Netstal USA

Are you ready to save some money?  Then why not try using the NSC.  Okay, so what is NSC stand for?  The Netstal Support Concept is a bundle of services that are geared to getting the most our of your Netstal machines.  This can range from machine inspection and calibration to operator and maintenance training, spare parts packages, machine move packages, and so on.  Learn more by going to www.netstal.com/service/netstal-support-concept/. 

Over the next few months, we will be featuring our Go Green with Netstal package which includes energy usage reporting, maximizing your process for the highest output with the lowest energy usage, and our energy monitoring software that can be added to your Netstal machine.  In addition to these services, we also offer special parts kits such as our 6 month maintenance kit which includes all of the parts needed for the factory recommended maintenance.  This kit is specially priced so that you can get all of the parts you need at a discount versus buying them individually.  Doing this routine maintenance will help make sure that your machine is operating as efficiently as possible, thus saving you energy in the process.

To learn more about our NSC services, please contact us at info@netstal-usa.com. 

As the growth of single serve dairy bottles continues to go up, there is a demand for new technology to feed this market.  One new technology co-developed by Netstal is called PreLactia.  Using an over molding process, two layers of PET are injected, producing a bottle with a white outside and a black inside.  The black provides a light barrier for the milk, allowing increased shelf life without using expensive additives.  After the black inner layer is molded, the white is over molded, producing a bottle that looks great.  In addition because the black layer goes all the way to the top of the bottle, the need for a foil seal is eliminated.

Netstal developed this technology with French moldmaker Molmassa and plastics material suppler Novapet.  At the present time, systems are running in Europe with more planned for right here in North America.  The 24+24 cavity system uses a Netstal SynErgy 2C machine and a "shuttle" mold to produce these preforms.  We are very excited about this new technology and are more than ready to share it with you.  You can check out more at our website.  Please contact us at networking@netstal-usa.com for more information or to set up a meeting.

We are often presented with projects that will only be successful if there is close coordination between the injection molding machine supplier, mold maker, and the downstream automation supplier.  In many of the cases, the project has moved very far along and we are called in to supply a molding machine that fits the already determined criteria.  While this may seem like a good idea since many machine suppliers are just that, machine suppliers, it does not allow you to get the most out Netstal.  With our vast applications know-how, Netstal can often save customers considerable time and money by being involved upfront.  For example, if we can have a say in how a mold is built, we can possibly choose a smaller machine that not only is less to purchase, but costs less money to run over the entire term of the project (and this is often years!).

Another thing to consider is saving time and eliminating finger pointing.  A great real-life example of this was a company that had two projects for similar parts and were being managed by different facilities.  The first division started out 2 months before their sister division, but opted to do the project themselves.  This second division decided to purchase the entire system turnkey.  Even after starting two months later, the turnkey system was in production several weeks earlier than the other system and today it runs with far greater speed and efficiency.  By placing the responsibility on one company, things get done efficiently and there is no blame game from one supplier to another.

The benefits of systems go on and on.  Check out the link to our Netstal Support Concept netstal.com/service/netstal-support-concept/ for more information. 

What types of experiences have you had?  We would like to hear from you.  Do you have a project that could benefit from this approach?  Let us know!

The demonstration room here at Netstal USA has been a beehive of activity for the past few weeks as we prepare two systems for the upcoming NPE.  Our technical team has been putting in lots of hours as they work alongside our automation partners getting everything ready.  We are very excited to be able to show two systems featuring our ELION (http://www.netstal-usa.com/products/general-applications/elion/index.html) in very fast, packaging applications.

We hope to see you all at NPE and if you are going, be sure to stop by the CBW and Ilsemann booths in the South Hall.

After spending time to modify the machine design based on customer feedback of the beta machines, Netstal is proud to release the all-new EVOS machine for sale.  Three clamp sizes are available, 350, 450, and 550 metric tons.  As the follow-on to the very successful SynErgy line, the EVOS promises to deliver the same high performance and reliability expected from Netstal.  The EVOS will offer many new, innovative designs to give you reduced energy consumption and even higher injection speed, topping out at close to 1,400mm/s (55 in./sec.)!

The first machines will be shipping to the USA in June with one of them bound for our demonstration facility in Devens, MA.  As always, visitors are welcome to check out this machine as well as the other machines we have available for testing and evaluation.  Located about an hour from Boston, we are easy to get to and feature all the materials needed for a successful trial. Come check us out!

So, here is a question many of us have been pondering, how will NPE 2009 turn out?  Now that the shock of the recession has subsided and all of us have gotten used to the idea of a slowing economy, we have a chance to view things somewhat objectively.  After a few weeks on the road and asking customers and contacts, it appears that many people who have attended in the past, are deciding to stay home this year.  Of course, this is by no means a scientific study, but if these companies are any indication of what to expect, we could be seeing a very poor turnout.  When we asked why they would not attend, we were surprised by the answers.  While a few mentioned the economy, most of the comments had more to do with a lack of new technology being exhibited.  They pointed out that the new technology is now reserved for the K-Show in Dusseldorf.  Does this mean that NPE has been relegated to second class status in the world of Plastics events?  Or is this just a temporary blip?

I think our industry has matured to the point where the technological advances come at a slower pace and that showcases that happened once a year are no longer needed.  For sure, the consolidation we have seen over the past 5 years will continue so that there may not be a need for 3 large shows (one each in Europe, North America, and Asia).  I suppose this remains to be seen and a few months from now, we will look back at NPE 2009 and make our judgements.

What do you think?   Is NPE still relevant?  We would like to know your thoughts.

We at Netstal USA have entered the "blog-o-sphere"!  We have seen a pretty fast shift in how using the Internet has become acceptable as part of our business.  For example, over the past 18 months, the use of web conferences has increasd greatly.  As little as a year ago, the idea of using a web conference to discuss a very complicated project was not considered acceptable.  Today, in many cases it is not only accepted, it is expected as you need to keep these fast tracked projects on schedule using partners from all around the world. Face to face meetings are just not always practical.

As the plastics industry matures in this very difficult climate, how we communicate with our contacts is changing as well.  So we thought it best for us to increase our exposure on the web.  You can find us on Facebook, LinkedIn, FlickR and Twitter.  Over the coming weeks, we will add posts on happenings and developments at Netstal USA as well as other injection molding related topics.  While Netstal has decided to forgo a booth at this year's NPE, we are still committed to the North American market and we have a lot going on to help our customers improve and become more efficient.  We invite you to check here often to see what's new.  In addition, we welcome your input and involvement as well. 

Team Netstal