BOBST showed off latest laminator at Open House in the US

BOBST presented to converting companies in October 2015 live laminating demonstrations of a BOBST CL 1000D laminator in a real production environment. The demonstration was held at the production plant of BOBST customer Clear Lam Packaging Inc., in Elk Grove Village, near Chicago, IL, where seminar sessions relating  to the latest updates in the field of adhesive formulations and technologies were also presented.  

The range of BOBST high performance laminating machines includes CL 1000D, which was shown at the Open House. The efficiency of the equipment was put in focus in particular the drying tunnel with dual technology nozzles, the flexo coating trolley, and the in-register cold seal system. These distinctive technical features were complemented by the calculation of the significant waste and operating cost savings they generate. For the first job the CL 1000D was equipped with the flexo trolley, which provides the highest performance and quality in coating solvent-based adhesives directly on thin alu-foil. The alu-foil was laminated to a PET film at a speed of 1470 ft/min (450 m/min). The second job saw the solvent-based lamination of two clear films – PET and LDPE – at the speed of 1,470 ft/min, again using the flexo coating system. This kind of application is especially critical because of the difficulty in achieving a total transparency of the laminated web. This was an actual production run of a laminated material that Clear Lam provides their customers for packaging of fresh produce, such as vegetables or meat. This type of packaging has no printing on it in order to enable full visibility of the packaged item. At the end of the run, guests were able to check the laminated material taken from the machine to determine the quality of the flawless output  

The CL 1000D used for the demonstration, is one of two CL 1000D machines in the Clear Lam production facility. As the second machine was completing the startup procedure before entering production, it was possible for visitors to view it up close in between the two demonstrations, as well as the interchangeable trolleys it is equipped with – gravure, solventless and flexo – to carry out different packaging applications.

Guest speakers completed the overview of the state-of-the art industry. Larry Jopko, Technical Service & Development, Dow Chemical, addressed the technological progress of adhesives and the development of the latest formulations to date. Representing another giant of the adhesive industry, Guenther Hering, Vice President Flexible Packaging, Henkel Corporation, presented the Group’s three business units and the company’s global capabilities for adhesives, highlighting their newest adhesive formulations with a high solid content.

BOBST extensive capabilities and range of services for North America covers the whole printing and conversion processes and their optimization. BOBST Services were presented in depth in two separate sessions. Massimo Ardito, National Service Manager at Bobst North America Inc. illustrated the support organization, from the teams of skilled in-the field technicians to the large local inventory of parts for immediate shipment; the prompt and timely response for support by a person (no voice mails); and a host of equipment and services dedicated to maintain and improve the performance of installed equipment.

Founded in 1969, Clear Lam Packaging, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of rigid and flexible packaging materials for thousands of food, industrial goods and personal healthcare products. Vertically integrated from design to manufacturing, Clear Lam specializes in printed films, rigid rollstock and specialized packaging systems. Clear Lam operates three manufacturing plants in the U.S. and China and employs over 500 people. A full-service polymer lab provides a wide range of services.