By Steve Lange, managing member, ProcessDev LLC Increased availability of sensors and data provides new opportunities to improve quality and process reliability in converting processes. This three-part series covers the process of effectively leveraging data while avoiding pitfalls. Part 1: Preparing for a Converting Process Data Project covered the necessary actions to … [Read more...] about Leveraging data in converting processes: Part 3
2021 Quarter 3
Fifty years of web-handling mistakes (Part 2): Rollers
By Ron Lynch, president/owner, R J Lynch & Associates After almost 50 years involved with web-handling and consulting, I have seen a few mistakes. I must confess, for the first 15 years, I was an untrained hack and made many of them myself. Here are some of the mistakes I have seen and made as they relate to bowed axis rollers, idler rolls and driven rollers, along with … [Read more...] about Fifty years of web-handling mistakes (Part 2): Rollers
Managing the coating window
By E.J. (Ted) Lightfoot, Ph.D., principal, Ted Lightfoot LLC The best-known process map in the converting industry is the coating window. There are three stages to managing the coating window. First, map the boundaries (constraints) of the process. Second, determine where within those constraints the process runs best. Finally, the coating engineer becomes responsible for … [Read more...] about Managing the coating window
Blown and cast film: Shifting to sustainability
By Tom Bezigian, principal consultant, PLC Technologies Film & Extrusion Consulting Co. Since the development of polyethylene film in 1937 [1], advancements in film technology have been made that even the most foresightful would not have imagined. Multilayer films and composites that protect their contents for months and even years now are commonplace. Food waste is … [Read more...] about Blown and cast film: Shifting to sustainability
Meeting the challenges of diecutting thinner substrates
By Butch Schomber, global business development mgr., and Paul Young, narrow-web account mgr., Maxcess RotoMetrics Label converters continue to see a trend toward thinner liners and face materials. Thinner materials have several advantages in the market, including reducing waste, increasing yields, cutting costs, boosting aesthetics as well as label-dispensing benefits. While … [Read more...] about Meeting the challenges of diecutting thinner substrates