JM Heaford, industry-leading supplier of mounting
and proofing solutions for the tag and label, flexible packaging, corrugated
and gravure markets, says its recently introduced multi-tasking Sleeve
Productivity Station (SPS) has received a response beyond expectation from
world markets. Following a soft launch in 2018, the solution is already
installed on four continents and reflects the global drive towards improving
efficiencies among companies of every size.
Installed in such geographically diverse markets as
Canada, Mexico and Korea, the majority of SPS installations to date complement
Heaford AutoMounter technology, where customers are eager to exploit time
already gained. While the AutoMounter is performing its automated plate
mounting, the dual-purpose system allows operators to multi-task and remove
plates and tape on completed jobs and prepare sleeves for the next plate
change.
Key to the success of the SPS is a controlled,
measured and user-friendly mechanism, which requires minimal operator training.
In demounting, plates and tape are “driven off” using a consistent, even force
protecting against plate damage that can commonly occur in the demounting
process. With plate costs conservatively estimated at €200 for a single
standard-sized flexible packaging plate including material and imaging, this
benefit is cited by customers as a significant incentive for investment. The
returns are boosted further by improvements in employee wellbeing through
eliminating the entirely manual process of plate/tape demounting and, with it,
the risk of RSI.
The innovative design of the Heaford SPS offers a
further unique capability. Due to its precision build featuring a sleeve
mandrel that is customized to press specification the system can be used for
accurate tape application. Using pressured laydown on the driven mandrel, tape
is adhered onto the sleeves under a consistent pressure without air pockets or
creases.
“The rapid take-up of our Sleeve Productivity
Station highlights the fact that customers are increasingly realising the
massive gains to be made from production streamlining and are looking for more
ways to maximise efficiencies,” says Sally-Anne Heaford, Managing Director of
JM Heaford Limited. “Most of the new installations to date have been made
alongside our AutoMounters, the system offers opportunities to improve
ease-of-use, accuracy and repeatability across the board. Functions such as
taping and stripping are sometimes overlooked when a company is on an
efficiency drive, but the productivity gains from deskilling the process and
multitasking are considerable. When you factor in the financial savings from
eliminated plate damage, the ROI of less than a year makes the purchasing
decision unquestionable.”
