Intercol and DS Smith approach "Zero Defects" on inline box stickers

READ TIME
5 minutes
AUTHORS:
Henry Mensen
by Intercol bv
Robert Smith
Bjorn Reudink
by DS Smith Eerbeek

WHY SHOULD YOU READ THIS?
The know-how of an adhesive manufacturer leads to perfectly glued cardboard boxes.

The corrugated cardboard manufacturer DS Smith in Eerbeek and the adhesive supplier Intercol are approaching zero defects in the production line for corrugated cardboard packaging with a new adhesive and improved settings. The results were achieved after six months of testing. The new approach must ultimately lead to an increase in efficiency for DS Smith's end customers, mainly in the food industry.

No defects demanded by the market

The far-reaching automation process at customers' sites requires high-quality boxes‚

says Robert Smith of DS Smith Business Support in Eerbeek. High-speed box erectors are becoming more and more sensitive to failures. We supply millions of boxes per quarter to some customers. An incorrectly glued box can paralyze a production line. That is why it is very important that each box is produced perfectly and has an optimal connection. In our industry, an integral quality approach is essential, and bonding is an important part of that process. "

Checking the optical adhesive

In the packaging industry, the glue on the inside or outside of the box causes what is known as inside and outside glue. These are boxes that cannot be opened when the stacks are stuck together. This is at the expense of production speed and leads to downtime. Goods cannot be delivered on time, resulting in empty supermarket shelves. This project is an important step in our zero-defect approach and a good addition to our previously invested process control parts. says Björn Reudink, production manager at DS Smith Eerbeek

Significantly fewer microstops

On the basis of a pilot project on one of the inliners, DS Smith compared the standard adhesive used with the new Superjet 900 adhesive from Intercol. The decisive factors were the advantages of the adhesive properties and the lower number of microstops.

The staff's doubts about the new adhesive were quickly dispelled.

Several machine modifications were then made to further increase reliability, and work was carried out on a glue pressure curve that adapts to the machine speed.

Linear glue curve

"We introduced an adhesive that is optimized for these high-precision adhesive applicators, and we have set a linear adhesive pressure that is tied to the machine speed," says Henry Mensen, Technical Sales Director at Intercol. This ensures that the adhesive pressure always corresponds to the speed of the processing machine, regardless of whether it is running slowly or at full speed. Such a pressure curve creates peace for the operator and reduces the risk of errors. Another advantage is that the Superjet 900 adhesive contains a food-safe identification pigment that can be applied to both white and brown cardboard. ‚

Higher standards

The collaboration is part of DS Smith's process of raising production standards around the world, both in-house and with customers. In the PackRight Centers, we work with customers on design and packaging. Solutions that not only ensure the efficient use of resources in the packaging process, but are also effective in other links. Solutions that not only ensure the efficient use of resources in the packaging process, but are also effective in other links in the supply chain.

An integral quality approach is essential

Extensively tested in the laboratory

The packaging industry is constantly faced with the improvements it needs in terms of effectiveness, food safety and the environment. Adhesives such as the Superjet 900 play a major role here. This adhesive series is extensively tested in the Intercol laboratory on identical adhesive devices as those on inliners. Through laboratory tests and practical results, an optimal result in the area of adhesive splashes, machine starts and stops, even adhesive application and high wetting is achieved.

Food Safe And UV Detectable

In addition, Superjet 900 complies with the regulations EC / 1935/2004, GMP, REACH and PIM. Another benefit of the new Superjet 900 series adhesive is that it is detectable on white, brown and recycled cardboard so that detection systems can verify the application,

Optical brighteners in cardboard can cause problems with standard detection pigments

explains canteens. Our glue contains a food-safe detection pigment. This is unique in that many adhesive manufacturers usually exclude the UV pigment from food safety declarations. “Intercol offers local support for the implementation of adhesives in Europe. From Hungary, Italy, Spain to England and Norway there are already customers whose efficiency has been increased by using the perfect adhesive in combination with the right settings.