2017 Slitting and Rewinding Q&A for Flexible Packaging
What’s the role of slitting/rewinding in end product quality? How do higher standards for safety and durability affect your business? Catbridge President Michael Pappas answers these and other questions in the January/February issue of Flexible Packaging magazine. See an excerpt from the interview below:
Q: There seems to be a consensus that slitting/rewinding equipment might not take priority compared to other converting equipment. In a nutshell, can you explain why such slitting/rewinding equipment shouldn’t be overlooked?
A: In a nutshell, the slit roll shipped to a customer represents everything about your company. No matter how much high-quality printing and laminating value has been added before the material gets to the slitter, it will be quickly overlooked if the finished slit roll is poorly wound.
Q: Can you explain the important role that slitting/rewinding plays in a quality end product?
A: Proper web control, along with proper slitting tooling and technique, provide superior edge quality for appearance plus consistent tension throughout the build to prevent telescoping. These are the visible and functional essentials for a satisfied customer. If not done well, converters will, at best, lose credibility and goodwill with their customers and, at worst, have expensive returns or even lost customers.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share about slitting/rewinding equipment?
A: Today’s slitters need to be built to higher standards of safety and durability. Operator safety is paramount today in companies of all sizes. Safety PLCs, which manage safety features, make today’s slitter a safer machine without causing operator inconvenience. Additionally, many slitters are run 24/7. Downtime can be very costly, with lost time very difficult to make up. This makes a solid design – built of high-quality components and backed by an experienced service group – essential. Total cost of ownership for a slitter today is viewed as much more than simply the purchase and installation cost. Maintenance and downtime are rightfully included and can quickly overcome an initial lower purchase price. Increased cost of operations with a less durable machine goes on for the life of the machine.
For the complete Q&A, visit the Flexible Packaging magazine website: