Soma develops new eco-friendly laminator

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SOMA Engineering has announced the development of the LAMIFLEX E solvent-free laminator featuring a new, compact design that is both cost effective and cost saving, and that also benefits the environment.


The company’s original LAMIFLEX S concept has been extended to the new LAMIFLEX E design using many of the same components. Instead of the original three-stand model, the new E machine utilizes a two-stand concept. The footprint of the new LAMIFLEX E has been shortened by 1,700 mm (67”) to free-up floor space in the factory without compromising the quality and productivity of the laminator.  The new system operates at up to 350 m/min (1,150 ft/min).  Additional benefits are environmental and energy saving. The LAMIFLEX E utilizes a solvent-free adhesive using a two-part polyurethane glue which sets via chemical reaction avoiding solvent emission that also eliminates the need for a heated drying tunnel.


The LAMIFLEX E can process a wide range of substrates including:  BOPP, PET, PE, LD PE, OPA, CAST PP, AL Foil or Paper.  The drives for the unwind, machine rollers and rewind are all AC servo motors to optimise accuracy and control.  Operator control is a recipe served through a Mitsubishi PLC touch screen.  Other design parameters include models enabling maximum processing widths of 850, 1,100 and 1,350 mm (33.5, 43.3 and 53.1 inches) with a minimum width of 300 mm (11.8 inches).  Roll sizes can be up to 1,000 mm (39.4 inches) and 1,000 kg (2,204.6 lbs.) giving a high level of productivity.


Transfer roller sleeve changes are simply and quickly carried out through the cantilevered mounting system.  To achieve high levels of laminate adhesion, up to two corona treaters are supplied. An ultrasonic sensor reads the position of the web and a digital web guiding system uses the sensor information to control the position of the unwinding unit, which is also equipped with ionization bars. The LAMIFLEX E enables the converter to laminate both aluminum or paper substrates and is equipped with an automatic fault diagnostic system allowing customer support by either modem or the internet.