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General

  • Can the IQ Manager be connected to my machine interface?

    Analogue and digital inputs, outputs and several serial fieldbus protocols can be used. Also Ethernet and USB ports are available for many functions.

  • What is a suitable label for IML (In Mould Labeling)?

    The label is a very critical factor in the application of electrostatic in-mould labeling. The label must have a good surface resistance that is high enough to hold a static charge. On the other hand, the surface resistance should not be too high. Otherwise, high static charges might already occur during the production of the labels, causing problems when separating the individual labels from the handling tool.

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    IMLTechniques.pdf
  • How can the IML (In Mould Labeling) process be conducted with maximum effectiveness?

    Speed and reliability are usually very decisive factors in the efficiency of the IML process. In order to optimize both of these factors, a number of restrictions can be minimized. Minimizing the capacitance of the charging circuit: All components, electrodes, cable and charging generator used in an electrostatic IML circuit, together constitute a large capacitor having a particular capacitance. Before the label is being charged, the capacitor needs to be charged first. This takes time. By reducing the capacitance to a minimum, time can be saved. This can be achieved by using a charging generator CMME placed closely to the IML electrodes or on the handling arm. As a result the capacitance is limited, since no long cables are deployed and a smaller generator with less capacitance can be used.

    download

    IMLTechniques.pdf
  • What is IML (In Mould Labeling)?

    IML is a process step in the injection moulding process. A robot picks up a pre-printed label and places it in the mould, where it is fixed by means of electrostatic charging. After closing the mould, injection moulding of the product begins. During this process the label is fixed together with the finished product.

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    IMLTechniques.pdf
  • Regarding charging: when should I charge negatively or positively?

    This depends on the material, if the material naturally charges negatively and you want to increase the charge then we recommend a negative generator.

  • Your equipment is “shockproof” and touch-proof, but why am I still getting an electric shock?

    Not everything is shockproof, think of a 1/2 ss or charging bar. In addition, if the bar is not properly grounded, you can get a shock.

  • Why do I need a shielded cable?

    Protection of the high voltage cable.

  • If I peel a sticker from release liner it will stick to my hand, is this also static charge?

    Yes, friction by separating materials produces a static charge.

  • My herbs stick to the plastic lid is this due to static charge?

    If the lid is statically charged, the herbs can be attracted.

  • My electronics in the machine are defective (f.e. printing heads, PCB’s and RFID tags) can a static charge be the cause?

    Yes, this could be due to ESD effects.

  • Can granulate also be statically charged and why?

    This is possible, for example through friction.

  • I suffer from static charge, how do I get the right advice/help?

    Contact Simco-ION, so we can help the person and/or refer them to the right person/agent.

  • Can someone come by without obligation to provide me with advice and to take measurements? Who should I turn to then?

    Initially to customer service. They will direct you to the right agent.

  • What about the certification (CE)?

    All Simco-ION products are (CE) certified.

  • I have an urgent problem, can Simco-ION help quickly and how?

    (Video) calling for example. When a visit is required, this can be done by the agent. If this is not possible, you will be led by technical sales.

  • Can I get technical support within Simco?

    Yes, this is possible. Initially through customer service. If customer service cannot answer the question, it will go through our very experienced technical sales department.

  • Does Simco has a representative in my country?

    Simco-ION can offer service worldwide; see www.simco-ion.co.uk for EMEA region, see www.simco-ion.com for USA, see www.simcoion.jp for Japan and see www.simco-ion.cn for China.

  • Can I also use the FMX-004 in a Hazardous Locations (ATEX) environment?

    No, this is not allowed. For this we recommend our In-line measurement; Sensor IQ Easy 2.0 EX.

  • Can I connect a 50 Hz power supply to a 60 Hz mains frequency?

    Thit is not recommended, running a 50 Hz power supply at 60 Hz, will cause the equipment to wear faster and the output voltage will be higher intended conversely connecting a 60 Hz to 50 Hz causes the ouput voltage to be lower, the output is likely to be less effective.

  • One or both indicator lights of the A-Power Unit does not light up! what to do?

    That can be found on page 16 of the user manual A-Unit.

    Download

    A-Unit UM
  • Can I connect several 24 volt bars together?

    Multiple 24V bars can be connected through a DIN rail power supply. This is also possible through an IQ manager.

  • Does the speed of the product matter which type of bar is needed?

    Yes, this can be found on page 12 of the Catalogue.

  • Can I remove HE Nozzles from the high voltage cable to clean them?

    No, this is not possible.

  • What is the best way to clean your Simco-ION equipment?

    With a hard, non-metallic brush, available at Simco-ION partnumber 2000430001. if heavily fouled: clean the anti-static bar with isopropyl alcohol (Allow the anti-static bar to dry entirely, before energising again)

  • When does a product get charged positive or negatively?

    This is determined by nature (properties of the material). See the triboelectrical series below.

  • How do I check if the static charge has decreased?

    By measuring with a FMX-004 before and after the material passes an ionisation bar. In-line measuring can be done with a Sensor IQ bar combined with an IQ Manager. Datalogging with the Manager IQ can report exactly how much (residual)charge is left on the product.

  • When do I use which type of bar?

    This depends on many factors; working distance, available space in the machine, ambient temperature etc.

  • Can I measure static electricity on metalized foils?

    Static measurements with a fieldmeter (FMX-004) are not reliable. The metal layer is conductive.

  • What is static electricity?

    Static electricity is electricity that occurs in bad- or non-conducting matter like many plastics. In these isolating materials an electrical charge can be induced by different types of actions. These actions that cause static-electricity are usually based upon friction between materials or seperation of materials. The static charge or static electricity does not move, hence the word static, and since it does not move or flow it is not possible to neutralize by means of earthing the material(connecting to earth). A static Voltage can exist between charged spots on the same material, the material and earth and the material and other material because of difference in the number of electrons and protons. This voltage can be measured. The static discharge of the material(spots) can often be seen and heard as a spark.

  • Is static electricity visible?

    The presence of static electricity can not be seen without the aid of a conducting element or method to make the static electricity move or neutralize (partially). This flowing or discharging of the object can be seen and heard and the discharge normally makes a spark. This spark can, when strong enough, both be seen and heard. In production environments the high static charge can be seen as a “glow” surrounding the material.

  • Is static electricity ac or dc?

    Static electricity is a form of dc electricity or better a dc charge. The container of this charge usually is an isolator with negative or positive charged molecules on the surface. This charge is steady and not alternating in polarity. On the same isolating surface however there can be multiple “spots” that contain a charge with a different polarity. So on a surface there can be both one or more negative and one or more positive polarity charges but the charge itself does not change in polarity in time and is therefor a dc charge.

  • Is static electricity harmful?

    Static electricity is a form of electricity and when discharging it consists of an electrical current. Usually this electrical current is small(smaller than 1mA). It is low in potential harmful energy but it is high in Voltage, usually some kilovolts. The effects of static electricity normally are considered to be more annoying than being dangerous but for sure it can be harmfull to people.

  • Is static electricity dangerous?

    Static electricity is a form of electricity and when discharging it consists of an electrical current. Usually this electrical current is small (smaller than 1mA). It is low in potential harmful Energy but it is high in Voltage, usually some kilovolts. The effects of static electricity normally are considered to be more annoying than being dangerous but for sure it can be harmfull to people. More detailed information about the dangers of static electricity and electricity in general on the body can be found in pdf below.

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    Static-electricity
  • Does the weather influence static electricity?

    The weather influences the level of static electricity because of the humidity conditions in the air. The humidity conditions make the flow of charge more or less easy and therefor is the weather a strong influence on the level of static charge. In humid conditions a high charge can more easily move since water is a strong conductor and therefor more easily find a way to balance hence reduce to zero. In “dry” weather charges move less easy and the buildup and discharge create normally a stronger spark. There are many factors from the weather that influence the buildup and discharge of static electricity.

  • Do cat hair and dog hair attract to my clothing because of static charge?

    Charged objects attract dust and small particles and also hair from your cat or dog or other pets. This is because the fabric of your clothing is synthetic meaning that they are not natural fibers but man-made by means of joining monomers into polymers. Some of the polymers used in your clothing are polyester, fleece, polyamide or nylon and these can generate and/or hold a static charge and therefor attract dust and hair from your pets.

  • Is dust attracted by static electricity?

    Static charge on objects attracts dust(and other small particles) from the surrounding area. Dust is being attracted towards all objects that hold a high enough static charge. Old TV’s were the best example that a charge attracts dust. These old TV’s had a charge of up to 30kV and were after a few years completely polluted with dust.

    Objects in your home can be charged with high voltages and therefore attract dust from the surrounding.

    In Industrial surroundings static charge on a material can build up along the process. Friction between idle rollers and film or the cooling process of objects creates a charge. Each new friction or temperature change accumulates charge. Charges can rapidly become very high. Charges over 100 kV are not uncommon. Static charge on material will attract particles from the surrounding. This is usually dust, but can also be other contaminates including small flies. In most cases this is unwanted and should be prevented. Special care should be taken when films run close to the floor because attraction of dust is inevitable. Solutions can be found by means of installing  anti-static equipment and Simco anti-static bars. Please have a look here to find a suitable solution to your problem.

  • Can people be charged with static electricity?

    Static electricity is produced when the positive and negative charges of an atom are out of balance. Some objects such as wool, glass, human skin and hair are more likely to accumulate electric charges and have static electricity. Usually this electrical is discharging (smaller than 1mA). It is low in potential harmful Energy but it is high in Voltage, usually some kilovolts. The effects of static electricity normally are considered to be more annoying than being dangerous but for sure it can be harmfull to people. More detailed information about the dangers of static electricity and electricity in general on the body can be found here. Static electricity can be discharged by means of a anti static bar or ioniser, please have a look at our solutions for static electricity pages to find your solution.

  • How is static electricity generated?

    Static electricity is the result of an imbalance between negative and positive charges in an object. When completely in balance no charge can be measuerd. Imbalanced charges can build up on the surface of an object until they find a way to be released or discharged by sparks or other means. Rubbing certain materials against one another is one way to create a static charge by transfering negative charges, or electrons from one to the other non-conductive material.

  • I see sparks or feel shocks by touching an object

    A charge can exist between human bodies and this can lead to a discharge. This happens when the charge between bodies is different in polarity and/or the difference between the similar charges is high enough. The discharging or the normalization of the difference between the charges occurs when people touch eachother. This discharging of the electrical charge can be felt by means of a little shock. Sometimes it can also be heard.

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    Understanding Ionisation
  • Can static electricity cause a fire or an explosion?

    Static electricity is a form of electricity and when discharging it consists of an electrical current. Usually, this electrical current is small(smaller than 1mA). It is low in potential harmful Energy but it is high in Voltage, usually some kilovolts. The effects of static electricity normally are considered to be more annoying than being dangerous but for sure it can be harmful to people. More detailed information about the dangers of static electricity and electricity in general on the body can be found here. Static electricity can be discharged by means of an anti-static bar or ioniser, please have a look at industry pages to find your solution.

Repair

Static charging

Static elimination

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Simco-ION provides fast, efficient and knowledgeable support. For technical advice or to discuss a custom solution for your application, please get in touch.

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