Web handling is a broad category of products that can range from slitters/rewinders, web guides, register, tension controls, and web inspection. Web guiding and tension control are two factors that help converters control waste as well as the web’s “wobble” as it comes off the roll. In the case of tension control, sensor selection is a major factor. Using low-cost sensors that require constant recalibration is no longer acceptable to converters. Tension Control Issues Although some converters may be intimidated by the tension control concept, the waste reduction and improvement in product quality are more than worth the investment. “Tension control is perhaps
MAGPOWR
OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla.—Maxcess International, a world leader in the supply of engineered components for the web handling industry, unveiled plans for Maxcess University Conference Week, five days of lecture and hands-on training using real-world examples, to be held April 16-20 in Chicago, Ill. Maxcess University Conference Week will provide the expertise of leading manufacturers Fife, MAGPOWR, and Tidland. Session content will focus on a range of topics from general theory to the detailed application of technology to help converters improve existing operations, and includes hands-on experience to increase their comprehension. “This program is developed by experts throughout the industry with the primary focus of
Maxcess International announced the promotion of Tom Herold from district sales manager to national sales manager. In his new role, he will lead a team of local representatives responsible for the care of Fife, MAGPOWR, and Tidland customers throughout the United States and Canada. Herold has a solid background of experience in the web handling industry including his experience with Maxcess as a district manager, where he worked closely with customers to successfully match product solutions to specific applications. “Tom’s extensive knowledge of converting applications and customer-focused approach contributed to his outstanding track record in the field,” says Marcel Hage, president of North America
Maxcess International recruited Lee Nanney to provide local sales and support for Fife, MAGPOWR, and Tidland. Also, Scott Haney joined the Maxcess management team as product manager. Presstek, Inc. appointed Klaus Schleicher to director, international business development. Ernie Stokes Sr. joined Lederle as director of international sales. Harper Corporation America announced that Ron Case was promoted to production supervisor at the company’s Charlotte, N.C. facility. The Montalvo Corporation promoted Joseph Croyle to the position of applications specialist. Kodak’s Graphic Communications Group has named Michael K. Howard vice president of marketing for its Digital Printing Solutions business. Davis-Standard, LLC promoted Robert M. Armstrong to vice president and chief financial officer. Sandvik
The Web Handling Research Center studies the science and technology that drive web handling. WEB HANDLING IS a science every packaging printer or converter should understand. It's applied physics that carries a continuous-roll substrate through printing and/or converting machines with the goal being a defect-free end product. The Web Handling Research Center (WHRC), based at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla., has spent the last 20 years studying this science. The WHRC was initiated in 1986 as a National Science Foundation center with a mission "to advance the knowledge base in technologies applicable to the transport and control of continuous-strip materials through processes and
As always, companies exhibiting at CMM International 2005 put on a display of impressive new products and technologies for converters and package printers. A SUCCESSFUL TRADE show is always measured on an individual basis—foot traffic, promising leads, or signed contracts. While attendees weren't exactly carried down the aisles in a swell of people, CMM International 2005 still offered a wide array of new products and technologies from the exhibiting companies. The following is a small sampling of what CMM International had to offer. Company news Enercon and Ciba Specialty Chemicals announced a joint development agreement which will combine Enercon's surface modification Plasma3™ technology
A look at today's cost-cutting web-handling technologies. TODAY'S PRESS OPERATORS don't have to be the fiddling wizards of yesteryear's press rooms. As technology continues to improve, operators have less tinkering to do in order to keep the web in register and maintain the appropriate tension control than compared to even a few years ago. Automatically adjusting edge detectors and rolls designed to mitigate web-troubling deflection, to name just a couple, make an operator's job that much easier. But even with the most advanced technology available, do all printers and converters need top-of-the-line web handling equipment? "If you define top-of-the-line equipment as expensive or
Proper web guiding, tension, and register control are basic ingredients needed for good print quality results. PRINT REGISTRATION IS one of the first things packagePRINTING's Excellence Awards judges inspect when assessing the print quality of contest entries. For our expert panel, it's an easy variable to assess, and is used as an initial culling point to "separate the men from the boys." Entries will not contend for a first-place finish if they are not produced with good print registration. This is clearly understood in the industry, but not everyone pays enough attention to some of the web-handling issues that directly impact registration, says Henry
These products and companies were the most sought-after in 2002 by packagePRINTING readers. Top 10: Prepress Equipment 1. Creo—PDF-based packaging workflow Prinergy Powerpack, copydot scanning systems, film imagers, and CtP devices 2. Agfa—Workflow and color management systems including the AgfaScan XY-15 Plus, Sherpa 43 Inkjet system, and Lithostar plates 3. Kodak Polychrome Graphics—Offers Digital and conventional plates, film, and proofing and color technologies including the Kodak Approval XP unit 4. BASF—Offers Nyloflex® and Nyloprint® equipment combinations for processing photopolymer flexo and letterpress plates and sleeves 5. MacDermid—Broad range of sheet, liquid, digital, and water-wash photopolymer plates, platemaking equipment, sleeves,
WITH WINTER WEATHER firmly in place, warmth is something that is on everyone's mind. Here's something that is sure to add some heat to 2004. packagePrinting has put together a collection of the hot products of 2004. In categories including prepress, presses, press accessories, substrates, and inks/adhesives, converters can get a glimpse of the latest package-printing products. Prepress Creo Creo's HyperFlex™ screening is new technology aiding in the formation of smaller dots on a photopolymer flexo plate. It provides a thicker foundation of photopolymer material that allows a smaller minimum dot size to be formed and held throughout the print process. DuPont