The following items were gathered by Plastics News reporter Steve Toloken at NPE 1997, held June 16-20 in Chicago.
CFC foils designed for plastic containers
CFC International Inc. has developed a new series of metallic heat-transfer foils for the cosmetics industry, with metalized coatings on top of a tinted coating to create a highly reflective metallic appearance.
The Chicago Heights, Ill., company's Alpha line specifically is designed for thermoplastic stamping, while the Prima line is aimed at injection molding. The Ultima line works best on polyethylene and polypropylene containers that require a superbright finish with clean decoration, the company said.
German firm features in-mold decoration
German hot-stamping foil manufacturer Oeserwerk Ernst Oeser & Soehne KG exhibited its equipment in the United States for the first time at NPE 1997, according to general sales manager Werner Wiesenborn. The company is represented in North America by Cassco Machines, a Don Mills, Ontario, company.
Oeserwerk showcased in-mold decoration, which it said offers some three-dimensional decoration with a high registration accuracy. The in-mold system requires in-mold transfer foil, injection molding die and foil feeding equipment, the Goeppingen, Germany, company said.
The decorations are used on products such as automotive interior components, appliances and consumer electronics, and can feature high-print definition, four-color processes, color gradation and integrated metalizing.
Markem pad printer for industrial use
Keene, N.H.-based Markem Corp. introduced the model 606 Platemaker industrial use pad printer to its first trade show. The printer sells for about $29,000 and allows companies to produce high-quality plates in-house.
The machine uses carbon dioxide laser technology to create consistent, high-quality pad printing plates. The printer has a Macintosh-compatible interface.
The company also has introduced its Cimjet 346 series digital bar-code label printer/applicator. It can apply two labels to adjacent sides of a carton, requiring about 25 percent less label stock than traditional corner wrap techniques, the firm said.
Simco system cuts static, particulates
Simco of Hatfield, Pa., introduced its Magnum Force system, which uses blowers instead of compressed air to eliminate static and remove dust and particulates from flat or contoured surfaces.
The system has 30-70 percent lower operating costs, and uses blowers and high-penetration air knives to direct a continuous stream of clean air over a surface.