Green Bay, Wisconsin based Paper Converting Machine Company (PCMC), part of BW Converting Solutions, recently held two free information-packed open houses at its state-of-the-art Packaging Innovation Center in Green Bay. More than 160 people attended the three-day event April 23-25 which focused on digital printing for flexible packaging as well as digital and flexo printing for the folding carton industry.
“We were very pleased with the turnout and quality of information we were able to provide the industry,” said Rodney Pennings, PCMC’s Director of Sales-Print. “The spirit of the Packaging Innovation Center and our Power Packs educational video series is to serve as a resource for print and packaging industry information, demos, trials, and training along with research and development opportunities.”
A wealth of market and trend data, industry analysis, and best practice information was provided by guest speakers from across the globe including Dr. Sean Smyth, industry consultant and analyst; Jason Thelander of Memjet; Alison Keane of the Flexible Packaging Association; Dennis Gignac of BW Papersystems; Sean Hampson and Keith Grimm of Hybrid; Eric Nelson of Xitron; and Mary Schilling of Schilling Inkjet Consulting. In addition to guest speakers, PCMC provided up close and personal demonstrations of two exciting new presses.
Attendees were able to see the ION hybrid press live in action. The ION turns traditional analog presses into digital hybrid printing platforms, providing the ability to produce larger digital runs cost competitively. “It is designed to handle up to 400 feet per minute with web widths of 36, 42 and 52 inches for paper, film and folding carton.” said Windell McGill, PCMC ION Launch Manager.
There was also a press-side demo of the high-production, 59 inch wide, 10+2 color Fusion CI folding carton press.
“The Fusion has great energy and time-saving features like automatic drum cleaning and automatic impression setting,” said Mike Shaw, PCMC Regional Sales Manager.
Scott Derouin, PCMC Regional Sales Manager, added that the Fusion reduces energy usage through low-power-consumption components, design and operation. “It offers fast changeovers and lower ink usage,” Derouin said. “The Fusion lowers operating costs and provides a quick return on investment and those benefits increase significantly when moving from sheet-fed to web-fed production.”
