SPCI 99: V.I.B. adds a glossy finish
German company V.I.B. Maintal is showing its Precision Steam Finishing (PSF) technology this week at SPCI, which is used to improve the surface quality of printing and publication papers. Using PSF, Glossprofilers can be employed on soft calenders, multi-nip and supercalenders. The Glossprofilers impinge steam onto the sheet surface, in CD zones down to 50 mm, applying defined amounts of water vapour at each zone across the sheet. V.I.B. explains that this increases surface temperature and moisture, which raises gloss and decreases two-sidedness.Steam is applied close to the nip, which also heats the rolls, further improving overall surface gloss, according to the supplier.V.I.B. says the Glossprofiler can also improve sheet edges, because it applies extra thermal energy and moisture to the edges. It is this property which increases the gloss level to that of the remainder of the sheet, also permitting a flatter caliper and moisture profile.