To optimise its processes even further, the decision was made to acquire the Nepata rewinding machine with slitting function UA 1850 E ADWS, kicking off the largest 3M sun protection film project in Europe. The glass façade of the 105-metre-high Messeturm in Basel was fitted with window film to achieve an annual energy saving of approximately 30 %.
With the Nepata UA 1850 E ADWS, the precise pre-cutting of the original 3M rolls made it possible to achieve almost 100 % material utilisation, since the high-priced films could be slit to the respective widths required and thus optimally prepared for the exact cutting by the Zünd plotter. Like many other sensitive sun protection, security and privacy films, the film used for the Messeturm also had to remain on its original core for storage, in order to avoid tunnelling and dirt inclusions and to ensure dimensional stability. By slitting off the surplus film width, leftovers could be stored in their original condition and used for later projects, which resulted not only in cost reduction but also in maximum waste reduction.
“The Nepata UA 1850 E ADWS had already paid for itself by the time the project was completed. On top of that, we can now offer our customers even more services and thereby expand our portfolio!”
(Stefan Holenstein, CEO Signvision)
Labelling the leftover rolls is no problem thanks to the machine's accompanying ConvertPlus software, which, alongside correct labelling, also enables flawless batch tracking as well as linking the technical data sheets for the end customer directly on the label.
By now, the Nepata UA 1850 E ADWS is mainly used at Signvision for supplying customers with cut-to-length goods, but it also offers various advantages for internal processes and thus the company's profitability: thanks to the Nepata rewinding and slitting machine, rolls can now be sourced from manufacturers in maximum width without having to use their costly cutting service. This is a significant cost factor especially with high-priced tinting films, which can be lowered by slitting in-house. Furthermore, freight costs are reduced through the purchase of larger rolls and the resulting reduced volumetric weight.
Besides the functional advantages of the machine, CEO Stefan Holenstein is also extremely satisfied with Nepata's service. To achieve perfect results, Fabian Franke visited Gossau once more after handing over the rewinding machine with slitting function, in order to fine-tune the details and take the customer's feedback into account for the next development steps.
