MEECH SHOWS HOW TO IMPROVE PROFITS AT LABELEXPO AMERICA 2010

Visitors to the booth of Meech Static Eliminators at LabelExpo Americas 2010 were able to learn about the latest developments in web cleaning and static control, two areas in which the manufacturer is a key global player. The recent launch of ShearClean means that Meech has both non contact and contact web cleaning systems in its product portfolio, so customers can ensure they have the best solution for the type of materials they handle. Meech has also added several products to its line up of static control systems.

“ShearClean is a non contact system suitable for sectors ranging from narrow web label printing, including litho, gravure and flexo, as well as converting, food packaging and pharmaceutical applications,” says Matt Fyffe, VP/General Manager of Meech Static Eliminators USA Inc. “ShearClean opens the door to a whole new range of applications where contact cleaning systems are not feasible.

“This could include substrates with surfaces that are prone to scratching, special coatings or decorative labels destined for premium consumer goods. ShearClean is also highly effective when used in applications involving coating. We believe its ease of installation, effectiveness in removing dust and debris from an extensive range of materials and its low running costs will make ShearClean attractive to many companies seeking to improve productivity.”

ShearClean can be supplied for use with reel widths up to 70 inches (1.8m) and web speeds of up to 1,475 feet per minute (450m/minute) as standard. Faster speeds may be achieved by adjusting factory settings. The system can be used to clean materials as diverse as paper or film. Printers wanting to remove debris from the web prior to printing could fit ShearClean before the first unit, while pre-printed reels could be cleaned before packaging.

ShearClean incorporates two cotton-covered rollers, which are positioned 0.5 to 1.0mm on either side of the web. The rollers spin at high speed - 4,000 RPM and upwards - in the opposite direction to the travel of the web. The air currents generated break up the boundary layer on the surface of the web, allowing ShearClean’s highly effective vacuum system to remove even extremely small particles that would otherwise be trapped in that layer.

ShearClean can be tailored to suit customers’ requirements, not just in terms of width but also in sophistication. For instance, Meech can provide different control upgrades to create a fully programmable unit. The company has also deployed its longstanding expertise in static control to incorporate the latest AC ionising bars into ShearClean, which significantly improve the effectiveness of the cleaning process and greatly reduce the risk of re-attraction of contaminants to the cleaned web surfaces.