First Soma slitter/rewinder in the UK

Czech Republic-based Soma Engineering has announced the installation of its first slitter/rewinder in the UK at TCL Packaging in Telford. The 1350mm (53”) web width Venus II model was supplied through Soma's distributor in the UK, Engelmann & Buckham.

Optimized for reducing job change-over times, the model supplied includes unwind with reel pick-up from the floor and shaftless operation at maximum reel diameter 1200mm (47”). The slitting system is with rotary shear knives at speeds up to 700m/min (2310ft/min) with quick knife exchange using cantilevered shafts. Knife positioning is fully automatic and set-ups can be stored in the computer memory. Segmented lay on rollers help ensure high reel quality. Twin rewind shafts are equipped with differential shafts for accurate tension control and a laser system guides the operator in placing the rewind cores during reel changes. Finished reels are transferred onto a reel stand for easy handling.

Petr Blasko, Soma’s marketing director, said: ‘Venus II is the latest development in the range of high performance servo driven slitter/rewinders from Soma and to have one installed in the UK is a big achievement for us. As a relative newcomer in an established UK market, we are delighted to have been the supplier of choice to TCL.’

The high performance Venus II specification also includes an AC servo driven brake, ultrasonic sensor based web guiding system and splicing table. An external trim extraction unit supplied by Soma is able to work with a variety of materials at full working speed.

Markus Jarvstrom, TCL production director, said: ‘Much of our business is in the printing and conversion of flexible packaging for fresh food produce, using different substrates. The configuration of the modular conception of the Venus II provides flexibility of set-up. We are using rotary shear knives and with the growth in biodegradable substrates in our sector, this system reacts well. The versatility of the unit will allow us to integrate various ventilation methods into the packaging for atmospheric control of the packaged produce and therefore extended shelf life. The quality of the machine is high and with the latest automated equipment throughout, it lends itself to short run and quick change around work.’

Established in 1999, TCL is a privately owned flexible packaging company specializing in producing extended shelf life products for the food industry printed through flexography. The company operates from a facility in Telford and is BRC/Iop and ISO9001:2000 certified.