Critical Steps (CONT’D FROM PAGE 60)
Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY
design speeds. If a crew underperforms, replace them promptly before their performance becomes the de facto standard. Similarly, don’t hesitate to change procedures, and tooling and ink suppliers that are inhibiting perfor- mance. Once undesirable procedures and performance have been established, it is very hard to unlearn them. Prefeeders, stackers, conveyors, bundlers, and unitiz- ers should all be functional when the machine is started up as failure to have them operational will prevent the crew from learning proper procedures. All plant utilities includ- ing scrap system, IT, and networking must also be in place. Be sure that vendors have been given secure remote ac- cess to their equipment for troubleshooting, downloading software, and monitoring. Some vendors do not preload their equipment with essential operating programs and must download them when the machine is in place. When you are ready to start up your new machine, be sure to have trainers for the machine and its peripherals (e.g. prefeeder and stacker), the actual crews assigned to it, and a sufficient number of disparate jobs, complete with board and tooling, to keep the machine running through- out the training period and for your acceptance trial. Use new tooling and fresh ink for your training and trial and be sure your board quality is good and delivered in a manner suitable for your equipment. Schedule technical representatives from tooling and ink suppliers to be on hand at startup to make any neces- sary adjustments. The objective is to start up your machine with a minimum of disruption, and keep it operating con- tinuously; interruptions and downtime due to supplies are unwelcome distractions. Starting up a new machine requires planning, coor- dination, and – last, but not least – patience. Once it is installed and powered up, management often pushes for production to ramp up immediately. Understandably, this may be motivated by a desire for the machine to begin earning a return on investment, or by the need to get the backlog under control after the disruption caused by the installation. Whatever the motivation, resist the temptation to short- change time allocated for training and familiarization as it is invaluable and an opportunity that will likely never pres- ent itself again. It is important to allocate sufficient time for training and experimentation, as well as resources of crew and machine time, board, and tooling at startup even though that may delay saleable production. Try running jobs in several ways until you have determined the best way to produce them even though you may end up dis- carding some product and tooling. Consider this to be an investment that will pay dividends for the life of the ma- chine when done intelligently. Don’t skimp on crew and outside training time as it is essential that crews learn how to optimize their machine’s performance in a safe and sustainable manner, and cer-
ARC INTERNATIONAL www.ARCInternational.com
ARC International is a world leader in the manufacturing of roller products for flexography. The latest nano-technology laser engraving in our NC and NV manufacturing facilities ensures superior quality and consistency in anilox rollers.
AES (ADVANCED EQUIPMENT SALES) www.aesales.net
AES is a leading full-service provider of integrated convey- ance systems specializing in scrap, trim, and dust. AES en- gineers custom scrap systems and works as a partner in process improvement to help businesses achieve greater profitability, productivity, and sustainability. Products include balers, shredders/hoggers, core shredders, filters, fans, and specialized dust control and collection systems. AES is the ex- clusive distributor for the AirShark Rotary Material Separator. For a wide variety of new and used equipment on to- day’s market, visit our website at www.acm-corp.com. BAUMER HHS CORPORATION www.baumerhhs.com hhs is a global leader in advanced gluing, camera verifica- tion and quality assurance systems for the packaging indus- try. Zero-defect quality and elevated production speeds are key parameters in the manufacturing of corrugated boxes. With hhs Xcam Box Monitoring and non-contact flap gluing of corrugated board, hhs offers every option for quality as- surance in the production of boxes with flexo folder gluers. AMERICAN CORRUGATED MACHINE www.acm-corp.com BLOWER APPLICATION COMPANY (BLOAPCO) www.BloApCo.com BloApCo has served the corrugated industry since 1933 with a variety of scrap handling solutions, including Hori- zontal Floor Shredders, Trim Cutters, and Material Handling Fans and Conveying Systems. BloApCo Shredders allow for continuous shredding and pneumatic removal of sheet waste stacks of all sizes, roll slab, cores, and carton scrap.
CORRUGATED MACHINERY SPECIALISTS www.cmsretrofits.com
Leading manufacturer and installer of quality retrofits, up- grades and replacement parts for S&S and Prime Flexo Folder Gluers. Specialists in reconditioning of S&S Flexo Folder Gluers, including ink, air and electrical systems.
CORRUGATOR BELT SERVICE LLC www.corrugator.com
Serving the corrugated box industry since 1991, Chicago- based Corrugator Belt Service LLC maintains corru- gator belts for peak board quality and performance.
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October 20, 2025
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