Extrusion International USA 2-2021

33 Extrusion International 2/2021 BHS-Sonthofen GmbH www.bhs-sonthofen.de/en.html uted uniformly over the entire surface of the filter cake. What’s special here is that the liquid is repeatedly applied at the same point – a so-called re-flux washing. The cascading design allows a self-regulation of the entire washing stage-package. As soon as a certain level is reached in one station, the additional volume is self-fed into the next, lower-level station. This ensures that ev- ery particle is washed eight or four times respectively. “This combination of reflux and counterflowwash on the index- ing belt filter enables us to double or triple the retention time of the liquid. Or in other words, for the retention time required here, the consumption of fresh water is reduced considerably compared to centrifuges. The result is a particularly high degree of washing out with efficient use of washing agent,” explains Detlef Steidl, Managing Director, BHS-Sonthofen Process Tech- nology. BHS-Sonthofen designed and delivered the system, which com- prises the two indexing belt filters including separators, as well as measuring and control technology. Delivery was preceded by extensive lab and pilot testing in the U.S. test center, where BHS has expanded its testing capacities for filtration, mixing and drying over the last two years. “In the lab, our work included determining the required fresh water to consumables ratio, which was then reproduced on the pilot filter with multiple wash stages. This enabled us to demonstrate to the customer that the high-quality standards were fully met with this filter so- lution –making considerable savings on consumables compared to other solutions,” says Steidl. The system was put into service in late 2020. „ Preferred Packaging, a U.S.-based leader in complete pack- aging solutions, is set to further boost production capabilities with the addition of a Deacro T610 turret slitter rewinder. The machine, slated for installation this spring, will join three other Deacro machines that support film processing for making lid- ding film and numerous other flexible film types; and provide Preferred Packaging with desired throughputs and automated benefitswhile equipping the company for newdevelopments in packagingmarkets. Preferred Packaging supplies sealing equip- ment, stock and custom containers, and lidding films to custom- ers throughout North America. The company is also exploring opportunities in overseas markets. “As film applications continue to advance and gain popularity, it’s important to update efficiencies. For us, that meant moving from standard slitter rewinder technology to greater automa- tion,” explained Rick Ivy, CEO of Preferred Packaging. “Initially, we couldn’t justify buying a new automated turret machine, so we purchased a used one to test the concept. That machine con- firmed our approach but was inferior to Deacro’s engineering. We sold it and purchased the Deacro model T610 twin-turret duplex slitter rewinder. We look forward to installation because we know this machine will make an immediate impact on our production goals.” Ivy appreciates that the T610model allows theoperator to setup cores on the outer rewind mandrels during the slitter runtime. When the rewinding is complete, the machine turrets the re- wind shafts and automatically continues winding while finished rolls are unloaded onto a receiving tree. After the finished rolls are removed, new cores are positioned during slitter operation. Another advantage noted by Ivy is the differential rewind sys- tem, which compensates for web gauge variation. If there is a non-uniform web construction, the operator can easily rewind the film to where the glitch occurred and correct it. Other ad- vantages such as touch-screen operation and automatic knife assembly support repeatability. Operators never have to handle rewind tooling, shafts, setup knives or manually remove rolls, simplifying operator training and improving safety. Preferred Packaging has been doing business with Deacro, a Davis-Standard Company, for over 20 years. Product examples include laser for extended shelf-life for produce, hot-pin perfo- rated lidding and overwrap films that allow controlled evacua- tion of heat and moisture, as well as perforated films used for bakery items and other foods to keep the food crisp during re- heating. Preferred Packaging also excels at multi-layer laminate films that combine the strength of a polyester upper layer with a specific sealant type and thickness designed for custom seal sys- tem requirements. These films have a glossy top layer and clarity to enhance the appearance of print copy while protecting the package fromabrasion during shipping and handling. Preferred Packaging’s stock and custom containers come in microwave- able and oven-ready designs in a full range of sizes. As for seal- ing equipment, the company supplies in-line sealing machinery, counter-top sealers and rotary sealers uniquely engineered for their containers and films. Preferred Packaging can support so- lutions across every operational range, which has enabled them to serve a broad base of customers. Ef fi ciency with Slitter Rewinder Augmented Davis-Standard, LLC www.davis-standard.com, www.deacro.com Preferred Packaging www.prefpkg.com Preferred Packaging operator veri fi es slit accuracy on Deacro Slitter Rewinder