UK-based Reform Plastics invests in new technology
Derby, UK-based flexible polythene packaging specialists, Reform Plastics, have invested in a BMTEK ETL 1.4 Automatic Bag Making Machine supplied in the UK by packaging and converting machinery supplier Optimation.
Manufactured in Bologna, Italy, by BMTEK, its new Automatic Bag Making Machine is already helping Reform Plastic’s production capabilities. Managing director, Dave Waller, explained: “This machine has increased our production process significantly. It is already performing at a higher output than our existing machines and we have not yet used it to its full capacity.
“With such an improved metres-per-minute conversion rate we are fulfilling orders more quickly and invoice sales have increased, thus reducing our work in progress which takes up shop floor and racking space. We are a BRC accredited company and the quality of bag produced is vitally important. With this machine we are confident we will not sacrifice quality with the increased outputs. Our reaction time to orders is now far faster and we have added flexibility.”
Reform Plastics extrude, print and convert high, medium and low density polythene film and bags. Film is produced in the form of lay flat tube, centre fold sheet, single wound and double wound sheet. The film can be supplied in roll form or can be converted into bags, sleeves or sheets. These converted products are presented either boxed or tear-off on the roll.
When considering the purchase of the BMTEK ETL 1.4, Reform Plastics were very exact about their requirements. Working a 24-hour operation with a variety of films, it was essential that a new machine would be robust and reliable. It would also need to provide consistent production speeds, quick start-up and size changes.
The BMTEK machine features a motorised unwind to facilitate the movement of large and heavy reels. Designed to align with the height of a pallet for ease of loading the reel onto the motorised rollers, the system allows two or more reels to be loaded easily with no need for a shaft inside the reels. This makes it possible to utilise reels with damaged cores. A tear line perforation system is installed between the rubber rollers and the distance between perforations is adjusted through a roller for length control.
A password-protected touch screen controller is also included. This has the ability to implement and control a wide range of operations, including speed of cycle, bag length and repeat weld (sealing twice on the same bag).
With the help of Optimation, Reform Plastics sent some of their most challenging thin gauge film to the manufacturer for extensive trials. Waller added: “The results were superb. Extremely thin gauge film, i.e. 12 micron, is a very sensitive material, prone to jamming within the machine. The BMTEK machine had no such problems.”