What's New
- Published: April 01, 2007
Measure and Align Precisely
Pinpoint Laser Systems, Newburyport, MA; 800/757-5383; www.pinlaser.com
A 2D Microgage is for precision measuring, machine alignment, calibration, and other industrial applications. Said to be compact and easy to set up, unit will operate over a distance of 100 ft with a bright, red beam. Accessories allow for alignment of straightness, runout, parallelism, squareness, roll and web alignment, shaft and bore alignment, flatness measuring, and more.
PFFC-ASAP 400
Get a “Clean Peel”
Rollprint Packaging Products, Addison, IL; 630/628-1700; www.rollprint.com
Allegro M sealant can be extrusion coated onto various substrates to create a cost-effective way to achieve a “clean peel,” company says. Suited for pharmaceutical and medical devices, sealants seal to numerous rigid cup or tray structures, including HIPS, PVC, APET, PP, and HDPE. Called ideal for challenging applications, including those that are hard to seal due to liquid contamination on the sealing surface.
PFFC-ASAP 401
Get Photorealistic Images
InteliCoat Technologies, South Hadley, MA; 800/628-8604; www.intelicoat.com
Magic Total-Photo M is a universal paper for use on both aqueous pigment and dye as well as solvent and eco-solvent printers. Ultra-smooth matte surface, combined with high ink saturation, is said to provide a rich density that yields photorealistic images. High-caliper and sealed base sheet eliminates cockle and promotes easy handling during lamination. Suited for graphics, indoor signs, posters, and more.
PFFC-ASAP 402
Collars Suited for Harsh Work
Stafford Mfg. Corp., North Reading, MA; 800/695-5551; www.staffordmfg.com
Line of 316 stainless steel shaft collars and couplings is for applications requiring exposure to harsh chemicals, solvents, detergents, and water. SST collars and couplings are in stock in set-screw, one-piece, and two-piece styles with a choice of 18-8 or 316 SST fasteners. Feature standard smooth bores or can be threaded.
PFFC-ASAP 403
Cure Difficult Inks
IST Metz, Nürtingen, Germany; +49 (0) 70 22 6 00 2-0; www.ist-uv.com
The Deep Cure Package (DCP) is designed to cure inks that are difficult to process, especially applications using opaque white. The two key elements of the system are specially doped metal halogen lamps and cold-mirror UV reflectors, both customized for each application. The lamps are said to ensure complete cure and guarantee excellent adhesion of the opaque white layer to the substrate.
PFFC-ASAP 404
Sensors Overcome Movement
Baumer Electric, Southington, CT; 800/937-9336; www.baumerelectric.com
OBDM 12 laser sensors are designed to recognize a target regardless of its distance from the sensor or any uncontrolled wobbling, movement, or elevation changes. Called ideal for both static and dynamic applications, sensors detect targets that match a preprogrammed differential value with its operating range of 16-120 mm. Data output feeds directly to a PLC, so sensors can replace analog distance sensors, company says.
PFFC-ASAP 405
Barrier with Metallized PP Films
Toray Plastics (America), North Kingstown, RI; 401/294-4511; www.torayfilms.com
Torayfan PC5 and PWX5 ultra-high-barrier, metallized PP films offer 10x the oxygen barrier of metallized films from previous generations, company says. Also reportedly offer exceptional moisture barrier. PC5 is designed for use as either an inner web of a lamination with converter-applied cold seal, or as a middle ply of a multilayer lamination. PWX5 is for use as an inside sealant web and provides barrier for gas-flushed applications.
PFFC-ASAP 406
Measure Viscosity In-Line
Biode, Westbrook, ME; 207/856-6977; www.biode.com
Company is offering a low-shear-rate version of its solid-state ViSmart viscosity sensor. Designed to measure samples of low- to mid-range viscosity fluids instantaneously, sensor provides continuous, real-time, in-line measurements for process control systems that require high resolution and accuracy. Custom options and configurations are available.
PFFC-ASAP 407
Produce Analog, Digital Plates
Degraf, Lacchiarella (MI), Italy; +39 02 900 90 196; www.degraf-group.com
The Concept 505 DW (Digital Washer) wash-out unit is designed to allow the production of analog and digital plates using one piece of equipment and to ensure maximum quality and processing speed. Will process plates to 52 × 80 in. and is equipped with a prewashing section to remove the carbon layer from digital plates. Features oscillating cylindrical brushes rotating in opposite directions and an integrated solvent densitometer.
PFFC-ASAP 408
Precision-Coat Adhesives
On Demand Machinery, Elizabeth, NJ; 908/351-6906; www.odmachinery.com
Stencil gluing machine applies a pattern of adhesive or overall coating to envelopes, p-s box blanks, skin pack cards, or any product requiring a precision coating of adhesive in a pattern. Handles latex and self-stick adhesives and can be supplemented with a drying conveyor, perforating wheels, folding plows, stacking table, or automatic feeder. Will handle a maximum product size of 18 in. wide by 18 in. long.
PFFC-ASAP 409
High Esthetics in Lamination
ADM Tronics, Northvale, NJ; 201/767-6040; www.admtronics.com
Unex 217-5G water-based laminating adhesive is designed for packaging applications with high esthetic requirements. Said to work well on laminations of Aclar to PVC and Aclar to LDPE. Bond strengths are reported to be excellent. Can be employed on conventional laminating equipment, with application by standard roller coating configurations.
PFFC-ASAP 410
ERP Suite is Expanded
Radius Solutions, Chicago, IL; 312/648-0800; www.radiussolutions.com
The PECAS Vision Time and Attendance application expands the PECAS Vision ERP product suite for printing and packaging companies and leverages Vision's shop floor data to calculate payroll hours and streamline payroll processing. Flexible setup of payroll policies allows compliance with labor laws in all 50 states and many foreign countries. Outputs data to ADP for payroll completion.
PFFC-ASAP 411
Analyze Costs, Sales Separately
PaperSoft, Pelham, AL; 205/733-0700; www.papersoft.com
Cost method for converters separates the fiscal responsibility of the sales department from that in production by analyzing their performance separately, such as tracking trim waste vs. running waste, against a set of definable standards. Using standards, jobs costs are guaranteed a profitability percentage, company says, and each department's performance can be analyzed.
PFFC-ASAP 412
Software Does Many Jobs
Advanced Software, Yardley, PA; 215/369-7800; www.advantzware.com
Windows-based packaging software features modules to support many estimating methods, order processing, sales service, inventory, purchasing, plant data collection, scheduling, job costing, and accounting. Optional modules include CAD links, RF bar coding, touch screen technology, and more.
PFFC-ASAP 413
Integrate and Automate
PlastiSoft Corp., Toronto, ON, Canada; 416/667-9292; www.plastisoft.com
The Tori-Flex enterprise planning software solution fully integrates into one single system departments including customer service, sales, shop floor production, inventory management, shipping/receiving, and accounting. Processes such as job costing, customer quotations, work orders, production scheduling, WIP, label bar codes, and inventory are fully automated.
PFFC-ASAP 414
Software has Updated Solutions
VantagePoint Systems, Vancouver, BC, Canada; 604/685-4209; ww.vpgroup.com
Release 4.0 is the latest version of Accelerate software for the retail packaging industry. Runs on a new database platform said to offer increased flexibility and productivity. Includes a new Purchase Invoice Register module; new routines for showing material allocations, purchase orders, and issues for selected production order; and a new web interface for the Production Manager shop floor data collection software that allows remote access to real-time shop floor activity data via any web browser.
PFFC-ASAP 415
Treat Many Materials
Corotec Corp., Farmington, CT; 800/423-0348; www.corotec.com
Combination roll-to-roll and sheet-fed corona treating system features integral HFT-Series power supply, power density control, and adjustable speed control, all prewired and mounted to a portable frame. System is designed for processing a wide variety of materials and is said to be especially useful to in-house test laboratories for evaluating the effectiveness of corona discharge surface treatment on customers' materials.
PFFC-ASAP 416
Ink Jet Printers for Many Uses
Domino Printing Sciences, Gurnee, IL; 800/323-4754; www.dominoamjet.com
The A-Series plus range of continuous ink jet (CIJ) printers is said to offer features that help users achieve increased production efficiencies. Meets ink jet printing requirements ranging from basic coding to tough industrial applications in harsh environments. Prints up to four lines of code text, logos, automatic serial, or batch numbering and real-time clocks. With printer comes Totalcare plus program of managed support services and products.
PFFC-ASAP 418
Apply Glue Patterns Quickly
Valco Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH; 513/874-6550; www.valcocincinnatiinc.com
Electric cold glue valve in a 15-mm-wide package features advanced solenoid technology and can apply very short patterns at high machine speeds. Adjustable stroke version is available to enhance dotting performance. Life cycles exceeding 1 billion are possible with a lightweight plunger featuring a carbide ball seating on a ceramic nozzle tip.
PFFC-ASAP 417
Film Unwinds Smoothly
Acpo, Oak Harbor, OH; 877/412-8273; www.acpo.com
Easy-release polyester self-wound overlaminate film is designated 891. This clear film is treated with a platinum-based silicone release for smooth, quiet unwind and features a high-grade emulsion acrylic adhesive. Also available with no adhesive, designated 891U.
PFFC-ASAP 419
Get Images in Two Ways
MicroDynamics, Marietta, GA; 770/874-1636; www.microdynamics.net
The 3DQC video-3D combination microscope reportedly offers enhanced performance and user friendliness. Provides both a high-definition Videoscope white-light imaging with 24-Bit RGB color levels mode, or HD 3-D nanotopography interferometry imaging mode. Provides low- and high-resolution imaging in both modes by combining digital zoom with optional fixed magnification of 5x, 10x, 20x, and 40x, with potential nanotopography imaging to 2,000x.
PFFC-ASAP 420
Handle Materials Safely
Schlumpf, Windham, ME; 877/460-4535; www.schlumpf-inc.com
The ESH-300-PEC and ESH-500-PEC portable battery-powered shaft handling machines reportedly make lifting, extracting, and inserting heavy air shafts and reel spools fast, safe, and easy. The units hold the air shaft journal end with a powerful electrically actuated clamp. Clamp tooling can be adapted in seconds, without tools, to handle multiple shafts. Machines are said to minimize or eliminate the risk of operator injuries and equipment damage.
PFFC-ASAP 421
Clean Digital Plates Safely
HarperScientific, Charlotte, NC; 866/588-8686; www.harperscientific.com
The Digi-Tek sponge for cleaning digital plates eliminates the potential of the mesh snagging the dot heads and damaging the plate image. Can be used with all plate-cleaning solutions, including ink solvents.
PFFC-ASAP 422
