Retrofits / Rebuilds & Used Converting Equipment

Used Equipment  

Before: 52 inch wide 2-ply slitter rewinder. The machine was originally built in 1990.

When Brian Jennerjahn started up his own slitting and rewinding manufacturing business in 1979, his goal was to offer the converting industry innovative machinery that utilized new technology to convert rolls more efficiently and with higher quality.

That same philosophy continues today. With constant improvements in technology, and more than 150 Jennerjahn slitter/rewinders installed across the world, retrofits have become a natural part of their business.

Retrofit costs can range from the inexpensive to extensive. Companies should not assume that only extensive retrofits make a big difference with their machinery. Many times even simple and inexpensive retrofits can have a big impact.

One of the areas that companies focus on when looking at retrofits is how the retrofit can affect increasing the output of a machine. Maximizing the product volume of existing machines can give a company the competitive edge that they are looking for. With new technology available in mechanical components and control systems, older machines can be upgraded to improve speed, improve product quality, and reduce scrap.

Another significant retrofit consideration is how a machine retrofit can give the company the ability to produce new products not currently within the capabilities or specifications of a machine. These new products can potentially open entirely new markets for the company. There are many retrofits that can be performed to existing machines that can expand the capabilities of the machine to run products that the customer may have assumed would require a new machine purchase. “You are not limited by your machines current capabilities!”

 

After:  The rebuild included updated controls, wiring, autoloader, top rider roll drive and more.

Machine downtime is a concern for every company. Older machinery that may have worn out parts or outdated designs can be retrofitted to greatly improve or eliminate the downtime issues of the past. As improvements in mechanical and controls technology have made their way into the converting industry, many of the old design standards have been replaced by simpler designs that have less parts. Less moving parts equals less maintenance.

No matter what type of retrofit, converters should be gathering historical data on the machine to justify the project, big or small. Companies want to know that the decision to retrofit is one that will “pay for itself” as fast as possible.

Jennerjahn Machine welcomes the opportunity to review any customer’s existing converting operation. Justifying the right retrofit(s) for your machine could be the answer to increased sales and improved product quality.

A free “Retrofit Guide” booklet is available from Jennerjahn containing various retrofits and machine upgrades that the company currently offers on a variety of slitters. Contact Steve Maynard, Parts & Service Manager, at 765-998-2733 or email, service@jennerjahn.com for more information.

Jennerjahn Machine | (765) 998-2733 | 901 Massachusettes Avenue | P.O. Box 379 | Matthews, IN 46957 USA