PFFC - March 2009 - (Page 51) FILM CONVERTING ‘Product B,’ but we can finetune our product to meet the exact customer needs.” Bloomer’s overall production capabilities include mono and coextruded cast films; polyolefins and their copolymers, including polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), nylon, ethylene-methyl acrylate copolymer, ethylene vinyl acetate, acid copolymers, ionomers, ethylene vinyl alcohol, metallocenes, and other custom compounds. Markets served by Bloomer Plastics include packaging, graphic arts, protective films, automotive, metal protection, carpet, and textiles. “Most of our current markets are continuing to grow, especially automotive,” says Lundgren, noting that Bloomer currently has some significant annual sales in the automotive market, which has dropped in the current economy. Embossing Is Big uConverter Infot uBloomer Plastics | 1710 N. Industrial Dr., Bloomer, WI 54724 | 800-638-0479 | www. bloomerplastics.com One of Bloomer Plastics’ largest niches is the production of embossed films and sheets in thicknesses up to 70 mils; standard films are available from 0.9-mil to 40-mil. Bloomer and the average size is just converts film to 41-in. O.D., 6,000 lb—as little as four though standard rolls are 22 in. pallets of film. “Every prodThe company offers more uct we make is unique,” says than a dozen emboss patLundgren. Still, the compaterns, including matte, taffeta, ny’s average lead times are just diamond, frosted, dimple, 16 days, with a maximum of linen, leather grain, diamond three weeks. plate, polished, and woven. “When you look at most Materials the company can of the business we’ve aclaminate to its specialty films quired over the last four or include nonwovens, scrim, five years,” says Lundgren, chopped fiberglass, fabric, “we tend to get the business sandwiching composites, ribfrom major film companies. bon lamination, and other They may offer ‘Product A’ or substrates, including plastic. then laminate it to yet another product. That multi-step process proved inefficient and costly. “We basically now complete all of those steps in-line for the customer,” explains Lundgren. “We were able to save them the extra shipping costs to the inbetween converter, and the extra WWW.PFFC-ONLINE.COM To do so, Bloomer utilizes a range of converting equipment at its 80,000-sq-ft facility, including eight extrusion lines with heat laminating capabilities from Black Clawson, Davis-Standard, and Berlyn. Lundgren says cast embossed film increasingly is popular across all market segments because of specific advantages over blown film, including a more consistent film thickness, enhanced optical qualities, better dimensional stability, and contrasting directional properties in some applications. Specifically, says Lundgren, embossing can alter the surface properties of films to meet particular converter needs, and gloss levels also can be varied to attain the desired effect. Embossing also provides a better anchor for coatings and offers superior release properties for many substrates. “Embossed films add everything from a new decorative twist to the film or the packaging to efficiencies in filling and emptying the package,” says Lundgren. “There are a lot of benefits, and some of our customers are seeing there’s a need out there where embossed film might help.” Advantages of Vinyl Replacements Tools of The Trade Additional converting machinery at work in Bloomer Plastics’ Wisconsin facility includes the following equipment and accessories: uBeringer screen changers | Dynisco | www.dynisco.com PFFC-ASAP 326 uBlender | CRG Logics Inc. | www.crglogics.com PFFC-ASAP 327 uBlenders | Process Control Corp. | www.process-control.com PFFC-ASAP 328 uDies | Cloeren Inc. | www.cloeren.com PFFC-ASAP 329 uDies | Extrusion Dies Industries | www.extrusiondies.com PFFC-ASAP 330 uEdge detection | Ryeco Inc. | www.ryeco.com PFFC-ASAP 331 uFiberglass chopper | Finn & Fram Inc. | www.finnandfram.com PFFC-ASAP 332 uMeasurement & control systems | NDC Infrared Engineering | www.ndcinfrared.com PFFC-ASAP 333 energy costs of having to reheat the film. And because you’re not reheating the film, it’s as strong as it’s ever going to get right when it comes off our line. “Every time you reheat film, it loses some of its characteristics, so we’re able to give them a better product.” Another growth market for Bloomer is vinyl replacement films, which are manufactured to customer specifications. The film is manufactured with PE copolymers in thicknesses of 1.5–30.0 mil and widths up to 84 in. and available in a wide variety of colors, including clear and natural. The company also can incorporate a number of functional additives, such as ultraviolet inhibitors, anti-static, biodegradable, and fire retardants. Lundgren says Bloomer Plastics’ vinyl replacement films offer many advantages over conventional polyvinyl chloride films. For example, PE films are lower density, uPin perforator | Robert A. Main & Sons | www.ramsco-inc.com PFFC-ASAP 334 uRoll handling | Tilt-Lock | www.tiltlock.com PFFC-ASAP 335 uSlitting systems | Tidland | www.tidland.com PFFC-ASAP 336 uSurface treating | Pillar Technologies | www.pillartech.com PFFC-ASAP 337 uWeb cleaning | Simco | www.simco-static.com PFFC-ASAP 338 uWeb inspection | ISRA Surface Vision Inc. | www.isravision.com PFFC-ASAP 339 MARCH 2009 | 51 http://www.dynisco.com http://www.crglogics.com http://www.process-control.com http://www.cloeren.com http://www.extrusiondies.com http://www.ryeco.com http://www.bloomerplastics.com http://www.bloomerplastics.com http://www.finnandfram.com http://www.ndcinfrared.com http://www.ramsco-inc.com http://www.tiltlock.com http://www.tidland.com http://www.pillartech.com http://www.simco-static.com http://www.isravision.com http://WWW.PFFC-ONLINE.COM
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