In the July 2021 issue of Paper, Film & Foil Converter (PFFC), TAKK’s National Sales Manager, Terrance Clark participated in a Q&A round table discussing static control and elimination. Topics included common static problems and the importance of static control, along with best practices and new technologies in the field.
PFFC: Why is static control and elimination important for the converting and package printing process?
Clark: Static control technologies provide tremendous value and benefits toward ensuring optimal productivity and high-quality produced goods. By applying best in class static control technologies converters, packaging printers can prevent production losses, material waste and personnel hazards associated with uncontrolled static electricity, leading to maximizing output and profits.
PFFC: What are some best practices for static control and elimination?
Clark: A well proven strategy for implementing an effective static control program is to utilize the expertise of skilled technical experts in the static control field as well as the processes converters and package printers operate. From this effort solid evaluation, understanding and problem-solving methods can be established to ensure resolution of static electricity problems producers encounter. TAKK Industries’ team of technical personnel possess 100+ years of keen know-how in industry and static control solutions. What comes from leaning on this expertise is development of comprehensive long-term effective static control within converting and package printing operations.
PFFC: What are the applications for static control and/or elimination that your company provides expertise and solutions for?
Clark: There are numerous applications where static controls are most useful…from extrusion and winding of converted films, to printing and binding of products. It would be difficult to find an application within converting and packaging printing where static control technologies have not made a tangible difference in improving operations. For over 75 years, TAKK Industries has worked deeply within these industries, becoming well versed in the pain points that processors experience, as well as in developing time trued static control solution strategies that we are glad to share with industry.
PFFC: Describe common static problems that your customers face, and types of solutions they can consider to address these challenges.
Clark: Very common problems relate to product quality and personnel safety. When static electricity is uncontrolled it can rise to a level that is unsafe for operators to be near a web or sheet causing shocking hazards to personnel and or discharging to process controllers like sensors, which can be taken offline or permanently damaged due to electrostatic discharge. Additionally, static electricity can cause material misbehavior as it is termed, that causes unexpected, erratic movement of webs or sheets in ways that prevent repeatable, efficient winding, stacking or overall good handling control. Webs can track poorly during winding; sheets may not stack uniformly, and materials stick to rollers or other surfaces that prevent optimal productivity. All of which of course leads to profit losses, wasted labor, materials, and supplies.
The solutions to be employed for maximum effectiveness are electronic static control technologies, with emphasis on Reactive Intelligence, Smart Static Control Ionizer Bar technologies such as our NEOS Reactive Intelligence Ionizers that reliably reduce static charges to the lowest possible level. In the most difficult static electricity problem applications, a major emphasis is the ability to neutralize changing diameter rolls on winders or in other areas where the ionizer cannot be installed close to the surface to be neutralized. What makes the NEOS special and is a major shift in static control capability, is that it continuously measures the degree of static charge on a charged surface and constantly adjusts its output to eliminate the static charge from the materials or process. The NEOS also can be installed at long range up to 60 or more inches, which makes the NEOS a leading technology for the converting and packaging printing industry.
PFFC: What is new in static control in terms of technologies, products, or even approaches to customer service?
Clark: The NEOS Reactive Intelligence 24 VDC Static Control technology is a major new development in the world of static controls. This technology combines best in class capabilities, while being affordable, for small and large companies. Industry 4.0 is increasing becoming a hot topic in industry. With one of the core elements of Industry 4.0 being a focus on implementing (static control) technologies that can be integrated with overall control systems like HMI or PLCs.
The NEOS Static Control system is designed to be easily compatible with industry common machine control systems enabling operators access to the operating status of their NEOS Ionizer bars. Without question this technology development is helping to address long held customer concerns with knowing how or if static controls are working properly within a process.
PFFC: What factors should converters and package printers consider when choosing static control solutions?
Clark: There are a few key factors to consider – chiefly, does the supplier have the needed expertise, technology and service that meets the needs of the converter. A clear track record of reliability in the industry. Leading static control technologies that deliver economical effectiveness for your current and future needs.
View PFFC’s July 2021 issue here.
More information on TAKK’s NEOS Reactive Intelligence Ionizers.