FLEXIBLE PACKAGING
and even from roll to roll of the same substrate because of the action of additives or contamination .
That ’ s why it ’ s essential to test it before you use it , and if necessary , re-treat it , because different films are used for different applications and behave differently – it ’ s a bit of a moving target !
z What are the features of packaging films ?
Jan Eisby – Most of them are multi-layer because they have specific functions – like preventing contamination in food packaging or guaranteed hygiene for medical applications . Take a typical coffee pack for example , which is often a multilayer material . Corona treatment will be required on the PP surface to allow it to be printed and subsequently have an adhesive applied before laminating it to a metallised film – in every case , we need to know the dyne level and requirement of each layer before we can recommend the power required and operational production speed .
z As well as varying from one material to another , do all rolls of the same film behave the same ?
Jan Eisby – No , they don ’ t ! Different rolls from the same supplier can behave differently , while supposedly the same material from a different supplier can pose even bigger problems . Typically , rolls of a particular film that vary significantly in price will do the same in terms of performance .
Lower purchase price normally indicates the need for more power to reach the correct dyne value and a lower running speed , or both . As with much in life , you get what you pay for ! But , of course , you need to know this information in advance , and that ’ s why testing is so important because it can be the difference between being able to run at 160m / min or 40m / min with the effect that has on the profitability of the job .
z I can see why knowledge is so essential - is that why you established the Vetaphone Academy ?
MDC GAMUTSTAR
Jan Eisby – We felt it was the best way to disseminate information and share our unique experience of surface treatment . We have 70 years of data going back to the original patent , so it ’ s likely that we have tested and analysed most combinations of ink , lacquer , and substrate that the packaging sector has ever used – and this information is an invaluable reference point for customers who are experiencing problems or are looking to experiment and develop new products and applications .
z I know you are very proud of your testing capabilities at Vetaphone – can you tell us more ?
Jan Eisby – We opened our fully functioning Test Lab facility here in Denmark in summer 2020 – not the best timing with the Covid pandemic maybe but is has proved to be an invaluable resource for the industry . It allows us to test the performance of any type of packaging film , either in sheet form or on the roll and simulate a real-life production environment . What it effectively does is take all the guesswork out of the equation and minimise the cost implications for printers and converters in their everyday production scenarios .
z What does the new Test Lab add to your capabilities ?
Jan Eisby – For a start it allows us to test on the roll , and secondly it has Plasma as well as Corona capability . We can switch the type of electrodes and rollers to test differing requirements for customers and closely match their own in-house production capability . The Test line can be programmed to apply a specified level of Corona treatment to the roll .
5 October 2021 Packaging South Asia
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