Packaging
Meech Shows How to Improve Profits at Labelexpo
Tuesday 20. July 2010 - Visitors to the booth of Meech Static Eliminators at LabelExpo Americas 2010, 14th - 16th September, Chicago, will be able to learn about the latest developments in web cleaning and static control, two areas in which the manufacturer is a key global player.
The recent launch of ShearClean means that Meech has both non contact and contact web cleaning systems in its product portfolio, so customers can ensure they have the best solution for the type of materials they handle. Meech has also added several products to its line up of static control systems.
“ShearClean is a non contact system suitable for sectors ranging from narrow web label printing, including litho, gravure and flexo, as well as converting, food packaging and pharmaceutical applications,” says Matt Fyffe, VP/General Manager of Meech Static Eliminators USA Inc. “ShearClean opens the door to a whole new range of applications where contact cleaning systems are not feasible.
“This could include substrates with surfaces that are prone to scratching, special coatings or decorative labels destined for premium consumer goods. ShearClean is also highly effective when used in applications involving coating. We believe its ease of installation, effectiveness in removing dust and debris from an extensive range of materials and its low running costs will make ShearClean attractive to many companies seeking to improve productivity.”
ShearClean can be supplied for use with reel widths up to 70 inches (1.8m) and web speeds of up to 1,475 feet per minute (450m/minute) as standard. Faster speeds may be achieved by adjusting factory settings. The system can be used to clean materials as diverse as paper or film. Printers wanting to remove debris from the web prior to printing could fit ShearClean before the first unit, while pre-printed reels could be cleaned before packaging.
ShearClean incorporates two cotton-covered rollers, which are positioned 0.5 to 1.0mm on either side of the web. The rollers spin at high speed – 4,000 RPM and upwards – in the opposite direction to the travel of the web. The air currents generated break up the boundary layer on the surface of the web, allowing ShearCleans highly effective vacuum system to remove even extremely small particles that would otherwise be trapped in that layer.
ShearClean can be tailored to suit customers requirements, not just in terms of width but also in sophistication. For instance, Meech can provide different control upgrades to create a fully programmable unit. The company has also deployed its longstanding expertise in static control to incorporate the latest AC ionising bars into ShearClean, which significantly improve the effectiveness of the cleaning process and greatly reduce the risk of re-attraction of contaminants to the cleaned web surfaces.
Meech has pioneered the industrial use of Pulsed DC technology for static control for more than 15 years and now has over 4,500 systems in use in the printing, packaging, converting and plastics industries. Recent developments have included the launch of the 977CM Pulsed DC controller, which provides the first true closed loop Pulsed DC static control system.
“Ionising bars are a key component of a static control system, but they become contaminated during use and have to be cleaned regularly to remain effective,” says Matt Fyffe. “Depending upon the application, this can be as often as once a week and reducing cleaning results in a direct increase in productivity.
“The new 977CM continuously monitors output from the ionising bars and automatically adjusts the input voltage to compensate for the adverse effects of contamination. When no further adjustment is possible the contamination will start to reduce performance. Adjustable alarms alert the operator, via local audible and visible warnings and remote alarm signals, to the need to clean the bars.”
The 977CM features a fully automated closed-loop feedback system. A sensor bar detects residual voltages on web paths and rewinds and communicates with the 977CM unit to instruct it to tune its output to ensure the best possible charge neutralisation for the current operating conditions.
“Optimising static control makes it possible to improve the quality of the finished product, whether this is on an unwind/rewind or slitting unit, a packaging line or printing press. The closed loop facility means that current information relating to the residual electrostatic charge in the material being handled is always available on the clear LCD display. This data can be transmitted to allow remote monitoring and logging for quality assurance purposes.”
Meech has been developing new versions of static control and monitoring equipment for use in hazardous areas and expects to be making further announcements at LabelExpo Americas 2010.