April 1998 Issue
In for a Treat
Surface treating equipment suppliers are looking in-depth at tough-to-treat substrates, newer ink preferences, and more do-it-all technologies. by Susan Friedman A teeming variety of substrates, particularly films, combined with interest in UV-/water-based inks and omnipresent efficiency emphasis all add up to reveal steadily more sides of surface treating. Corona treaters remain popular for reasons that likely extend from familiarity to versatility to economics—but gas flame treaters aren't without an established niche. "Despite some of the known advances of flame treaters, I believe corona treaters will remain in the forefront," states Marc Nolan, sales manager at Sherman Treaters, Ontario, Canada. "People have reservations with the
Slitting Pretty
Options abound for printers seeking to bring the slitting department up to par with newer presses and other primary equipment. by Susan Friedman When it comes to equipment upgrade priorities, package printers have traditionally pushed slitters toward the back of the line. Technology is now in place to end productivity imbalances caused by using older slitters with more advanced pressroom machinery. "The slitting department has become a bottleneck because slitting equipment made in the 1960s has stayed in use while presses, laminators and other equipment are being updated," observes Randy Wolf, sales manager at Titan Converting Equipment, Cumming, GA. On-par productivity Advanced slitter productivity
Spinning A Web Mentality
There is a distinct difference between having a presence on the World Wide Web and actually using it to conduct business. By Rob Yoegel The excitement surrounding the Internet and its most popular component, the World Wide Web, certainly is not waning. Companies are constantly seeking new strategies to successfully incorporate Web sites as part of their business and attract new customers to their products and services, and package printers and converting equipment and materials suppliers are no different. Web sites that were initially established and used specifically for on-line exposure, or "to establish a web presence" are today transcending into functional business units.
Sticking to Business
Suppliers continue to tweak splicing equipment for enhanced roll throughput and saleability. by Susan Freidman "Splicing technology is pretty straightforward," states Jerry von Gretener, sales manager at Advanced Web Dynamics, Bloomsburg, PA. He's not alone in his statement. Suppliers agree that a splice is well, a splice...and tape is tape. But subtle design and operation adjustments continue the progression of this finishing process. According to "Herb" Herbert, president of West Caldwell, NJ-based CTC, specialists in narrow-web splicing equipment, the main goal of today's narrow-web splicing technology is refinement—polishing the design approach to higher line speeds, splice accuracy, splice mechanism technology and roll handling.
