Problem Solved
Static issues can present some tricky problems for package printers, but solutions are available.
November 2008 by Tom Polischuk
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Dirt, dust, and any number of other contaminants can wreak havoc on a printing press. Package printers understand this well and work hard to maintain clean working environments and provide the necessary systems to eliminate contamination in their printing operations.
Key components incorporated onto printing presses to achieve this purpose include static-elimination and web-cleaning systems. With the growing use of film materials, run at higher and higher press speeds, the need to control static (a.k.a., dirt magnet) and assure that substrates are free of foreign material is greater than ever.
There are a number of companies that supply static-control and web-cleaning equipment and these companies can be an invaluable source of expertise when facing tricky static/cleaning problems. There is a good chance that they have seen similar problems that you might face and have been able to provide an effective solution.
packagePRINTING asked a sampling of suppliers to identify specific problems that they have seen and how the problems were solved.
Mark Gibis, vice president of sales, Doyle Systems
Problem—We find that the most difficult problem to solve is when a wide variety of substrates are being run on a particular press. An example would be when a press operator has to go from printing on paperboard (high dust content) to film or foil, then back to paper. This problem was brought up repeatedly by attendees at the recent Labelexpo show in Chicago.
Solution—Based on this need, Doyle Systems has developed a “hybrid” system that will handle these complex challenges. The hybrid technology includes high-intensity (shockless) static control devices to eliminate even the highest static charges, both before and after the cleaning process. It combines multimodal™ full-contact vacuum cleaning with contact roll cleaning technology. This multimodal cleaner is at its best on high-dust and paper-based substrates. On scratch-sensitive substrates like films and foils, the contact roll cleaning system will effectively clean without marring the surface. The hybrid system also provides the operator with the option of using both technologies together to bring the cleaning performance to the highest levels possible.
Michael Anderson, N. A. sales manager, MKS, Ion Industrial
Problem—A customer’s production process involved the filling of chilled yogurt into tubes, or “pops,” with a continuous tube forming, filling, and sealing process of printed packaging. A problem occurs when electrostatic charges on the packaging attracts material (usually the product itself) into the seal areas.
Key components incorporated onto printing presses to achieve this purpose include static-elimination and web-cleaning systems. With the growing use of film materials, run at higher and higher press speeds, the need to control static (a.k.a., dirt magnet) and assure that substrates are free of foreign material is greater than ever.
There are a number of companies that supply static-control and web-cleaning equipment and these companies can be an invaluable source of expertise when facing tricky static/cleaning problems. There is a good chance that they have seen similar problems that you might face and have been able to provide an effective solution.
packagePRINTING asked a sampling of suppliers to identify specific problems that they have seen and how the problems were solved.
Mark Gibis, vice president of sales, Doyle Systems
Problem—We find that the most difficult problem to solve is when a wide variety of substrates are being run on a particular press. An example would be when a press operator has to go from printing on paperboard (high dust content) to film or foil, then back to paper. This problem was brought up repeatedly by attendees at the recent Labelexpo show in Chicago.
Solution—Based on this need, Doyle Systems has developed a “hybrid” system that will handle these complex challenges. The hybrid technology includes high-intensity (shockless) static control devices to eliminate even the highest static charges, both before and after the cleaning process. It combines multimodal™ full-contact vacuum cleaning with contact roll cleaning technology. This multimodal cleaner is at its best on high-dust and paper-based substrates. On scratch-sensitive substrates like films and foils, the contact roll cleaning system will effectively clean without marring the surface. The hybrid system also provides the operator with the option of using both technologies together to bring the cleaning performance to the highest levels possible.
Michael Anderson, N. A. sales manager, MKS, Ion Industrial
Problem—A customer’s production process involved the filling of chilled yogurt into tubes, or “pops,” with a continuous tube forming, filling, and sealing process of printed packaging. A problem occurs when electrostatic charges on the packaging attracts material (usually the product itself) into the seal areas.
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