Page 29 - Plastics News May 2020
P. 29
Nordson Corporation enhances design of EPC Harpak-ULMA introduces suite of services for
deckle system for EDI extrusion coating and packaging concepts
laminating dies
ackaging solution provider Harpak-ULMA has
ordson Corporation has streamlined the design of Pannounced a new suite of packaging design &
Nthe EPC deckle system for EDI extrusion coating prototyping services for producers to develop and
operationalise innovative packaging concepts. With
and laminating dies, making it easier to control edge
the new services, marketing and packaging
bead and reducing downtime for width changes and engineering teams can access a combination of
cleaning. The widely used EPC die includes an internal
conceptual design, prototypes, and implementation
deckle system that reduces resin cost and trim waste guidance from a single source. Furthermore, they will
by controlling edge bead formation, plus an external be able to visualise and evaluate multiple designs by
deckle for convenient width adjustment. The new easily producing high-quality, photo-realistic 2D/3D
enhanced design provides various improvements for renderings complete with branding and graphics.
independent adjustment of the internal deckle Harpak-ULMA CEO Kevin Roach said: “Formalising our
components; Nordson has replaced a rack-and-pinion capabilities into a one-stop service offering designed
gear with a threaded stud that makes it easier to fine- to help producers bring new concepts to market faster,
tune the edge bead, reducing the amount of trim at less cost, is consistent with our emphasis on driving
innovation in this market space. “Combining our
required and increasing material savings. Nordson has
operational experience with advanced design tools
replaced a gear box used for adjusting overall deckle
allows us to present detailed, photo-realistic
width with a nut on the adjustment rod, reducing the
renderings of retail-ready presentations based on
width and weight of the deckle system and increasing
actual production parameters. We can even execute
access for operators. A durable new deckle rod support shipment and shelf-life testing using production-
guide makes deckle adjustment easier. A low-profile quality prototypes.” The new suite of services also
external deckle can be removed as a single unit, or it enables producer marketing teams to quickly visualise
can slide out for installation of a lip scraper without new packaging renderings and real package samples.
removal of the entire deckle assembly. Similarly, Roach added: “Our service offers them an alternative
internal deckle components can be taken out by to more traditional approaches for introducing new
removing six bolts from the end of the deckle system packaging not only making the ideation process more
tangible but decreasing NPI risk by avoiding costly
without disengaging the entire unit. “The
enhancements that Nordson has designed into the EPC design mistakes early on.” The new agile-based
approach will streamline the delivery of tangible,
system address concerns voiced to us by realistic, production-ready concepts to their
converters—particularly the competitive pressure to customers.Harpak-ULMA is the North American arm of
maximize productivity,” said Patrick Meinen, global
ULMA Packaging which provides complete packaging
product line manager for EDI dies. “Our new-design line solutions for food, medical, bakery, and industrial
extrusion coating dies are easier to operate and
products. The company uses Rockwell Automation's
maintain, while providing the same effective control
controls and information platforms to provide smart,
over edge bead that has been the distinguishing value connected packaging systems.
of the EPC system.”
MAY 2020 29 Plastics News
