Davis-Standard’s converting technology and support services will be promoted at ICE Europe, Hall A5, booth #1310, in Munich, Germany, March 12-14, 2019. Davis-Standard will highlight key equipment capabilities for extrusion coating, liquid coating, blown film and cast film, all engineered to support a range of applications on every continent. Davis-Standard will also have information on aftermarket and technical services focused on delivering cost-efficiency, reduced downtime and improved operation. This includes equipment upgrades, replacement parts, global field services, custom engineering, research and technical services, and a 24/7 customer service hotline. Following is a summary of key technologies in Davis-Standard’s product portfolio.

The company’s extrusion coating product line offers a comprehensive equipment offering from a single-source supplier to address basic applications all the way up to high-speed, complex requirements. Systems are engineered for everything from high-quality flexible packaging, thermal lamination and stand-up pouches, to lidding, tube, and aseptic films. Specifications can be customized based on market requirements and investment plans.

An example of this is Davis-Standard’s dsX flex-pack™ system. This machine provides converters and package printers with a high-value, competitively-priced package. An adaptable machine configuration gives processors the flexibility to compete in a variety of emerging application markets including salted snack and noodle bags, toothpaste tubes, personal care products, condiment packs and stand-up pouches. Production benefits include product consistency, excellent bonding strength, greater uptime and productivity, and reduced waste and production costs. The economic benefit of these 450 mpm (1,500 fpm) machines is enabling many regional converters to distinguish themselves from the competition.

In liquid coating, Davis-Standard’s curtain slide coater and five-roll silicone coater combine versatility with performance. The curtain slide coater applies single layer coatings at rates up to 853 mpm (2800 fpm) with expansion capabilities up to two additional layers. The five-roll silicone coater is capable of applying 100 percent silicone at rates up to 732 mpm (2400 fpm). This coater is constructed of stainless steel for ease of cleanup and includes a mist removal system. Davis-Standard supports liquid coating for slow or high-speed applications, clean room environments, film or paper substrates, ultra-thin and ultra-thick coatings, and precision coating and drying.

In 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. Cores are also same-side loaded from the back to prevent disruption of packing activities. There is an auxiliary lay-on roll to eliminate top-wind waste during transfer, optimizing roll quality and eliminating outer wrap transfer waste. High-volume core bins minimize refilling frequency and feature a simultaneous core-set discharge of multiple core lengths to decrease cycle times, improve slit-width flexibility and net film utilization. Core widths can also be changed on the fly to maximize uptime. There is a 30-second cycle time regardless of the number of slit widths, ideal for hand-wrap products.

In blown film, Davis-Standard supplies extrusion systems for applications in high-barrier food packaging, agricultural films, stretch film, printing and laminating films, flexible packaging, collation shrink films and stretch hooders. For films that require superb 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 optimally 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 ICE, visit www.davis-standard.com/converting-systems/.

The Davis-Standard Technical Center has announced two exciting additions to its lab capabilities in Pawcatuck, Conn. By the end of the first quarter, Davis-Standard will offer trials for its Davis-Standard Helibar^® groove feed extruder and the DS Activ-Check control system for continuous extruder monitoring. According to John Christiano, Davis-Standard’s Vice President of Extrusion Technology, both present new opportunities for customers to improve and strengthen processes.

“These technologies have been proven in the field and we’re pleased to offer experimentation in our technical center,” said Christiano. “We are firm believers in partnering with customers to make processes better and in maximizing their capital investments. I am eager for customers to use both the Helibar and DS Activ-Check in establishing performance baselines during real-world trials.”

The Helibar extruder is the next generation in Davis-Standard’s groove feed extruder offering. The dimensions of the extruder in the lab will be 65mm with a 36:1 L/D. With the Helibar design, helical grooves inside the barrel run along the entire barrel bore. This technology has 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. Christiano noted this is especially beneficial for high-profile applications where speed, melt quality and efficiency are paramount.

The DS Activ-Check system will be mounted on a 4.5-inch (114mm) extruder. Using a continuous monitoring platform, the DS Activ-Check strengthens preventative and predictive maintenance for extruder operation. Operators are able to monitor key mechanical and electrical components of the extruder and gearbox and receive early notification of potential component failure to prevent unscheduled downtime. Users can obtain notifications via e-mail and text, and can remotely monitor conditions via smart devices or remote PCs. Users also benefit from the collection of operational data, leading to significant cost-cutting opportunities.

John Clemens, Davis-Standard’s Director of Extrusion Controls, added, “The capability to monitor extrusion line variables such as mechanical and electrical system conditions is essential in order to bring products to market faster. I look forward to customers having the opportunity to test the many advantages of this system for both extrusion and converting processes.”

Both technologies will be available to customers by the end of the first quarter. If interested in scheduling a trial, please contact marketing@davis-standard.com.

Davis-Standard will be offering its popular extrusion seminar, “The Basics of Plastics Extrusion,” on April 9 – 10, 2019 at its headquarters in Pawcatuck, Conn. The two-day class covers the fundamentals of plastics extrusion, as well as the composition and properties of various polymers and the mechanics of essential downstream processes. Seminar topics include extruder components, temperature control, maintenance and screw design.

In addition to instruction, course participants will tour Davis-Standard’s Technology Center and manufacturing facility, and will have access to polymer process engineers and technical specialists. The fee is $750 per person with a 10 percent discount given for groups of three or more. Course books and materials are included, and class size is limited to promote student and teacher interaction.

For enrollment details or more information about this seminar, contact Nichole Denerley at ndenerley@davis-standard.com.

Running FEP Line to Showcase Best-in-Class Technology

The technologies of Davis-Standard, Conair, Zumbach and other industry-leading companies will be on display with a running FEP line at MD&M West in Anaheim, Calif., February 5-7, 2019 at booth 3839. The coextrusion line will be processing FEP medical tubing with three barium sulfite stripes. The line will be equipped with two of Davis-Standard’s MEDD (Medical Extruder Direct Drive) extruders along with Conair MedLine^TM upstream and downstream equipment, Zumbach gauging, Guill die tooling and resins supplied by Daikin and PolyOne Colorant Chromatics. MD&M is the largest medical technology show in North America, making this the ideal venue to demonstrate Davis-Standard’s medical tubing capabilities alongside industry partners.

According to Dr. Jason Baird, senior process engineer at Davis-Standard, this line demonstrates the value of long-term collaboration to meet the functional and versatile tubing demanded by the medical industry. “The tubing at the show will feature three stripes and will represent the latest technology required for processing barium sulfite products,” he said. “One of the greatest advantages of this line is that it gives the processor the option to lay the stripes on the outside of the tubing or embed them within the tubing wall. Every component is engineered for tight tolerances, high–quality and output efficiency.”

Specific to Davis-Standard, the MEDD extruders will demonstrate the value of an extruder designed specifically for medical environments. The MEDD enables processors to easily swap barrels and/or feedsection liners to change extruder diameter and/or length while keeping alignment intact, providing versatility in cleanroom settings where space is limited. The extruder’s direct drive design eliminates the need for gearcase oils and belts that create particulates, and the machine is mounted on linear rails to make seamless adjustments with or without a melt pump. At the MD&M show, both extruders will have ¾-inch (19mm) diameter barrels with L/D’s of 24:1 and 16:1. In order to limit exposure of the radio-opaque barium sulfate filler to the high temperatures of fluoropolymer processing, a shorter 16:1 extruder along with special screw design will be used. All components of the tubing line will be monitored and controlled by Davis-Standard’s eVUE control system.

According to Kevin Dipollino, Davis-Standard’s product manager of pipe, profile and tubing, “This line represents an all-encompassing package in both design and processing technology. It shows the value of complementary components among reputable industry partners in creating an end-to-end solution that addresses a growing segment within the medical tubing marketplace.”

MDM West Equipment video

For more information about Conair, visit www.conairgroup.com. For more information about Zumbach, visit www.zumbach.com.

In an ongoing effort to strengthen efficiencies and customer satisfaction, Davis-Standard’s Pawcatuck facility recently became ISO 9001:2015 certified. The certification validates Davis-Standard’s processes across the board, internally and externally, and serves as a benchmark for the company’s commitment to operational quality and process improvement.

“ISO requires the implementation of a demonstrated quality management system, promoting a holistic approach to evaluating your operation,” said Mike Newhall, Davis-Standard’s Vice President of Operations. “It has driven corrective action where we’ve needed it, and has made every aspect of our business better. This encompasses everything from how we on-board employees and review customer specifications to our engineering and manufacturing practices. There is no stone left unturned, which results in an improved capacity to achieve customer expectations each and every time.”

At the core of ISO certification is the ability to consistently provide products and services that meet customer and applicable statutory and regulatory requirements while also enhancing customer fulfillment through an effective quality management system (www.iso.org). Because of this, Newhall noted that all issues are addressed at the source.

“The ISO process is invaluable in making every department better,” said Newhall. “It’s also just the beginning. It is a continuous improvement process to improve our performance in all areas of the business. Being ISO certified gives our employees and customers the assurance the system is accessed and approved on a regular basis. It is a sustainable approach that holds us accountable to what we promise with the Davis-Standard brand.”

For more information, contact Mike Newhall at mnewhall@davis-standard.com.

Photo Caption: ISO 9001 2018 Certification Logo

Norton C. Wheeler, Jr., one of Davis-Standard’s most beloved and accomplished technology innovators passed away the end of September at his home in Mystic, Conn. He was 96. Wheeler’s distinguished career at Davis-Standard spanned six decades. Even after his retirement in 1989, he remained engaged as a consultant until the age of 90. He is known as the father of the DSB® (Davis-Standard Barrier) feedscrew, authored numerous technical papers, and mentored many Davis-Standard engineers. His list of contributions to Davis-Standard and the plastics industry, in general, is extensive. He was awarded Fellow of the Society of Plastics Engineers in 1985 and received the Bruce C. Maddock Award in 1998 for his pioneering work in research and development.

“I was honored to know Norton and work alongside him for so many years. He was a great mind, problem-solver and infinite resource. He was also a wonderful human being, always willing to give of himself in his modest way,” said John Christiano, Davis-Standard’s Vice President of Extrusion Technology. “Our R&D capabilities and technical leadership began with Norton and he remained so vital to our work throughout his life. His achievements not only defined Davis-Standard as an R&D leader, but they changed the industry. He was truly one of a kind and will be dearly missed.”

Being part of Davis-Standard was in Wheeler’s blood. His grandfather, Charles E. Wheeler, was an original owner of Davis-Standard, purchasing the business as the Standard Machinery Company in 1904. His father Norton Sr. and his uncle John were instrumental in assisting their father with modernizing and diversifying the operation. Under the leadership of Wheeler’s father, company president in the 1940s, and his new partner Benjamin Davis, the company transitioned from a manufacturer of compression molding presses before and during World War II into a post-war manufacturer of extrusion machinery. The company became Davis-Standard in 1948.

Wheeler joined Davis-Standard in 1951 after serving in the U.S. Air Force and graduating from Brown University with a chemistry degree. Wheeler was a natural in the research environment. He spearheaded Davis-Standard’s first lab in the 1960s, growing the facility from a small space to a building equipped for customer trials and extensive R&D within a decade. During the following 20 years, he conducted revolutionary research with regard to feedscrew design and extrusion process control. Of all of his achievements, Wheeler was most proud of the fact that Davis-Standard was the first company to fully instrument an extruder with multiple pressure transducers.

In the early 1980s, Wheeler patented the well-known DSB screw design. This design overcame limitations of existing barrier screws by optimizing the screw’s melt region, leading to improved stability and performance. The DSB quickly became the industry’s premier feedscrew and gave Davis-Standard a global technical presence. It also helped the company expand into multiple processing areas such as pipe and profile and sheet. The DSB continues to be the basis for all Davis-Standard screw designs.

Wheeler was predeceased by his wife of 69 years, Mary Anderson Wheeler, and is survived by their five children, six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.