New slitter and rewinder from Soma

Soma Engineering has added an advanced specification slitter and rewinder to its range. The company claims its new Pluto ll machine provides greater efficiency through higher operating speeds, larger unwind and rewind roll diameters, enhanced operator friendly concept, powerful slit edge removal system and ‘knife positioning assistant’.

Pavla Vernerova of Soma said: ‘Pluto II retains the compact design of the first model in this series and was developed with the aim of providing greater operating efficiency. This is achieved through simplifying job changeovers and reducing waste and set-up times. With its larger unwind and rewind rolls, the machine is ideal for those who want a high performance version for long runs with in-built features for operator comfort. Pluto II also permits wide rolls to be slit down in preparation for flexographic printing, laminating or other converting processes.’

Pluto ll is equipped with razor blades for fast set-up and rotary knives to ensure slitting quality. The integration of an eccentric roller enables tangential slitting. Operation is through intuitive touch screen control and remote communication capability. Features to assist reel handling include shaft-less unwind with integrated hydraulic loading system and programmable rewind core positioning with laser pointer.

Unwind tension is automatically controlled through an air brake and dance roller that decreases parent roll inertia effect during acceleration and deceleration of the machine. Precise tension control at rewind allows the processing of a wide range of materials through ‘Tensomat’, a proprietary closed loop control system manufactured by Soma utilizing tensometers. 

Options include AC servomotor instead of air brake at unwind to permit processing of very thin films and foils, ionization bars to reduce static, individual lay-on rollers and a slit roll unloading system with a stand.

Pluto ll can handle a maximum material width of 1600 mm (63”) with a minimum of 300 mm (12”) and is capable of a maximum mechanical speed of 550 m/min (1800 fpm). The machine operates from a parent roll diameter of 1000 mm (40”) at a maximum roll weight of 1200 kg (2646 lbs.). The slit roll diameter is up to 635 mm (25”) with a minimum slit width of 35 mm (1.5”).