Wipak UK expands laser scoring capacity with Comexi slitter

‘This new slitter will assist us in the firm establishment as the Wipak Group Centre of Excellence for Laser Scoring,’ said Andrew Newbold, managing director of Wipak UK. ‘The Comexi S1 DT with a laser will complement our sustainable product portfolio and contribute to our long-term commitment to reduce our carbon footprint to zero. We invested in this slitter for its full integration of laser capability with high-speed slitting technologies, operational efficiency benefits due to automatic set-ups and unique features, and the complete turnkey solution offered by Comexi, which also provides experience in installation and project support.’

Last year, Wipak UK, based in Welshpool, Powys, Wales, announced a GBP 5 million investment in state-of-the-art equipment, including a laminator and Comexi S1 DT slitter with laser in-line. 

‘The combination of these two machines gives us a truly unique offering,’ added Keith Gater, technical development manager at Wipak UK. ‘Not only will we be able to create flexible packaging solutions with significantly less plastic, which are easier to recycle, and have a lower carbon footprint, but we will also be able to establish multiple laser technology techniques and process a wider range of material types, including those which better meet the sustainability agendas of customers. This will assist us in providing real benefits to our customers, consumers, and the environment.’ 

The Comexi S1 DT’s cores, knives, laser heads, photocells, and almost every adjusting element are self-calibrating. This unique automation gives the operator the possibility to load the reel into the machine and deliver finished reels without intervening. 

The turreted version of the S1 DT is capable of performing jobs that require a large number of output reels and is also able to work with the thick materials used in the flexible packaging market, including aluminum, wax, and other special or complex materials on the market. Furthermore, this machine includes Comexi’s laser module enabling flexible packaging finishing, including easy-open, micro-perforations, windows, and resealable options.

The Comexi S1 DT allows for a high degree of customization and many automated options, such as splicing tables, automatic reel unloading, video camera inspection, and label robotization of finished reels.