ATE presents its proven solutions at PlastIndia 2018

At PlastIndia 2018, ATE presented its full spectrum of printing and converting industry solutions. The products included ATEX certified static charge eliminators, static charging systems, online static monitoring, ink circulating and conditioning systems, waste heat recovery systems, register control systems, vision / defect detection systems, and plant conditioning / ventilation systems. Ashok Sethuram, Director, Valence Electrons, an ATE group company and Anand Mehta, Vice President and Head – Print and Packaging Equipment (Operations) ATE, were present for a discussion on the group’s exhibits as well as the scope and potential of these solutions in the Indian market.

ATE, with a history of over 75 years, begun with the part it played in the nation’s freedom movement by selling high-quality German textile machinery to make a dent in the British monopoly of the industry. Over the years, the company has grown into the multifaceted engineering enterprise it is today, involved in manufacturing, industrial sales, distribution and service as well as managing turnkey projects. ATE has over three decades of experience in the print and packaging segment offering equipments and accessories.

Controlling and removing static electricity, ink handling and conditioning systems, recovery of waste heat, surface cleaning and removal of dust from substrates are the focus areas for Valence Electrons. Ashok Sethuram explained, “We are proud to launch the ATEX certified static charge eliminators, static charging systems and online static charge monitoring systems at PlastIndia. We are the first Indian manufacturing company to offer ATEX certified static charge eliminators. These are highly efficient static eliminating bars, designed for neutralizing electrostatic charges from fast moving films, paper and other non-conductive substrates (webs) in hazardous conditions. Online static monitor and online static measuring systems provide indication and alarms by measuring electrostatic charges on a moving web. Charging electrodes and high voltage generators are most useful to enhance production by creating a temporary bond/attraction between two materials, one of which is an insulator.”

Print and Packaging Equipment (PPE), a business unit of ATE Enterprises, is the only Indian manufacturer of register controllers for rotogravure presses according to Anand Mehta. Register controllers have been the mainstay of PPE, however, new product additions include vision systems to monitor print during production runs. Anand Mehta explained that, “For rotogravure printers either there is an entry-level web video or a 100% print inspection system. Full repeat web viewing system, which could monitor full width of the web in real-time was a need for many years, particularly in the Indian market. The 55” 4K monitor displaying images of 50+ megapixels resolution results in ‘near-print quality’ web visualisation. The ViewAXIS Tera was an idea given by a few of printers and OEM’s. They said can we have an intermediate system which in stage 2 can be upgraded to a 100% print inspection system. The advantage of doing this is two-fold, first operators get to learn to identify the defects on a full print repeat monitoring system and second is the staggering investment for the business. DetectAXIS a 100% print defect detection system quickly spots printing defects that are practically invisible to unassisted human eye in real time by comparing the captured images with a golden template. When a defect is spotted, DetectAXIS generates an alarm and warnings, and the operator can take necessary corrective actions. DetectAXIS thus ensures consistent defect free and high print quality material dispatch.”

This suite of specialized solutions from ATE will witness higher demand as the Indian market upgrades to higher level of operational efficiency in the days ahead.