Demonstrating how print service providers can benefit from a spotless web 

Ipex 2014 (Excel London, 24^th – 29^th March) sees leading supplier of web cleaning technologies Meech International exhibit its complete array of contact and non-contact cleaners on Stand S2-F210. The CyClean™, TakClean™, VacClean™ and ShearClean™ each have unique benefits which can provide print businesses with customised web cleaning solutions regardless of production requirements. 

Adam Battrick, Business Unit Director for Cleaning Systems at Meech explains: “In order to minimise wastage and achieve higher levels of productivity, it is important for commercial printers to capitalise on the strengths of contact and non-contact web-cleaning.” He continues, “We are the only web cleaning system manufacturer that offers four different system technologies, and with our extensive experience in this area we are keen to explain to stand visitors how each individual web cleaner can be employed in various applications, bringing fantastic results to the end products.

“Web cleaning systems need to achieve two main actions for successful cleaning. The boundary layer of air on the web must be broken, allowing contamination trapped under and within it to be removed, and the static charge on the web must be eliminated so that contamination can be isolated. Only a system capable of achieving both these actions will result in a spotless web. When you consider the requirements of the print industry, with brands expecting the very highest quality finish for all of their products, it is clear why web cleaning should be an important consideration for PSPs.”      

CyClean™

Meech’s web cleaning systems are spear-headed by the CyClean™, which is a compact, non-contact, double-sided blow and vacuum-based web cleaning system which flows contaminants into an inline filter unit. 

The system comprises a cleaning head, 4x active static control AC bars and an Air Handling Unit (AHU). The AHU provides the blowing and vacuum airflows and filtration for the system through an F8 grade washable “labyrinth” filter, which can be upgraded to a HEPA filter for installations in very clean environments. In addition, the CyClean™ includes a pneumatic opening/closing system when used for coating-related web widths, making it ideal for full line integration. 

The CyClean™ can clean webs up to 2.5m in width, is capable of removing 0.5 micron contaminants and has a small footprint that enables it to be fitted into confined spaces. 

Integrated static control on the entry and exit of the cleaning head guarantees a thorough, long-lasting cleaning process. The AC ionising bars neutralise all static charges on the web and ensure easy breakdown of the bonds holding contaminants to it. The risk of re-attracting contaminants to the cleaned web surfaces is also significantly reduced.  

TakClean™

Providing excellent cleaning power and removing particles as small as 0.5 microns, Meech’s TakClean™ is simple to install and with continuous single or double sided cleaning capabilities, it is available for web widths up to 2.1 m, at a speed of up to 250 meters per minute. 

The TakClean™ system features the specially formulated ‘TransTak’ - elastomer contact cleaning rollers and perforated adhesive rolls. When cleaning, the ‘TransTak’ elastomer rollers make contact with the web, lifting contamination from the product surface. Available in a variety of Shore A ratings, the cured silicone elastomer rollers are proven to have no ‘free chemistry’, guaranteeing that the cleaned surface remains trace free. 

Once the ‘TransTak’ rollers have lifted the particles, they are transferred, by contact, to the surface of the adhesive rolls, which are manufactured with a release coating to ensure easy unwinding. In addition, a high adhesive mass means the TakClean™ can run for an extended period between material changes. When changes are required, easily removed (tear off) roll sections guarantee that downtime is kept to a minimum and operator safety is optimised.  

VacClean™

Meech’s VacClean™ contact cleaning system will remove particles of less than 2 micron from double-sided webs up to 4m wide that have a maximum speed of over 2m/min.

The VacClean has a maintenance friendly exterior. The shape of its manifold also helps achieve an even vacuum across the product. Consequently, the VacClean requires fewer duct connections and is capable of utilising single length manifolds of up to 4 metres. 

ShearClean™

The final cleaner in Meech’s range is the ShearClean™, a second non-contact system.

ShearClean™ is available for web widths up to 2.1 metres and for web speeds up to 600 metres/min, although faster speeds can be achieved by adjusting factory settings. As with all Meech web cleaners, ShearClean™ incorporates static control technology to aid removal of contamination. 

“In the print market we are seeing a move towards non-contact systems, such as our CyClean^TM,” explains Adam. “This is mainly because with non-contact cleaning you get the best of both worlds. CyClean^TM can be used with all substrates, improving the flexibility of the press and it is not affected by high contamination levels like a tacky roller system and has no consumable costs. It is capable of removing contamination to below 0.5 micron and incorporates fluid dynamic principles to deliver higher levels of cleanliness for printing applications.

“Having such a versatile range of web cleaning systems means we can accommodate numerous requirements the print industry may have and can advise on exactly which technology best suits the application in question,” concludes Adam. “The entire range is on our stand at Ipex and we’re looking forward to illustrating to all our visitors the benefits these four technologies can bring.”