RPC, a rigid plastics packaging manufacturer based in Rushden, Northamptonshire is the latest company to install Meech International’s 929IPS static control bars in its working environment. Providing excellent ionisation for short to medium range applications, the bars were acquired in order to reduce congestion on production lines by eliminating static.
Established in 1991, RPC today has a presence in 19 countries, annual sales in excess of £1bn and sells its products into a wide variety of sectors, including healthcare, household, DIY and food service. The business answers the packaging needs of such diverse industries by specialising in three conversion processes: blow moulding, injection moulding and thermoforming.
”A few months ago, after the introduction of a new polymer in one of our UK factories, we started experiencing some issues on two of our blow moulding lines: one for the production of 5 litre oil containers, the other for 200 ml olive oil spray bottles,” explains Carl Boniface, Technical and Develop Manager for two of RPC’S blow moulding sites. “We noticed that the parisons on both lines were swinging badly and it soon became clear that this was due to the presence of static.”
He continues: “High levels of static can have a serious effect on parison alignment and therefore container quality, so it became a priority to find a solution that would ensure all traces of static would be eliminated. Luckily, I was already familiar with Meech’s range of static control equipment, as I’d employed their services for a similar issue we had on a blow-moulding line at the previous company I worked for. Upon consulting their expertise, we realised the 929IPS bar was the system we were looking for.”
The 929IPS is a compact pulsed DC ionising bar with Integrated Power Supply (IPS). A 24V plug and play bar, it provides excellent static elimination for short to medium range applications (up to 450 mm). The adjustable performance and compact dimensions of the bar are among the key benefits that led to RPC’s decision to install two systems on its blow-moulding lines approximately nine months ago. The constant spread of ions ensured total neutralisation from the parison extrusion head to the top of the mould tool, and therefore avoiding further oscillation and cases of failed delivery.
Carl also praises the bar for the relative ease of use. “We required no maintenance service on behalf of Meech with the installation of the 929IPS bars, as they are remarkably easy to set up,” he explains. “All we needed was advice on how far the system should be placed from the production lines – from there on, the devices do their job with minimal operator intervention.”
He concludes: “Over the past nine months the static bars have proven to be more than efficient, so I can say we’ve been very satisfied with both the quality of the equipment and the service provided. We’re confident that this installation will only benefit further the relationship between RPC and Meech.”
View 929IPS Hyperion Mid-Range Pulsed DC Ionising Bar Product Page.