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Polykote Corp. Expands Capabilities, Purchases Custom Coating and Laminating Line from New Era Converting Machinery Inc.

Paterson, NJ (October 10, 2017) . . . At the ICE USA show in April 2017, New Era Converting Machinery Inc. showed a coating and laminating line that had been custom ordered for Polykote Corp. (Easton, PA). That coating and laminating line is now up and running, and it is meeting the expectations the specialty coating company had for its new equipment.

Polykote’s Custom New Era Coating and Laminating Line

Polykote Corp. is a specialty coating company that focuses on unique customer applications using rod, slot-die, flexographic and gravure application methods with both water-based coating, 100% solids coating, and other unique formulations. For 28 years, their focus has been on working closely with their customers on end-use needs and specific applications to ensure they can develop the unique solutions that their customers are looking for. Through formulating and adjusting materials and process conditions, Polykote prides itself on being able to think outside the box and give their customers personalized, effective solutions to their needs.

“We at Polykote take a lot of pride in quickly turning customer orders around,” said Nick Guzzo, Business Manager at Polykote. “Given the specialty nature of most of our customers’ applications, this can be a real challenge. The new line from New Era dramatically increases our line speed, upgrades our coating line software, allows for larger roll diameters, and improves our delivery capability, all of which helps our company continue to process challenging customer applications using unique formulations with world-class efficiency.”

The coating line is a purpose-built machine capable of running at 500 fpm under constant, closed loop tension control. The machine can handle 50” diameter input bundles at 60” wide, laminating two materials prior to windup. Featured is a specialty coating station, which is of modular design that will allow Polykote to change coating technologies in the future as their business grows. The flexibility of the line will also benefit Virtual Graphics LLC, Polykotes’ sister company.  Virtual Graphics LLC will produce their patented, leuco dye free, direct thermal color material “RevealPrint®“, that delivers color without using ink or ribbons.

New Era, in helping Polykote through the process of both purchasing and starting up the machinery and equipment, focused not just on the coating machinery but also on updating the drives and controls.

“This new machine will have much greater throughput than existing equipment,” said John Looser, New Era Regional Sales Manager. “It is capable of running at higher speeds and wider web widths and takes advantage of the improved efficiency of running larger incoming and outgoing roll diameters. The operation is improved dramatically with the updated drive and control system; the ease and repeatability of setting and recalling operating parameters results in a high level of performance stability.”

In addition, the new coating and laminating line incorporates field devices with the latest technology, some of which are Bluetooth accessible for calibration and data collection.

The specialty applications that are Polykote’s core competency require equipment that is equally capable of performing unique, custom tasks. New Era worked with Polykote in planning, designing, building, and installing the coating line, communicating every step of the way. The result was a smooth and worry-free installation and start up, with the new coating line meeting every expectation for speed, quality, and versatility.

“This represents a significant upgrade to our capabilities,” said John Guzzo, President of Polykote. “With New Era’s coating and laminating line, we have been able to enhance our productivity and helped to ensure that we continue to offer world-class cost-efficiency in the specialty coating market.”

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