Pro-M: Multi value platform for packaging
After taking over the activities of Kontex twelve months ago, Leybold Optics is now offering systems for the coating of flexible materials. Thanks to its extensive know-how in the field of coating technologies, the German manufacturer has, even after this short period of time, come out on top and left its competitors trailing. In China alone Leybold's new business division of Web Coating has sold more than twenty systems for the coating of capacitor and packaging films within this year, which equals a market share of more than 60 per cent.
'Our company has been able to position itself well', says Dr. Reinhard Fischer, LO Web Coating Sales Director. He believes that customers world-wide have been convinced by the reliability and the easy handling of Pro-M. 'Leybold systems stand for high throughput and high-quality coatings at low cost of ownership.' In his view that, combined with an outstanding customer support, is the recipe for success that has put Leybold at the top of the web league in China.
LO Web Coating does not intend to rest on its laurels. New Asian markets have been made out. Fischer expects a second growth market to develop in India. 'There is a huge potential hidden there', the expert feels certain. Since the name of Leybold has always been connected with perfect service, the Alzenau based company first went looking for a partner for customer services. With Reifenhäuser Marketing Ltd. India a competent partner has already been found. 'They have lots of experience in the field of winding technology and provide a very good service', Fischer is full of praise.
In business, you always have to be one step ahead. Leybold is therefore already developing the next generation of its coating systems for packaging materials. Although the current Pro-M series can captivate its customers with absolute flexibility, this basic concept is to be further extended in the second generation. For Leybold, flexibility means well thought-out ideas down to the last detail. For example, LO offers full web width coating avoiding the standard edge masking and later edge trim.
Like other Leybold systems, Pro-M is based on a variable component structure. Custom-made systems at favourable prices are the result of this policy. Here Pro-M is among those systems that offer the greatest number of varieties. Coating materials on a polypropylene basis (CPP and BOPP), polyester (PET), or paper - Pro-M has many talents. Leybold customers are not limited in the choice of their coating materials either: Whether they use aluminium or aluminium oxide - the system does not mind.
The newest and most interesting feature about the Leybold system are not the various options themselves, even though thanks to their performance they definitely deserve to be noticed, but the unique combination of all options, substrates and processes on a single platform. LO developers have managed this balancing act, although in the process of metallising paper and the sensitive CPP, for example, make completely different demands on the processing system. Pro-M can quickly and easily be switched from the CPP mode, which prevents thermal damage to films, to the hot stamping mode, which avoids mechanical damage. For the coating of papers large rolls with a diameter of up to 1.5 metres can be metallised. In the second generation Leybold meets customers' demands for a printing system with a new FlexoPrintTechnology. Here a small amount of oil is used to obtain free areas in metallisation. This method usually produces view windows, but basically any conceivable pattern is possible.
Heat-sensitive or non-sensitive substrates, plastics, or paper: with the coming generation of the Pro-M series the renowned powerful boat evaporator will remain the core of any packaging system made by Leybold. In all probability, the plasma treatment system, the preliminary treatment of the substrate with oxygen, and the fast and efficient pumping system will not be changed either. The further development of the Pro-M series will be reflected in seemingly small details. But it is these small details that make the systems from Alzenau real masterpieces. With their refinements they are the embodiment of the legendary German workmanship that lasts a really long time and even after many years of operation meets the highest demands on economy and quality.
