Meech Install Static and Web Cleaning Solutions to Reduce Waste and Improve Quality and Operator Safety

19.06.08

Supplying such a demanding industry means that Vaassen’s R&D Department is continually looking at new production methods and techniques. The current range of products includes printed and unprinted aluminium foil/paper, metallised paper, mentholated foils and lacquers. All products meet the requirements of the ultra high speed packaging machines used by the leading cigarette manufacturers.

Always on the look out for ways to improve the manufacturing process there were two issues that they felt could have been improved. Firstly, it was found that during the pre-lacquering process, there was a build up of static after the paper had passed through the rubber cylinders.  Typically, the company used a piece of copper across the machinery to provide a connection to earth. However, this was not completely satisfactory and there was potential for severe shock to operators as the static discharged.

Secondly, it was noticed that during coating, the paper dust contaminated the pressure roller on the web resulting in poor print quality due to missing dots. This meant expensive downtime and a loss of production as the line was stopped for cleaning.

To resolve static build up in the pre-lacquering process the solution was straightforward, a Meech 915 AC ionising bar was installed. The Model 915 has been designed to provide powerful and intense ion production. It has very fast decay times which means it is even more effective at faster web speeds. It can be fitted at distances up to 150mm and with its slim profile, it offers both flexibility and versatility in positioning. It has also been designed with an easy wipe casing to give sustained performance and reduced downtime, as well as ease of maintenance.

As for the dust contamination problem, Meech had the ideal solution with its Tornado web cleaner, a system specifically designed for effective web cleaning to improve quality and productivity.

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. This allows efficient removal of contamination via 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 deposited in a filter bag.

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

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