Preferred Systems Inc. (PSI) Calls on Pillar Technologies for Corona Solutions
The Challenge
Preferred Systems Inc. (PSI), located in Hartford, Wisconsin, is a maker of coaters, laminators, unwinds, rewinds, dryers, and between color dryers.
PSI faced a problem when their customer application demanded user-friendly corona treaters with the flexibility to treat PE, PP, BOPP, OPP, PET, LLDPE, and Nylon, while operating at 1,100 fpm line speeds – achieving a consistent 44-dyne level. PSI’s customer also needed the “built-in” capability of expanding the treating application in the future – all in one system. As a result, PSI wanted to source out a corona treating manufacturer whose equipment was designed with the versatility to satisfy every one of PSI’s customer needs.
Jeff Otto, President and CEO of PSI, explains, “factor in all of our customer requirements and now try to find a corona treater that retrofits smoothly into our system design with an easy install. Basically, we need a corona treater with extreme flexibility, compact and virtually effortless, with room for growth. Pillar was the only company that could accomplish all of this and more.”
The Solution
The solution was found in Pillar’s Universal bare roll Surface Treater, coupled with the new, high-powered P6000 Power Supply. Pillar’s Universal Surface Treater and P6000 Power Supply went beyond PSI’s needs by offerings the only treater on the market with a patented modular interchangeable electrode assembly that provides the versatility to treat any substrate with just one station. The Universal system can be configured to run bare roll, covered roll, or dual-dielectric by means of its unique patented electrode design. The P6000 Power Supply provides the best industry turn-down ratio to meet all power densities required.
Otto explained that he liked that Pillar’s systems features a microprocessor-based diagnostics program that walks the end-user through any troubleshooting situation. In addition to this, the standard Universal system includes easy air gap adjustment, pneumatic electrode thread-up for on-line maintenance, easy roll removal, dynamically balanced treater rolls, a variety of roll coverings, and four separate interchangeable electrode configurations to treat any substrate. These key features were compactly packaged in an effective program to deliver incredible value to the PSI end-user.
The Outcome & Benefits
“It’s all about customer satisfaction,” explains Otto at a recent interview at CMM’99 in Chicago, “our customer is relying on us [PSI] to give them the highest quality product to meet their specific needs. Pillar continually demonstrated their willingness to work with us, and offered solutions for our customer prior to the sale.” Tests were performed in the Pillar Technologies research and development lab in Hartland, Wisconsin, which proved positive for PSI.
Although superior machinery performance stood out to PSI, they were also impressed with the level of professionalism that Pillar displayed. Optimizing on their after-sale theory of “customers first”, Pillar’s standard comprehensive service program ensures PSI will have 24 hour ‘direct from the factory support’ 365 days a year. “The price tag of the equipment is directly related to the long-term price paid when you have unresponsive service. We know that Pillar will meet or exceed our expectations,” says Otto.
OEMs like PSI have found the Universal Surface Treater effortless in installation, compact, and can be easily retrofitted onto various locations on their line. This flexibility gives PSI the comfort in knowing they can confidently provide Pillar’s Universal station and P6000 series to any customer, regardless of specifications, while providing optimum quality and after-sale support.
