Presses, Slitters, Coaters and Bagmakers

Multilayer labels in translation

LABEL PRODUCTIONS OF CALIFORNIA, INC., 888/309-4729, www.labelproductions.com
SUPPLIERS:
MARK ANDY, INC., 636/532-4433, www.markandy.com
AGFA GRAPHICS, 201/440-2500, www.agfa.com
KELLEIGH USA, 732/248-1161, www.kelleighusa.com
OLEC CORP., 714/258-5600, www.olec.com

posted on: 08/20/2009

ROI calculator

A new ROI calculator from pneumatic conveying system manufacturer Precision irConvey, automatically reveals the cost savings and overall financial returns to be realized by installing the company's automated trim handling and reprocessing systems. Devised to support plastic film and sheet processors, converters, printers and other companies where cutting costs while boosting productivity are paramount, the ROI calculator considers dozens of input parameters to compare a facility's current operating conditions to the streamlined conditions enjoyed following trim system installation.

posted on: 08/20/2009

Thiele Technologies acquires Hudson-Sharp Machine Co.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Larry Smith, President and CEO of Thiele Technologies, Inc., a leading manufacturer of high-speed integrated packaging equipment solutions headquartered in Minneapolis, Minn., has announced the acquisition of The Hudson-Sharp Machine Co. of Green Bay, Wis., and Brussels, Belgium, a world leader in the design and manufacture of plastic bag machinery, pouch making equipment and reclosable packaging solutions.

posted on: 08/18/2009

Marking and cutting laser equipment

Preco, Inc., a leading provider of laser processing equipment, is introducing an economical line of high-speed laser systems to complement its current laser system product line. The Preco Golden Laser line offers affordable, entry-level laser equipment alternatives for cutting and marking of signage, filtration products, promotional items, greeting cards, advertising specialties, gaskets, apparel, photos, toys, sports equipment, and other products using composites, card stock, wood, plastic, and industrial fabrics.

posted on: 08/17/2009

Fife Corp. celebrates 70 years of industry service

Oklahoma City, OK - Fife Corp., an industry leader in the manufacture and engineering of web-guiding systems, celebrates 70 years of success in the web-handling industry with a commitment to continuous product improvement and education.

posted on: 08/12/2009

Automated trim-handling system

The new TrimPAC Velocity trim system from pneumatic conveying system manufacturer Precision AirConvey, Newark, DE (www.precisionairconvey.com), automatically captures continuous edge trim at the press, slitter or die cutter and directs the waste material into a container for recycling or disposal. Ideal for converters, printers, label manufacturers and others generating paper, film, foil, laminate and other uncut, continuous trim and scrap in a range of widths and thicknesses, the TrimPAC Velocity delivers automated, high speed trim removal in a compact, dependable, single machine system at a low initial cost vs. cutter/fan systems.

Immediate savings in manual labor requirements and improvements in production speed, plant safety and hygiene are likely results. Pre-engineered as a complete system, the PAC TrimPAC Velocity features a PAC venturi fan, wye, flex hose, motor starter and a choice of one or two pickups to capture the trim. Custom options such as a rolling mobility package, convey tubing, relief heads and other choices are available. www.precisionairconvey.com

posted on: 08/12/2009

New rapid-changeover flexo press at NC's Plastic Packaging

Plastic Packaging, Inc., Hickory, NC, purchases a new 8-color, gearless Fischer & Krecke FP 14S CI-flexographic printing press. Designed for production of high-quality, short- or long-run work and engineered to facilitate rapid changeovers, the press is equipped with F&K's new smartGPS, which allows extraordinarily fast setups, contributes to high-quality print, and since it produces minimal waste, supports Plastic Packaging's continued commitment to the environment.

posted on: 08/11/2009

RFID-label converter

The latest innovation from Schober USA, the RFID-TI COMBI, is designed to insert/apply wet and dry RIFD inlays in registration at high speed onto a continuously driven release liner.   A dual reader verifies the transponder or finished RFID labels to ensure total production monitoring with a zero scrap rate.  Designed specifically for the production of Smart Labels, the RFID-TI COMBI is ideal for automatic product tracking, inventory management, logistic control, and other industrial and commercial applications.  Each unit is equipped with a special mode for anti-theft tags and labels (EAS).  

This new technology inserts UHF and HF inlays under die-cut blank or pre-printed labels and validates the finished product.  Control and monitoring is accomplished through the new pendant station which houses an industrial PC.  Additional features, which make this a cost-effective RFID solution, include a new tag dispenser with web tension relief, strategically placed start/stop buttons, greater information gathering capabilities, and optional static discharge protection.  This proven technology works with transponders in accordance with ISO specifications, in widths from 10 mm to 160 mm (with lengths of 10mm to 180 mm).  Pre-printed labels with widths from 20 mm to 200 mm can be applied at rates up to 50 meters/minute.  An on board RFID reader ensures the readability of each RFID tag after integration.  An automatic control system keeps transponders and printed labels in register.  The RFID-TI COMBI provides efficient and economical production of contact-less readable tickets for labels with holograms, peel-off labels, garment labels, swing tags, public transportation cards, admission tickets, and more. 

Standard features built into Schober RFID inserters make them easy to operate and maintain, including an automatic web guide system for base material, mechanical cross-register for transponders, auto-advance for missing transponders, servo-driven labeling head for opaque and transparent label reels, an electronic re-winder with tension control for assembled labels and our new easy to use operator pendent. 

For more information, contact David Grove at Schober USA, 11237 Grooms Road, Cincinnati, OH  45242, (513) 489 – 7393, or at solutions@schoberusa.com  Their extensive product line and capabilities can be viewed at www.schoberusa.com

posted on: 08/07/2009

Slitting and spooling system

Independent Machine Co. of Fairfield, NJ has developed its latest system for slitting and traverse winding  hook & loop   polypropylene.   The new 14" wide system includes a 2 position cantilevered unwind for supply rolls up to 48” OD  with auto edge guide and adjustable tension control. An auto tape splice is positioned between the unwind positions and is activated by either the operator or roll diameter signal. The web from the “waiting” position is placed in the splice fixture with PSA splice tape. As the “active” roll expires a butt splice is initiated and the “waiting” roll is activated. A sufficient amount of material is stored in the pneumatic accumulator/dancer assembly to enable a zero speed splice to be completed at line speeds to 250 FPM.  The slitter is the main speed reference for the system with a speed range to 1000 FPM and accommodates interchangeable assemblies for shear, score and razor slitting.

Each of the 26 cantilevered Smartwinder-2000ä traverse winding positions accommodates spools up to 20" wide x 25" OD. The system is easily expandable for additional winding positions.  Each position operates completely independent of all other positions and has a computerized, fully adjustable, servo driven traverse that will vary pitch, stroke length, end dwell and winding pattern through Smartwinders software.

www.independentusa.com

posted on: 08/07/2009

Dual-knife rotary sheeter

Maxson Automatic Machinery Co. offers an affordable sheeter model that offers dual knife rotary cutter technology to printing and converting operations that either relied on the purchase of sheeted stock or, until recently, could only pre-owned machinery.  The design employs a high speed (1,300 fpm) cutter outfitted with a delivery system that includes a reject gate and a stacker that uses a scissors lift load table.  

The cutter’s dual knife technology allows for heavy cutting loads on up to 0.040” thick (1000 gsm) material while maintaining accuracies of + 0.015” on sheet lengths and requiring no squareness adjustment.  Available in trim widths up to 65” (1651 mm) the cutter’s standard configuration allows for a 16” – 65” (407 – 1651 mm) cut off, although extended lengths and shorter digital sizes can be accommodated.

The delivery system is outfitted with a reject gate that can divert off standard material from the stacker and can productively run lightweight grades of paper as easily as board.  A “continuous run” feature which permits the Operator to offload piles from the stacker without stopping the machine or losing sheets is available to enhance production.

The stacker provides skids of press ready sheets of weighing up to 6,000 pounds (2727 kilograms).  The pile offset feature permits the Operator to center the pile on a standard skid to avoid rejogging and aerating the pile prior to feeding it into the printing press.

(401) 596-0162, bburdick@maxsonautomatic.com

posted on: 08/07/2009

Muller Martini to debut VSOP printing press

Muller Martini has acquired patents for the VSOP technology from Drent Goebel. A new Muller Martini VSOP series, offering flexible package and cardboard printing, will be launched by the end of 2009. By combining the new VSOP series with its existing Alprinta and Concepta product lines, Muller Martini will provide printers with a comprehensive array of solutions.

posted on: 08/04/2009

Rich-media sheetfed-offsets arrive

Resisting the currents of recession and commodity pricing, these companies—including Minneapolis-based Carlson Print Group, Los Angeles K+D Graphics and Matlet Group's Graphic Packaging are running extra-long lines that do much more than just print: they foil, double coat, and, in the latest twist, emboss and even diecut inline. 

Heidelberg's Speedmaster with inline embossing, shown as a technology demo on an XL105 at drupa last year, is now said to be in use at several North American locations. One US package printing firm has incorporated inline blind embossing  on a 16-unit Speedmaster CD102 line that includes a lead-in flexo coater for metallic effects, multiple curing units, eight offset units and second coater.

The latest addition to the high-end sheetfed finishing crowd is Fry Communications, which announced its order for the first North American Komori Lithrone LSX 640 in March—this one outfitted with seven print units (six capable of offset printing, the second unit dedicated to cold-foil application). A video on this press explains its sequence of inline post-printing finishing sequence of units: one for coating, curing, embossing, diecutting, final added coating unit and an extended curing delivery.

posted on: 08/04/2009

New Nilpeter flexo press at DWS Printing

DWS PRINTING, a fourth-generation label printer in existence since 1865, is proud to announce that in May of 2009 we installed a brand new Nilpeter, 8-Color, Flexographic Printing Press with UV Technology. With this addition, DWS PRINTING has now added in-house Pressure Sensitive label printing to our array of capabilities.

We now offer both Pressure Sensitive and Cut & Stack labels, as well as in-house Graphic Design services. With the addition of this new printing press, DWS PRINTING is truly a “ONE-STOP-SHOP”, empowering our clients with a label partner in whom they can trust regarding all of their label needs.

For more information, please visit www.dwsprinting.com

posted on: 08/04/2009

Cedex Plastics invests in W&H coex-film line

Cedex Plastics S.A.L., the new Lebanese-based joint venture between EXOPACK and the INDEVCO Group of Lebanon, has made its first investment in equipment: a 3-layer VAREX® co-extrusion line from Windmoeller & Hoelscher. Cedex will use the VAREX® to manufacture co-extruded polyethylene film for export to North America, enabling EXOPACK to provide its customers with cost-effective films of the highest quality.

posted on: 08/03/2009

Exopack installs Nordmeccanica laminator

Nordmeccanica is proud to announce a new installation at Exopack for a Super Combi 3000 laminator. Super Combi 3000 is currently one of the most successful products in the Nordmeccanica range with over 100 installations worldwide. Machine has been successfully installed at the Concord, ON, Canada location of Exopack.

posted on: 08/03/2009

Core recycler

The new Safe-Slab Core Recycler from Appleton Manufacturing quickly and safely removes leftover roll material so cores can be reused and scrap material recycled at a higher value. Unlike other systems that utilize blades, the Safe-Slab Core Recycler simply unwinds remaining material for blade-free waste separation and core recycling without risk of injury to workers or damage to the core. Variable unwinding speeds allow for quick handling of rolls up to 5 feet wide and 18 inches in diameter. The unit plugs into any grounded electrical outlet and boasts a small footprint – just 48 x 74 inches. Custom configurations are available.

Appleton Manufacturing, 800/531-2002, www.appletonmfg.com

posted on: 08/02/2009

Titan SR8 slitter/rewinder online at Ampac Flexibles

Cincinnati-based Ampac Flexibles (www.ampaconline.com) installs a new Titan SR8™ slitter/rewinder from Bobst Group (www.bobstgroup.com) at its Minneapolis facility. The system allows the plant to significantly increase slitting speeds and produce larger roll sizes to meet the growing demands of its rollstock customers. The high-speed Titan SR8 operates at up to 2,300 fpm, with semi-automatic unloading, laser core positioning, and quick changeover.

"We're excited about the Titan SR8 and the increased roll-size capability that it brings to our operations and customers," says Joe Buchanan, gm-Ampac Flexibles Global Pouching, Minneapolis. "The new equipment has significantly upgraded our slitting capabilities and provides added product flexibility."

"The Titan slitter allows us to continue building on our growth strategy of addressing customer needs and requirements by making strategic investments in our production facilities," adds Sal Pellingra, innovation/marketing director-Ampac Flexibles. "The improved output and efficiency also creates less waste and uses fewer resources...to continually reduce the impact on the local environments where we manufacture."

posted on: 08/01/2009

And at The Finishing Line...

Dresden, Germany-based converting-machinery maker KAMA GmbH presented its newest equipment developments at the first "Finishing Days" earlier this summer. More than 300 attendees came from 16 countries—including Japan, Russia, Poland, the Czech Republic, Greece, Great Britain, Switzerland, France, Spain and the US. The international audience saw live demonstrations of how KAMA ProCut diecutters, the brand-new ProFoil finishing diecutter with honeycomb plate, and the ProFold folder/gluers turned printed sheets into "pearls of the print world," KAMA says.

KAMA is reportedly the first manufacturer to develop a computer-aided configurator for its ProFold 74 folder/gluer. The interactive program determines the best machine setup for an individual print product and gives the operator a complete setup plan. This leads to considerable time savings, the company says.

KAMA also introduced its new ProFoil 74, the first KAMA diecutter with a permanently installed heating plate and an original honeycomb plate for the attachment of stamping tools. This special edition is primarily intended for use as a hot-foil stamper for packaging.

Both new machines are marketed by Heidelberg as a distribution partner.

posted on: 08/01/2009

Shaftless unwind minimizes downtime to provide more productive hours

The Model EP (Eccentric Pivot™) shaftless unwinding system used by converters worldwide for increased safety and production. Said to minimize downtime between rolls to yield more hours of production daily, the time-tested Model EP is available for rolls up to 10,000 lbs and is used in both high- and low-speed applications. It can be customized for specific end uses through a wide array of options and handles roll sizes of 60-, 72-, 84-, 100- and 114-in. diameters. Roll widths can range from 16 up to 160 in. Co. supplies a full line of high-production shaftless unwinds and mid-process rewinds for the paper, film and nonwovens industries.

POWELL ENGINEERING, INC., 800/213-4267, www.powellengineering.com

posted on: 08/01/2009

Unwind, rewind modules boost capacity, improve web control, ease roll change

SimpLok™ unwind/rewind modules are said to help increase capacity, improve web control and ease roll changes for increased production. Available in standard, medium and heavy-duty models, they handle rolls from 50 to 5,000 lbs. The unwind and rewind shafts, captured with ball bearings to ensure optimum tension control, are offered with brake- or drive-mounting provisions. Lateral adjust with up to +/-2 in. of adjustment, skew adjust with up to +/-0.5 in. of adjustment, skew and lateral adjust and edge-guide models are also available.

CONVERTER ACCESSORY CORP., 800/433-2413, www.converteraccessory.com

posted on: 08/01/2009