Innovating with Safety and Performance NEWW Packaging & Display, based in central Massachusetts, has been a staple in the packaging industry since 1834. Currently employing 130 people and serving 700 customers, they are dedicated to delivering high-quality products and services. Their Gardner facility boasts multiple flexographic printers operating three shifts, five to six days a week, to meet the demands of their quality-focused clientele. As a family-owned business, they emphasize innovation and safety, continually investing in innovative technology to exceed customer expectations.
Their recent preference for plastic doctor blades over steel is highlighted by their switch from ceramic tip steel blades to TruPoint doctor blades by Flexo Concepts, specifically the TruPoint EDGE blade. This move underscores their commitment to both safety and performance.
Historically, their five-color flexographic-oriented machines have used ceramic tip steel blades for precise metering. However, recognizing the need for improved safety and performance, they adopted TruPoint doctor blades. The latest model, TruPoint EDGE, has proven to be a significant advancement.
The shift to TruPoint was driven primarily by safety concerns. Ceramic blades, while effective, were extremely sharp and posed risks to press operators, who experienced cuts and difficulties when positioning new blades. Ben Urquhart, Sales Manager, noted, “It’s great to have a blade that can be handled with minimal physical risk. Human safety and machine safety are paramount.”
In addition to safety, the TruPoint EDGE blade has surpassed expectations in performance and durability. Initially skeptical about whether a plastic blade could match the quality and lifespan of ceramic blades, New England Wooden Ware found the TruPoint EDGE to be comparable, offering hundreds of hours of service while maintaining print quality.
Several NEWW flexo presses print in five colors with a double-bladed carbon-fiber ink chamber metering system. The TruPoint EDGE blades have proven to be gentler on the machinery, particularly the ceramic anilox rolls and should last for many years. Steel blades, by contrast, have the potential to damage anilox rolls or wear them down prematurely with excessive doctor blade pressure ruining relatively new rolls.
Ben Bounsouk, Pressroom Operator, NEWW, added, “If you’re looking to protect and extend the life of your anilox rollers, I highly recommend switching from steel doctor blades to TruPoint plastic doctor blades. We have seen remarkable improvements, including our anilox rollers doubled in lifespan. In one of our newer machines, we’ve managed to get two extra years of use, saving us over $6,000. Upgrading to TruPoint has made a significant impact on our bottom line and operational efficiency.”
The adoption of TruPoint EDGE has also enhanced printing performance, maintaining high print quality while contributing to more efficient and cost-effective operations. As NEWW continues to innovate, their investment in TruPoint EDGE exemplifies their ongoing commitment to safety and excellence in the corrugated converting industry.
