Proteus Packaging Maximizes Production with Diana X 115 Folder-Gluer and Diana Packer from Heidelberg
12/14/2011
Kennesaw, Ga. - Following the installation this summer of a
high-performance Diana X 115 folder-gluer and Diana Packer packing
system from Heidelberg, Proteus Packaging aimed to make the most of
its step up to the fast, efficient production of short- and
long-run folding cartons for the pharmaceutical, food and other
markets. Now, with several months' worth of production under its
belt, the company claims to have exceeded its expectations in every
regard.
Ups and Downs
Folding carton gluing machines from Heidelberg offer
converters like Proteus an opportunity to produce a broad spectrum
of premium folding cartons in a highly economic way. Hallmarks of
the technology include superior processing quality, short makeready
times, and outstanding ease-of-use in processing up to 200,000
cartons per hour, depending on the size of the blank.
"What made sense for us, given the speed of the Diana X 115,
was to put a packer on it to reduce the need for manual labor, and
we're very happy that we did," said executive vice president and
COO Tim Wayman. "The performance of both machines has been a
revelation. The full-rated speed of the Diana Packer is two- to
four times what we experienced with hand packing. We're now able to
handle a greater number of high-volume jobs faster and with greater
efficiency than ever before. In addition, our output is up, and our
per-piece costs are down."
In this initial phase, Proteus has placed an emphasis on
becoming proficient with run speed maximization. Once that is
accomplished, Wayman said, the company will focus on further
minimizing set-up times on both Diana machines. Quality control
gets a boost from an efficient ejection system that electronically
identifies and quickly removes faulty cartons from the
manufacturing process, even at the highest speeds.
Diana X 115
Heidelberg's Diana X 115 embodies cutting-edge technology
combined with versatility, top-quality results, and outstanding
ease-of-use. The modular structure enables converters to create
configurations tailored to their individual needs. A high level of
automation ensures exceptionally short makeready times, with an
assist from pneumatically lifted side walls and feed gates that
facilitate quick, convenient setup from job to job. Additional
features include an extra-long folding station that promotes
smooth, precise material processing and exceptional folding
quality. Likewise, the optimized interplay of the feeder and blank
alignment module ensures a continuous supply of precisely aligned
cartons.
Diana Packer
The fast, flexible Diana Packer maximizes the efficiency of
folding carton production and helps realize the full potential of
high-speed folding carton gluers like the Diana X 115 and other
members of the Diana family. Automatic calculation of setting
values and a smaller number of components to set nearly halve the
time needed for makeready. A touch screen makes for easy operation.
Cartons can be deposited in the shipping cases so they rest on the
second or fourth creaseline or the closure flap, depending on the
requirements of downstream filling machines. At Proteus, the Diana
X 115 and Diana Packer support an equipment lineup that includes a
Speedmaster XL 145 VLF press, a Speedmaster XL 105, and, in
postpress, a Dymatrix 145 die cutter.
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