„We were surprised by the large number of visitors. Both the volume and the quality of the interested parties and customers exceeded our expectations.” said Rainer Mestermann, managing director of the company. Sometimes there was not a single spot available at the Mahlo booth and that at almost 90 m2 exhibition space. The Mahlo team had their hands full managing to serve all interested parties at the ITMA Asia.

The uncluttered, open and generous booth architecture attracted the visitors and invited to come and stay.

Innovations and concept studies

Of course, the visitors were primarily interested in innovations and new products and, as usual, Mahlo had something to offer here. The following innovations were presented to the visitors:

Straightening segment

Straightening and process control system ORTHOPAC XRVMC-12 Amongst others, a demonstration system with circulating product web was presented. Here the new straightening concept ORTHOPAC XRVMC-12 was displayed at its best. As the first and only straightening system it offers the advantageous combination of simultaneous feedforward and feedback control of the straightening process. The multiple straightening units, selectable independently from each other, guarantee optimal monitoring with even faster and more precise straightening results. “Right first time production” thus comes within close reach and contributes to lowered costs.

Pattern control system Patcontrol PCS-12 The camera aided system registers the lie of the pattern, monitors design repeat automatically and continuously, measures the width of the material, and realigns the pattern with the help of a straightening machine.

Passive pin wheel straightening machine Orthofact RMB-12 / RFMB-12 Mahlo includes the pin straightening wheel once more in the portfolio of straightening systems. The device exhibits some new and fresh ideas compared with known technology. For example, the counterforce produced by a spring always ensures the uniform and symmetric alignment of the pin wheels. Elaborate lever constructions requiring intensive maintenance can thus be dispensed with. An infinitely variable unclipping roller minimises residual bow and edge distortions. The intelligent drive station with special voltage control for smallest product distortion activates or deactivates automatically (e.g. in case of blockages). A bypass function is available at the push of a button for products that cannot be straightened with the pin wheel. In addition, there is a version with combined roller straightening machine (RFMB-12) for customers who need to use both system according to the articles.

Product inspection segment

Automatic defect inspection Webscan WIS-12

The automatic defect detection system, already successfully employed in the textile and nonwovens area, was presented with a wall installation in its revised and improved design. Especially the aspects of modularity and user-friendliness of the system were revised. All components of the Webscan WIS-12 can now be scaled according to individual demand without exception. Operation and handling was significantly simplified, especially in the area of the defect classification. Defect patterns now enable the operator to simply classify defects allowing similar defects to be found in the next pass.

Process control segment

Cylinder dryer control Atmoset SMT-12

The Atmoset SMT-12 from Mahlo enables to product-dependent control of the heating capacity of cylinder dryers. With these dryers the heating capacity is usually optimised to the heaviest product. Because the web speed or the capacity cannot be simply adjusted for lighter products, the product is dried excessively and much energy is wasted. Mahlo has found a means of controlling the capacity of the drier in a quick, simple and reliable manner through residual moisture measurement and feedback of the condensate temperature of the drying cylinders.