Colgate - Palmolive Keeps Sparkling Thanks to Meech’s Web Cleaning Solution

06.12.07

It is inevitable in a busy factory environment that there will be dust and dirt in the atmosphere. However, this can become a serious production problem when the dirt settles on equipment and materials. This is what happened at Colgate, where it was found that dust contamination on the web surface was causing poor print quality on a Kopack narrow web press that resulted in machine stoppages and low productivity. Engineers at Colgate were looking for a suitable method to keep the web surface clean and so improve the printing process.

They approached Meech International‘s local office in Shanghai via Guangzhou Yeomanry, a Meech distributor in South China region to discuss the possibility of installing its Tornado web cleaning system, an established solution for effective contamination control. Engineers from Meech China visited the company to assess the situation and recommend the best solution.

 The Tornado SCT system was ideal for the application. However, due to the frame size of the narrow web press, a customised solution was required. Meech applied its design engineering expertise, together with engineers from Colgate and Yeomanry to modify the standard system to provide a system that would fit into the existing equipment. Meech engineers also provided on site installation support to optimise system performance.

The Tornado SCT system incorporates static eliminators, brushes and a high power vacuum dust collection system. This ensures not only that dust contamination is eliminated but also that the risk of further dust attraction is minimised. Meech static eliminator bars break down the electrostatic bond holding dust particles to the web  and the brushes destroy the boundary layer on the moving web, allowing efficient removal of contamination. The Tornado has been designed with a unique, highly efficient vacuum control plate that gives complete coverage of the material surface. Flexible ducting then carries the contaminants to the collection system, where they are collected in a filter bag.

The Tornado SCT system has many advantages over conventional sticky roller and non-contact systems including easy set-up and sustained level of performance over time. No additional rollers are required and there are no expensive consumables to replace, saving both time and money. With no compressed air requirements, further savings can also be made.

Dust control is a major issue throughout the packaging, printing and plastics industries. Web cleaning systems such as the Meech Tornado provide effective control of dust contamination and significant production benefits.

Colgate has now installed Meech SCT systems on all Kopack narrow web presses in its Guang Zhou Plant China, resulting in improved print quality, higher productivity and profitability.

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