By Takayuki Uozumi, optical engineer, Canon, Inc. In roll-to-roll (R2R) manufacturing, accurate control of web speed is important for coating & laminating processes, and length management is critical for cutting processes. To measure speed and length, rotary encoders, which rely on physical contact with the surface of the products, are widely used in roll-to-roll … [Read more...] about Image-based speed and length measurement method for roll-to-roll manufacturing
2024 Quarter 2
The ROI of Automation: A shrinking labor force and productivity gains
By Tom Kepper, P.Eng., general manager, Pinnacle Converting Equipment & Services Introduction The long-term demographics of the US labor force are not favoring the domestic manufacturing environment. Additionally, many of the educational opportunities point new entrants into segments of the labor market outside of the factory. Automation is one of the trends that may … [Read more...] about The ROI of Automation: A shrinking labor force and productivity gains
Alignment for process owners: Part 1: Why alignment?
By Joe Kotwis, P.Eng., co-founder, Webineering, LLC The job of a web-handling machine is relatively straightforward: Deliver the web from Point A to Point B at the specified quality, width and speed. Persistent web-equipment difficulties frequently center around issues with Rollers, Alignment and Tension (RAT). At this firm, we spend a lot of time preventing RAT infestations … [Read more...] about Alignment for process owners: Part 1: Why alignment?
Best practices for conducting tests specific to web handling
From the Web Handling Committee of the Association for Roll-to-Roll Converters (ARC) Editor’s Note: This article is based on the introduction to the work-in-progress “Web-Handling Test Best Practices” document being finalized by the ARC committee. It ultimately will include sections on web-material properties, rollers, tension, nipped rollers, wrinkles, spreaders, guiding, … [Read more...] about Best practices for conducting tests specific to web handling
Improving performance of waterborne barrier coatings for paper-based packaging materials
By Hanze Ying1, Bernhard Kainz1, Marc Black2, Christina Sullivan1, Kristen Gracie Carroll1, Hadrien Lenoir1, Joseph Harris2, William Liechty1, Jonathan Mason1, Ray Drumright1 1 Department of Coating Materials, The Dow Chemical Company 2 Department of Core Research and Development (R&D), The Dow Chemical Company Consumer demand for sustainability-driven solutions is … [Read more...] about Improving performance of waterborne barrier coatings for paper-based packaging materials