Looking forward to K2013

One-button control from Engel
(H15B42/C58)

According to Engel, its latest CC 300 control unit makes modern injection-moulding machines safe, easy to use and ultra-efficient.

With a focus on customer-oriented functions, optimised ergonomics and the use of advanced technologies, the CC 300 allows machines and manufacturing cells to be controlled according to tasks such as mould changing, or to functions such as injecting.

Called ‘e-move’, the new central operating element provides millimetre-precise accuracy and speed-sensitive control. Its clearly-defined functions increase safety levels when sensitive movements are made and significantly reduce risk of errors. One press of the intelligent operation button starts the machine and initiates movement sequences.

‘With e-move, we’re able to offer converters easy-to-use injection-moulding processes without reducing efficiency or safety levels. It takes one-button-control from a vision to a reality,’ states Gerhard Dimmler, head of product R&D at Engel, Austria.

‘Also contributing to simple operation is the complete integration of Engel viper linear robots and multi-axis robots, which we’ll continue to use with our new-generation control units,’ he adds.

The CC 300’s entire manufacturing cell can be controlled and monitored centrally from the control panel, offering efficiency-optimised interaction between injection moulder and automation, reducing cycle times, and ultimately maximising competitiveness.

Seeing, feeling and adapting are key factors for ergonomic improvements and Engel’s latest HD display is simple to navigate. Information and layout of the different screen pages can be adapted to suit individual needs, and haptically-shaped operation elements can be assigned different functions. The control panel automatically switches to the best position for each operator when logging on.

Thanks to capacitive touch technology, the CC 300 can be operated as easily as a smartphone and is just as quick to respond. Safety glass gives it a surface that remains robust and insensitive to dirt and rugged environments.

South African-based Engel representative, Patrick Bracke, will be on hand at the stand to address enquiries regarding the CC 300 and other Engel innovations.

Finest roll finishes from Ashe
(H3B54)

Ashe Converting Equipment, one of Ipex Machinery’s renowned principals, is utilising a film substrate to demonstrate the strengths of its Sapphire S2 duplex slitter-rewinder, capable of a maximum running speed of 800m/min, and the Diamond series slitter-rewinder, with a top speed of 500m/min.

Both machines feature an electric reel lift and Ashe’s vacuum roller system that’s used as a main tension isolation point.

Visitors can also see the rewind section of the Jade series in action. Based on a new winding principle, Jade’s rewind stations move independently on the same rewind beam. This allows for different core size winding and maximises production speed and manufacturing efficiencies.

Multi-faceted Windsor portfolio

Through technical collaboration and relentless R&D over the last 50 years, Windsor has become established as a global brand in the field of extrusion and injection-moulding machinery.

For some 20 years, a technology alliance with Kuhne in Germany has allowed Windsor to establish its three- and five-layer lines worldwide.

The present portfolio includes REX three-layer lines up to 2 800mm film width and an output of 600kg/hour and BARON five-layer lines up to 2 000mm film width and an output of 500kg/hour. The Kuhne-built screw and die design delivers an ideal melt quality and homogeneity, a key factor in the manufacture of top-quality blown film for food packaging applications.

In collaboration with Japanese machine builder, Sumitomo, Windsor also manufactures a range of Sumo toggle-type injection moulders machines from 50 to 350 tons, with robust, specially-designed toggle links.

In terms of minimising energy consumption, Windsor is the first Indian manufacturer of a servo-driven injection moulder up to 350 tons, a maintenance-free clamping system and fast cycle times. Known as the Castle Series, it features ultra-low dry cycle times and closed-loop injection function, making it ideal for thin-walled preform moulding.

Other recently-launched systems include toggle injection-moulding machines up to 1 300 tons – developed in collaboration with Italy’s Italtech – that are reliable, robust, energy-efficient and productive.

These innovations, and more, are being demonstrated at the stand, where representatives from local agent, Adex Plastics & Machinery, are on hand to discuss South African visitors’ enquiries.

Active packaging advances from Albis Plastic     (H8bA61)

Innovation is in the spotlight as Albis Plastic, a worldwide specialist in the distribution and compounding of technical thermoplastics, reveals its recent collaboration with leading rigid plastics packaging specialist, RPC Bebo Plastik. Both companies are situated in Germany.

By including Albis Plastic’s active packaging additive, Shelfplus O2, in its raw material batch, RPC Bebo Plastik is supplying high-barrier packaging for a well-known on-the-go food brand called Erasco, manufactured by Campbell’s, Germany.

Shelfplus O2 absorbs the oxygen that penetrates through the outside of the pack and the oxygen in the headspace. According to Albis Plastic, it offers absolute protection for sensitive ingredients, such as colouring agents, vitamins, greases and oils, retaining a product’s taste and quality.

The addition of Shelfplus O2 in multilayer packaging range plays a vital role in meeting strict product quality demands and creating consumer appeal in the convenience food segment, confirms RPC Bebo Plastik.

Distributed exclusively in South Africa by Plastichem and in sub-Saharan Africa by Thread Management, Shelfplus O2 is available on various base materials such as PP, PE, PA and EVA. All types may be used in flexible and rigid plastic packaging.

Brückner’s latest advances (H3C92)

Brückner continues to develop a leading market position by extending the strengths of the group’s companies – Brückner Maschinenbau, Brückner Servtec, Kiefel Technologies and PackSys Global.

Highlights at K2013 include:

•  Brückner Maschinenbau’s new film stretching lines for increased performance and reduced energy consumption, including BOPP high-speed lines with a new chain track system for ground-breaking working speeds.

•  Brückner Servtec’s efficient operation of existing film stretching lines, specifically remote service for highest line availability. 

•  Kiefel Technologies’ latest systems for the packaging industry, such as efficient stacking.

•  PackSys Global’s cosmetics tube equipment, featuring the latest 360°seam technology for cost-effective laminate tube production.

Interactive Bobst platform
(H4A55)

Bobst, represented in South Africa by Beswick Machinery, continues to advance its equipment and services for printing and converting flexible materials.

For vacuum web coating and metallising, there’s the latest in clear barrier film coating, plus pinhole detection in metallisation for improving barrier properties and eliminating defects in packaging films and decorative applications.

New systems in CI flexo printing include automatic devices that improve print quality, machine availability and operator ergonomics at job set-up and changeovers.

Details of the latest evolution of the best-selling Fischer & Krecke 20SIX platform of flexo printing presses are also being presented.

An array of multimedia displays and literature on other Bobst developments is available on the stand, including the new configuration Rotomec 4003MP gravure press with shaftless cylinders, special coating machines, extrusion coating and laminating lines, duplex and triplex laminators.

In conjunction with K2013, Bobst is hosting Open House events at its technology centres in the UK, Germany and Italy.

Beswick Machinery’s Riaan Hopley is on duty at the Bobst stand. To book an appointment, or to arrange Open House bookings at any of the technology centres, contact Riaan on 082 8807085 or 011 4332686.

Vetaphone’s top-class treatments
(H10A59)

Demand for cost-effective, high-quality films is greater than ever and Vetaphone is creating treatment systems that enable converters to maintain a competitive edge.

The result is an extensive portfolio of treatment stations, for any type of application in the web processing industry, allowing Vetaphone to corona treat, plasma treat, nano-coat and graft single- and double-sided surfaces from 100mm to over 9 000mm wide, at assorted production speeds.

Featuring at K2013 is Vetaphone’s recently-introduced EASI-Plasma, a new-generation corona treatment developed in co-operation with French-owned Coating Plasma Industrie.

By replacing oxygen with gases or monomers, the EASI-Plasma creates new film surface benefits such as higher and longer-lasting dyne values, a nano-coating thickness of only 5 to 50 nanometres, anti-fog surface and a hydrophilic or hydrophobic surface.

Also on show are the efficient Vetaphone iCorona and iPlasma computerised corona generators.

Building on an installed machine base in South Africa, Ipex Machinery’s sales personnel will be on hand to demonstrate Vetaphone’s latest advances.

Moss masters intricate print
(H4B52)

Italian press manufacturer, Moss, represented in South Africa by Technimac, is demonstrating its new-generation MO 3062/4 dry offset printer, designed to apply decoration to the top surface of plastic closures used for water and soft drinks bottles.

From the entry-level MO 3062 that can print 1 250 parts/min to premium models that print at 5 000 parts/min, Moss claims to lead the way in this niche sector.

On the latest MO 3062/4, closures are channelled and oriented before being loaded on to a continually-spinning piece holder wheel. Once dust and static electricity is removed, and each component flame treated, it’s printed in up to four colours and UV cured. It’s then unloaded and sent on to camera quality inspection and finally a piece counter, where predetermined box quantities are collated.

The high precision and productivity of this printer and its user-friendly design demonstrate the value-added technology and service that Moss and Technimac extend to specialist plastics packaging converters.

NGR expands with innovation
(H9D5)

NGR Recycling, another core principal in Technimac’s stable, is demonstrating its all-new system for processing wet plastic waste, as well as a process development for recycling PET.

The modular design of NGR’s equipment platforms and the use of standardised and extensively tested components has fast-tracked the innovation process over the last three years. Fully-automated plastics supply has become a decisive cost and quality factor for plastics processors. Demand has increased dramatically for integrated recycling systems that take up and treat process-related production waste and re-introduce the recycled material into the plastics stream. NGR’s shredder, feeder and extruder combination makes integrated concept possible, providing several production and supply benefits.

With more than 630 units on all continents, NGR provides benefits throughout the lifecycle of the system. Sophisticated remote control systems, internet-based spare parts management and quick on-site support from NGR engineers ensure its systems provide maximum uptime under the demands of everyday use.

With the recent acquisition of filter manufacturer, BRITAS, NGR has also extended its expertise in the area of processing post-consumer plastics.

Atlas makes light work of slitting-rewinding
(H3B91)

Atlas Converting Equipment, represented locally by Beswick Machinery, is presenting its latest-generation Atlas CW Series and Titan SR9 slitter-rewinder technology for film and flexible materials.

Launched in 2012, the Atlas CW3600 and CW1040 Series slitting-rewinding technology has recently been boosted by the CW5000 Series, available in web widths from 3 600mm to 5 400mm.

Major benefits of the new technology include high efficiency, improved productivity and reliability, high-quality rewind reels, reduced noise levels and effective, operator-friendly control systems.

The latest Atlas CW1040 Series is designed to cope with high-speed film production, incorporating faster acceleration and deceleration cycles than previous models. Compared to a conventional primary film slitter running at 1 500m/min, producing rewind lengths of 8 000m, the Atlas CW Series has a faster rewind cycle at only 1 200m/min.

According to Atlas, when running longer rewind lengths at 1 500m/min, together with faster acceleration and deceleration cycles, the new CW Series far out-performs conventional primary film slitters.

Atlas has now sold 40-plus CW Series slitter-rewinders for BOPP, BOPET and CPP film converting. Other popular features include wireless rewind arm positioning, automatic knife positioning and direct drive web path rollers, ensuring optimum web tension for films between 6µm and 125µm. Electrical cabinets, integrated into the machines, reduce space required for installation and eliminate the need for ‘under floor’ service trenches.

The improved Titan SR9 Series secondary slitter-rewinders, also being presented, are providing advanced slitting productivity, design modularity and rewind reel quality. New features include reduced power consumption, faster set-up time and improved sustainability showing respect for the environment.