Davis-Standard is pleased to announce the company’s manufacturing facility in Fulton, N.Y., recently celebrated 365 days without a lost time accident or OSHA recordable injury. This is a tremendous milestone credited to Davis-Standard’s high standards and safety practices for all employees. Dan Guthrie, Davis-Standard COO, said that attention to work area details, participation in safety training meetings, weekly area inspections, sharing toolbox talk points and a holistic team approach to improve safety for all site employees was key to reaching this milestone.

“Maintaining an injury-free workplace at all of our locations is our first initiative and top priority,” said Guthrie. “This milestone at our plant in New York is significant in achieving this objective. I commend our employees as this is not easy to do, even when you have standards of excellence in place. We  look forward to celebrating this milestone at every Davis-Standard manufacturing facility worldwide.”

Photo Caption: Fulton, N.Y. operating team

Davis-Standard is pleased to announce customers worldwide can now take advantage of a new 24/7 First Responder phone number 844-MYDAVIS (844-693-2847). This central point of contact reflects Davis-Standard’s continued commitment to Comprehensive 360 Support of our global customers with technical, personalized and timely responses to all service inquiries. By calling this number, customers can reach our global support centers 24 hours a day to identify and quickly facilitate their requests. In addition, translation services are available in English, German, French, Spanish, Finnish and Mandarin.

 

“Implementing 844-MYDAVIS is an important step in supporting our global customers with the sense of urgency needed to keep their production schedules without delay,” said Jim Murphy, President and CEO of Davis-Standard. “Keeping up with our new brand standard, we are leading the way in providing solutions to support our customers’ uptime and competitiveness. The bottom line is, the customer wants to talk to the right person right away. We anticipate the addition of the 24/7 First Responder number (844-MYDAVIS) moves us closer to achieving that goal.”

For more information about Davis-Standard’s service capabilities, visit www.davis-standard.com/service-support/overview/.

Davis-Standard (Suzhou) Plastics Packaging Machinery Co., Ltd. is pleased to announce the expansion of the company’s manufacturing capabilities. Open for operation at the end of April 2019 is an additional 35,000 square-foot (3,251 square-meter) facility near the existing shop in Suzhou and will house control panel assembly and provided much-needed warehousing. The addition reflects Davis-Standard’s growing extrusion coating business and long-term strategy in the region.

“The additional space will allow us to build more extrusion coating lines at our main plant while supporting other machine services, including faster delivery,” said Jinsong Lin, general manager at Suzhou. “We also appreciate how close this building is to our existing facility. The increased manufacturing capacity is a positive reflection of our growth over the past few years. We have become one of the top equipment suppliers in the region and we don’t take that for granted.”

 

 

The medical tubing and packaging segments continue to be strong markets for Davis-Standard throughout Asia. Equipment sold to regional customers for medical tubing, extrusion coating and co-extrusion applications is built in Suzhou, as is assembly of electrical control panels, extruders and gearcases. There is also an impressive R&D facility at this location, equipped with technology for testing a range of rigid and flexible products, as well as FPVC tubing for IV and fluid delivery. Examples include microbore tubing, multi-lumen and catheter tubing, endotracheal and tracheotomy tubing, bubble tubing, taper tubing and others. Most recently, Davis-Standard added a new dsX flex-pack™ 300S to this lab for customer trials. This is a single station extrusion and lamination line built specifically for the Asian flexible packaging market.

For more information about Davis-Standard’s subsidiary in Suzhou, visit www.davis-standard.com.cn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Davis-Standard, LLC will promote the company’s equipment innovation and regional growth at Hall 9.2, Booth J41, during CHINAPLAS 2019 in Guangzhou, May 21-24, alongside its subsidiaries Maillefer and Brampton Engineering. Davis-Standard will share information about its recent acquisitions, Suzhou facility expansion, DS Activ-Check system for continuous extruder monitoring, dsX flex-pack™ technology and stretch film capabilities. Davis-Standard will also exhibit a HPE-100H, 1” 24:1 extruder.

The acquisition of Brampton in 2018 augmented the company’s multi-layer film processing and winding technology for blown film applications. TSL (Thermoforming Systems LLC), also added in 2018, is the market leader in thermoforming equipment for high-volume packaging applications. TSL fits nicely with Davis-Standard’s continued growth in the packaging sector. Maillefer, acquired in 2017, expanded the company’s wire and cable, pipe and tube equipment offering, and added facilities in Finland and Switzerland to better serve customers, including those in China.

Davis-Standard’s Suzhou location is expanding this year. The additional 35,000 square-foot (3,251 square-meter) facility near the existing shop in Suzhou will house control panel assembly and provide much-needed warehousing. The addition reflects Davis-Standard’s strong extrusion coating business and long-term strategy in the region. Suzhou is also home to an R&D laboratory that supports Asia’s medical market. This capability has been an asset to customers, and an excellent tool for supporting development of new resins and biodegradable products.

In response to the increased demand for “smart” technology, Davis-Standard recently introduced the DS Activ-Check system for continuous extruder monitoring. DS Activ-Check enables processors to take advantage of real-time preventative maintenance by providing early notifications of potential extruder failures. Machine operators are alerted to issues before they happen, preventing unnecessary downtime while also collecting valuable data. Key parameters monitored include extruder reducer, lubrication system, motor characteristics, the drive power unit, barrel heating and cooling.

The latest dsX flex-pack™ model being promoted is the 300S. This single station extrusion and laminating line is designed specifically for the Asian flexible packaging market. It is a collaboration among Davis-Standard’s teams in the U.S., Germany and China, addressing the pricing, machine footprint, speeds and output, and shorter runs demanded by converters. Davis-Standard is also engineering a tandem configuration of this machine called the dsX flex-pack™ 300T. The dsX flex-pack™ 300S will be available for demonstration in Suzhou later this year.

For stretch film applications, Davis-Standard offers a stretch film line equipped with a DS S3 winder. The line offers a compact machine arrangement, ease of servicing, excellent profile control, consistent roll quality and an intuitive control package. It is engineered for producing thin films from 31-to 51-gauge (7.8µ to 13µ) at high speeds. The side-by-side DS S3 overlapping winder is essential to this capability, enabling maximum slit widths for hand-wrap, machine-wrap and jumbo rolls. This winder also makes it possible for converters to support multiple market segments on one winder.

The HPE-100H extruder being shown is an example of Davis-Standard’s performance engineering for versatility, long-term market value and an attractive return on investment. This extruder is designed for co-extrusion and multi-layer applications, and is available with a variety of DSB^® feedscrew designs depending on the application. Advantages include a small footprint, high-torque capacity to handle a variety of resins and a direct coupled motor. Models are available in ¾-inch (20mm) to 1.75 (45mm)  inches with L/D’s in 24:1 or 30:1. For added support, the extruder comes with a three-year warranty.

For more information about Davis-Standard prior to Chinaplas, visit www.davis-standard.com.

PHOTO CAPTION: Pictured is the dsX flex-pack™300S.

Davis-Standard, LLC is pleased to announce it has signed an agreement with Coastal Plastics Equipment Inc. to act as a sales representative for the company’s pipe, profile and tubing and elastomer product lines in New England and upstate New York. Coastal Plastics has locations in Hampton, NH., Leominster, MA., and Burlington, CT. Three Coastal representatives with more than 70 years of combined industry experience will serve Davis-Standard customers.

Fred Charpentier, owner of Coastal Plastics, will support customers in Maine, New Hampshire, northeast and central Massachusetts. Ed Freier will be responsible for upstate New York, Vermont, western Massachusetts and western/central Connecticut. Chris Charpentier will cover southeast Massachusetts, Rhode Island and eastern Connecticut.

“We are pleased to bring Coastal Plastics on board as a sales representative,” said John Politis, Davis-Standard product manager for pipe, profile and tubing. “Fred, Ed and Chris bring tremendous experience and expertise that will serve our customer base well. We look forward to working with them to serve customers.”

For more information about Davis-Standard’s pipe, profile and tubing and elastomer systems, visit www.davis-standard.com/extrusion_system/pipe-profile-and-tubing/ and www.davis-standard.com/extrusion_system/elastomer/.

Photo Caption: Coastal Plastics Logo

In only two years since installing a seven-layer Davis-Standard blown film line, Rani Plast of Finland is experiencing profitable outcomes for its agricultural film operation. Since the line’s start-up in August of 2016, Rani Plast has expanded its family-run business by optimizing production, developing its distributor network and introducing new products. At the time of installation, this was the largest seven-layer blown film line Davis-Standard had ever built for a customer.

“Before this line, we lacked capacity and were limited to film widths of 18 meters. Being able to run expanded widths has given us access to new distributors and end customers,” explained Mikael Ahlback, Group CEO of Rani Plast. “It has also given us greater flexibility to react on immediate demands from customers, shortening lead times. We’re able to offer new products such as EVOH-based barrier films that will be available in the next agricultural season. This product will be sold as an underlay film as well as a conventional silage film to help customers make better silage than before.”

Ahlback explained the demand for silage films, one of Rani Plast’s largest markets, has risen due to the increased size of farming operations. Silage film provides an economical way to preserve and protect feed for animals. The seven-layer structure has helped Rani Plast optimize mechanical film properties for this film in a manner not previously possible. In addition to silage, Rani Plast uses the seven-layer line for making wider films used in covering peat and turf.

The line’s design is a reflection of careful planning and customized engineering. A 2.3-meter, seven-layer Centrex IBC die has been an integral part of performance. This die supports enhanced film quality while providing Rani Plast with versatility for their diverse portfolio. This includes the capacity to process high-quality films with optimized coextrusion ratios for thicker skin layers and low-percentage core layers for barrier-based structures, as well as non-barrier structures using a variety of polymer blends. The die and tower are capable of producing a bubble up to 23 meters unfolded at high-output rates with a dual-lip, automatic profile control air ring. The line’s seven Davis-Standard MAC extruders are fitted with DSB^® feedscrews for homogenous mixing and low-temperature melt streams, essential to film quality and the production of large width films.

“A big part of our success was the support of Davis-Standard during installation, the initial start-up period and optimization of the line” said Ulf Sandvik, Project Manager at Rani Plast. “We’ve had to make some adjustments, but the cooperation between our companies has been excellent. Both of us have gained new experience, and we have been very pleased with this investment.”

For more information about Rani Plast, visit www.raniplast.com. For more information about Davis-Standard’s blown film capabilities, contact Carl Johnson at cjohnson@davis-standard.com.

Photo Caption: Rani Plast installation

 

Davis-Standard, LLC will promote the company’s full line of extrusion and converting technology during PLASTIMAGEN MÉXICO^® in Mexico City, April 2-5. Davis-Standard’s team will be available at booth #3014 with Bernal Industrial to discuss pipe, profile and tubing and elastomer; and at booth #1014 with Grupo Janfrex to discuss film, sheet, reclaim and foam. The team will also promote aftermarket capabilities and new developments in extruder, control and feedscrew technology. Examples include:

Aftermarket Capabilities – Davis-Standard’s ability to service equipment for nearly every extrusion and converting application, including non-Davis-Standard brands, is one of the company’s greatest advantages. This includes an extensive spare parts inventory, timely 24/7-customer service, global technical capabilities, and rebuild and retrofit services.

 

 

Super Blue^® Extruder – This high-efficiency extruder offers advantages in price, performance and fast delivery. The Super Blue is equipped with preferred features including a low noise, high-torque double reduction gearbox; cast aluminum finned heaters bolted to the barrel; an AC drive and motor; and a high capacity air-cooling system. It has been an effective option for pipe and profile, sheet, fiber and specialty system processes, among others.

MEDD Extruder – This compact extruder is optimized for cleanroom environments with a replaceable feed section liner and direct drive technology for greater efficiency and materials flexibility. Davis-Standard offers a high-tech melt pump system to maximize stability when processing sensitive materials.

Davis-Standard supports applications for Alternate Polymer®, microbore tubing, multi-lumen and catheter tubing, endotracheal and tracheotomy tubing, radio-opaque tubing, bubble tube, taper tube, pipette tubing and multi-layer tubing, among others. Turn-key medical tubing systems support extruder outputs up to 700 pounds per hour (315kg/hr) and line speeds up to 800 feet per minute (240 mpm) for a range of materials including PLA, PLLA, PEEK, FPVC, polyurethane, nylon, PEBAX and FEP. Davis-Standard supplies versatile extruder options depending on process and application, including the direct-drive MEDD extruder, small-footprint HPE-A and HPE-H extruders, and the high-performance Super Blue® extruder. All extruders are engineered for a fast delivery and competitive pricing. For added precision, Davis-Standard offers a high-tech melt pump to minimize heat exposure and for exacting temperature control and pressure. 

Sheet Extrusion – Davis-Standard supplies complete systems and components to support the packaging and industrial sectors. One recent development is the DS-Helibar^® extruder. This extruder is the next generation in Davis-Standard’s groove feed extruder offering. With the Helibar design, helical grooves inside the barrel run along the entire barrel bore. This technology has been shown to increase extruder output rates while improving energy efficiency and reducing barrel and screw wear. Other advantages include lower start-up costs, shorter residence time and the ability to process higher levels of regrind. These are especially beneficial for high-profile applications where speed, melt quality and efficiency are paramount.

As a complement to its sheet extrusion technology, Davis-Standard recently acquired Thermoforming Systems LLC (“TSL”) of Union Gap, Washington. TSL (www.tslusa.biz) designs, manufactures and markets thermoforming equipment to the food packaging industry.

Cast Film – Davis-Standard offers a stretch film line that redefines modular efficiency for high-grade film operations. This technology is the new standard for stretch film line configurations. Advantages include a compact machine arrangement, ease of operation and servicing, excellent profile control, consistent roll quality and an intuitive control package. The system is engineered for producing thin films from 7.8µ to 13µ (31-to 51-gauge) at high speeds.

Davis-Standard’s side-by-side DS S3 overlapping winder is essential to this capability. The DS S3 winder enables maximum slit widths for hand-wrap, machine-wrap and jumbo rolls. All rolls are discharged on the downstream end of the winder and are conveyed to a common side of the line to simplify roll packing and future automation. There is an auxiliary lay-on roll to eliminate top-wind waste during transfer, optimizing roll quality and eliminating outer wrap transfer waste. There is a 30-second cycle time regardless of the number of slit widths, ideal for hand-wrap products.

Specific to CPP films, Davis-Standard offers the horizontal ironing roll winder. This winder has an adjustable ironing roll which allows the converter to control the amount of air introduced into the winding roll, substantially reducing “tin canning,” a common issue when running CPP.

Blown Film – Davis-Standard supplies extrusion systems for applications in high-barrier food packaging, agricultural films, geomembrane, stretch film, printing and laminating films, flexible packaging, collation shrink films and stretch hooders. For films that require enhanced clarity and flexibility, Davis-Standard offers the Aquafrost^® water-quench system. Other options include industry-leading Vector^® air rings, DSB^® feedscrew designs, and Streamlined Coextrusion Die (SCD^®), Optiflow and Vertex dies, each designed to process specific films.

Davis-Standard also supplies downstream and terminal equipment as well as MDO’s, oscillating haul-offs, and winders to optimize web handling and output goals. These solutions can accommodate standard applications as well as complex substrates and structures requiring precise tension control to ensure quality while minimizing waste. Automation options are available to reduce cycle time and augment benefits from increased outputs.

For more information prior to Plastimagen, visit www.davis-standard.com.

Photo Caption: Super Blue extruder