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Why Tension?

Published: January 31, 2005, By Timothy J. Walker, TJ Walker & Assoc., Inc
Why is tensioning such a crucial first step? What are the benefits of a well-tensioned web? What is the right amount of tension for your product? Don’t slack off now...keep reading for these answers and more.

In Defense of Control Freaks

Published: January 31, 2005, By David J. Bentley, Jr., Contributing Editor
Control freaks, flaunt your obsession! You will be doing yourselves, your companies, and your customers a huge favor.

CAN SPAM Laws & E-Mail

Published: January 31, 2005, By Sheila A. Millar, Attorney-at-Law, Keller & Heckman, Washington, DC
Many members of the converting industry have been following the new CAN SPAM law and its impact on e-mail communications. CAN SPAM covers unsolicited electronic mail messages in which the primary purpose is the commercial advertisement or promotion of a commercial product or service (including content on an Internet Web site operated for commercial purposes).

Evolving Ink Jet Technology

Published: January 31, 2005, By Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor
T he concept of forming droplets of liquid in a stream was studied by Lord Kelvin and Lord Rayleigh and other technologists as early as the late 1800s. However, it was not until 1951 that it was patented for the first practical ink jet device based on Rayleigh’s concept.

E-Clips Top 10

Published: January 31, 2005, By PFFC staff
Read on to see the materials and products that most captured our readers’ attention last year, based on the click-through response they generated in our E-Clips e-mail newsletter.

On the Move...

Published: January 31, 2005, By PFFC staff
News from: Raflatac, Curtis Packaging, Colbert Packaging Corp., PAF, Monadock Paper Mills, Rex Corp., ABB Automatic Technologies, CB Mfg., Print Council, F.L. Smithe Machine Co., Eckart America, Creo, Orion Packaging Systems, Jetrion, Dover Flexo Electronics, and Kurz Transfer Products.

Narrow Web What's New

Published: January 31, 2005, By By Edward Boyle, Contributing Editor
Narrow web new products from: Axion CodeMaster, Computer Productivity Services, Omet, Tailored Solutions, and Comco.

Reporter Clips

Published: January 31, 2005, By By Edward Boyle, Contributing Editor
Narrow web news from: Freedonia Group, TLMI, Sato America, MPI Label Systems, MACtac, Printex Packaging Corp., XericWeb Drying Systems, and Appleton.

How to Gain Ground

Published: January 31, 2005, By Yolanda Simonsis, Associate Publisher/Editor
Last December I wrote an editorial about "Finding Our Footing" and asked readers to share their personal experiences regarding jobs lost to China. It was my second request for this information, leading me to suspect that maybe I was imagining a problem that didn’t exist. Then, one brave soul, followed by a second, stepped forward to tell their stories.

ERPs Tricky for Converters

Published: January 31, 2005, By Nsenga Byrd Thompson, Associate Editor
Most consumers are skeptical when they hear the sales pitch "one size fits all." However within the converting industry, many operations are falling into the one-size-fits-all trap when it’s time to purchase Enterprise Resource Planning software (ERP).

Converting Industry News, Part 1

Published: January 31, 2005
News from: Nordmeccanica, Zip-Pak, Curwood, Adhesives Research, Kodak, Bemis, Michelman, CMM, EnfiPlast, and Ipack-Ima.

Converting Industry News, Part 2

Published: January 31, 2005, By Edited by Deborah Donberg
News from: EDANA, FFTA, PCMC, Bobst, CAC, ANI Printing Inks, Presstek, Flex Solutions, Kampf, Ion Industrial, and Cal Poly.

New Products

Published: January 31, 2005, By PFFC staff
New products from: RK Print Coat, Kurz Transfer Products, Plastisoft, Lansa, Bobst Group, Papersoft, Maxson Automatic Machinery, Hardy Instruments, and Eagle Technology.

Converting Industry News, Part 1

Published: December 31, 2004, By Edited by Deborah Donberg
News from: Danafilms, Midwest Imaging and Roller Services, Castle Graphics, FLEXcon, Bobst Group, PCMC, InnoPlast Solutions, and Ghrke, Kaas, and Assoc.

Converting Industry News, Part 2

Published: December 31, 2004, By Edited by Deborah Donberg
News from: Freedonia Group, 100% Recycled Paperboard Alliance, AICC, TAPPI, CMM Intl., Messe Düsseldorf, Nimble Shows & Media, Radtech, Ipex, and Dupont.

New Product Digest, Part 1

Published: December 31, 2004, By PFFC staff
New products from: NDC Infrared Engineering, Scitex Vision, Woodward Joggers Aerators, CAC, Fife, Exanet, ICS, Creo, Bruckner, Electromatic Equipment, PCMC, Reifenhauser, Anver, Omet, Adhesives Research, Davis-Standard, Videojet Technologies, Nyquist Systems, Herrmann Ultrasonics, and Erhardt + Leimer.

New Product Digest, Part 2

Published: December 31, 2004, By PFFC staff
New products from: Black Clawson Machinery, Maxson Automatic Machinery, Praxair Surface Technologies, Latran Technologies, Unilux, Lumetrics, Catbridge Machinery, Nipson America, TruColor Vision Systems, Vacuumatic, Enercon Industries, Comexi America, Macchi North America, Microtrace, OPP Film, ExxonMobil Chemical Films Business, Stanford Products, AB Graphic Intl., PC Industries, and Advanced Vision Technology.

Mission: Accomplished

Published: December 31, 2004, By Nsenga Byrd Thompson, Associate Editor
Multilabel takes this confident stance with an impressive portfolio of prime labels from which to choose. Opening its doors in Argentina in 1992, the converter has expanded to provide pressure-sensitive and in-mold labels to a host of markets including food, promotional, and security.

A World Contender

Published: December 31, 2004, By Nsenga Byrd Thompson, Associate Editor
In 1975, Graphics of the Americas debuted as a small tabletop show within a growing industry not fully aware yet of the direction technology would take it. Now celebrating its 30th "pearl" anniversary, GOA has become a staple in the industry, exposing printers and converters to the latest and most innovative technology available.

Narrow Web Reporter

Published: December 31, 2004, By Edward Boyle, Contributing Editor
Narrow web news from: Gidue, Stratus Packaging, Nilpeter, Texas Barcode Systems, Avery Dennison Retail Information Services, Lamart Corp., NorthStar Print Group, Latran, and Jetrion.

Who Likes Film?

Published: December 31, 2004, By Timothy J. Walker, TJWalker & Assoc. Inc.
Customers like films because they are cool. Films can be clear, thin, shiny, clean, and elastic. Product designers like films because they are functional. Films can improve a product’s break strength, tear resistance, and gas barrier performance. Process people like films because…wait. Do process people like films?

Water-Based Printing Inks & pH

Published: December 31, 2004, By Dr. Richard M. Podhajny, Ph.D., Contributing Editor
In a water-based ink, many of the ink components contribute to the ink pH. For example, the common acrylic resins used in water-based inks are acidic. They are not soluble in water but are soluble when alkaline materials are added.

Food Recordkeeping Requirements

Published: December 31, 2004, By Sheila A. Millar, Attorney-at-Law, Keller & Heckman, Washington, DC
On December 9 the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) published its final rule implementing new food recordkeeping requirements under the Public Health Security and Bioterrorism Preparedness and Response Act of 2002 (the Bioterrorism Act). Although most converters are exempt from the records establishment and maintenance requirements of this rule, some will have to adhere to the records availability requirements, as explained below.

Global Economic Slowdown?

Published: December 31, 2004, By Yolanda Simonsis, Associate Publisher/Editor
The price of crude oil, says PFFC contributor Bob Marsh, is a key element in determining which way our global and US economies will go. If the price continues to decline, as it has since October, we could be looking at improving conditions. If it doesn’t? Well, says DuPont senior economist Bob Fry, more likely it means a slowdown will rear its ugly head.

Getting it Right, the First Time

Published: December 31, 2004, By Debbie Donberg, Associate Managing Editor
Sorting good from bad is a pretty basic part of any manufacturing process, and according to Bob Chiricosta, marketing manager at Cognex, Natick, MA, that’s why most converters begin the process of investigating web inspection.

On the Move...

Published: December 31, 2004, By PFFC staff
News from: Sun Chemical, Arpeco, Innovative Systems Group, Scholle Corp., Wert-heimer Box Corp., W.R. Grace & Co.-Conn., Interstate Resources, Atofina Chemicals, WS Packaging Group, Black Clawson Converting Machinery, Rollprint Packaging Products, and Harper Corp. of America.

Die Options Explained

Published: December 31, 2004, By Bill Knotts, Spartanics
The wide range of specialty packaging items now being ordered by customers often makes optically registered die-cutting systems the better method for cost-effective and high quality die-cutting. However, new types of dies make it important to reacquaint yourself with your options when using an optically registered die-cutting system.

Hit the Brakes!

Published: December 31, 2004, By Robert W. Marsh, Contributing Editor
Petroleum literally and figuratively lubricates the world’s business. Petroleum products are everywhere: from the gasoline pump to the frames for eyeglasses to flexible packaging materials, the computer mouse that steers computers, and the bottles that hold soft drinks and filtered water. These are only five of the thousands of products made with and from petroleum all over the world. That’s why the rise in the price of crude oil hurts.

Digital Gone Wide

Published: December 31, 2004, By Nsenga Byrd Thompson, Associate Editor
While many within the converting industry still weigh the benefits of digital printing, Carolina Container Co., a 76-year-old corrugated converter, took a giant leap forward eight months ago. Looking to create new opportunities for its ever-growing point-of-purchase and display business (and most recently the trade show arena), the company created Digital Highpoint, a division solely dedicated to all that is digital.

Coating & Laminating Special Report, Part 1

Published: December 31, 2004, By Robert Marsh, Contributing Editor

You won’t find your company’s future in a crystal ball, tarot cards, or tea leaves, but you might find it in Peter Drucker’s advice: "The best way to deal with the future is to create it."

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