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Survey Studies Printing Ratios

Published: December 01, 2004, By Edited by Deborah Donberg
PITTSBURGH, PA Printing industry profits increased slightly during the past year, reports the 2004 PIA/GATF Ratios Survey. While profits continue to improve,

The Cutting Edge of Sheeters

Published: November 30, 2004, By Carrie Cleaveland, Assistant Editor
In the converting industry, "clean-cut" is more than just a professional fashion statement. It’s an important factor in the decision to purchase a sheeter. In the same way you don’t buy a new suit without trying it on, you must be sure a particular sheeter is the "right fit" for your company.

Model Mock-Ups

Published: November 30, 2004, By Nsenga Byrd Thompson, Associate Editor
Driving its equipment to unconventional new levels, Haney PRC creates model mock-ups.

Web Tension 101

Published: November 30, 2004, By Jeff Damour, Converter Accessory Corp.
Typically, tension is measured in PLI (pounds per linear inch) in the US. If you know PLI and you want to know total tension applied to the web, multiply PLI times the width of the material in inches. If you know total pounds of tension applied to the web and you want to know PLI, divide the total pounds of tension across the web by the width of the web in inches.

More than Nuts & Bolts

Published: November 30, 2004, By Nsenga Byrd Thompson, Associate Editor
Suppliers offer more than just a place to shop. They are experienced and eager to provide valuable solutions when it comes to maximizing equipment efficiencies, which, in return, allows converters to provide their customers with the best possible product. So how can you get the most mileage from this under-utilized resource? Read on to learn how your supplier can work for you!

Eliminate Pesky Bubbles

Published: November 30, 2004, By Edgar B. Gutoff, Consulting Chemical Engineer
How do bubbles form, and how can we eliminate them? Avoid introducing air into the coating fluid.

On the Move...

Published: November 30, 2004
News from: Enercon Industries, JV Imaging Systems, Tarsus Group, Drytac, Paratherm, Valéron Strength Films, Diversified Graphic Machinery, Nimble Shows & Media, Klöckner Pentaplast, Apex Europe, Orion Packaging Systems, FKI Logistex, Diamond Packaing, Innovia Films, W&H, Max Daetwyler, PIA/GATF, Galileo, and Challenge Printing.

Finding Our Footing

Published: November 30, 2004, By Yolanda Simonsis, Associate Publisher/Editor
It’s that time of year again when I find my "editorial inspiration file" is brimming with items that may become lost forever among the clutter of the cutting room floor. Among them are insightful readers’ responses to various editorials or articles written over the course of the year that otherwise might lose their impact if not used soon. So it’s time to share these gems as the year comes to a close. Perhaps you’ll recall what inspired these readers to write in the first place.

The Legislative Outlook for 2005

Published: November 30, 2004, By Sheila A. Millar, Attorney-at-Law, Keller & Heckman, Washington, DC
While most agree moral issues played a role in the 2004 election results and thus will figure prominently in legislative initiatives during the next session of Congress, we examine here what members of the converting industry may expect in terms of the legislative business agenda for the 109th Congress beginning in January 2005.

Chemicals & Responsibility

Published: November 30, 2004, By David J. Bentley, Jr., Contributing Editor
Everyone has an obligation to know exactly what he is doing in his work and to be able to communicate to those with an interest and a technical question. That is the connection of this column with readers that work in the converting and packaging industries.

The Harms of Harmony

Published: November 30, 2004, By Timothy J. Walker, TJWalker & Assoc. Inc.
From a simple handling viewpoint, these harmonic motion hiccups may be no problem, but combined with coating, extrusion, slitting, or winding operations, they may lead to waste.

Reporter Clips

Published: November 30, 2004, By Edward Boyle, Contributing Editor
News from: Jetrion, Mark Andy, TLMI, Freedonia Group, and Aquaflex.

Converting Industry News, Part 1

Published: November 30, 2004, By edited by Deborah Donberg
News from: Bobst Group, Gemipap, Converdis, Fuji, Stora Enso, AWA Alexander Watson Assoc., AIMCAL, RBS Technologies, Flint Ink, Creo, and Avery Dennison.

Converting Industry News, Part 2

Published: November 30, 2004, By edited by Deborah Donberg
News from: Bobst Group, Gemipap, Converdis, Fuji, Stora Enso, AWA Alexander Watson Assoc., AIMCAL, RBS Technologies, Flint Ink, Creo, and Avery Dennison.

Narrow Web New Product Digest

Published: November 30, 2004
Narrow web new products from: AB Graphic Intl., KTI, Dover Flexo Electronics, and Omet.

New Product Digest, Part 1

Published: November 30, 2004, By PFFC staff
New products from: Rotatek, HCI Converting Equipment Co., Maguire Products, Sterling Toggle, Battenfeld Gloucester Engineering, NexGen Enviro Systems, Pinnacle Converting Equipment, Davis-Standard, Agfa, Korber PaperLink North America, Senntech, Imprint Business Systems, Maxson Automatic Machinery, Mocon, Nordson, Mec Saroglia, QuadTech, Creo, Spartanics, Brandtjen & Kluge, MetaCommunications, UV Process Supply, and Leistritz.

New Product Digest, Part 2

Published: November 30, 2004, By PFFC staff
Narrow web new products and materials from: AB Graphic Intl., KTI, Dover Flexo Electronics, Omet, ICI Imagedata, Dow Corning, Flink Ink, AET, Decorated Paper, Sherwood Technology, and Mitsubishi Plastics.

Mechanics of Tension Control, Part II

Published: November 30, 2004, By Jeff Damour, Converter Accessory Corp.

For this basic tutorial in the mechanics of web tension control, tension is defined as the force applied to a continuous web of material in the machine direction.

ICE 2005 Exhibitor List Continues to Grow

Published: November 30, 2004, By pffc-online.com
With nearly a year to go, the ICE 2005 paper, film, and foil converting trade fair already has more confirmed square meters of stand space than was on show at ICE 2003. Potential exhibitors are encouraged to book quickly, as only about 1,500 square meters remain.

Simplifying Holography with Wide Web Performance

Published: November 30, 2004, By Nsenga Byrd Thompson, Associate Editor
A new wide web embossing system gives AET Films the edge in providing converters with easy-to-use holographic film.

A&V Named Distributor for BASF nyloflex® Printing Plates

Published: November 29, 2004, By pffc-online.com
BASF Printing Systems has appointed Anderson & Vreeland as a distributor of the company's nyloflex® photopolymer printing plates in the US and Canada. A&V will provide sales and technical support.

AIM RFID Mark Standard Now Available for Download

Published: November 29, 2004, By pffc-online.com
The AIM RFID Mark and all associated graphics are now available for download from the AIM Global website. The RFID Mark provides a standard way to clearly show the presence of an RFID transponder, its frequency, and data structure.

FLEXcon's Sander de Jong to Speak at AWA Conference

Published: November 24, 2004, By pffc-online.com
FLEXcon Europe's market development manager, Sander de Jong, will present "Choosing the Right Self-Adhesive Film and Print Technology for Your Application" on Friday, December 10, at the AWA Global Self-Adhesive Graphic Arts Conference. de Jong's presentation will discuss industry trends concerning the needs for and benefits of p-s film constructions.

Kugler-Womako and schafer-etiketten Cooperate in the Field of Labeling Technology

Published: November 24, 2004, By pffc-online.com
Label and packaging materials manufacturer schafer-etiketten and Kugler-Womako, a Korber PaperLink company, plan to cooperate in the field of labeling technology. schafer-etiketten will stop production of Combina labeling machines while Kugler Womako will take over Combina production.

Dec. 7-9: AMI's Polyethylene Films 2004 Will Focus on North American Industry

Published: November 22, 2004, By pffc-online.com
AMI's Polyethylene Films 2004 will take place December 7-9, 2004 at the Westin Hotel in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and will provide a detailed look at developments in the North American PE film industry, the effect of these developments on film producers, and the implications for the future.

NorthStar Print Group Earns ISO 9001 Certification

Published: November 22, 2004, By pffc-online.com
NorthStar Print Group, a leading producer of glue-applied, in-mold, and pressure-sensitive labels, have earned ISO 9001:2000 certification for the quality management systems in all three of its production facilities. American Systems Registrar issued the certifications following an extensive review of the company’s quality management program.

Dow Opens First Commercial Plant for Versify Plastomers and Elastomers

Published: November 19, 2004, By pffc-online.com
Dow announced the successful start-up of the first commercial plant for its new family of specialty propylene-ethylene copolymers, Versify Plastomers and Elastomers, in Tarragona, Spain.

AVT Names Pitman as US Ditributor

Published: November 17, 2004, By pffc-online.com
Advanced Vision Technology (AVT), a provider of process control and quality assurance for the packaging, converting, and label printing industry, has named Pitman Company as the US national distributor of AVT’s automatic inspection solutions for the narrow web market.

Web Converting Acquires KT Converting Services

Published: November 17, 2004, By pffc-online.com
Web Industries (parent company of Web Converting and FilmX) announced it’s acquisition of the assets of the converting services division of KT industries. The acquisition only involves KT’s Fort Wayne, Indiana, operation and not their ongoing operations in Winnipeg, Manitoba. (webindustries.com)

FTA Launches Aggressive Campaign to Boost Membership

Published: November 15, 2004, By pffc-online.com
The Flexographic Technical Association (FTA), a society dedicated to promoting, developing, and maintaining the advancement of flexography, has launched a rigorous drive aimed at recruiting new members. The campaign, "FTA Recruiter Rewards Program," encourages existing members to recruit new members into FTA. For every new member who joins, the recruiter earns rewards.

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