CHESTERFIELD, MO—In a move that it describes as “ground-breaking,” Mark Andy, a leading American manufacturer of narrow and mid web print technology, has announced the launch of sMArt link, a new real-time on-press monitoring system designed to optimize press utilization for label and package print converters.
Due to be demonstrated on Mark Andy booth 319 at the upcoming Labelexpo Americas 2022 in Chicago, sMArt link gives production managers a real-time look at what is happening on the pressroom floor, and based on this information, make better decisions on how to reduce waste and boost efficiency to improve the bottom line.
sMArt link, which can be accessed via a cloud-based platform, can be used with new and existing Mark Andy presses, both flexography and digital, as well as other manufacturers’ press technology. Importantly, it ties all equipment together in one robust analytical tool that is accessible from anywhere with an internet hook-up.
Speaking for Mark Andy, Product Manager Gretchen Tobol stated: “sMArt link uses our in-house expertise that is built from the ground up. Nobody understands narrow web technology like Mark Andy, and this knowledge and experience has been developed over many years of working closely with customers who use Mark Andy technology in everyday commercial environments. sMArt link is a converter’s tool, plain and simple, and it will allow them to maximize the effectiveness of their existing plant.”
sMArt link is part of Mark Andy’s overall sMArt platform that includes automated setup, ease of operation and software integration. Extremely user-friendly, it’s been designed to assist operators and management in their everyday business. According to Greg Palm, EVP sales & marketing at Mark Andy: “sMArt link is the result of numerous consultations with our customers. We uncovered real pain points when it came to understanding how productive each piece of equipment, operator, or facility truly was.”
Overall equipment effectiveness at a typical label converting plant is estimated to run at between 35 percent and 45 percent, there is leaving significant room for improvement. With hundreds of sensors and advanced integration, sMArt link collects accurate data on run speeds, up time, down time, waste, and more. This data allows converters to compare jobs, presses, operators, or facilities, and take action to improve overall effectiveness.
Data is collected 24/7 and can be viewed in real time as dashboards on phones, tablets, computers or monitors in the plant. The cloud-based data can be accessed by anyone with an internet connection providing visibility to any gaps in the production process so adjustments can be made to reduce waste, increase uptime, run speeds and profits.
With the most diverse portfolio of narrow web technology of any manufacturer, Mark Andy is best suited to launch a production monitoring platform like sMArt link. More than 75 years of service to the label sector is the guarantee that converters need to be assured of reliability and support. With targets of waste reduction averaging 3 percent – 5 percent, a capacity increase of 10 percent – 20 percent, and an overall improvement in productivity of 5 percent – 30 percent, Mark Andy is predicting that smart converters will quickly sign up to the benefits of sMArt link.