July 2004
Imprint Wins 2004 Flexotech Award
Winner of the 2004 FlexoTech Award in the environmental category, Imprint Business Systems' WasteMaster control system provides printers and converters with a tool to monitor and control waste generation throughout the printing and manufacturing process. WasteMaster monitors waste continuously without the need for anyone to take ownership of gathering information as data capture is embedded within the system.
Comments Nick Bourne, Managing Director "Unqualified waste factors can be in the 4 to 7% range of raw materials. In order for printers and converters to effectively reduce waste levels, they have to be able to accurately determine the amount of waste generated on-line and understand the point at where various waste generators are located. Comparisons have to be made at a variety of locations: at the reel stand, during reel changes, during make ready, during the printing and converting stages and at the delivery end. In evaluating the impact of waste on every facet of the printing operation, from raw materials right through to waste disposal, a reduction in waste levels from 4 to 7%, for example, can have a significant impact on the bottom line".
Imprint mounts a series of non-invasive electronic sensors, "Sentinel" at various points on the machine or production line. The data captured is relayed back to the control system with the particular machine status. For example, if the machine is in make ready or running mode, its speed, the type of substrate being processed, copy count and meterage would be relayed. Waste data is broken down according to type and operation for instance, slab and core from reel-fed machines is recorded via a weighbridge, make-ready and running waste for various operations is measured by the sensors. All operations are in real time and data is available 'on-line'.
WasteMaster records data for incoming reels or pallets that are weighed validated and identified in the goods inwards area. The labels generated are used as identification for pallet and reel tracking and electronic physical stock checks including barcode shooting on the shop floor data capture station located on the press in-feed section. The weight, width, gsm, microns, supplier, order number, reel batch as it is presented to the machine is also identified.
WasteMaster can be supplied as a stand-alone system, within PrintMaster, Imprint's own MIS or it can be integrated within a company's existing MIS operation. The software is compatible for Microsoft Windows to provide greater flexibility. Because the Sentinel sensors are non-invasive there is no need to drill holes or alter the machine permitting any press or production line to be equipped with WasteMaster.