CMM 2001 Scrapbook

Enjoy our collection of bits and pieces from another successful show.

Compiled by Converting Editors -- Converting Magazine, 6/1/2001

It was a non-stop four days of booth visits, press conferences, new product introductions and demonstrations (both in-person and via satellite), but Converting's editors managed to gather together all the latest industry data and details. Bits and pieces of news from the nearly 900 exhibitors spread across 400,000 sq ft of McCormick Place South have been boiled down into this—our CMM Intl. 2001 Scrapbook.

We hope you enjoy the souvenirs and photos of another successful show.

To be delivered

Flex-pack converter Seville Packaging, Mississauga, Ont., will take delivery of a new Bobst Schiavi, Roseland, NJ, Alpha GL NC8 press after CMM Intl. 2001

(Enter 210)

. The gearless, 8-color CI-flexo press prints in widths from 800-1,200 mm with infinitely variable repeats at speeds to 350 mpm. The sleeve-based deck design for both anilox and print cylinders directly drives each sleeve with its own AC-vector motor.

The new Twin-Knife TSK sheeter

(Enter 211)

displayed in Valmet Converting's booth at CMM will ship directly from the show to Thord Persson, owner of THP Paperconverter in Husum, Sweden. Valmet, Kempston, UK, developed the TSK technology to give converters an affordable twin-knife sheeting option.

Knoxfield, Australia-based Javelin Machinery had a winning CMM by selling all the slitting systems on display at its booth

(Enter 212)

. Among the five units on their way to customers are a J800 manual single-knife slitter with an optional laminator/unwind stand, a J3000 automatic single-knife slitter, a J8000 automatic single-knife slitter, and two J200 compact rewind slitters.

The new PlasmaTreat3 system from Enercon Industries Corp., Menomonee Falls, WI, allows three substrate pretreatment choices: conventional corona, Chemical Corona, and the new breakthrough plasma method

(Enter 213)

. Surface-energy levels can be achieved that even allow writing on Teflon-coated films. The PlasmaTreat3 introduces gas at a controlled power level to an electrode, producing a low-density plasma discharge to create high-surface energy. Primary advantages include higher Dynes and no backside treatment. The plasma method's high surface-energy applied to film is said to not degrade over a short period of time.

The new AUTORegister AR 200 SA from BST Pro Mark, Elmhurst, IL, reportedly sets color-register in only six revolutions of the CI cylinder in gearless, direct-drive CI-flexo presses

(Enter 214)

. It offers converters reduced waste, faster setup times, reliable operation and simple handling, says the co. The AR 200 SA measures the position of the individual color marks in respect to a reference mark. Deviations from the target are measured as errors, and up to 12 print units are then adjusted with subsequent register correction so that color marks are shifted into position. The system auto-corrects from +/- 1/8 in. to an accurate +/- 0.004 in., using as little as 150 ft of material, compared to the typical 500 ft of material for a standard 4-color job setup.

The SHM 1450 Sheeter Series, from Körber Paperlink North America, Windsor, CT, is ideal for cutting paper, paperboard, films and laminates

(Enter 235)

. Designed for multi-roll operation, with a single rotary knife capable of exacting accuracy at speeds up to 300 fpm, it offers a width range of 400-1,400 mm and multiple-web capacity up to 500 gsm. Also at CMM from Körber Paperlink is the new one-operator Kugler-Womako hole-punching machine for paperboard and plastics. Tool change on the compact unit takes only minutes and requires simple manual adjustments.

Pressmaker Kidder, Inc., Agawam, MA, celebrates its 135th year in business with the introduction of its newest gearless CI-flexo press. The Arcus GT, in 8- and 10-color models for the flex-pack converting market, incorporates Siemen's electronic-gear technology with Kidder's unique transmission system

(Enter 215)

. Available in widths to 57 in., the Arcus GT's cantilevered station design has easy-access platforms for faster changeover and reduced downtime.

The Mercury color-management tool from Datacolor Intl., Lawrenceville, NJ, integrates the power of a PDA interface (Palm, Handspring) with the co.'s high performance standards into a portable spectrophotometer

(Enter 216)

. Weighing only 2.2 lbs, the ergonomically designed Mercury takes only seconds to collect accurate color measurements from samples of any size or shape. Users simply tap through menus or "write in" information to customize data. Three models with varying software utilities and memory are available with up to 30,000-measurement capability. The base 1000 Model starts at only $5,950.

The NWI Narrow Web Indicator, from Dover Flexo Electronics, Inc., Rochester, NH

(Enter 217)

is a cantilevered idler roller, tension transducer and digital LED tension display combined into a single unit. It comes in standard roll-face widths with lengths of 8, 10 and 14 inches.

The Novoflex gearless CI-flexo press from Windmoeller & Hoelscher Corp., Lincoln, RI, has been improved from its original introduction at CMM Intl. 99

(Enter 218)

. Among new advantages are a 1,270-mm print width, 10-color capability, 400-mpm print speed and an operator-friendly platform that holds 12 anilox or print sleeves and moves vertically to ease sleeve changeover.

Software galore

Canada-based CreoScitex

(Enter 226)

displayed its new Prinergy™ Powerpack PDF packaging workflow software solution for printers, converters and tradeshops. This software allows printers to design, trap, step, proof and approve the actual file being sent to plate for digital printing processes.

ColorTone 2.0 for Windows NT production retouching software from Barco Graphics Inc., Irvine, CA

(Enter 221)

, is aimed at tradeshops and repro houses/departments that need a robust set of tools for color correction and CT retouching in a production environment. ColorTone tools are focused on production-related tasks such as efficient correction of minimum and maximum dot percentages for a specific flexo-print process. It features an extensive set of color-correction tools, comes with standard Image Quality Estimator (IQE), and offers a set of masking techniques for local correction and image blending.

New Era Converting Machinery, Hawthorne, NJ, offers reverse-roll coaters and automatic flying-splice turret unwind for cleanroom operation

(Enter 222)

. Also new is a second-generation portable, interchangeable cartridge coater able to changeover from one coating method to another without the use of tools. Multiple application methods are possible, including gravure, offset gravure, reverse roll, four- and five-roll, kiss, slot-die and knife coating.

Hook-in-Bag applicator from Roberts PolyPro, Charlotte, NC

(Enter 223)

, automatically feeds, inserts and seals display hooks into a plastic web for a highly precise bag-manufacturing operation. The applicator is a compact machine that can be easily integrated into existing converting lines with no reduction in line speed or increase in labor cost. The simple design of the continuous-motion production system enables operators to learn and control the system very quickly.

A new Uni-Dyne treating system for wide-web applications from Corotec Corp., Farmington, CT

(Enter 224)

, is an easy-to-install and simple-to-maintain treating system that offers powerful performance. A unique electrode system has been designed to accommodate thermal expansion and improve treatment consistency by eliminating the problems associated with changes in air gap between the electrode and material being treated. This provides more consistent treatment across the width of the material.

The new BLK-U ultraviolet drying system for web presses from IST America Corp., Bolingbrook, IL,

(Enter 227)

permits operating ultraviolet lamps with no exhaust air ducting and includes high-efficiency heat exchangers in two different modes.

Honeywell's Industrial Control division, Phoenix,

(Enter 228)

displayed its process-measurement solutions for controlling flow rates and pressures in liquid coating. The co.'s LifeCycle Management program can help converters maximize ROI on automation, control and information technology investments, while minimizing the risks associated with system migration.

Propake, a flexible-packaging laminating-ink system shown by Flint Ink, Ann Arbor, MI

(Enter 229)

is offered in new formulations said to provide better blocking resistance and increased bond strength over a wider range of film and foil substrates.

Gralex, Inc., Lewis Center, OH

(Enter 230)

displayed its corrugated thermoforming press, the TP2620X14 with CSE-262 automatic stacker. It is capable of making two separate products at once and can produce over 100 plates/trays per min.

The AEROBOND™ foam unit, from National Starch & Chemical, Bridgewater, NJ,

(Enter 231)

is said to be the only foamer specifically engineered to handle a variety of adhesive chemistries and can produce at up to 150 gal/hr.

Dri-Tec Inc., Milwaukee,

(Enter 232)

showed off its inline convertible gravure/flexo stations engineered to complement and increase production versatility. This station can be designed to precisely match the existing control parameters of the press and are capable of handling all multi-function production requirements including registration, tension, velocity, position and temperature control.

Goldenrod Corp., Prospect, CT

(Enter 233)

introduced reportedly the first lightweight, pneumatic carbon-fiber differential shaft. The 1250-DFC rewind shaft is used for 3-in. ID cores and can handle a wide range of differential winding applications for higher roll weights, high speed and minimal deflection. It operates identically to field-proven 1250-DFX aluminum and steel differential shafts, but weighs just 0.33 lbs./in. of body length.

Independent Machine Co., Fairfield, NJ

(Enter 234)

introduced Smartwinder-2000™ modular spooling equipment. It can be used alone or with a series of units tailored to specific winding needs. Each is a self-contained computerized unit that offers precision spooling from most slitting or extrusion processes. It is capable of spooling strands as narrow as .015-in.

Novaflow Systems, Inc., Ontario, Canada,

(Enter 236)

releases a cylinder management system for gravure printers. The package includes features to control and maintain cylinders, including location, maintenance and work-order scheduling and setup, physical specifications and ink usage. The software integrates with the co.'s Ink Management System.

Mach III Clutch, Inc., Chicago,

(Enter 237)

introduces Iron Mike SensiFlex™ pneumatic tension-control clutches and brakes. A diaphragm is used to actuate the clutches and brakes. The units engage at just one PSI over spring pressure. A cooling sleeve draws cooler air into the back of the unit and pushes it outward through radially milled holes.

The Model 6525 DC-10 rotary diecutting and converting machine by Sohn Mfg., Inc., Elkhart Lake, WI

(Enter 238)

is a narrow-web, tabletop diecutter for a range of materials with different thickness, including paper, rubber, cork, foam, medical products and more. It offers two die stations, one of which has registration adjustment, so that the dies can be registered with one another.

4D Controls, Cornwall, UK, launches its Intelligent Probe

(Enter 239)

for use with the company's hand-held UV test and measurement devices. It is a light guide, similar to a periscope, which is attached to a sensor that measures UV output. The product creates a more efficient, user-friendly and accurate UV measuring solution, says co.

A three CCD-color camera and a maskless, inspection circuit by Nireco America Corp., Port Jervis, NY

(Enter 260)

allow high-precision defect detection over the entire printed pattern. With the camera, the color composition of each point on the printed matter is analyzed by three CCD photoreceptors arrayed geometrically at equal distances.

The registration error from varying product lengths or tension variation is automatically corrected by the Amadeus Tempo system from Andantex USA, Wanamassa, NJ

(Enter 261)

. Ergonomically designed, each unit is independently driven, with registration that remains stable during speed changes.

R.G. Egan Equipment Inc., Webster, NY

(Enter 262)

offers Automatic Roll Cleaners for a variety of steel and plastic production rolls, such as coating, calendering, laminating, chill, backing and nip. The product pushes a clean pad or cloth against the surface of a roll several times during each production run. It removes contamination from rolls without interrupting the converting process.

The Production Ambient Light Measurement Probe™ by EIT, Inc., Sterling, VA

(Enter 263)

features wide dynamic range measurements, autoranging and zeroing. It displays watts, joules and seconds. It also has an electrically isolated and insulated light guide, which is high temperature resistant. The product is battery-powered with two replaceable AA batteries.

Mark your calendars for the next CMM Intl. set for March 23-26, 2003, again at the friendly confines of McCormick Place South in Chicago.

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