Static Control & Web Cleaning
ASK MEECH INTERNATIONAL
WHAT EFFECT CAN STATIC HAVE ON PRODUCTION LINES AND HOW DOES IT IMPACT CONVERTERS? With high-speed webs now commonplace on fast-paced production lines, static generation is an inevitability. Its existence is cause for concern in these environments as today’s lightweight substrates including PET, PVC and Mylar are especially exposed. Fighting this phenomenon and understanding why it transpires, is essential. Static generation occurs when an
external force causes an electrical charge to move from one material to another, leaving one positively charged and the other negatively charged. The amount of friction, speed, pressure and degree of separation will determine the size of the charge, with increased force and faster processes, ultimately leading to larger charges being generated. If only one of the materials is conductive then the charge will not be held on its surface, however if the material is non-conductive the charge is unable to move across the surface, creating a pool of electrical charges. Uncontrolled or undeterred static can
lead to finished products appearing distorted – for example, printed labels may be out of register or extruded films may have tiny holes. One of the biggest issues is the attraction of dust, which can lead to
machine blockages and impact on final print appearance. Companies that produce high-quality printed work and fast services will not be able to adequately sustain their practices or their reputation if production is constantly interrupted due to machine cleaning and product rejection. Perhaps even more important is the impact these issues can have on medical or clean room environment products, where quality control procedures are stringent and decontamination is of utmost importance.
WHAT CAN CONVERTERS USE TO CLEAN WEBS AND FIGHT STATIC? For manufacturers, product cleanliness and finished quality is a top priority alongside reducing unnecessary wastage and cost. With their ability to keep product quality at its optimum level and wastage to a minimum, web cleaners provide an suitable solution. Web cleaners come in two different
forms: contact and non-contact. A contact roll-on-roll device, such as Meech’s TakClean, incorporates twin elastomer rollers that are in contact with the full width of the web, breaking down the boundary layer and lifting contamination from the web’s surface. This is then transferred to a second roller with a high adhesive mass, which removes debris from the first roller, preventing recontamination. Designed for narrower, slower printing lines, contact web cleaners perform well on small particles down to as a low as 0.5 micron. Typically compact and straightforward to
integrate into production lines, non-contact web cleaners such as Meech’s CyClean, utilise fluid dynamic principles to deliver higher levels of cleanliness onto web based applications. On each side of the web powerful blowing airflows strip the boundary layer and all traces of dust and particles present on the web’s surface. The presence of vacuum airflows ensure that the turbulent air and contamination is captured and subsequently removed. With no consumables required and contamination levels not compromising the web cleaner’s function, operational costs are kept to a minimum. While web cleaners are viable solutions
for removing contamination, the presence of static can re-attract dust and other elements to the surface. Employing static
control is essential to preventing this from happening. Utilising ionising technology, static control devices produce high voltage AC or ‘Pulsed’ DC ionised air that neutralises charges on the web surface. There are many different types of applications, which vary from short, medium and long range. Short and medium range applications are best utilised for target distances of between two to 20 inches, where long range ionising systems are highly effective for general applications. Meech’s Hyperion range of static equipment has marked a transition from AC systems to 24v integrated power supplies, allowing for more efficient ionisation. These bars are designed to be resilient to contamination build up and allow for easier cleaning, while their improved shockless feature makes them safe for operators to handle. The importance of cleanliness in a wide variety of sectors – especially food, medical and pharmaceutical – means that static control devices should be an essential part of quality control practices in the converting industry. Customers are driving demands ever higher and manufacturers who fail to reach these standards could lose out to more active and forward thinking rival businesses.
HOW DO CUSTOMERS FIT IN TO MEECH’S NEW SOLUTIONS? Meech works closely with its customers to devise new applications and address issues that may arise on production lines. The CyClean is a prime example of this – it was designed following extensive research into the market and discovering customers’ demands. Understanding their requirements while providing comprehensive global service and support is part of Meech’s ethos and this is done through a worldwide network of distributors who provide local, on-the-spot solutions at any time of day. With a long heritage in static control and
web-cleaning, Meech’s offers real solutions to benefit companies across the sector and advises them on the issues static and contamination can pose if left untreated.
www.meech.com
32
July/August 2018
www.convertermag.co.uk
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