MACHINERY | CONTROL & INSTRUMENTATION
Right: BST showed its CompactGuide at the recent LabelExpo show
Converting optimisation Isovolta, an Austrian supplier of electrical insulating materials, has installed X-Trim – a trim optimisation system from UK-based Greycon – to improve production at one of its plants in Barcelona, Spain. The plant has six slitters and is dedicated to converting PET films, papers and lami- nates. Some of the challenges Isovolta experienced were two-stage “slitters-sec- ondary slitters” optimisation with very narrow order widths and a range of master rolls stock sizes. The company chose Greycon because X-Trim was able to handle this complexity, plus other benefits in terms of waste reduction, reducing knife changes and pattern count. “A successful trial cemented our decision to work with Greycon,” said Xavier Pérez, head of process engineering at Isovolta. “We were very happy with the results and are looking forward to reaping the benefits of the solution.” Abder Guezour, global business development manager at Greycon, added: “We have worked with a number of converting plants like Isovolta’s. While these plants can be seen as medium size, the planning and the optimisation challenge is by no means trivial.” Greycon recently completed the 9.2 release of
X-Trim.
Some of the new developments within it include: load planning Phase II – allowing optimal decompo- sition of the trim solution into container/truck loads; length tolerance – so the system can now consider mixed-length reels when reel lengths or diameters vary slightly; and better algorithmic performance improvement – being 6% faster on smaller prob- lems and nearly 20% faster on difficult problems. The company also made updates to its Opt-
Studio product. “Trials at one of our plastic film clients resulted
in a waste reduction from 8% to 3% in one instance, which fits with our goal of maximising efficiencies – be it by improving material utilisation, productiv- ity or rapid responses to unforeseen problems,” said Constantine Goulimis, CEO of Greycon.
Label highlights BST Eltromat showcased a number of systems at the recent Labelexpo Europe that can help label manufacturers improve their production processes. One highlight was the EKR Commander for the EKR 500 digital controller, which has revised hardware, new software and a higher-resolution graphical display. Its flexible touchscreen offers high operating convenience, says BST, and the
36 FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION | March 2018
system is useful in all areas where it makes sense to use a touchscreen – such as during setup or for direct data input. It is 100% downward compatible. In machines
that already operate with EKR 500 digital control- lers, it can replace the current commanders at any time. For web guiding systems installed in ma- chines, customers can connect an second, optional EKR Commander. It also showed a CompactGuide with CLS Pro 600 digital line and contrast sensor, and a Compact- Guide with a Wide Array sensor. With its wide field of vision, the sensor is particularly useful in difficult web guiding options such as in cases of alternating web widths. Thanks to the sensors’ wide measuring range, manual adjustment is a thing of the past.
ERP for flexpack Open Systems, a US-based ERP software devel- oper, has released the latest version of its Traverse Flex-Pack – which provides integrated accounting, distribution and manufacturing functionality for flexible packaging manufacturers. Version 11 of the software is built on a new
platform that helps users take advantage of mobile technology. It can be used across the range of flexible packaging formats and operations, including blown film extrusion, bag making and stand-up pouches, printing and laminating. Paul Lundquist, vice president of corporate development, said: “It handles the complex needs and standards unique to the flexible packaging industry.”
CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: �
www.uni-due.de/en �
www.dow.com �
www.ndc.com �
www.greycon.com �
www.isovolta.com �
www.bst-international.com �
www.osas.com
www.filmandsheet.com
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