By Erin Judge, managing editor, PostPress

Baumer hhs, Krefeld, Germany, has introduced Xact Easyfold, the latest advancement in water scoring technology for packaging production. The system enables precise folding and gluing of challenging materials with high bending stiffness – like corrugated and solid cardboard – while maintaining exceptional process stability. Users can achieve very tight tolerances on specialty folder-gluers, even with complex folding/gluing – benefiting the entire process chain, especially filling and packing.

“In today’s production, increasingly stiff substrates are being processed on specialty folder-gluers. As a result, precision has become an even greater challenge in the folder-gluer process. At the same time, error tolerance is shrinking because brand owners are placing rising demands on the quality of their packaging,” explained Thomas Walther, head of corporate strategy and innovation at Baumer hhs. “With Xact Easyfold, packaging manufacturers can reduce bending stiffness along score lines and temporarily increase elasticity. Specialty folder-gluers now can execute consistent folds with virtually no force – and without affecting the surface quality of the materials they process for customers.”

Consistent and High-Precision Glued Joints

To reduce the bending stiffness of packaging materials, the SW-600 Easyfold precision applicator applies very narrow streams of scoring fluid along the score lines. At low machine speeds, it optionally can apply dotted lines to avoid excessive wetting. The folding liquid is delivered to the system through a pressure-regulated feed unit with a broad control range, allowing the application to be precisely calibrated to match machine speed and the required liquid volume.

The scoring fluid consists of water with an added surfactant, which reduces the surface tension of the packaging material along the score lines. Instead of just remaining on the surface, the liquid immediately can penetrate the fibers of the substrate, significantly yet temporarily reducing bending stiffness in a defined area. The folder-gluer then can precisely fold a carton along the wetted lines, adhering to even the tightest dimensions.

In many cases, this method can enhance the package’s appearance and reduce cracking, especially when finishing operations are conducted in low humidity conditions. Water scoring increases elasticity and considerably reduces the spring back forces of the glue flaps. This stabilizes glued joints and prevents unwanted opening of the flaps, even for packages with small dimensions.

“The Easyfold system prevents asymmetrical folding (fishtailing), which causes deviations in the inner and outer dimensions of the packaging. This issue often causes problems in the filling process, particularly with thin materials and tight tolerances. Under some circumstances, it even can make packaging unusable,” commented Walther.

Because water scoring reduces the spring back forces of the glue flaps, it also allows for a significant reduction of adhesive. Until now, manufacturers often compensated for these forces by applying more adhesive, especially for corrugated and solid cardboard.

By delivering symmetrically folded boxes, water scoring increases efficiency and productivity along the entire value chain. 

For more information, visit www.baumerhhs.com.