Chris Heusch (CONT’D FROM PAGE 32)
Board Converting NEWS INTERNET DIRECTORY
gripper chain transfer which was reminiscent of the grip- per bars used by platen diecutters. Servo drive integra- tion was just a pencil sketch in an engineer’s note pad. We were experimenting with unusual and thin printing plate packages to control dot placement and growth. Everyone was experimenting with chambered doctor blade systems, and often with painful results. Wipe rolls were still prev- alent and many suppliers were offering combinations of rolls and single or chambered blade systems. At this time most of the nips were still being set manually. So impres- sion precision was dependent on the operator’s finesse. The printing process was being approached more as a mechanical operation than the science and craft that we see it as today. What mileposts in direct print on corrugated have you witnessed? A big evolutionary step came in the 1990s when gear driven machines adapted a thinner undercut. The thinner plates significantly enhanced the control of ink transfer from the plate to the sheet. The addition of on-press drying systems also had a significant impact. First hot air — some which actually used gas for an open flame! We were dare- devils back then — and then infrared, which enhanced the drying speed and subsequently the production speeds and the ability to diecut inline without offsetting and dam- aging the print. Another evolution was the integration of vacuum trans- fer. That was not without a few experimental disasters, but once the kinks (quite literally) were worked out it had a considerable impact on quality, productivity and waste re- duction. Now that we had positive sheet control, we could significantly reduce and in many cases eliminate trim, and warp was not the traumatic factor it once was. However, clearly the biggest evolution has been servo drive and digitalization. Servo drive offered superior reg- istration over gear driven machines. Gear train wear and play were no longer an issue. You could stretch or shrink your print area and maybe even run different plate thick- ness packages. Other digital tools came onto the scene in- cluding automatic registration and whole sheet inspection systems, automatic ink control systems, automatic plate washers, fully automated anilox roll changers and more. What are converters coming to you for today? Education and training is still a big draw. What I’m teaching has evolved to keep pace with the technology. Equipment, processes and best practices are continually changing and we have to stay on top. However, the most common inquiries today regard process improvement. This can focus on the evaluation of a process, correct utili- zation of a piece of equipment, justification of new equip- ment purchases, or the recognition of the need to update tooling purchases. Automation is a major topic of discus-
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.
C.U.E., INC. www.Anvi lCovers.com
Makers of single and dual-width Timesaver® Anvil Covers, the premier urethane anvil cover for corrugated die cutting. Timesaver® covers feature a unique construction of solid steel backing and solid steel locking components to ensure a precise fit every time – a vital dependability difference that means seamless installation and a perfect cutting sur- face. C.U.E., Inc. also offers Dura-Latch and Cor-Lock anvil covers, in addition to urethane Lead Edge Feed Wheels.
EMBA www.embausa.com
The EMBA group supports a complete line of corrugated converting machinery for the worldwide market. EMBA’s Quick Set technology enables the highest productivity across a broad range of converting equipment, from mini to super jumbo. EMBA also includes the McKinley jumbo line of flexo folder gluers and rotary die cutters as well as ser- vice, rebuilds and upgrades for both EMBA and McKinley.
EAGLEWOOD TECHNOLOGIES, LLC www.eaglewoodtech.com
Eaglewood Technologies is the Anilox Roll Cleaning Ex- pert! We provide the award winning Sitexco Laser Systems, Sanilox™ Systems and Sani-Blast™ Mobile Service. All our systems are safe for the environment and provide proven tested results! Sitexco Laser Systems are the latest technol- ogy in anilox roll cleaning and are perfect for packaging and label printers. Sanilox™ Systems are the global standard of reliable, environmentally safe anilox roll cleaning.
ESKO www.esko.com
ArtiosCAD and Kongsberg are the most trusted names in CAD/CAM solutions. Esko’s ArtiosCAD is the most widely used CAD software in the world. Esko’s Kongsberg series of tables brings you reliable, outstanding quality for sample- making and short run production.
GARTECH MANUFACTURING COMPANY www.gartechmfg.com
American manufacturers of split heads, patented roll- er-bearing yokes, gang-slot upgrades, custom rebuilds, and glue systems with electronically-geared speed monitoring. Visit our website for information, tips and techniques.
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34 September 6, 2021
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