SUN Automation Group Offers Technology for Box Plants
- Published: January 06, 2015
SPARKS, MD | SUN Automation Group announces MicroGrind, a technology said to help box plants transition to high-output rotary die-cutters that increase production and ensure maximum quality. 
“We are seeing that box plants are making the transition from slow, low-output flat bed die-cutters to high-output rotary die-cutters wherever possible to provide increased production levels of quality boxes that meet the SRP [shelf-ready packaging] specifications,” says Rob Dal Lago, SUN Automation’s general manager EMEA. “MicroGrind provides a big advantage for box plants that need accurate and consistent crease, score, and perforation in order to permit fault free auto-fill and shelf presentation.”
Company says the key to die-cut accuracy and creasing quality on soft anvil rotary die-cutting machines is to ensure the process is performed on a uniform cutting surface that is running at the correct speed. The answer to this challenge reportedly brought an entirely new method of treating the anvil surface by grinding and automatically compensating speed after the grind.
“MicroGrind uses a tungsten carbide roll to grind the anvil flat and true. This idea allows the surface to be treated in micro amounts automatically with precision without operator intervention,” says Dal Lago. “By utilizing a full-width grinding roll, engaged systematically against the entire anvil surface, and then adjusting the anvil speed, box makers can significantly advance the quality and productivity of their rotary die-cutting machines.”
Grinding that was traditionally done once a week is now able to be done several times a shift while the machine is running with the significant advantage of nominal down-time, company says, adding that consistently smooth anvil covers which perform “as new” during their entire life assure clean cuts and perforations, thus easing scrap issues. Also, rejections and returned boxes are significantly reduced as breaker and packing machines are now able to run smoother at higher speeds with minimal jams.”
