Since few months Burckhardt of Switzerland started to manufacture perforating rings made of POM (Polyoxymethylene) for cold needle perforation.
The main advantage of using POM polymer instead of metal is a huge reduction of weight. Comparing a normal perforating ring of metal (aluminium core and brass outer ring) having a width of 100mm and an inner diameter of 80mm, the weight of the POM ring with the same dimensions is 400g and the weight of the metal ring is 1’700g! This weight difference of more than 1kg per perforating ring means the following:
– Lower weight equals to lower transportation costs and results in a smaller ecological footprint.
– When using idle/non-motorised roller, a lower weight and thus lower mass of the perforating roller eases start and stop of perforating process. This has a positive effect on perforating results. Holes will have a round shape rather than an oval shape.
– A shaft equipped with 16 POM rings has less deflection as there are approx. 20kg less weight. The effect will be a more homogeneous perforation pattern (hole diameter) on the total film width (left-middle-right).
– Last but not least, the purchase price of a POM perforating ring will be approx. 5% lower than a metal ring.
With this new offering the clients have the option of improving the quality of perforation in their final product, saving money as well as contributing a small measure to a better environment.
