MACHINERY | WINDERS


Right: Ashe’s s3 is a fully automated slitter rewinder that requires minimal operator input


its new B-Knife slitting system, which is fully mechanical. It ensures high precision and flexibility, and can handle a range of materials and applications, says Bimec. Features include: minimum slit from 20


mm; easy adjustment of slitting depth and angle; automatic knife positioning; and, simple interchangeability between shear knifes and razor blades (both in air and in groove).


Duplex slitters At K2025 last year, UK-based Ashe Converting Equipment displayed a 1650mm wide Sapphire s3 duplex slitter rewinder and a mid web 800mm wide Solitaire duplex slitter rewinder. The s3 was developed by Ashe to be a fully


automated slitter rewinder with minimal operator input. It features a loading system on the unwind for the master rolls which automatically positions the unwind into the correct position when at the correct height. This is configured with automatic knife positioning and automatic rewind core positioning, which means minimal operator input as the machine virtually sets itself. The are many options available on the s3 such


as a linear or radial lay-on system which can incorporate automatic cross-cutting systems and automatic taping devices for web stick down to core and for closing the finished rolls – plus a variety of offloading options including full width rewind offloading systems, conveying, labelling, weighing and palletising solutions. The Solitaire machine was 800mm wide and


aimed at mid web applications. The machine is designed to slit and rewind flexible packaging substrates, papers and pressure-sensitive products. Automation is also available on the Solitaire and a semi-automated knife positioning system was dem- onstrated on the machine along with the rewind core positioning. Both machines feature Ashe’s core solutions for


ease of maintenance such as all-electric systems which do not rely on hydraulics, vacuum rollers for tension isolation and its patented lubrication-free differential rewind shafts.


Wrinkle-free Maxcess recently helped Plitek – a custom film specialist – to overcome a problem when it was trial-running a material for a new customer. The material – an expensive and thin, high-elon-


gation polymer – began wrinkling during process- ing. These properties, coupled with the need for web-tension, made it difficult to process while


28 FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION | April 2026


achieving good roll uniformity. Industry-standard options were to refurbish their


existing spreader rolls with a rubber coat, or change-out standard idler rolls with conventional spreader rolls. However, this introduced other challenges such as an 8-12 week lead time and high refurbishment cost. Maxcess recommended replacing the under- performing spreader rolls and idler rolls with an upgrade – specifically, a Componex WinertiaAV reverse crown spreader roll. Unlike traditional spreader rolls, it has a smaller diameter in the centre and larger diameter at the ends. This reverse taper creates greater surface speed at the edges, spreading the web outward to eliminate centreline slack and wrinkles. One week later – and for half the price of the


spreader roll refurbishment – Plitek saw positive results. These included: elimination of wrinkles; a doubling of roll length, with reduced stoppages and higher throughput; improved process control; faster trial completion; and improved the overall material processing.


Plitek has now installed multiple WinertiaAV


reverse crown spreader rolls for different processes. “Processing thin, highly elastomeric extrusions is


not an easy task,” said Rob Larsen, manager of engineering and new product development at Plitek. “When we can engineer out web handling problems on an extrusion line, it allows us to focus on the key areas.”


BOPP slitting Forop Advanced Materials, a BOPP films manufac- ture with five production bases in China, is using IMS Technologies as its technology partner for slitting operations. The cooperation includes the recent installation


of three Monoslit 9000 high-speed slitter rewind- ers, following its previous commissioning of 14


www.filmandsheet.com


IMAGE: ASHE


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