Fife Corp claims another ‘first’ in sensor technology for web guiding with the new TruWide – said to give converters the ability to run multiple webs and a variety of materials without time consuming set-up changes or sensor repositioning.
The TruWide complements the company’s existing family of sensors for varying web widths, while using new technology to improve accuracy, reduce change-over time and simplify maintenance. Ultrasonic sensing ‘nodes’ are active at all times throughout the entire width of the sensing area, eliminating the need to reposition the sensor between runs and optimizing web alignment in applications with high instances of web width variations, according to Fife.
Coupled with a full range of sensor positioners, the company’s wide band sensors are said to offer a simple way to increase accuracy in web alignment. The TruWide uses the latest technology to improve accuracy, simplify maintenance, provide web width measurement and reduce cost, it is claimed.
Regarding current trends in web guiding technology generally, product manager Ron Suenram notes: “As converters ‘lean out’ their processes, they’re looking for ways to reduce the number of times an operator must monitor or manipulate a web in process. Many of our customers ask for a sensor they can set up once and never touch again. This is only possible with a limited number of sensing technologies, and that decision requires some early end-game thinking about the types of material to be run on a given press.
“For example,” he explains, “an ultrasonic sensor will allow you to switch from paper to clear film without any adjustment, while an infra red sensor would eliminate the need for set-up when changing between paper and spunbond materials. It’s all about selecting the proper sensor for the range of operations you’ll be working with.”
He adds: “A related trend is the need for user friendly controls. If you reduce the number of times an operator will ‘interact’ with a control, it’s important that specific functions are easy to find and change. So if the number of times it’s changed from paper to film is infrequent, they can quickly find the proper ‘recipe’ in the controller and be up and running the new material right away. Our web guide controllers are built so that an operator can take advantage of the latest technology with minimal guidance for set-up.
“With a little bit of consideration up front, the right equipment will allow converters to ‘do more’, and streamline floor activity and training.”
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