter—all built by its Indian partner Goldman Automatics.

New from Ahlbrandt, parent company of Enercon Industries, was a corona-treatment system employing aerosol methods to promote application of primers, slip agents, anti static and other effects on substrates.

Following last year's merger of Elite Converting Machinery and Cameron Equipment, Elite Cameron showed its wider product range of slitter/rewinders, shafted and shaftless unwind stands, short-length rewinders, salvage and doctor rewinders, and automatic/manual core cutters. The company exhibited with Valco Cincinnati, specialist in hot-melt and cold-glue application, which debuted a narrow-web, pilot-coating system with a slot-die head said to offer precise application and easy adjustment on widths up to 57 in.

Dutch agent Converpack sold the Italian Bielloni-Castello B87 slitter at its booth. The company also reported interest in the CBG Acciai doctor blades and Indugraph web-cleaning equipment it introduced at the show.

Erhardt+Leimer presented the new DO 2000 operator panel, said to "set the standard for a maximum of functionality and ergonomics." Optimizing control parameters on commissioning is reportedly simplified, and simultaneous operation of several actuators and sensor positioning devices is possible from the one, centralized panel. It includes clear text display and preselected language settings.

Futec Europe demonstrated its latest QC-Super K 100 percent, automatic inspection system on an Arpeco rewinder. Suitable for gravure, flexo and web-offset printing, the unit can inspect flexible packaging, carton, wallpaper, label and security printing.

NDC Infrared Engineering launched an online gauge for high-accuracy, high-speed measurement of coat weight and moisture in a wide range of paper-converting applications.

Pagendarm-BTT exhibited a 2,250-mm-wide coating head equipped with the new AGS 2500 S pressurized doctor. This two-chamber system with differential pressure control and overflow seal reportedly prevents air entrainment, providing fully transparent and porous-free coatings. It is positioned at the six o'clock position beyond the engraved roller, with coating weight set by pressure variation and differential pressure control.

New from Kongskilde was a compact trim-handling system for paper, plastics and foil. Based on a high-efficiency in-line venturi in combination with the company's Multiair blower, the system's low noise levels are said to allow installation beside production machines to transfer waste trim to containers or a central collection.

Konings and Fuji Tekko cooperated in the first public showing of the FLS WS-45 center-duplex slitter/rewinder. It features air friction shafts for precise torque control and handles a variety of materials.

Preco launched an auto-feeding, under-drive diecutting press "priced at under $40,000." For converting medical products, the UDC press has a 12x12-in. work area and comes complete with roll feeds, guards and controls, console and 20-ton capacity. Because it is driven from the bottom, the UDC is said to be ideal for cleanroom environments, as all the hydraulic fluid is below the transfer height of the material.

Reifenhäuser showed a new module for guiding melt flow in a five-layer extrusion coating line. The BSK-FC 1200 slot die features automatic adjustment of the flexible lips by thermal expansion bolts. An active air-cooling unit shortens the cool-down phase and protects the system against monomer contamination. The company also highlighted new technology for converting breathable films and film/nonwoven composites—claiming cost savings up to 50 percent without compromising quality.

Scalar Technologies' new optical gauge is said to measure online thickness of film coatings of 0.01 gsm down to 1 nm. The ScalarGauge uses a low-powered laser to illuminate the coating, then measures the emitted light to generate a numerical and graphic output of the coat weight. The process is carried out in real-time, for operator information, or as part of a complete machine process-control system.

U.S.-based tacky-roller, web-cleaning system supplier SDI debuted at ICE. The company's latest model, the MKWCN for narrow-web applications, has already won approval from several pressmakers.

The WFZ 45.50 slitter/rewinder was unveiled by WT Wickeltechnik. The twin-spindle unit has a center drive and contact rollers using either friction bodies or airshafts. Designed with a minimum unsupported web path, the slitting unit incorporates individual pneumatic top knives. All rollers are cantilevered, giving the operator an excellent view of the process, ease of access and the ability to make rapid changeovers.