The Answer for Static Control
November 2004
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Suppliers of static control systems have answered their customers call for enhanced performance, longer neutralizing ranges, and system monitoring.
STATIC CONTROL AND web cleaning go hand in hand. The build up of a static charge on any moving web will not only hold particles of contamination to the surface, but will also attract more contamination to join the party. Eliminating static build up is a big first step in keeping a substrate clean.
This is even more important today as printers are running faster speeds and more film substrates. Faster speeds can cause an increased build up of the static charge, while plastic films, being non-conductive, can build up and hold an even larger charge than more conductive substrates such as paper and foils.
Contamination on the substrate surface can result in a host of quality problems such as printing defects and coating and laminating issues. These problems can cause increased waste, or worse yet, dissatisfied customers. In addition, a build up of static on the web can pose a safety hazard to operators if they come in contact with it.
New technology advances
According to Mike Oldt, general manager for SIMCO Industrial Static Control, static bars are the most commonly used types of static control devices used in the packaging and converting industry. Except for the important development of "shockless" static bars from "hot" devices to address safety concerns, up until the mid '90s, there were few technological changes.
"At that time, several versions of bars with improved performance (longer range, higher output bars capable of handling higher web speeds and more difficult applications) came to market," observes Oldt. "Monitoring of static bar output also started to gain importance, especially with larger manufacturers with tight quality control standards."
Oldt says that these "new technology" products have caused a "dramatic shift in the style of static bars being sold by SIMCO. In 2000, these types of products accounted for less than 5 percent of SIMCO's static bar sales. This year, they will represent nearly 50 percent of sales." He lists PerforMAX 3, Blue Bar, and True AC as SIMCO products falling under the banner of new technology offerings.
The older technology products are not completely out of the picture. "They are especially popular with machine builders, due to lower cost, and users with less demanding applications. I expect that they will continue to be popular for many years," Oldt predicts.
What customers are asking for
STATIC CONTROL AND web cleaning go hand in hand. The build up of a static charge on any moving web will not only hold particles of contamination to the surface, but will also attract more contamination to join the party. Eliminating static build up is a big first step in keeping a substrate clean.
This is even more important today as printers are running faster speeds and more film substrates. Faster speeds can cause an increased build up of the static charge, while plastic films, being non-conductive, can build up and hold an even larger charge than more conductive substrates such as paper and foils.
Contamination on the substrate surface can result in a host of quality problems such as printing defects and coating and laminating issues. These problems can cause increased waste, or worse yet, dissatisfied customers. In addition, a build up of static on the web can pose a safety hazard to operators if they come in contact with it.
New technology advances
According to Mike Oldt, general manager for SIMCO Industrial Static Control, static bars are the most commonly used types of static control devices used in the packaging and converting industry. Except for the important development of "shockless" static bars from "hot" devices to address safety concerns, up until the mid '90s, there were few technological changes.
"At that time, several versions of bars with improved performance (longer range, higher output bars capable of handling higher web speeds and more difficult applications) came to market," observes Oldt. "Monitoring of static bar output also started to gain importance, especially with larger manufacturers with tight quality control standards."
Oldt says that these "new technology" products have caused a "dramatic shift in the style of static bars being sold by SIMCO. In 2000, these types of products accounted for less than 5 percent of SIMCO's static bar sales. This year, they will represent nearly 50 percent of sales." He lists PerforMAX 3, Blue Bar, and True AC as SIMCO products falling under the banner of new technology offerings.
The older technology products are not completely out of the picture. "They are especially popular with machine builders, due to lower cost, and users with less demanding applications. I expect that they will continue to be popular for many years," Oldt predicts.
What customers are asking for
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Package Printing, Second Edition