Cumbria-based Innovia Films has solved its static problems thanks to Meech’s long-range ionising blowers.
The blowers remove static from the BOPP film as it winds on Innovia’s slitter-rewinder systems. They ensure that the film lies smoothly on the reel, has a clear and untainted finish, and does not pose a hazard to operators.
‘Polypropylene readily generates static throughout our process – elimination of this is essential,’ explained Neville Cox, engineering maintenance manager at Innovia Films. ‘Without eliminating the static charge, the rolls of film can prove hazardous during later processing. What’s more, the film may not lay smoothly onto the reel, resulting in ribbing and other effects on its surface.
‘If the ribbing is severe, tightly wound rolls can experience shrinkage, which often means they need to be disposed of. In other cases, rolls need to be unwound and then rewound again but at slower than normal speeds, causing costly delays.’
