Plastics on parade

3 September 2007



K 2007, in Düsseldorf next month, will present the latest product developments from more than 2,900 supplier companies to the plastics and rubber industry. The show will be open daily from 10am to 6.30pm through October 24-31


ALS will be exhibiting its new FS range of film slitting machines that slit without unwinding. These heavy duty models have been designed to slit rolls of protection film, PE, coated and uncoated plastics films, silicone paper and similar materials. The cutting rate and rotational speed of the material and blade are set and controlled automatically by a PLC.

Available in diameters of 400-700mm and widths of 1,600-2,900mm, the FS range features touchscreen control, waste removal, soundproof guarding, powered support and automatic roll locking, loading and unloading systems. A novel design feature prevents the build-up of any sticky waste material in the cutting section. Hall 3, stand 3F29.

The Diamond slitter rewinder is to be launched by Ashe Converting Equipment. Positioned pricewise between the company's Onyx 'entry level' and Sapphire S2 machines (which will also be shown), the Diamond is aimed at “converters with demanding workflow practices and challenging materials to process, such as thin films and laminates”.

Ergonomically designed and with a small footprint, the machine is configured for ease of installation and use - all components and controls are incorporated in a single unit. It has a shaftless unwind with integral reel lift and is all electric. Designed to operate at speeds of up to 500m/min, it can accommodate unwind diameter reels of 1,000mm and rewind diameters of 600mm.

Slitting possibilities include wrap and tangential, using a precision Sapphire type dovetail mounted razor and rotary shear slitting system. A swing-out female knife bar provides for easy slit width changes. Additional features include flange mounted interchangeable rewind shafts and a pneumatic lay-on system. Two or three motor drive systems are available.

A vacuum 'hug drum' as the main pull roller in place of nip (as on the Sapphire S2), gives full tension isolation between unwind and rewind. The Diamond will be available in standard widths of 1,100, 1,300 and 1,650mm. Hall 3, stand 3B54.

Borealis and Borouge will present new materials for advanced packaging applications. Visitors will experience how these polyolefins answer the specific needs of converters and end users. In addition to discussing their current and future needs and being able to visit machine manufacturers running Borealis and Borouge products on their equipment, customers, will also be invited to an exciting event taking place during the show. Stand 6C58 in hall 6.

With its lines for film manufacture, Brückner Maschinenbau promises ”measurable production benefits” including high uptime, yield and raw material efficiency, and excellent production stability, for superior film quality. Fast product changes, low energy consumption, easy operation and low maintenance are also cited.

The company's BOPP lines feature MDO direct drives to allow flexible gap selection for sensitive skin layers; TDO offers an advanced heat recovery system; and the Liwind linear motor winding system provides “perfectly wound” mill rolls. Latest equipment for added value BOPET films includes twin screw technology for main extrusion said to offer big cost savings. The multi gap MDO stretching unit can be used for high speed production of film thicknesses up to 400 micron.

Energy savings are promised through the twin screw extrusion technology and direct drive systems. Shrink film lines are available to serve the fast growing markets for shrink labels, full body sleeves and tamper evident packaging. Working widths can be up to 6.2m, and speeds to 250m/min.

The Brückner Formtec operation will present its cast and sheet extrusion lines, while after sales service and upgrading division Brückner Servtec will feature various systems for efficient and cost effective operation of existing film production lines. Hall 3, stand 3C73.

Ciba products designed to add colour and appeal to plastics include two new ranges of Xymara effect pigments. One is said to give exceptionally brilliant, sparkling effects suitable for packaging, household and leisure goods made of PVC, engineering plastics and polyolefins. The second range is said to be especially suitable for demanding end uses, for instance where high resistance to discoloration is required. The effects attainable include pearlescent, satin and metal.

Another highlight will be the new generation diketo-pyrrolo-pyrrole pigment Cromophtal DPP Red TFP. With its high transparency, brilliance and colour strength, this “hot” new red is particularly recommended for polyolefin packaging and PVC applications. It can be combined with effect pigments for colourful glitter and gleam effects, or with a special clarifier for attractive transparent shades.

Additives to be launched include a light stabilizer for thermoplastic polyurethanes and a high performance stabilizer for polyolefins. Irgaclear XT 386 is a clarifier for PP that is said to offer outstanding see-through clarity at low concentration, and to show organoleptic excellence resulting from high thermal and chemical stability, as well as high extraction resistance. Stand 6A27 in hall 6.

Of interest to anyone processing biopolymer materials such as PLA, a new range of “all natural” colour and additive masterbatches will be a major focus of attention in the Clariant Masterbatches display. In addition to the 'green' initiatives that will be featured, Clariant is to announce new developments in colour and additive products for packaging, consumer goods and other markets. Stand 8AJ11 in hall 8.

A Handrollex line to manufacture stretch film for manual use will be in production on the Colines Stretch stand. In 20 months the company has sold 14 cast lines for the manufacture of stretch film, mostly for the production of reels in manual format. Other lines are Jumborollex and Unicast, which can produce both stretch and CPP film.

A touchscreen simplifies checking of the production data and parameters, and the line can be equipped with cameras for teleservice with assistance performed at distance through a web connection. Accurate stratification of the raw materials is provided by a feedblock with variable geometry and the Cloeren Superflex 450mm die.

Scrap is kept to a minimum by the Dittering system, developed by Colines, and the Refesave system for side edge trim recovery (which is directly reprocessable in line without regranulation). Stand 16A39, hall 16.

Processors who run large quantities of any material that requires high temperature drying (above 121degC) can reduce energy consumption by up to two thirds with the new EnergySmart polymer drying system, claims Conair. Recycling hot, dry air to raise the temperature of new resin entering the drying hopper, the new system is said to be far more energy efficient than conventional desiccant dryers when it comes to drying PET and other materials that require high temperature drying for extended periods.

The EnergySmart actually recycles the wasted heat that would otherwise be drained through the drying system's return air heat exchanger. The system saves energy in this way and by not having to add as much heat to the air for its next trip through the hopper. The Drying Monitor helps it to fine tune the airflow and dewpoint to achieve optimum drying performance.

Also being displayed are TrueBlend gravimetric blenders, featuring a fully enclosed weighing and mixing section. Standard and high heat models, which allow blending of pre-dried materials, are available with throughput capacities to 10,000 lb/hour. TrueFeed feeders employ gravimetric metering technology to improve accuracy, while making the units simpler to operate. Unlike volumetric feeders, they are self calibrating, and said to be easy to use and economical to buy. Stand 10B74, hall 10.

DuPont says its commitment to a sustainable agenda is reflected in the company's presence at K 2007. Highlights of the exhibit will include latest developments in polymer production from renewable sources, and metal replacement for energy saving and reduced emissions. New products for enhanced performance in packaging applications will also feature prominently in commercial applications from across the world, and further detail will be provided on the capability of the recently inaugurated multilayer and corrugation extrusion line at DuPont's European Technical Centre in Geneva. Hall 6, stand 6D27.

A new motorized dual deckle with a spring loaded external segment enables extrusion coating processors to automate width changes, increase the precision of deckle settings, reduce or eliminate manual adjustment, and cut downtime between job change-overs, states Extrusion Dies Industries.

The new deckle incorporates two innovations. One is the use of motorized drives with built-in edge bead control. An AC motor drives the external deckle and the primary internal deckle as a single unit, while a smaller motor drives a secondary internal deckle that fine tunes the flow at either end of the die, minimizing the formation of edge bead. Besides reducing the time needed to change width settings, motorization makes it possible to run the deckle as part of a computerized processing system.

The second innovation is a spring loaded external deckle. With standard external deckles, operators needed to loosen and tighten fasteners for every change in product width. EDI has replaced this system with a spring loaded device that is said to provide constant pressure at the lips of the die while permitting width changes with little or no manual adjustment.

“Motorizing and automating the process of changing width enables extrusion coating processors to return to exactly the same deckle settings every time they run a particular product,” says Jeff Seckora, product manager. “Besides helping to make this automation possible, the spring loaded external device goes a long way toward our ultimate goal of transforming width variation into a hands-free operation.” Stand 2G06, hall 2.

High output performance is the key feature of a Kirion three layer blown film line Kiefel Extrusion will present in action with a winder of the company's own design. Through special interior cooling and further development of the proven blown film diehead and screw designs, Kiefel says its technicians have managed to achieve productivity data that “put everything up to now in the shade”.

Visitors will be made aware of the line's robustness and its flexibility due to modularity. The Kirion T haul-off is said to be absolutely vibration-free, and the patented Zerotouch turning bars ensure scratch-free films and enable processing of the tackiest materials. The proven Kirion C automation platform has been extended with features said to simplify change-over as well as making it more economic. The Kirion WM double winder is fitted with a fully automatic system for roll shaft loading and removal of finished rolls.

Acquired by the Brückner Group in January, 2007, Kiefel is optimistic about “the consistent and exceptionally successful expansion of the company to a systems supplier.” Hall 17,stand 17C42.

Lloyd Instruments will show a range of machines for testing plastics, polymers and other materials throughout the manufacturing cycle, from raw materials to finished products. The FTPlus friction tester, MFI-10 automatic melt flow indexer and the HDT/VICAT measurement instrument from the Davenport range will be on show. The LFPlus, LRXPlus and LR10KPlus universal testing machines can also be seen. All instruments will be operating under PC control using Lloyd's new Nexygenplus materials test and control software. A selection of Chatillon mechanical and digital force gauges will also be displayed.

The FTPlus can either be used as a dedicated friction tester conforming to the requirements of the key ASTM D1894, ISO 8295 and TAPPI T549 standards or, when used together with Nexygenplus software and appropriate sample clamping fixtures, can be configured as a powerful universal testing machine to perform tensile, compression, flexural and other mechanical tests up to 1kN.

The FTPlus can be used for measurements of static and kinetic coefficients of friction, peak load and average load.

The LFPlus, LR10KPlus and LRXPlus instruments are from the Plus range, which covers capacities from 1-300kN. The twin column LR10KPlus instrument will be equipped with an EX800Plus extensometer for the accurate extension measurement of materials such as semi rigid plastics, elastomers and rubbers up to a maximum sample thickness of 25mm. The extensometer is said to offer great flexibility of adjustment to ensure easy and precise attachment to the sample and best ergonomic test positioning.

The extensive capabilities of Nexygenplus software include test creation, data collection, reporting and exporting test data, video and still picture capture, test data security and audit trails, and test automation and customization.

The Davenport MFI-10 melt flow indexer is an intelligent modular system that allows fully automatic measurement of the melt flow rate of a polymer. It can be used both by resin manufacturers and processors to measure the melt flow rate and melt volume rate of thermoplastics before use in the manufacturing process.

Chatillon mechanical and digital force gauges can be used for handheld and test stand applications. Digital force gauges are available with an integral or dedicated remote loadcell. Stand D03, hall 11.

Macchi promises an impressive display to be set on a 400m2, two level stand that will present an array of coextrusion and web handling technologies. In particular, the Italian manufacturer will highlight its aggressive promotion of gearless drive techniques in partnership with Siemens, whose Torque Synchromotors power its latest CoexFlex coextrusion lines. Hall 17, stands 17C09/20.

Maguire Europe will introduce the “world's only” compressed air/membrane resin dryer, a system promised to increase productivity, save energy, and reduce costs for processors of virtually any thermoplastic at throughputs up to 68kg/hour. The NovaDrier is already used in thousands of commercial installations in the Americas, according to Paul Edmondson, general manager of Maguire Europe.

Maguire will sell, and service the equipment, which will be built by US based Novatec.

The NovaDrier is said to bypass traditional moisture removal techniques, such as the use of desiccants, in favour of flowing compressed air through a special adsorption membrane.

“The moisture removing efficiency of our proprietary membrane is so great that process air at -40degC dewpoint is flowing through the system in less than four minutes after startup,” says Paul Edmondson, “and the membrane has been shown to last up to 20 years under demanding end use conditions.”

The compressed air can come from any source and need not be refrigerated or pre-dried. Moving parts that are standard in desiccant dryers (process motor, regeneration heater and motor, and valves) are eliminated. Other than normal hopper cleanout, the only maintenance typically required, according to Maguire, is to change two filter elements every 12 months. The primary control is a simple ‘On/Off’ switch.

NovaDrier systems are available in six models with throughput capacities ranging from 3.2-68kg/hour and are mountable on processing machines or floor stands. Stand 10A26 in hall 10.

Indian bag and sack making equipment manufacturer Mamata Machinery will demonstrate two machines: a Vega W 800 high speed wicketer and the Vega 610 servo driven pouch making system.

The Vega W 800 will be running LD/LLDPE wicketed bags with string zippers at 250-270 cycles/min. These speeds are said to make this machine the fastest wicketer on zipper bags, as it gives nearly 40 per cent higher outputs than any other system available.

Said to have state of the art digital controls, the servo driven pouch maker will be producing two-up self-in gusseted stand-up pouches with zippers from PET/PE laminates, as well as two-up zipper pouches from PA/PE unsupported co-extruded structures.

The machine is configured to make simple three side seal pouches, re-closable zipper pouches, self gusseted stand-up pouches, and variety of other styles. Hall 3, stand 3A32.

Meech International will launch the 983v2 static locator and the 977CM pulsed DC controller.

The 977CM has an ergonomic design and improved operator interface said to make it easy to operate and integrate with the full range of Meech pulsed DC ionizing equipment. It is light and compact and able to cope with the most technically demanding industrial applications, the company states. Full details and specifications are being witheld until the show.

The 983v2 static locator is also said to have been designed with the user in mind. It offers a larger, easy to read digital output display, and new technical features include auto distance sensing for more reproducible results.

A recently published industry application guide for the plastics markets highlights the problems that can occur due to static. These include dust attraction and contamination, operator shocks, process control and quality issues. Visitors to the website at www.meech.com can download a freecopy of the guide - 'Static Solutions to Improve Production and Profitability in the Plastics Industry'. Some copies, in both English and German, will also be available at the show. Stand 11B60, hall 11.

Additives specialist Milliken Chemical will offer opportunities for PP producers to achieve new levels of clarity with the new Millad NX8000 clarifier. “Breakthrough haze” compared to existing clarifiers is promised. This, in combination with key benefits such as good thermal properties, impact resistance and cost effectiveness, will expand PP's potential to substitute clear plastics and glass in packaging and other previously unexplored product areas, according to the company.

Milliken will also showcase nucleating agents for both PP and PE applications. The launch of Hyperform HPN-20E will make cost effective property modification of PE a first time reality for converters, resin and master batch producers, the company boasts. Its introduction is said to build on the productivity, quality, dimensional control, Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion optimization and mechanical property features already offered to PP by the Hyperform range. Hall 5, stand 5F27.

UK based wholly owned subidiary of New Japan Chemical Co Rika International is to feature a new clarifier for the PP industry. Rikaclear PC1 is said to impart superior seethrough clarity as well as improving impact stiffness balance.

Historically, acetal sorbitol chemistry has been used as clarifiers by the PP industry. Although giving reasonable haze values these chemicals have a tendency to hydrolyse causing elution of aldehyde from the PP, said to result in negative organoleptic properties and serious plate out problems. These features restrict the use of PP in certain food applications, according to Rika.

However, it states, Rikaclear PC1 avoids these problems by utilizing entirely new chemistry to address the failings of these so called “third generation clarifiers”. Usage levels of less than 1,500ppm result in haze values in 0.5mm plaques below 6 per cent as well as improving impact stiffness balance. As a newly developed chemical Rikaclear PC1 is currently completing registration and food contact approvals in Japan, Europe and the USA. Stand 8G47 in hall 8b.

Simco is launching the ThunderION anti static bar that, according to the company, can neutralize static charge in production processes for a distance of up to 1m - without using the air to transport ions. This is made possible due to its combination of pulsed DC and a low frequency.

The ThunderION offers a solution to problems where classic anti static bars are not enough, says Simco's Henk ten Tije. "Think of how material webs are wound and unwound, causing the diameter of the winding roll to change continuously,” he explains. “The same goes for wicket type bag making machines. These require neutralization in places where moving machine parts prevent local static elimination. The ThunderION can be placed at a distance from the static charge and neutralizes it very effectively,” he states.

The ThunderION is said to be ideally suited to industrial environments. The “robust” reinforced casing can be supplied in lengths up to 4m and is easily mounted. The integrated high voltage power supply is connected to a 24V DC low voltage input. This ensures quick and easy installation thanks to the plug-and-play system.

"The operation of the anti static bar can also be controlled, with all the advantages that this brings", adds Henk ten Tije. "A yellow LED indicates that the bar is switched on, a red LED that a fault has occurred. In addition, each bar can be individually and remotely switched on and off via the I/O port."

He says disc type emitters produce a much higher and more balanced ionic current than the usual high voltage points and can be easily replaced. Hall 11, stand 11B58.

Soma Engineering will exhibit a Venus II slitter rewinder in operation and run audio visual presentations of its new Complete Flexible Packaging Solution. Presentations will highlight the new Flex Midi II mid web CI press for flexo printing on thin, extensible materials including barrier and thermo sensitive films, LDPE, HDPE, PP, PA, and paper and film laminates. The Flex Midi II is said to combine Soma's experience with printing on formed filmic tubing materials for food packaging with new features and capabilities.

Also featuring will be the new Lamiflex E laminating line with its two stand concept. The footprint of the is just 1,700mm, which frees up floor space in the factory without compromising quality or productivity, the company states. The new system operates at up to 350m/min. Additional benefits are said to be environmental and energy saving.

The Lamiflex E utilizes a solvent-free adhesive with a two part polyurethane glue which sets through chemical reaction, avoiding solvent emission. This also eliminates the need for a heated drying tunnel.

Integral to Soma's Complete Flexible Packaging Solution, the Venus II slitter is a high performance, servo driven machine said to be cost effective for slitting a wide range of films and foils at high speed. It operates from an unwind diameter of 1,500mm and is available in widths of 1,100, 1,350, 1,600, and 1,850mm for speeds up to 700m/min. Features include automatic knife and laser core positioning, intuitive touchscreen controls, and a new automatic web holding system that provides for easy splicing. Stand 17C80, in hall 17.

While Uteco Converting will not have a machine on display at the show, it will be hosting a concurrent open house at its demo centre in Verona. Daily demonstrations on several flexo, gravure and laminating machines are scheduled for the event.

Machines to be demonstrated will include the new Diamond HP 808, a compact gearless eight colour CI press with a 500m/min printing speed. Features include deck makeready while the machine is running, carbon fibre sleeve mandrels, new pneumatically suspended chamber doctor blades, automatic correction of printing pressure at print speed, and automatic setting of register and printing pressure at job start-up.

The 8C-CI Emerald press equipped with UVI and EB curing system will demonstrate the latest wet on wet flexo printing with EB inks on several substrates. The new Rainbow M solventless laminator is totally digitally controlled. The E-Press is an electric shaft gravure press with nine colours and the capability to print on LDPE film. The H-Press electric shaft gravure press offers 500m/min printing speed, automatic trolley insertion and locking, automatic engraved cylinder locking (directly driven by servomotor), and new high efficiency single and double drying hoods. Stand 4A36, hall 4.

German chemical company Wacker is focusing on various optical and polymer film applications. For example, its Geniomer product can be used to coextrude protective film and films for labels. The thermoplastic is said to have good release properties and to lend surfaces very pleasant haptic effects.

The new Elastosil C system is said to make it possible to produce reusable, totally precision fit, fabric reinforced silicone vacuum bags by a spray-up or lay-up method. Exhibiting constant properties across a wide temperature range, the bags can be used repeatedly in autoclaves or ovens, the company states.

After production, the bags can be fitted onto the mould rapidly and reliably before the individual components are made. Continual time consuming packing with conventional vacuum film before each part is produced is no longer necessary, it is claimed.

Wacker will be giving live demonstrations showing how to make these silicone bags. Stand 6A10 in hall 6.



Contacts

K 2007
Tel: +49 (0) 211 4560 240
ALS
Tel: +44 (0) 1933 225 755
Ashe Converting Equipment
Tel: +44 (0) 14737 10912
Borealis
Tel: +43 (0) 122 4000
Brückner
Tel: +49 8662 63-278
Ciba Specialty Chemicals
Tel: +41 61 636 5081
Clariant Masterbatches
Tel: +1 401 438 4080
Colines
Tel: +39 0321 486311
Conair
Tel: +1 412 312 6000
DuPont Press
Tel: +44 (0) 1353 663350
Extrusion Dies Industries
Tel: +1 715 726 1201
Kiefel
Tel: +49 (0) 6241 902 117
Lloyd Instruments
Tel: +44 (0) 1489 486399
Macchi
Tel: +39 0331 827717 50
Maguire Products
Tel: +44 (0) 1827 265850
Mamata Machinery
Tel: +91 79 66309800
Meech International
Tel. +44 (0) 1993 706700
Milliken Europe
Tel: +32 9 265 1136
Rika International
Tel: +44 (0) 161 655 4100
Simco
Tel: +31 573 288 378
Soma Engineering
Tel: +420 465 350 825
Uteco Converting
Tel: +39 045 6174555
Wacker Chemie
Tel: +49 89 6279 1601





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K 2007
ALS
Ashe Converting Equipment
Borealis
Brückner
Ciba Specialty Chemicals
Clariant Masterbatches
Colines
Conair
DuPont Press
Extrusion Dies Industries
Kiefel
Lloyd Instruments
Macchi
Maguire Products
Mamata Machinery
Meech International
Milliken Europe
Rika International
Simco
Soma Engineering
Uteco Converting
Wacker Chemie

Brückner promises benefits Brückner promises benefits
The Kirion system from Kiefel The Kirion system from Kiefel
Siemens driving Macchi machines Siemens driving Macchi machines
New press from Uteco New press from Uteco
Drying care by Conair Drying care by Conair
EDI’s deckle development EDI’s deckle development
Soma to show slitter Soma to show slitter
Slitting without unwinding Slitting without unwinding
Clariant colours Clariant colours
New approach by Maguire New approach by Maguire
Diamond to shine for Ashe Diamond to shine for Ashe
Long distance static stopper Long distance static stopper
k k


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