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22 OMET


Pulp Paper & Logistics


Trimmed napkins go automated


For the markets in South America where consumers want napkin formats that are more difficult to produce, OMET has developed a new automatic machine. Massimo Bellingard explains


M


ost consumers around the world are accustomed to using napkins


with quarter folds or eighth folds. These are the most popular and widely used in the napkin market. Some markets, however,


especially in Latin America, use other types of napkins: these are known as ‘slitted’ and ‘trimmed’. In contrast to quarter-folded


napkins these have either two folds – ‘slitted’ – or just one sheet – ‘trimmed’. Whilst the size of the flat napkins is about the same as that of quarter-fold napkins, the open size is very different: around half or quarter of the size of a conventional napkin. The ‘slitted’ and ‘trimmed’


napkins are used equally for both household consumption and institutional market, representing a low-cost alternative to the regular and conventional napkin. These napkins also require a


different production process which involves a different conversion line set-up, a factor that can lead to some challenges. On a vacuum-folding line these


March/April 2017


napkins are more difficult to produce because they are lighter. This reduces their stability on the folding drums and the finishing operations also become more difficult, resulting in visibly irregular piling.


Furthermore, when the napkins


are processed by an automatic folding machine, the conversion line requires a different cutting system from the one commonly used. This is a huge limitation that hinders the separation process and the automatic transfer to the packaging system. Today, these technical limitations


have led to a substantial increase in the production costs of these products, because of the need for more operators. As part of an active development


programme, the R&D team at Italy-based OMET has successfully developed an innovative solution to this bottleneck problem in automatic processing. A new production line, developed from OMET’s successful TV 840


platform, has achieved all the project goals. First, the napkin production has been transformed in a fully automatic process, from the reel to the finished product, delivering the desired quantity to the packing machine. Second, an efficient cutting


system, together with a precise automatic separation system, enables the production of more than 8,000 flat napkins and more than 15,000 pre-cut napkins per minute, requiring just one supervisor. For the range of TV 840 machines, the change of format is also extremely simple. Furthermore, just 15 minutes are


required to change product from ‘slitted’ to ‘trimmed’ napkins. Third, the automatic transfer


system is compatible with almost every type of automatic packing machine, so the automation process can even include box-


packing and pallet systems. Finally, this development provides further advantages in terms of showing the napkins in the finished package. The package clip is perfectly aligned on all sides and package quality is excellent. This improvement in visual presentation provides added value to the product, making it stand out at the point of sale. These innovative developments will certainly be a boost to this traditional and still widely used product, contributing at the same time by significantly decreasing the product’s cost of manufacture, as well as providing evident improvement in quality. More information from OMET srl, Via Monsignor Giuseppe Polvara 10, 23900 Lecco, Italy. Tel: 39 0341 282661. Web: www.omet.com


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