At the cutting edge

Conslit keeps Kampf in contention

Kampf Schneid- und Wickeltechnik has sold more than 500 of its two-spindle Conslit machines worldwide. The improved version, the Conslit III, made its debut at ICE 2009 in Munich. It offers a multitude of improvements and extensions to meet ‘the highest requirements’.

The new model offers flexibility and low set-up times through a high level of automation. Kampf claims it is ‘the best machine for big production orders and is also optimal for small batches’.

In addition to this flexibility, consistent quality is said to be ensured by the new ConCert system – ‘a perfectly co-ordinated’ combination of web guiding, contact and rewinding systems. Even ‘difficult’ materials and special films can be handled efficiently and safely, allowing users of the Conslit III to enter new markets, it is claimed.

Major improvements embodied in the new slitter include an operator interface equipped with a ‘comfortable’ two-touch system and a swivelling splice board that allows roll change to be implemented quickly and easily.

Another version of the Conslit is the fully automatic Autoslit II. This is equipped with two turrets, each with two winding stations. Two of the winding shafts are used for the winding process, the other two for unloading and loading, so that the machine may operate continuously.

The Autoslit II has a modular design offering many individual options to meet customers’ demands.

All from Atlas

PT Indopoly Swakarsa Industry, in Jakarta, Indonesia, is a long established user of Atlas and Titan slitter rewinders, having installed its first primary and secondary film slitters back in 1996. The most recent acquisitions, last July, were a new 8.2m wide Atlas CW984 primary film slitter, together with a CW800 secondary film slitter and a CW500 for tobacco packaging films. This additional slitting capacity was required to handle recent expansion in production of BOPP film.

Indopoly is one of the largest manufacturers of BOPP film in Indonesia, producing more than 40,000 tonne/year. Production is mostly for flexible packaging materials for the food industry in both the domestic market and internationally, under the brand name of Ilene film. The company’s biggest export markets are the USA and SE Asia, including the Philippines.

The new Atlas CW984 will run at up to 1,200m/min for 20 micron BOPP film, with slit widths up to 2,300mm and rewind diameters to 1,200mm. The CW500 will process tobacco packaging films at up to 450m/min, producing some 170 tonne/month. It is the first of a new type with all AC motors and drives, providing greater efficiency once the machine has attained a stable running speed. The unwind motor acts as a generator and excess power is fed back in to the system to supply some of the other drives on the machine.

Apollo rebuild meets all requirements

MarquipWardUnited has supplied Convert Paper, in Poland, with a rebuilt Valmet TDW slitter rewinder. Originally manufactured by Atlas Converting Equipment under the Valmet name, the machine was rebuilt and tested by MarquipWardUnited at the Apollo Sheeters facility in Bedford, UK.

Managing director of Apollo Steve Brimble explains: “A large proportion of the original design team from Atlas has stayed with Apollo through several ownership changes. The TDW had been in storage for some time and was in excellent condition. When Convert Paper made an enquiry, we knew it was a perfect fit. A viewing visit was arranged and Witold Kasperkowiak, production director of Convert Paper, quickly realised that not only was the machine in excellent condition, but the design, developed with expert input from Valmet, was more advanced than most two-drum winders currently on the market.”

Rebuilt and tested by the Apollo team in less than three months, the TDW slitter has a working width of 2,800mm, with unwind and rewind diameter capacity of 1,800mm and maximum speed of 1,500m/min. Automatic threading and rewind cut-off are also included.

Mr Brimble adds: “We have been considering re-entering the slitter rewinder business for some time. This business shares a client base and excellent technical synergies with our sheeter product line. It is clear that, mechanically, used two-drum winders can be easily rebuilt. The addition of a modern controls and drives package provides a highly efficient machine for a very attractive price. This project has encouraged us to seek more similar opportunities.”

Rotocontrol reports record sales

As a result of strong order demand, Rotocontrol has increased the number of manufacturing and technical staff at its facility in Ahrensburg, Germany. Managing director Marco Aengenvoort reports that January was a record month for new orders for machines.

Models currently being manufactured include the RSC Series inspection slitter rewinders, RSD die-cutting/slitting rewinding machines, and the recently introduced EDM200 over-printing press. These machines will fulfill customer orders received from Germany, Finland, South Africa, Italy, France, Spain, and Turkey.

“Since our product demonstrations at Labelexpo Europe, the orders that followed are extremely positive,” states Mr Aengenvoort. “The increased momentum is reflected in our current production floor, which will continue to grow this coming year. Also evident in the mix of machines ordered by customers is our ability to build products for unique and custom application requests.”

Rotocontrol designs and manufactures machines for the narrow web industry - from smaller basic rewinders to sophisticated models with multiple options. All utilise S-Drive servo technology said to enable maximum web control for the most delicate films and foils.

E equals ease of use and economy

Comexi Group company Proslit’s new E-Turret double-turret slitter rewinder is the result of intensive market analysis, designed to provide high quality and high productivity ‘for a very reasonable investment’. Available in 1,350mm and 1,650mm web widths, it offers a maximum unwind diameter of 1,000mm and 1,000kg initial reel weight. Top speed is 500m/min and it can run finished reels up to 610mm rewind diameter.

The machine is ‘easily managed’ through a touch panel control and its run lengths can be controlled by mother reel diameter, lineal metres or final reel diameter. The memory will store a high number of job parameters. In its basic configuration with an integrated unwind stand, it offers good accessibility to the slitting area, even having the parent reel in the unwind position.

Like other Proslit models, the E-Turret includes ALTS (Advance Lineal Tracking System) technology in its rewind tension control system, offering perfect rewinding control by following the contact point reference of the final reel. Proslit says the machine has been designed for strength, with 50mm frames to avoid vibration problems, and compactness, plus accessibility for easy working and safety.

Automation is Alpha’s answer

Alpha Converting’s AlphaMatic units automate the production of web to reel, cut to length rolls – with automatic length count, web transfer, roll close, labelling, finished roll ejection and packaging to suit production requirements.

“The machines will turn stock web sizes into end user sizes that are labelled, bagged, boxed and wrapped in one operation,” says managing director Simon King. “By minimising operator involvement through automating the winding, cutting and packaging operations to suit individual products, cycle times are shortened and unit costs reduced.”

To maintain continuous production, AlphaMatic units incorporate integrated accumulators, automatic web cut-off and reel closure by label or tape, which can be printed with barcodes and other variable information inline to maintain product integrity and traceability. Cores can also be loaded automatically and the finished roll bagged or boxed with the minimum of operator input.

With a choice of inline or free-standing machines available, Alpha says it can tailor the AlphaMatic to suit production needs – depending on configuration, web widths can be up to 2m, material thicknesses from 25 micron to 2.2mm and production rates as high as one roll every 25sec.

Sapphire shines for Ashe

Ashe Converting Equipment doubled the size of its production facilities a few years ago and invested in state-of-the-art CNC machining equipment to meet the increased demand for its standard and bespoke slitter rewinders from customers around the world.

One of the most popular machines is the Sapphire S2 slitter. Despite the current difficult trading conditions, Ashe says both domestic and overseas orders for the S2 have been strong.

Designed to run a wide range of films, laminates, flexible packaging and paper laminates, the Sapphire S2 operates at speeds of up to 800m/min. It features a three-motor AC drive system and fully automatic tension control, and has a compact, ergonomic design, with a walkway between unwind and rewind for ease of access to spreader roller knife section or splicing table.

The Sapphire range has developed into a configurable system of options extending the ability to satisfy customers’ requirements. These include different winding diameters, speeds, slitting configurations and integral secondary processes such as laser perforating and de-laminating.

Developed by Ashe in response to customer ‘wish list’ requirements, the machine is designed to maximise uptime and minimise downtime for the fast throughput of materials. It offers fast change-over of rewind shaft for different core sizes and different methods of winding, and the machine is completely electrically operated.

Parkland’s proven philosophy

Parkland International has produced many slitting machines over the years, ranging from simple manual to ‘all-inclusive’ automatic models. The design is usually driven by the types of materials and the quality requirements of the industry in which they are used.

Parkland’s Peter Kelly comments: “Change-over and set-up time are critical as order values are smaller, but more frequent as customers reduce stocks to keep inventory values down. Machines having air differential shafts, laser core positioning and reel handling features are now the norm, with automatic knife positioning at justifiable prices being preferred.”

He adds: “Our philosophy is to understand the customers’ requirements and where possible recommend a standard or modified model that will meet their needs, providing a proven machine at a competitive price that will justify the investment.