Reporter Clips

Published: June 01, 2003, By Edward Boyle, Contributing Editor

Narrow Web Converting Industry News

Coming Events
August 4-7: FVTC & FTA Presswork & Pressmanship Seminar,

Fox Vallety Technical College & Flexographic Technical Association, D.J. Bordini Technological Innovation Center, Appleton, WI (920/735-4755; fvtc.edu).

August 12-13: Laboratory Technician Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive Testing Certification, Chemsultants Intl., Network Seminar Facility, Mentor, OH (440/352-0218; chemsultants.com).

Aprion Digital, Scitex Vision Merge
NETANYA, ISRAEL—Scitex Vision Ltd. has combined its business with that of Aprion Digital Ltd. The combined business will operate under the name Scitex Vision, while the name Aprion will be used for its piezo drop-on-demand technology (previously called MAGIC). Products using this technology will carry a “Powered by Aprion” logo. Dov Ofer will serve as president and CEO of the combined companies.

TI-RFid Technology Tightens Oscar Night Security
LOS ALAMITOS, CA, USA—The spotlight shone on security at the 75th Academy Awards in Los Angeles, CA, March 23, as celebrities, crew members, producers, press, and other guests were protected with a system using Texas Instruments' Radio Frequency Identification (TI-RFid) technology.

Security personnel used the system to verify the identity of attendees at strategic perimeter locations, interior checkpoints, and restricted access areas throughout the Kodak Theater.

As part of an overall security framework implemented by Security Solutions, a systems integrator from Los Alamitos, the nearly 11,000 authorized attendees, guests, and staff had to wear an ID card, issued in advance of the event, that contained a TI-RFid 13.56 MHz smart label. The cards had other embedded high-tech features to facilitate visual screening and ID. Five-foot tall kiosks, containing a computer monitor, RFID reader, and encased computer server, were placed in strategic locations.

When guests arrived, their identity was verified as they passed through a checkpoint. Additional security checks helped personnel determine who had access to a particular area, such as award presenters needing backstage access. Within ¼ sec of the card being read at the kiosks, security personnel had access to data on the cardholder, including photo, name, physical descriptors, security clearances, and the date and time the credentials were active.

Am Digital Becomes Dotrix Var
GENT, BELGIUM —Dotrix n.v. has appointed AM Digital AG as a value added reseller (VAR) for Switzerland.

Formed in 1996 through a management buyout by employees of AM Intl. AG, AM Digital now is 90% owned by the management team. Based in Cham, AM Digital specializes in the distribution of digital press technology, computer-to-plate and computer-to-film technologies, RIPs and postscript, and desktop publishing software. The existing product range includes Xeikon, EskoGraphics, and Xitron products.

Medical-Grade Adhesive Tape Suited for Direct Skin Application
WINDSOR, CT, USA—Scapa North America announces Bioflex Rx733P, a medical-grade p-s adhesive tape for direct skin application.

Said to be conformable and lightweight, Rx733P reportedly is ideal for TENS, ECG electrode, and bandage applications. The product consists of a tan, nonwoven cloth coated with a medical-grade acrylic PSA that carries a Device Master File Number with the Bureau of Medical Devices.

The product is reported to be supplied on a stay-flat, easy-release liner that allows for easy die-cutting, and the acrylic adhesive used on Rx733P provides good adhesion to skin yet removes cleanly without causing skin trauma.