Meech
International will be launching innovative products to expand both its web
cleaning and static ranges at Labelexpo Americas 2012 (11–13 September).
Visitors to booth 1240 will have access to the most comprehensive web cleaning
range available, as well as a new static bar designed specifically for the
labelling market, which sits alongside other well known static products that
are very popular throughout the industry.
Matt
Fyffe, VP/General Manager of Meech Static Eliminators USA Inc states, “We are
very excited to be able to use Labelexpo Americas as a launch pad for key new
products in both our web cleaning and static ranges. Such a prestigious show
always draws a good visitor base and we are aware that the labelling market is
becoming ever more important. We aim to design and develop products that our
customers and prospects tell us they need, so we are confident that our new
products will attract a good deal of interest at the show.”
Alongside
the new products, Meech will also be exhibiting its entire web cleaning range
that consists of both contact and non-contact systems. These include the
TakClean, ShearClean and VacClean (previously named the Tornado), and this
expansive range can provide businesses with a customised cleaning solution regardless
of production requirements.
TakClean
The
TakClean web cleaner, launched in 2011, already cemented Meech’s position as
the industry’s most comprehensive supplier of web cleaning technologies.
Designed directly as a result of requests by several existing customers within
the label and narrow web market, TakClean provides excellent cleaning power,
removing particles as small as 0.5 microns. Simple to install and with
continuous single of double sided cleaning capabilities, TakClean is available
for web widths up to 2100mm, at a speed of up to 250 meters per minute.
The
TakClean system features the specially formulated ‘TransTak’ - elastomer
contact cleaning rollers and perforated adhesive rolls. Working in combination
with Meech static control technology, the integrated ‘TransTak’ rollers mean
TakClean is the ultimate contact web cleaning device for sensitive materials.
When
cleaning, the ‘TransTak’ elastomer rollers make contact with the web, lifting
contamination from the product surface. Available in a variety of Shore A
ratings, the cured silicone elastomer rollers are proven to have no ‘free
chemistry’, guaranteeing that the cleaned surface remains trace free.
Once
the ‘TransTak’ rollers have lifted the particles, they are transferred, by
contact, to the surface of the adhesive rolls. The adhesive rolls are
manufactured with a release coating to ensure easy unwinding. In addition, a
high adhesive mass means the TakClean can run for an extended period between
material changes. When changes are required, easily removed (tear off) roll sections
guarantee that downtime is kept to a minimum, and operator safety is optimised.
ShearClean
Meech’s
non-contact technology, the ShearClean is ideally suited for web cleaning where
contact technology is not practical due to scratch-prone or sensitive surfaces.
These might include special coatings or decorative labels.
ShearClean
is available for web widths up to 2.1 metres and for web speeds up to 450
metres/min, although faster speeds can be achieved by adjusting factory
settings. Incorporating static control technology, the ShearClean offers users
a more efficient and effective cleaning process than equivalent systems.
ShearClean can be tailored to suit customers’ requirements, not just in terms
of size but also in sophistication. For instance, Meech can provide different
upgrades to create a fully programmable unit.
VacClean
Meech’s
VacClean contact cleaning system was previously named the Tornado. The company
decided to rename the product to align the naming structure of each of its web
cleaners, and the VacClean has proven extremely popular since its initial
launch. Aimed at label, digital and carton printers, it is available in two
versions - the F4 and F5 - featuring compact extraction or vacuum fan
extraction respectively. The F4 cleans single-sided webs up to 1,650 mm wide,
as well as double-sided webs up to 750 mm wide. The F5 will clean single- and
double-sided webs up to 4,000 mm.
The
VacClean is available in a new design, which presents users with an improved,
maintenance friendly exterior. The updated faceplate can now slide simply off
the manifold body; an enhancement Meech predict could save manufacturers up to
two hours downtime. Following extensive airflow analysis, the shape of its
manifold has also been adapted to achieve an even vacuum across the product.
Consequently, it requires fewer duct connections and is capable of utilising
single length manifolds of up to 4 metres.
Complementing
the web cleaning product range, Meech will also have some key static products
on display at the show Handling static charges on label presses is an ongoing
challenge for printers, and Meech prides itself on manufacturing products that
can eliminate or control this static to the advantage of the user. In addition
to its new launch, the company will also exhibit its ever-popular 977CM pulsed
DC Controller.
977CM
Pulsed DC controller
A
pioneer in the industrial application of Pulsed DC for static control, Meech
has installed over 4,500 systems in the printing, packaging, converting and
plastics industries. This total includes a number of systems for RFID tag
production, where the smallest static discharge will cause chip failure and
data loss or corruption.
The
977CM Pulsed DC controller - the first true closed-loop Pulsed DC static
control system - has proved especially popular due to its combination of
precise static control and advanced self-monitoring features. The 977CM
continuously monitors output from the ionising bars and automatically adjusts
the input voltage to compensate for the adverse effects of contamination. For
greater accuracy, an optional sensor bar detects residual voltages on web paths
and rewinds and communicates with the 977CM unit to instruct it to tune its
output to ensure the best possible charge neutralisation for the current
operating conditions. When no further adjustment is possible the contamination
will start to reduce performance. Adjustable alarms alert the operator, via
local audible and visible warnings and remote alarm signals, to the need to
clean the bars.
Matt
Fyffe concludes, “Labelexpo Americas is set to be a very stimulating show for
us. We’re launching key new products for which we will be revealing more
details at the event in September. Additionally, we’ll be showcasing the most
comprehensive range of web cleaning and static products than ever before. We
are very much looking forward to welcoming visitors to our booth and explaining
how our products and solutions can help their needs.”
