08.09.11
A.Celli Nonwovens
www.acellinonwovens.com
A.Celli Nonwovens now offers printing technology. The company has equipped its high speed, multifunctional lamination lines with printing capabilities to provide the possibility of multi-color printing to serve the nonwovens industry with the highest quality of print on nonwovens. A.Celli Nonwovens has recently opened a lab for research and development at its Italian headquarters. Massimo Michelini, sales and marketing director, says,“A fully functional UV flexo printing machine is currently installed in the new laboratory. The lab will be reserved for printing trials until autumn in order to give a quick response to potential customers interested in making dedicated printing tests with their materials and their product images.”
A.Celli Nonwovens specializes in winding, slitting and roll handling and packaging lines based on innovative but user-friendly, durable technology for new or existing lines. The product range also includes auxiliary equipment such as automatic knife positioning systems, shaft handling systems and core cutting systems, unwind stands and multifunctional lines with printing capabilities and the technology for the production of airlaid nonwovens.
Accusentry
www.accusentry.com
Accucentry’s SingleCull Package can reduce waste for absorbent hygiene manufacturers via Adaptive Phasing Technology that is available on the newest version of AccuSentry’s Sentry 9000 inspection system. The patent pending technology effectively synchronizes reject signals from multiple inspection points and accurately pinpoints the delay timing to reject only the defective product as detected by the system. According to AccuSentry executives, the technology can decrease material scrapping from process defects in diaper, adult incontinence and feminine hygiene production by 66-80%. Currently three to five products are scrapped per incident as operators have trouble accurately synchronizing the delay timing of the reject gate at full production speeds.
The SingleCull technology builds on AccuSentry’s deep commitment to the nonwoven and absorbent hygiene industries. It complements Accusentry’s Centerlining technique, first introduced at Insight in 2010, which delivers operators vital realtime data on a screen of control graphs measuring product attributes like position, length, width and other parameters during full speed production. When the product is being produced within a specified target range, the graphs are white; when the product begins to drift out of range they turn yellow and when things are bad, they are red so the operator needs to take only one look at the screen to see there is a problem. Wei Siong Tan, president and CEO, says operators could initially meet this technique with resistance, until they see how effective it is. “At first, they see the Centerlining and they think it’s too much information, but when we do training, it leads to a real ‘a-ha’ moment with the operators who see how successful it can be.”
Andritz
www.andritz.com
New highlights in core technologies (calendering and hydroentangling) as well as innovative system from forming to finishing will be presented by Andritz Perfojet and Andritz Küsters at this year’s ITMA show. In the spunlace area, Andritz Perfojet will exhibit the injector which is the main part of the hydroentanglement process. The injector is fitted with a filtering cartridge that ensures final filtration of process water just before the strip and an extra hard strip that provides water needles of the highest quality. Andritz has more than 1100 units successfully in operation around the world.
In order to customize spunlace fabrics, Andritz offers a full range of patterning and aperturing solutions using calenders or sleeves. Andritz Perfojet recently introduced a new 3D patterning technology called neXimaging. This approach allows any kind of patterning and/or aperturing at very high production speeds. The sleeve has been designed to reproduce logos and artwork in 3D design with exceptionally high quality details.
Meanwhile, in calendering, Andritz Küsters has made major developments in roll technology and design. At ITMA, Andritz will present a new Hot S-Roll concept with direct drive for the first time. This innovative roll system with deflection control – registered as a patent – has been tuned for high-speed demands in nonwovens production. Andritz neXcal thermobonding calenders can be equipped with this new type of Hot S-Roll. In particular, when integrated into the neXcal twin, production flexibility is widely expanded.
Benick
www.benick.com
Benick Machineworks is a sales and engineering company specializing in used and rebuilt slitters along with slitting application technology. The company also represents a diverse range of equipment for converting flexible webs, selling machinery from its large inventory and brokering machinery. Recently, Benick has added a Slitter Parts & Accessories Division including a large inventory of parts for slitters, unwind and rewind shafts, core chucks, core cutters and trim systems.
Customers normally come to Benick not only to purchase a used machine but also with the wish to have modifications made – tailoring the equipment to their needs and take advantage of the company’s experience converting flexible webs. Benick often trains the operators who will use the machinery and provides assistance in installation.
Beta LaserMike
www.betalasermike.com
Beta LaserMike, a leading global provider of precision measurement and control solutions, introduces
the LaserSpeed encoder to help nonwovens manufacturers accurately and consistently measure the length and speed of products during production.
“Laser-based length and speed measurements have become the standard measurement technology for many common nonwovens and converting applications,” says Bob Stockholm, director of sales for the Americas at Beta LaserMike. “For example, our LaserSpeed encoders are being used in material converting processes that involve continuous length measurement, cut control, post-cut length, differential speed and position control, to name a few. As a result of the higher measurement accuracies and tighter process controls, manufacturers are realizing a number of production efficiencies and bottom-line advantages.”
The LaserSpeed system uses advanced, laser-based technology to precisely measure the length and speed of a product during production without making contact with the material. This laser encoder projects a unique pattern on the surface of the product. As the product moves, light is scattered back to the LaserSpeed unit. This information is translated into product speed and pulses are produced to determine the product length. Length and speed measurements are captured with better than +0.05% accuracy. Beta LaserMike offers a complete line of LaserSpeed encoders with measurement speeds up to 39,400 ft/min (12,000 m/min), standoff distances to 39.4 inches (1000 mm), and measurement depth of field to 3.0 inches (100 mm).
Brückner
www.brueckner-textil.de
Brückner offers the nonwovens industry several completely new drying lines. The Power-Frame Eco is being described by the company as a quantum jump regarding energy efficiency. According to the company,this stenter could be described as a synthesis of performance and energy effectiveness. Brückner engineers developed a completely new, environmentally friendly dryer generation, which requires with increased production output considerably less heating energy. The dryer is provided with a central heating system, a completely new air control system and a sophisticated temperature control system. Compared to a normal stenter witha heat-recovery system, this dryer saves additionally up to 30% of energy. The proven split-flow air circulation system and Brückner’s typical countered design has been maintained in this concept. This ensures an absolutely homogeneous air admittance to the fabric across the complete length and width of the machine. Since this line can be provided with a support belt, it is well-suited for delicate knitted fabric, too.
Supra-Flow is the first belt dryer for spunlace nonwovens. In the manufacturing of spunlace nonwovens, drum-type dryers are in most cases used after water jet bonding. Brückner’s new flow-through dryer Supra-Flow sets new standards in the field of spunlace nonwovens.
This belt dryer, the company says, is characterized by an unmatched temperature accuracy across the fabric width. The drying can be made very gentle and with low temperatures since the zone temperatures and the air circulation intensity can be varied every 1.5 m. In addition, the nonwovens are dried on a transport belt without any tensions or distortions. This leads to a very smooth hand and improved quality features. The new belt dryer can be used without problems for large fabric widths, high production speeds and lightest fabric qualities. The system also showcases theenergy efficiency of the Brückner technology, introduced successfully to the market in 2010.
Catbridge Machinery
www.catbridge.com
Catbridge Machinery designs and manufactures innovative, efficient slitter rewinders as well as advanced meltblown production lines. To optimize performance, equipment is tailored to each customers’ exact materials and processes. Catbridge builds a compact, quick-install “plug and play” meltblown line ideal for production or research and development. A unique die design provides precise laydown control for ultrafine, high-quality fibers. For larger capacities, Catbridge offers a multi-die system with impressive throughput. Both modular lines are optimized to handle the latest metallocene resins as well as conventional Z-N based polypropylene. The lines are also capable of producing sub-micron meltblown for high-performance filtration media.
Catbridge slitter rewinders integrate the latest technologies and features to effectively handle all types of nonwovens and production needs. A recent slitter built for highly-extensible spunlace nonwovens, for example, achieves very low tensions, preventing material distortion. Features include a center and surface driven unwind and rewind and lightweight carbon fiber rolls. A different machine for thick nonwovens provides rapid unwind loading and rewind loading, essential for maximizing productivitywhen processing thicker materials with limited footage. This slitter incorporates a floor pick-up unwind with edge-guide and anti-telescoping rolls along with a rewind adapted for quick changeovers and roll wrapping. Many slitter rewinders for nonwovens also provide inspection capabilities, enabling converters to inspect and salvage mill rolls that might otherwise be scrapped.
Popular Catbridge slitter rewinders for nonwovens include the Model 210, a robust, high-speed two-drum surface winder. To boost productivity, the Model 210 offers technologies including innovative knife placement systems and a powerful yet user-friendly control system. Another popular model, the 401 continuous winder, provides automatic cut-off and transfer. To accommodate varying needs, the machines can be equipped with specialized webpaths and unwind configurations, web inspection, and roll discharge systems as well as coating and laminating systems, perforators, or calenders. Catbridge can also provide as much customization as necessary, from a unique added feature to a ground-up solution.
DiloGroup
www.dilo.com
At ITMA, DiloGroup will present a complete nonwoven production line on a floor space of 1000 square meters. The nonwoven staple fiber sector is still characterized by high demand and dynamic development in numerous application areas such as floor coverings, automotive interior linings, geotextiles and roofing material, filter media, synthetic leather, upholstery and mattress felts, thermal insulation, wipes for industry and household, special applications involving carbon fiber, glass and mineral fibers, technical and papermachine felts, medicine, hygiene and apparel.
For all these applications DiloGroup offers universal and special production lines which are adapted to the market and customer requirements. The research and development work applied to all line components, starting with fiber preparation, including opening and blending, web forming and consolidation, aims at fiber material savings, less energy consumption, increased production, higher efficiency and availability, improved ease of operation, reduction of downtime for maintenance, service and cleaning, improved web mass homogeneity and better felt surface quality.
In this context, At ITMA Dilo will exhibit and run a complete production line that will comprise the following components: DiloTemafa equipment for fiber preparation, i. e. opening and blending, consisting of two bale openers. One bale opener – type Baltromix – for high throughput, the other – type AlphaMix– for medium throughput capacity. The opened fiber flocks will be fed on a blending apron to a carding willow for further opening and blending and subsequently to a dosing opener and a fine opener which provide a constant fiber flow to the card feeding system controlled by a special control loop. The dosing opener has a fine opening stage to deliver the optimum flock size for card feeding. The two-sided fiber infeed “Twinfeed” for the new MultiFeed card feeder is a distinctive feature. Double infeed and vibration effects on a suction infeed apron result in a homogeneous feeding of the card and thus in a homogeneous web mass.
Elsner Engineering Works
www.elsnereng.com
Elsner Engineering Works has completed the installation of its first complete rolled wipes converting and packaging line utilizing equipment from its partner organization Shemesh Automation Ltd., based in Holon, Israel. The line consists of an Elsner Model ENR-1000 Fully Automatic Perforator Nonwovens Rewinder coupled with Shemesh’s Automatic Canister Loading machinery.
“We are pleased to have this first installation completed and are poised for many more,” says F. Rusty Elsner, president and CEO. “The relationship with Shemesh has proven to further our standing in the marketplace, allowing us to offer complete line solutions to our customers. The Shemesh equipment is a great fit with our already successful Model ENR-1000 Rewinder and this initial installation gives us further confidence moving forward.”
The Elsner Model ENR-1000 Fully Automatic Perforator Nonwovens Rewinder converts master rolls of nonwovens material into consumer and industrial sized rolled perforated wipes at rates of up to 90 pieces per minute. This successful design from Elsner continues to be a top seller for the organization and is used in the production of many of the center-pull canister wipes available on the market today. The Shemesh equipment is used to load these rolls into rigid plastic canisters and complete the product by adding a solution (such as cleaning or disinfecting agents), applying a lid to the canister and labeling the product for retail sale.
Enercon Industries
www.enercon.com
Enercon Industries has announced Plasma4, a new system that breaks through production and economical barriers with ecology in mind. The system is a result of Enercon’s decade-long experience in engineering and commissioning production grade plasma systems.
The surface treating system adds value to engineered films, wovens and nonwovens by cleaning, etching and functionalizing surfaces. Enercon’s Atmospheric Plasma Technology Manager Rory Wolf says, “Early adopters of Plasma4 are impressed with the foresight put into the design which eliminates many of the industry’s previous performance barriers.”
Plasma4 offers numerous features which benefit converters by minimizing cost of ownership and increasing profitability.
Features include: high and long lasting treatment, an efficient use of gas chemistry, no electrode breakage, automatic gap adjustment and no ozone.
Focke & Co.
www.focke.com
Focke & Co. General Packaging is a leading supplier of turnkey packaging lines for the nonwovens industry, offering equipment compatible with the out-feed of converting equipment for stacking and bagging applications. Whether diapers, panty liners or underpads, Focke & Co offers custom-made packaging systems in all speed ranges for a variety of nonwovens products.
With the successful introduction of the new FSX high-speed stacker for femcare products, Focke’s General Packaging division says it has raised the bar and set a new standard in packaging technology.
The state-of-the-art FSX femcare stacker confirms the company’s commitment to creating a new standard in the global marketplace with the highest operating speeds. Listening to the different global market needs Focke has combined a modular design with the utmost in flexibility. For instance the FSX stacker can be added to bag packaging, carton packaging and/or flow-wrapping solutions all within a compact design.
“This new technology is changing the landscape of hygienic packaging machinery, meeting the market requirements not only in terms of speed, footprint and operation, but also in regard to product handling, maintenance and customer service,” the company says.
Garnett Controls
www.garnett.com
Garnett Controls Ltd (UK) will launch its new generation retrofit control systems for textile machinery aimed at replacing traditional inefficient drive systems with economic, easy-to-use and expandable systems. Utilizing the latest in touch screen technology which Garnett pioneered in the retrofit carding sector, the new range of panels are targeted at the company’s principal areas of activity – carding, spinning and nonwovens – as well as an increasingly wider spectrum of applications both inside and outside the textile sector.
Reduction of energy consumption within a plant is a key attribute of the new Garnett-e-Controls system with a number of recent installations returning high savings. A launch of the latest generation of fiber weight control systems will complement the new operator control interfaces. The company says the new Microweigh XL8+ is the most accurate and advanced card feeding system for carding and technical nonwoven applications including medical textiles where the latest GAMP standards are applicable. The new model incorporates enhanced data options making on-line quality analysis possible within a client’s own infrastructure. In addition, a new style of efficient anti-vibration mounts is being introduced, further enhancing the stability associated with the units.
For higher production applications, the Rollaweigh feed control system, which has become a standard in many drylaid nonwoven plants internationally, provides volumetric continuous control at unlimited production rates. The Rollaweigh 8+ series incorporates a reduction in overall tare weight whilst at the same time enhancing structural stability and taking advantage of the company’s new mounting system. Data options are increased with seamless integration with the Mill Wizard system, which manages production data from a virtually unlimited range of sources within the client’s production plant.
GDM
www.gdm-spa.com
GDM’s recent developments are: the new START technological platform, which can provide an answer to the D&E market and to all the producers who wish to consolidate and increase their production volumes through selling high-service competitive products at low production costs. For baby products,GDM machines are designed (based on Matrix modular platform) to produce traditional or winged products at a speed of 500 ppm; for the Adult Incontinence sector, there is a line for hospital pads or adult diapers at a speed of 200 ppm. For the incontinence sector, the X3M AT machine can run 450m/min and is able to produce multi-piece diapers for adults with rigid and elastic panels applied using“Zero Waste Adult” (ESPertA) technology.
In the Innovation realm, the“Single Culling Process System” solution, which will enable waste reduction when changing raw materials of only one product versus the typical inspection systems reject equal to 3-5 products for each detected defective diaper.
Reducing it to a single diaper or to just to the real defective ones will result in 66% to 80% reduction in diaper waste.
This translates to potential savings to diaper manufacturers with significant economical and environmental impact.
GDM’s new DISCovery platform is based on an innovative rotating process which joins some distinctive elements of this new “platform concept” such as technological innovation, high performance, high efficiency and low waste.
Fameccanica
www.fameccanica.com
Hygiene machinery specialist Fameccanica is offering several new ideas and technologies in both machinery and process areas; the new features will enable Fameccanica equipment to reach the highest production speeds and outstanding process performances.As far as equipment, the company has new baby diaper and adult incontinence lines, both designed to prioritize efficiency and waste levels aimed at the lowest unitary finished product cost, simplify the retrofitting of future upgrade kits with short delivery time and reduce installation efforts.
The baby diapers machine model FA-X P10 features a production speed of 1000 pieces/minute or a linear speed of 450 meters/minute, along with high efficiency and low scraps levels. The adult incontinence machine model FIX P5 features a production speed of 500 pieces/minute or 400 meters/minute, whichever comes first, and can manufacture multi-piece products with either shaped or rectangular side-panels.
Fameccanica has also introduced the“U”- Mill-house design, capable of producing ultra-thin pads with high SAP content.Thanks to the most accurate pressing technology installed, the pad also maintains very high integrity and a very low weight variation.
James Heal
www.james-heal.co.uk
At ITMA, James Heal willshowcase products from its range of textile testing instruments for physical and colorfastness testing, including the Martindale 900 Series for abrasion and pilling testing, the TruBurst burst strength tester, plus the Elmatear digital tear strength tester. In addition, the company will be launching two new instruments that represent ingenuity and value for the market. At the show, James Heal will also have dedicated displays for its range of high quality test materials products, and visitors can find out more about the benefits of maintaining their instruments through regular service and calibration for improved performance.
Since last Summer, the company has been working on a strategic re-branding initiative to enhance the look and feel of their brand identity while also making significant improvements to its product development and engineering processes. The company is also launching a brand new, interactive and customer-focused website.
David Repper, James Heal’s owner and managing director, discusses the rebranding initiative. He says, “The challenge was to capture our 139-year heritage and create a modern brand that can operate and be recognized internationally – to deliver the sophisticated product and service that James Heal represents today: Innovation, Leadership, Integrity, Precision and Pedigree.
“It’s a combination of our expertise and innovation that drives new product development to enable us to better meet customer needs. Personally, I’m very proud to be leading the company through such an exciting period of change and success,” Repper says.
Hills Machinery
www.hillsmach.com
Hills spunbond machines, using its proprietary bicomponent extrusion technology, make microfiber and nanofiber spunbond webs via splittable pie and islands-in-the-sea fibers.Hills’ proprietary high-speed slot aspirator is especially suited to high-performance polymer applications such as primary carpet backing, roofing membrane substrate, artificial leather and filtration media.The versatility of this equipment means that many of these applications are possible on the same machine.
Hills meltblown machines make a variety of products for filtration applications, breathable barriers and other high-value uses.Low and sub-micron fibers are particularly useful in HEPA filter media and in minimizing the weight of meltblown media needed.Hills’ unique technology permits great design flexibility so that the die tip can be tailored to make specific, high-value products.With a variety of polymers, average fiber sizes from under 250nm to 10+ microns in diameter, including bicomponent fibers are possible.Hills’ dies are designed for high polymer pressure, hole count up to 100+hpi, and unlimited capillary L/D, which permits tailoring to fit the customer’s polymer and product needs.
Hills has joined with Tatecraft Industries, Inc. of Greensboro, NC, USA, to form TATECraft,LLC. The purpose of this venture is further commercialization of the patentedTatecraftDyeing Process.This process is unique in that the materials are completely recycled, is atmospheric and rapid, with dyeing times ranging from six to 30 seconds depending on presentation of the product to be dyed.The process includes only a pure food grade dispersant, the colorant portion only of the selected dye and purified water as components. FD&C dyes can also be utilized if required.
Developed initially for the dyeing of PET as a means of reducing both the cost and environmental impact of conventional water-based dyeing techniques, it has also been successfully demonstrated on a variety of polymers, including but not limited to PBT, PTT, PLA, TPU and LCP.
Laboratory and pilot extrusion machines for all of the above processes are also offered.Customers may also utilize laboratory machines at the Hills facility in Florida, and at other institutions worldwide, to support their product development work.
Kansan Machinery
www.kansan.com
Kansan—a manufacturer of high-speed wet wipe converting machines and complete converting—was established in 1992 in a small workshop. The company is now serving hundreds of customers around the globe. Kansan mainly offers interfold/non-interfold and cross fold wet wipe (flat packs) converting
machines, and flow wrappers complementary to automatic wipe production lines. Additionally, Kansan is also known for its custom projects such as ultrasonically bonded wet or dry glow production, surgical protective sheet folding, spunlace perforation/rolling machines and many others.
In the last edition of the INDEX show in April 2011, Kansan exhibited two machines. The high speed interfold/non-interfolder (KNM3600) and new generation cross-fold wet wipe converting machine KNC1600 was actually the only cross fold machine on at the show.
The new wet wipe cross fold converting platform of Kansan has the following features: high productivity and efficiency, low waste, reduced man power in operation, reasonable capital investment, throughput capacity between 1600 to 3200 wipes, 120 to 240 stacks with four to eight lines, and mechanical folding with full servo control.
Independent Machine
www.independentusa.com
Independent Machine Co., Fairfield, NJ, USA, has been specializing in converting machinery for more than 44 years, manufactures spooling systems ranging from single position offline traverse winders toinline integrated slitting and multi-position traverse winding systems featuring the computerized Smartwinder and Smartwinder-XL. IMC recently built for a German customer an advanced 1200mm wide slitting and 10-Position Smartwinder-XL traverse system for high loft nonwoven material used in the manufacture of disposable diapers. This system winds 812mm wide by1200mm OD spools of extremely long length. The Smartwinder-XL spooling modules move the spool under the fixed input of the slit strand to enable wide width materials to easily move from slitting to traverse winding without lateral movement of the material.
The two position shaftless driven turret unwind accommodates 70-inch diameter supply rolls weighing up to 500 kg. One driven unwind position is actively unwinding the supply roll while the other is loaded and then remains is in the “waiting” position. This simplifies changeover from the expired supply roll to a new roll.When the “running” roll expires the trailing end is pneumatically clamped and the turret is indexed so the “waiting” roll becomes the “active” unwind position. A heat seal/splice assembly is activated and the new cycle begins.
The slitter is the main speed reference for the entire system with a speed range to 650 m/min and includes entryand exit “S” wrap pull rolls with an interchangeable computerizedpositioning shear section between them. A fixed position spreader roll located prior to slitting eliminates wrinkles.
Each of the five two-position cantilevered Smartwinder-XL traverse winders has a microprocessor-based traverse assembly that provides programmable winding patternswith pitch, stroke length, and end dwell adjustment by laterally moving the spoolthrough Smartwinders software. Precise programmable rewind tension at each position accurate to within 7 grams iscontrolled by a closed loop follower drive system through the exclusive IMC Dancer/Tension Controller with a 25:1 tension range. The integrity of the spool created by proper control of tension and selection of spool settings will ensure the success of the converted material in the unwinding application.Thesystem is controlled by a PLC with operator access through an HMI touchscreen that has recipe storage capability for all system operating parameters.
MBS
www.mbs-huellhorst.de
More often than ever, retailers are asking for efficient packaging solutions, not only for cost cutting reasons but also for sustainability reasons. Looking at the overall lifecycle of a simple transport unit such as a cardboard box, one could think that it is more efficient – in terms of being environmentally friendly than a product wrapped in a PE foil - as paper is, of course, recyclable. But this perspective is deceptive, because one has to consider all the aspects throughout the supply chain.
The MBS W115 (material bundling system) is designed to overwrap hygienic products such as baby diapers, adult incontinence products, bed underpads or similar soft hygienic products, in order to either prepare them for a safe and secure transport trip or even bundle them as a multiple selling unit.
A variety of advantages of the bundled product is obvious, to the producers as well as to the retailers:
There is no enormous warehouse space necessary to keep stock of bulky cardboard boxes
Raw material PE of the roll – as it has to be processed for such a bundling machine – is much more cost efficient compared to cardboard Weight comparison is decisive when looking at transport cost
Logistical costs during production runs are less with foil, due to efficient material rolls compared to high volume cardboard boxes Disposal costs are much less due to minimum volume of PE foil and its chemical properties during the recycling process.
This bundling equipment from MBS is the solution for future sustainable packaging methods. Minimum raw material cost, high production speed – up to 15 bundles per minute –and tight palletized bundles for efficient transport will give the decisive edge to converters using this technology over those who are still not thinking green.
The new flexible bundling equipment for emerging markets, the MBS W108, with the same quality standards as the MBS W115, runs at eight bundles/min and is available for a low capital investment.
NSC
www.nsc.fr
NSC’s T.T. card operates at high speeds offering advantages including web weights from 30-80 gsm with a mix of PES, viscose and polypropylene fibers, 1.7-2.2 dtex with two card webs, an MD/CD ratio of less than 3:1, compatible with a very high production level in excess of 250 m/min with two T.T. cards in line. Webs are bulky with an MD/CD strength ratio so that it is conceivable to reduce even more average wipes’ weight without losing commercial product aspects. In December 20120, NSC announced it sold the concept to Textisol, a Spanish maker of spunlace and needlepunch nonwovens for wipes and cleaning cloths.
Optima Machinery
www.optima-usa.com
The Optima RTP25 is a palletizer specifically designed for nonwoven products. System options include
wrapping intervals, the specific number of turns per layer, at the bottom and the top are optional. The film tension is adjustable to the products being transported and settings are saved in the machine control.A driven roller conveyor discharges the finished pallets from the stretch palletizer Optima RTP 25.
Additional modules: for tier sheets, top sheets, an empty pallet magazine for automatic feeding and a link to subsequent storage logistics are available.
Osprey
www.ospreyfilters.com
One of Osprey’s latest developments is the Blue-Sky filter, which was introduced for the first time at Index11 in Geneva. Over two years of research and testing have gone into the Blue-Sky filter.
According Osprey’s head of product development Marty Price, “The Blue-Sky filter was developed for customers with increasing line speeds and higher
SAP contents in mind. This new filter provides HEPA quality air filtration without the use of an Osprey final filter or disk section.”
The Blue-Sky filter advantages include: hightest filtration level available, lower initial equipment cost, reduced explosion risk, higher safety rating, new seal and media design, no compressed air required, lower energy costs and new high capacity pockets. Additionally, a patented Phoenix design is available.
Reifenhäuser
www.reifenhauser.com
Reifenhäuser Reicofil offers customized combined heat and power plants (CHP) for new and existing Reicofil spunbonding and composite lines that enable a new generation of electric power and an optimal use of the resulting waste heat, depending on the configuration of the lines.
Under optimal conditions, customized combined heat and power plants can achieve an overall efficiency of over 90%, far more than common central power stations.Producers disposing of their own CHP are able to produce part of the required electricity and at the same time they can utilize the waste heat in a targeted way on different temperature levels. For example, high temperatures can be used to generate hot compressed air for the meltblown process or for heating calenders and driers, while low temperature levels are suitable for pre-heating of process air or secondary air or for space heating. In combination with an absorption refrigerator, they are even appropriate for process air cooling and air conditioning of buildings.
According to Hans-Georg Gneus, technical director of Reicofil, combined heat and power plants offer essential advantages: “The targeted utilization of waste heat resulting from a combined generation of heat and power enables the users of such plants to reduce their production costs while at the same time their production will become more sustainable and resource conserving.”
Sonobond Ultrasonics
www.sonobondultrasonics.com
The SeamMaster from Sonobond Ultrasonics continuous-bonding rotary system seams pleated filter edges and easily handles bulky materials. And because there are no stitch holes, disposable nonwoven medical garments assembled with the SeamMaster comply with OSHA regulations for protecting healthcare workers against blood-borne pathogens.
Plunge bonders handle large, difficult-to-bond and multi-layer materials.Models seal ends of filter bags and produce box-style filters and heavyweight filter bags to rigid plastic collars.
Sonobond bonders assemble HEPA-rated filters, industrial and commercial vacuum bags, oil absorbers, and automobile air filters.They also assemble geotextiles for the agricultural industry.
Sonobond provides free sample bonds of material and then recommends the appropriate machine for your application.Every unit can be customized to your requirements and is backed by superior service.
S&S Specialty Systems
www.ssspecialtysystems.com
S&S Specialty Systems, LLC of Iron River, WI, USA, continues to develop its coreless rewinding equipment with the addition of the Tornado Rewinder. This versatile automatic rewinder can produce coreless products that range from 2 ¼ inches (57 mm) to 16 inches (406 mm) in diameter and can be configured with a variety of options based on converting needs. The Tornado is a fitting complement to the high output Cyclone rewinder. The Cyclone offers converting process widths up to 63 inches (1600 mm) along with upgrades on web tension control and perforation blade changeover. Recently acquired by C. G. Bretting Manufacturing Co., Inc., S&S continues to offer innovative, quality equipment for the wet and dry nonwoven product markets.
Teknoweb
www.wipestech.com
Teknoweb is continuing the pattern of constant and steady growth that began with its founding in 2004. The company is achieving important results in its research and innovation in the disposables products business as it strives to control two kinds of costs for our customers – raw material costs and the cost of industrial transformation. With this aim in mind, Teknoweb has developed a new raw material, patented since 2010 and the exclusive property of Teknoweb.The development is called Arvell; a designation for the industrial system that includes both the material and the machinery to produce it.
The main driver for this wet wipes innovation is the attention that Teknoweb devotes to the environment. Among other benefits, Arvell allows the use of less water in the production process and reduces pulp dispersion. The key success factors are Teknoweb’s constant research philosophy, its partnership methods, the sustainability of the system and the flexibility that the resulting product brings to its customers.
Trützschler Nonwovens
www.trutzschler.com
Trützschler Nonwovens will be showing its latest innovations in manmade fiber and nonwovens machinery at the ITMA show. In addition to many new innovations, which are designed to increase productivity while reducing energy consumption, we introduce two revolutionary new machine developments. The Streamliner is its latest development of a new drum dryer generation. The new dryer generation achieves specific evaporation capacities going far beyond the commonly achieved values. For our customer, this means a significant increase in productivity. The energy efficient machine design features an optimized airflow with low pressure loss, an optimal fresh air supply using the temperature-dependent density change as well as a heating system with optimized flow technology. In addition, energy efficiency is increased by external air treatment and possibilities of heat recovery.
Trützschler will also showcase advancements in crosslapper technology. Where increased requirements for throughput and availability have led to ever increasing line speeds in the past. To be able to use the carding speeds available today, it is necessary to increase also the performance of downstream equipment. In particular the crosslapping lines are operated at the limit of their capacities, limits which are, if at all, difficult to be pushed with conventional technology. However, the company says it has succeeded to overcome these limitations with its new crosslapper EKLB439 both in terms of productivity as well as in terms of quality.
VMI Holland
www.vmi-group.com
The EBM Product Handling Systems division of VMI Holland BV specializes in robotic and automatic handling systems and machinery. With over 60 years experience in handling systems and machinery and 30 years in robotics, this VMI division delivers reliable systems and technologies for specific requirements.
The VMI Product Handling Systems division is a market leader in high capacity cotton pad machinery which converts cotton blankets into cotton pad stacks that are professionally bagged.These systems produce cotton pads in a variety of shapes and sizes including round, oval, square and rectangular.
www.acellinonwovens.com
A.Celli Nonwovens now offers printing technology. The company has equipped its high speed, multifunctional lamination lines with printing capabilities to provide the possibility of multi-color printing to serve the nonwovens industry with the highest quality of print on nonwovens. A.Celli Nonwovens has recently opened a lab for research and development at its Italian headquarters. Massimo Michelini, sales and marketing director, says,“A fully functional UV flexo printing machine is currently installed in the new laboratory. The lab will be reserved for printing trials until autumn in order to give a quick response to potential customers interested in making dedicated printing tests with their materials and their product images.”
A.Celli Nonwovens has added printing technology to its repertoire. |
Accusentry
www.accusentry.com
Accucentry’s SingleCull Package can reduce waste for absorbent hygiene manufacturers via Adaptive Phasing Technology that is available on the newest version of AccuSentry’s Sentry 9000 inspection system. The patent pending technology effectively synchronizes reject signals from multiple inspection points and accurately pinpoints the delay timing to reject only the defective product as detected by the system. According to AccuSentry executives, the technology can decrease material scrapping from process defects in diaper, adult incontinence and feminine hygiene production by 66-80%. Currently three to five products are scrapped per incident as operators have trouble accurately synchronizing the delay timing of the reject gate at full production speeds.
The SingleCull technology builds on AccuSentry’s deep commitment to the nonwoven and absorbent hygiene industries. It complements Accusentry’s Centerlining technique, first introduced at Insight in 2010, which delivers operators vital realtime data on a screen of control graphs measuring product attributes like position, length, width and other parameters during full speed production. When the product is being produced within a specified target range, the graphs are white; when the product begins to drift out of range they turn yellow and when things are bad, they are red so the operator needs to take only one look at the screen to see there is a problem. Wei Siong Tan, president and CEO, says operators could initially meet this technique with resistance, until they see how effective it is. “At first, they see the Centerlining and they think it’s too much information, but when we do training, it leads to a real ‘a-ha’ moment with the operators who see how successful it can be.”
Andritz
www.andritz.com
New highlights in core technologies (calendering and hydroentangling) as well as innovative system from forming to finishing will be presented by Andritz Perfojet and Andritz Küsters at this year’s ITMA show. In the spunlace area, Andritz Perfojet will exhibit the injector which is the main part of the hydroentanglement process. The injector is fitted with a filtering cartridge that ensures final filtration of process water just before the strip and an extra hard strip that provides water needles of the highest quality. Andritz has more than 1100 units successfully in operation around the world.
In order to customize spunlace fabrics, Andritz offers a full range of patterning and aperturing solutions using calenders or sleeves. Andritz Perfojet recently introduced a new 3D patterning technology called neXimaging. This approach allows any kind of patterning and/or aperturing at very high production speeds. The sleeve has been designed to reproduce logos and artwork in 3D design with exceptionally high quality details.
Meanwhile, in calendering, Andritz Küsters has made major developments in roll technology and design. At ITMA, Andritz will present a new Hot S-Roll concept with direct drive for the first time. This innovative roll system with deflection control – registered as a patent – has been tuned for high-speed demands in nonwovens production. Andritz neXcal thermobonding calenders can be equipped with this new type of Hot S-Roll. In particular, when integrated into the neXcal twin, production flexibility is widely expanded.
Benick
www.benick.com
Benick Machineworks is a sales and engineering company specializing in used and rebuilt slitters along with slitting application technology. The company also represents a diverse range of equipment for converting flexible webs, selling machinery from its large inventory and brokering machinery. Recently, Benick has added a Slitter Parts & Accessories Division including a large inventory of parts for slitters, unwind and rewind shafts, core chucks, core cutters and trim systems.
Customers normally come to Benick not only to purchase a used machine but also with the wish to have modifications made – tailoring the equipment to their needs and take advantage of the company’s experience converting flexible webs. Benick often trains the operators who will use the machinery and provides assistance in installation.
Beta LaserMike
www.betalasermike.com
Beta LaserMike, a leading global provider of precision measurement and control solutions, introduces
Beta LaserMike’s encoder aids in consistent web measurement. |
“Laser-based length and speed measurements have become the standard measurement technology for many common nonwovens and converting applications,” says Bob Stockholm, director of sales for the Americas at Beta LaserMike. “For example, our LaserSpeed encoders are being used in material converting processes that involve continuous length measurement, cut control, post-cut length, differential speed and position control, to name a few. As a result of the higher measurement accuracies and tighter process controls, manufacturers are realizing a number of production efficiencies and bottom-line advantages.”
The LaserSpeed system uses advanced, laser-based technology to precisely measure the length and speed of a product during production without making contact with the material. This laser encoder projects a unique pattern on the surface of the product. As the product moves, light is scattered back to the LaserSpeed unit. This information is translated into product speed and pulses are produced to determine the product length. Length and speed measurements are captured with better than +0.05% accuracy. Beta LaserMike offers a complete line of LaserSpeed encoders with measurement speeds up to 39,400 ft/min (12,000 m/min), standoff distances to 39.4 inches (1000 mm), and measurement depth of field to 3.0 inches (100 mm).
Brückner
www.brueckner-textil.de
Brückner offers the nonwovens industry several completely new drying lines. The Power-Frame Eco is being described by the company as a quantum jump regarding energy efficiency. According to the company,this stenter could be described as a synthesis of performance and energy effectiveness. Brückner engineers developed a completely new, environmentally friendly dryer generation, which requires with increased production output considerably less heating energy. The dryer is provided with a central heating system, a completely new air control system and a sophisticated temperature control system. Compared to a normal stenter witha heat-recovery system, this dryer saves additionally up to 30% of energy. The proven split-flow air circulation system and Brückner’s typical countered design has been maintained in this concept. This ensures an absolutely homogeneous air admittance to the fabric across the complete length and width of the machine. Since this line can be provided with a support belt, it is well-suited for delicate knitted fabric, too.
Supra-Flow is the first belt dryer for spunlace nonwovens. In the manufacturing of spunlace nonwovens, drum-type dryers are in most cases used after water jet bonding. Brückner’s new flow-through dryer Supra-Flow sets new standards in the field of spunlace nonwovens.
This belt dryer, the company says, is characterized by an unmatched temperature accuracy across the fabric width. The drying can be made very gentle and with low temperatures since the zone temperatures and the air circulation intensity can be varied every 1.5 m. In addition, the nonwovens are dried on a transport belt without any tensions or distortions. This leads to a very smooth hand and improved quality features. The new belt dryer can be used without problems for large fabric widths, high production speeds and lightest fabric qualities. The system also showcases theenergy efficiency of the Brückner technology, introduced successfully to the market in 2010.
Catbridge Machinery
www.catbridge.com
Catbridge Machinery designs and manufactures innovative, efficient slitter rewinders as well as advanced meltblown production lines. To optimize performance, equipment is tailored to each customers’ exact materials and processes. Catbridge builds a compact, quick-install “plug and play” meltblown line ideal for production or research and development. A unique die design provides precise laydown control for ultrafine, high-quality fibers. For larger capacities, Catbridge offers a multi-die system with impressive throughput. Both modular lines are optimized to handle the latest metallocene resins as well as conventional Z-N based polypropylene. The lines are also capable of producing sub-micron meltblown for high-performance filtration media.
Catbridge can tailor its machines to meet individual customer needs. |
Popular Catbridge slitter rewinders for nonwovens include the Model 210, a robust, high-speed two-drum surface winder. To boost productivity, the Model 210 offers technologies including innovative knife placement systems and a powerful yet user-friendly control system. Another popular model, the 401 continuous winder, provides automatic cut-off and transfer. To accommodate varying needs, the machines can be equipped with specialized webpaths and unwind configurations, web inspection, and roll discharge systems as well as coating and laminating systems, perforators, or calenders. Catbridge can also provide as much customization as necessary, from a unique added feature to a ground-up solution.
DiloGroup
www.dilo.com
At ITMA, DiloGroup will present a complete nonwoven production line on a floor space of 1000 square meters. The nonwoven staple fiber sector is still characterized by high demand and dynamic development in numerous application areas such as floor coverings, automotive interior linings, geotextiles and roofing material, filter media, synthetic leather, upholstery and mattress felts, thermal insulation, wipes for industry and household, special applications involving carbon fiber, glass and mineral fibers, technical and papermachine felts, medicine, hygiene and apparel.
For all these applications DiloGroup offers universal and special production lines which are adapted to the market and customer requirements. The research and development work applied to all line components, starting with fiber preparation, including opening and blending, web forming and consolidation, aims at fiber material savings, less energy consumption, increased production, higher efficiency and availability, improved ease of operation, reduction of downtime for maintenance, service and cleaning, improved web mass homogeneity and better felt surface quality.
In this context, At ITMA Dilo will exhibit and run a complete production line that will comprise the following components: DiloTemafa equipment for fiber preparation, i. e. opening and blending, consisting of two bale openers. One bale opener – type Baltromix – for high throughput, the other – type AlphaMix– for medium throughput capacity. The opened fiber flocks will be fed on a blending apron to a carding willow for further opening and blending and subsequently to a dosing opener and a fine opener which provide a constant fiber flow to the card feeding system controlled by a special control loop. The dosing opener has a fine opening stage to deliver the optimum flock size for card feeding. The two-sided fiber infeed “Twinfeed” for the new MultiFeed card feeder is a distinctive feature. Double infeed and vibration effects on a suction infeed apron result in a homogeneous feeding of the card and thus in a homogeneous web mass.
Elsner Engineering Works
www.elsnereng.com
Elsner Engineering Works has completed the installation of its first complete rolled wipes converting and packaging line utilizing equipment from its partner organization Shemesh Automation Ltd., based in Holon, Israel. The line consists of an Elsner Model ENR-1000 Fully Automatic Perforator Nonwovens Rewinder coupled with Shemesh’s Automatic Canister Loading machinery.
“We are pleased to have this first installation completed and are poised for many more,” says F. Rusty Elsner, president and CEO. “The relationship with Shemesh has proven to further our standing in the marketplace, allowing us to offer complete line solutions to our customers. The Shemesh equipment is a great fit with our already successful Model ENR-1000 Rewinder and this initial installation gives us further confidence moving forward.”
The Elsner Model ENR-1000 Fully Automatic Perforator Nonwovens Rewinder converts master rolls of nonwovens material into consumer and industrial sized rolled perforated wipes at rates of up to 90 pieces per minute. This successful design from Elsner continues to be a top seller for the organization and is used in the production of many of the center-pull canister wipes available on the market today. The Shemesh equipment is used to load these rolls into rigid plastic canisters and complete the product by adding a solution (such as cleaning or disinfecting agents), applying a lid to the canister and labeling the product for retail sale.
Enercon Industries
www.enercon.com
Enercon Industries has announced Plasma4, a new system that breaks through production and economical barriers with ecology in mind. The system is a result of Enercon’s decade-long experience in engineering and commissioning production grade plasma systems.
Enercon systems are used on films, wovens and nonwovens. |
The surface treating system adds value to engineered films, wovens and nonwovens by cleaning, etching and functionalizing surfaces. Enercon’s Atmospheric Plasma Technology Manager Rory Wolf says, “Early adopters of Plasma4 are impressed with the foresight put into the design which eliminates many of the industry’s previous performance barriers.”
Plasma4 offers numerous features which benefit converters by minimizing cost of ownership and increasing profitability.
Features include: high and long lasting treatment, an efficient use of gas chemistry, no electrode breakage, automatic gap adjustment and no ozone.
Focke & Co.
www.focke.com
Focke & Co. General Packaging is a leading supplier of turnkey packaging lines for the nonwovens industry, offering equipment compatible with the out-feed of converting equipment for stacking and bagging applications. Whether diapers, panty liners or underpads, Focke & Co offers custom-made packaging systems in all speed ranges for a variety of nonwovens products.
With the successful introduction of the new FSX high-speed stacker for femcare products, Focke’s General Packaging division says it has raised the bar and set a new standard in packaging technology.
The state-of-the-art FSX femcare stacker confirms the company’s commitment to creating a new standard in the global marketplace with the highest operating speeds. Listening to the different global market needs Focke has combined a modular design with the utmost in flexibility. For instance the FSX stacker can be added to bag packaging, carton packaging and/or flow-wrapping solutions all within a compact design.
“This new technology is changing the landscape of hygienic packaging machinery, meeting the market requirements not only in terms of speed, footprint and operation, but also in regard to product handling, maintenance and customer service,” the company says.
Garnett Controls
www.garnett.com
Garnett Controls Ltd (UK) will launch its new generation retrofit control systems for textile machinery aimed at replacing traditional inefficient drive systems with economic, easy-to-use and expandable systems. Utilizing the latest in touch screen technology which Garnett pioneered in the retrofit carding sector, the new range of panels are targeted at the company’s principal areas of activity – carding, spinning and nonwovens – as well as an increasingly wider spectrum of applications both inside and outside the textile sector.
Reduction of energy consumption within a plant is a key attribute of the new Garnett-e-Controls system with a number of recent installations returning high savings. A launch of the latest generation of fiber weight control systems will complement the new operator control interfaces. The company says the new Microweigh XL8+ is the most accurate and advanced card feeding system for carding and technical nonwoven applications including medical textiles where the latest GAMP standards are applicable. The new model incorporates enhanced data options making on-line quality analysis possible within a client’s own infrastructure. In addition, a new style of efficient anti-vibration mounts is being introduced, further enhancing the stability associated with the units.
For higher production applications, the Rollaweigh feed control system, which has become a standard in many drylaid nonwoven plants internationally, provides volumetric continuous control at unlimited production rates. The Rollaweigh 8+ series incorporates a reduction in overall tare weight whilst at the same time enhancing structural stability and taking advantage of the company’s new mounting system. Data options are increased with seamless integration with the Mill Wizard system, which manages production data from a virtually unlimited range of sources within the client’s production plant.
GDM
www.gdm-spa.com
GDM’s recent developments are: the new START technological platform, which can provide an answer to the D&E market and to all the producers who wish to consolidate and increase their production volumes through selling high-service competitive products at low production costs. For baby products,GDM machines are designed (based on Matrix modular platform) to produce traditional or winged products at a speed of 500 ppm; for the Adult Incontinence sector, there is a line for hospital pads or adult diapers at a speed of 200 ppm. For the incontinence sector, the X3M AT machine can run 450m/min and is able to produce multi-piece diapers for adults with rigid and elastic panels applied using“Zero Waste Adult” (ESPertA) technology.
In the Innovation realm, the“Single Culling Process System” solution, which will enable waste reduction when changing raw materials of only one product versus the typical inspection systems reject equal to 3-5 products for each detected defective diaper.
Reducing it to a single diaper or to just to the real defective ones will result in 66% to 80% reduction in diaper waste.
This translates to potential savings to diaper manufacturers with significant economical and environmental impact.
GDM’s new DISCovery platform is based on an innovative rotating process which joins some distinctive elements of this new “platform concept” such as technological innovation, high performance, high efficiency and low waste.
Fameccanica
www.fameccanica.com
Hygiene machinery specialist Fameccanica is offering several new ideas and technologies in both machinery and process areas; the new features will enable Fameccanica equipment to reach the highest production speeds and outstanding process performances.As far as equipment, the company has new baby diaper and adult incontinence lines, both designed to prioritize efficiency and waste levels aimed at the lowest unitary finished product cost, simplify the retrofitting of future upgrade kits with short delivery time and reduce installation efforts.
The baby diapers machine model FA-X P10 features a production speed of 1000 pieces/minute or a linear speed of 450 meters/minute, along with high efficiency and low scraps levels. The adult incontinence machine model FIX P5 features a production speed of 500 pieces/minute or 400 meters/minute, whichever comes first, and can manufacture multi-piece products with either shaped or rectangular side-panels.
Fameccanica has also introduced the“U”- Mill-house design, capable of producing ultra-thin pads with high SAP content.Thanks to the most accurate pressing technology installed, the pad also maintains very high integrity and a very low weight variation.
James Heal
www.james-heal.co.uk
At ITMA, James Heal willshowcase products from its range of textile testing instruments for physical and colorfastness testing, including the Martindale 900 Series for abrasion and pilling testing, the TruBurst burst strength tester, plus the Elmatear digital tear strength tester. In addition, the company will be launching two new instruments that represent ingenuity and value for the market. At the show, James Heal will also have dedicated displays for its range of high quality test materials products, and visitors can find out more about the benefits of maintaining their instruments through regular service and calibration for improved performance.
Since last Summer, the company has been working on a strategic re-branding initiative to enhance the look and feel of their brand identity while also making significant improvements to its product development and engineering processes. The company is also launching a brand new, interactive and customer-focused website.
David Repper, James Heal’s owner and managing director, discusses the rebranding initiative. He says, “The challenge was to capture our 139-year heritage and create a modern brand that can operate and be recognized internationally – to deliver the sophisticated product and service that James Heal represents today: Innovation, Leadership, Integrity, Precision and Pedigree.
“It’s a combination of our expertise and innovation that drives new product development to enable us to better meet customer needs. Personally, I’m very proud to be leading the company through such an exciting period of change and success,” Repper says.
Hills Machinery
www.hillsmach.com
Hills spunbond machines, using its proprietary bicomponent extrusion technology, make microfiber and nanofiber spunbond webs via splittable pie and islands-in-the-sea fibers.Hills’ proprietary high-speed slot aspirator is especially suited to high-performance polymer applications such as primary carpet backing, roofing membrane substrate, artificial leather and filtration media.The versatility of this equipment means that many of these applications are possible on the same machine.
Hills Machinery offers spunbond and meltblown machines for a number of applications. |
Hills has joined with Tatecraft Industries, Inc. of Greensboro, NC, USA, to form TATECraft,LLC. The purpose of this venture is further commercialization of the patentedTatecraftDyeing Process.This process is unique in that the materials are completely recycled, is atmospheric and rapid, with dyeing times ranging from six to 30 seconds depending on presentation of the product to be dyed.The process includes only a pure food grade dispersant, the colorant portion only of the selected dye and purified water as components. FD&C dyes can also be utilized if required.
Developed initially for the dyeing of PET as a means of reducing both the cost and environmental impact of conventional water-based dyeing techniques, it has also been successfully demonstrated on a variety of polymers, including but not limited to PBT, PTT, PLA, TPU and LCP.
Laboratory and pilot extrusion machines for all of the above processes are also offered.Customers may also utilize laboratory machines at the Hills facility in Florida, and at other institutions worldwide, to support their product development work.
Kansan Machinery
www.kansan.com
Kansan—a manufacturer of high-speed wet wipe converting machines and complete converting—was established in 1992 in a small workshop. The company is now serving hundreds of customers around the globe. Kansan mainly offers interfold/non-interfold and cross fold wet wipe (flat packs) converting
Kansan’s wet wipe converting line |
In the last edition of the INDEX show in April 2011, Kansan exhibited two machines. The high speed interfold/non-interfolder (KNM3600) and new generation cross-fold wet wipe converting machine KNC1600 was actually the only cross fold machine on at the show.
The new wet wipe cross fold converting platform of Kansan has the following features: high productivity and efficiency, low waste, reduced man power in operation, reasonable capital investment, throughput capacity between 1600 to 3200 wipes, 120 to 240 stacks with four to eight lines, and mechanical folding with full servo control.
Independent Machine
www.independentusa.com
Independent Machine Co., Fairfield, NJ, USA, has been specializing in converting machinery for more than 44 years, manufactures spooling systems ranging from single position offline traverse winders toinline integrated slitting and multi-position traverse winding systems featuring the computerized Smartwinder and Smartwinder-XL. IMC recently built for a German customer an advanced 1200mm wide slitting and 10-Position Smartwinder-XL traverse system for high loft nonwoven material used in the manufacture of disposable diapers. This system winds 812mm wide by1200mm OD spools of extremely long length. The Smartwinder-XL spooling modules move the spool under the fixed input of the slit strand to enable wide width materials to easily move from slitting to traverse winding without lateral movement of the material.
The two position shaftless driven turret unwind accommodates 70-inch diameter supply rolls weighing up to 500 kg. One driven unwind position is actively unwinding the supply roll while the other is loaded and then remains is in the “waiting” position. This simplifies changeover from the expired supply roll to a new roll.When the “running” roll expires the trailing end is pneumatically clamped and the turret is indexed so the “waiting” roll becomes the “active” unwind position. A heat seal/splice assembly is activated and the new cycle begins.
The slitter is the main speed reference for the entire system with a speed range to 650 m/min and includes entryand exit “S” wrap pull rolls with an interchangeable computerizedpositioning shear section between them. A fixed position spreader roll located prior to slitting eliminates wrinkles.
Each of the five two-position cantilevered Smartwinder-XL traverse winders has a microprocessor-based traverse assembly that provides programmable winding patternswith pitch, stroke length, and end dwell adjustment by laterally moving the spoolthrough Smartwinders software. Precise programmable rewind tension at each position accurate to within 7 grams iscontrolled by a closed loop follower drive system through the exclusive IMC Dancer/Tension Controller with a 25:1 tension range. The integrity of the spool created by proper control of tension and selection of spool settings will ensure the success of the converted material in the unwinding application.Thesystem is controlled by a PLC with operator access through an HMI touchscreen that has recipe storage capability for all system operating parameters.
MBS
www.mbs-huellhorst.de
More often than ever, retailers are asking for efficient packaging solutions, not only for cost cutting reasons but also for sustainability reasons. Looking at the overall lifecycle of a simple transport unit such as a cardboard box, one could think that it is more efficient – in terms of being environmentally friendly than a product wrapped in a PE foil - as paper is, of course, recyclable. But this perspective is deceptive, because one has to consider all the aspects throughout the supply chain.
The MBS W115 (material bundling system) is designed to overwrap hygienic products such as baby diapers, adult incontinence products, bed underpads or similar soft hygienic products, in order to either prepare them for a safe and secure transport trip or even bundle them as a multiple selling unit.
A variety of advantages of the bundled product is obvious, to the producers as well as to the retailers:
There is no enormous warehouse space necessary to keep stock of bulky cardboard boxes
Raw material PE of the roll – as it has to be processed for such a bundling machine – is much more cost efficient compared to cardboard Weight comparison is decisive when looking at transport cost
Logistical costs during production runs are less with foil, due to efficient material rolls compared to high volume cardboard boxes Disposal costs are much less due to minimum volume of PE foil and its chemical properties during the recycling process.
This bundling equipment from MBS is the solution for future sustainable packaging methods. Minimum raw material cost, high production speed – up to 15 bundles per minute –and tight palletized bundles for efficient transport will give the decisive edge to converters using this technology over those who are still not thinking green.
The new flexible bundling equipment for emerging markets, the MBS W108, with the same quality standards as the MBS W115, runs at eight bundles/min and is available for a low capital investment.
NSC’s T.T. card system offers many advantages. |
www.nsc.fr
NSC’s T.T. card operates at high speeds offering advantages including web weights from 30-80 gsm with a mix of PES, viscose and polypropylene fibers, 1.7-2.2 dtex with two card webs, an MD/CD ratio of less than 3:1, compatible with a very high production level in excess of 250 m/min with two T.T. cards in line. Webs are bulky with an MD/CD strength ratio so that it is conceivable to reduce even more average wipes’ weight without losing commercial product aspects. In December 20120, NSC announced it sold the concept to Textisol, a Spanish maker of spunlace and needlepunch nonwovens for wipes and cleaning cloths.
Optima Machinery
www.optima-usa.com
The Optima RTP25 is a palletizer specifically designed for nonwoven products. System options include
The Optima RTP25 palletizer |
Additional modules: for tier sheets, top sheets, an empty pallet magazine for automatic feeding and a link to subsequent storage logistics are available.
Osprey
www.ospreyfilters.com
One of Osprey’s latest developments is the Blue-Sky filter, which was introduced for the first time at Index11 in Geneva. Over two years of research and testing have gone into the Blue-Sky filter.
According Osprey’s head of product development Marty Price, “The Blue-Sky filter was developed for customers with increasing line speeds and higher
SAP contents in mind. This new filter provides HEPA quality air filtration without the use of an Osprey final filter or disk section.”
The Blue-Sky filter advantages include: hightest filtration level available, lower initial equipment cost, reduced explosion risk, higher safety rating, new seal and media design, no compressed air required, lower energy costs and new high capacity pockets. Additionally, a patented Phoenix design is available.
Reifenhäuser
www.reifenhauser.com
Reifenhäuser Reicofil offers customized combined heat and power plants (CHP) for new and existing Reicofil spunbonding and composite lines that enable a new generation of electric power and an optimal use of the resulting waste heat, depending on the configuration of the lines.
Under optimal conditions, customized combined heat and power plants can achieve an overall efficiency of over 90%, far more than common central power stations.Producers disposing of their own CHP are able to produce part of the required electricity and at the same time they can utilize the waste heat in a targeted way on different temperature levels. For example, high temperatures can be used to generate hot compressed air for the meltblown process or for heating calenders and driers, while low temperature levels are suitable for pre-heating of process air or secondary air or for space heating. In combination with an absorption refrigerator, they are even appropriate for process air cooling and air conditioning of buildings.
According to Hans-Georg Gneus, technical director of Reicofil, combined heat and power plants offer essential advantages: “The targeted utilization of waste heat resulting from a combined generation of heat and power enables the users of such plants to reduce their production costs while at the same time their production will become more sustainable and resource conserving.”
Sonobond Ultrasonics
www.sonobondultrasonics.com
The SeamMaster from Sonobond Ultrasonics continuous-bonding rotary system seams pleated filter edges and easily handles bulky materials. And because there are no stitch holes, disposable nonwoven medical garments assembled with the SeamMaster comply with OSHA regulations for protecting healthcare workers against blood-borne pathogens.
Plunge bonders handle large, difficult-to-bond and multi-layer materials.Models seal ends of filter bags and produce box-style filters and heavyweight filter bags to rigid plastic collars.
Sonobond bonders assemble HEPA-rated filters, industrial and commercial vacuum bags, oil absorbers, and automobile air filters.They also assemble geotextiles for the agricultural industry.
Sonobond provides free sample bonds of material and then recommends the appropriate machine for your application.Every unit can be customized to your requirements and is backed by superior service.
S&S Specialty Systems
www.ssspecialtysystems.com
S&S Specialty Systems, LLC of Iron River, WI, USA, continues to develop its coreless rewinding equipment with the addition of the Tornado Rewinder. This versatile automatic rewinder can produce coreless products that range from 2 ¼ inches (57 mm) to 16 inches (406 mm) in diameter and can be configured with a variety of options based on converting needs. The Tornado is a fitting complement to the high output Cyclone rewinder. The Cyclone offers converting process widths up to 63 inches (1600 mm) along with upgrades on web tension control and perforation blade changeover. Recently acquired by C. G. Bretting Manufacturing Co., Inc., S&S continues to offer innovative, quality equipment for the wet and dry nonwoven product markets.
Teknoweb
www.wipestech.com
Teknoweb’s wipe production machinery |
The main driver for this wet wipes innovation is the attention that Teknoweb devotes to the environment. Among other benefits, Arvell allows the use of less water in the production process and reduces pulp dispersion. The key success factors are Teknoweb’s constant research philosophy, its partnership methods, the sustainability of the system and the flexibility that the resulting product brings to its customers.
Trützschler Nonwovens
www.trutzschler.com
Trützschler Nonwovens will be showing its latest innovations in manmade fiber and nonwovens machinery at the ITMA show. In addition to many new innovations, which are designed to increase productivity while reducing energy consumption, we introduce two revolutionary new machine developments. The Streamliner is its latest development of a new drum dryer generation. The new dryer generation achieves specific evaporation capacities going far beyond the commonly achieved values. For our customer, this means a significant increase in productivity. The energy efficient machine design features an optimized airflow with low pressure loss, an optimal fresh air supply using the temperature-dependent density change as well as a heating system with optimized flow technology. In addition, energy efficiency is increased by external air treatment and possibilities of heat recovery.
Trützschler will also showcase advancements in crosslapper technology. Where increased requirements for throughput and availability have led to ever increasing line speeds in the past. To be able to use the carding speeds available today, it is necessary to increase also the performance of downstream equipment. In particular the crosslapping lines are operated at the limit of their capacities, limits which are, if at all, difficult to be pushed with conventional technology. However, the company says it has succeeded to overcome these limitations with its new crosslapper EKLB439 both in terms of productivity as well as in terms of quality.
VMI Holland
www.vmi-group.com
The EBM Product Handling Systems division of VMI Holland BV specializes in robotic and automatic handling systems and machinery. With over 60 years experience in handling systems and machinery and 30 years in robotics, this VMI division delivers reliable systems and technologies for specific requirements.
The VMI Product Handling Systems division is a market leader in high capacity cotton pad machinery which converts cotton blankets into cotton pad stacks that are professionally bagged.These systems produce cotton pads in a variety of shapes and sizes including round, oval, square and rectangular.