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Narrow Web New Products

Published: May 31, 2005, By PFFC staff
New products from: Avery Dennison Retail Information Services, Toray Plastics (America), Omet, Diagraph, Klöckner Pentaplast of America, and 3M.

A Cut Above

Published: May 31, 2005, By Nsenga Thompson, Associate Editor
It’s taken more than "the luck of the Irish" to grow Connemara’s $40 million converting operation, which was founded in 1997.

Truth or Myth?

Published: May 31, 2005, By Dr. Paul E. Gloor, Johnson Polymer LLC
There are many proposed theories that might influence the slide angle. We tested extensively to determine if these postulations are true.

A Communication from the PLACE Div. of TAPPI

Published: April 30, 2005, By David J. Bentley, Jr., Contributing Editor
The role of an uneven temperature distribution at the flat die inlet on the die performance; trends in packaging—a challenge for adhesives development; razor, crush, and shear slitting principles: advantages and disadvantages for film and foil applications; and web spreading.

E-Waste Legislation

Published: April 30, 2005, By Sheila A. Millar Attorney-at-Law, Keller & Heckman, Washington, DC
In response to concerns over the environmentally sound disposal of an increasing quantity of cathode ray tube (CRT) devices, which contain lead and other heavy metals considered hazardous materials by the California Dept. of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC), California has passed an innovative electronic waste recycling law.

On the Move...

Published: April 30, 2005, By PFFC staff
News from: CDR Pigments & Dispersions, Pace Systems Group, Dyna-Tech, NPE 2006, Ashton Potter, Fort Dearborn Co., Harper Corp. of America, Anderson & Vreeland, Sun Chemical, Kohl & Madden, INX Intl., ITW Richmond Technology, Control Instruments Corp., Moscow State Univ. of the Printing Arts, and Brown Machine.

Introduction to Roll Handling

Published: April 30, 2005, By Jeff Damour, Converter Accessory Corp.

Proper roll handling methods are required to ensure plant personnel safety and to minimize losses associated with roll damage.

The Board Identity

Published: April 30, 2005, By Nsenga Byrd Thompson, Associate Publisher
Members of the Paperboard Packaging Council convened once again for the association’s annual spring meeting.

Under the Hood

Published: April 30, 2005, By Edward Boyle, Contributing Editor
To the automotive industry, a label isn’t just a label, it’s a "part," and it can be just as important as a mechanical or electronic component in the vehicles they manufacture.

Tech Specs

Published: April 30, 2005, By Claudia Hine, Managing Editor
Is there a shiny new flexo press in your future? Then go ahead and drool. Here’s a sample of what’s waiting for you.

Materials

Published: April 30, 2005, By PFFC staff
New products from: Appleton, ANI Printing Inks, ADM Tronics Unlimited, Smart Papers, MPI Technologies, Klöckner Pentaplast of America, ExxonMobil Chemical Co., National Adhesives, Dow Corning Corp., and DuPont Teijin Films.

Narrow Web New Products

Published: April 30, 2005, By PFFC staff
New products from: Gidue, Enercon, Ashe Converting Equipment, Primera Technologies, and CTC Intl.

Double Up!

Published: April 30, 2005, By Nsenga Byrd Thompson, Associate Editor
When PFFC first interviewed Tufco Technologies in February 2003, it was at a period of significant growth and investment for the company. Time has not slowed progress at this enterprising Wisconsin-based converter.

Converting Industry News

Published: April 30, 2005, By Edited by Deborah Donberg
News from: Intelicoat Technolgies, AIMCAL, International Paper, Martin Automatic, Chevron Phillips Chemical Co., Maxson Automatic Machinery, Neenah Paper, PRP Flexo, Sherwood Technology, Expo Pack Mexico, CMM Intl., NPE, PLGA, ITW, Vacumet, Prepress Training Solution, INDA, and EDANA.

Flexo Goes to Florida

Published: April 30, 2005, By Deborah Donberg & Nsenga Thompson, Editorial Staff
The 2005 Annual Forum of the Foundation of Flexographic Technical Assn. (FFTA), held March 20-23 at Orlando’s Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Hotel, got down to business.

A Look at Laminating Inks

Published: April 30, 2005, By Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D. Contributing Editor
Packaging inks come in all shapes and sizes and usually must meet unique performance requirements.

Drawing Conclusions: Part 1

Published: April 30, 2005, By Timothy J. Walker TJWalker & Assoc. Inc.
In planning the tension control for any web line, there are only three options: tension control, torque control, and draw control. Between any two rollers or rolls controlled by a motor, brake, or clutch, you have to select one of these three choices.

Smaller CMM Reflects Industry

Published: April 30, 2005, By Yolanda Simonsis Associate Publisher/Editor
The long-awaited CMM Show took place April 18–21 at Chicago’s McCormick Place. One can’t help noticing the show, which is staged every other year, is morphing into a different animal—a smaller one for the most part.

Preparation=Die-Cutting Success

Published: April 30, 2005, By Nsenga Byrd Thompson, Associate Editor
When it comes to selecting a die-cutting solution, poor planning is a trap you don’t want to fall into.

Reporter Clips

Published: April 30, 2005, By Edward Boyle, Contributing Editor
News from: MACtac, label converters at TLMI, and Mesirow Financial.

New Products

Published: April 30, 2005, By PFFC staff
New products from: SKF USA, Independent Machine Co., PCMC, Maxson Automatic, Convertech, PAD Peripheral Advanced Design, Bodine Electronic Co., Nireco America Corp., Zimmer Industries, Ion Industrial, Bunting Magnetics, AB Graphic Intl., Macro Engineering & Technology, Creo and Testing Machines.

RFID: Emerging Policy Issues

Published: March 31, 2005, By Sheila A. Millar Attorney-at-Law, Keller & Heckman, Washington, DC
In a previous article we outlined some of the issues surrounding the use of radio frequency identification (RFID) and electronic product code (EPC) technology for the converting industry. As we indicated, the primary concern surrounding the use of this technology involves privacy and security when personal information becomes associated with RFID tags. Privacy and security were the major focus of a workshop on RFID sponsored by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) last summer.

Cleaning the Right Way

Published: March 31, 2005, By David J. Bentley Jr. Contributing Editor
Cleaning has two important goals. The first one is obvious: Be certain the surfaces are clean and free of any residual adhesive or coating. The second one is less obvious: Be certain the cleaning operation does not create any hazards to the personnel doing the cleaning or to the environment.

Which Ink for Which Substrate?

Published: March 31, 2005, By Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D. Contributing Editor
Every new ink project begins with an analysis of the substrate to be printed. In just minutes, the complexity of the project can be estimated from the surface tension characteristics of the substrate.

Clean Thinking

Published: March 31, 2005, By Timothy J. Walker TJWalker & Assoc. Inc.
What is your definition of clean? What people think of as "clean enough" in their home is staggeringly different. Hopefully, your definition for your converting operation is the same as that of your customers.

Mouse Roars BUY ME!

Published: March 31, 2005, By Yolanda Simonsis, Associate Publisher/Editor
Function and flash come together each year with the recognition of technical and marketing superiority in the annual metallized and coated products competition of the Assn. of Industrial Metallizers, Coaters and Laminators, held in Bonita Springs, FL, on March 17.

Detecting the Edge

Published: March 31, 2005, By Andrew Kalnajs, AccuWeb Inc.
Web guides have evolved dramatically since their first appearance on converting lines in the 1930s. Electronic edge detectors and electric motors gradually displaced pneumatics and hydraulics as demand grew for greater accuracy and reliability, and tolerance for leaky hydraulics diminished. The earliest electronic systems were far from perfect—in particular the edge detectors were sensitive to dust and temperature swings—but they were a big improvement over their predecessors

Advances in Coating

Published: March 31, 2005, By Edward D. Cohen, Edward D. Cohen Consulting
Recent technology advances in the web coating process have led to an improved process with the capability to produce products with a wide range of characteristics. These advances have occurred in all parts of the process, with major advances in coating application, on-line inspection instrumentation, and process control systems.

Secured Solutions

Published: March 31, 2005, By Nsenga Byrd Thompson Associate Editor
In response to the anti-counterfeiting and brand protection movement that has taken shape, especially after 9/11, security has become a growing niche within the converting industry. As converters begin to research and implement the variety of overt and covert security options available, they also are discovering the security industry is complex, expensive, and utilizes technologies that can be compromised easily.

Communication from the PLACE div. of TAPPI

Published: March 31, 2005, By David J. Bentely, Jr., Editor
Providing practical information to the converting and packaging industries.

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