RainerQ
Hello everyone (and especially Mirko),
I seem to recall that there was once talk of a successor to the old Agfa MCC. I even think some initial tests had already been carried out. Has the project been scrapped?
I’d appreciate any information
Rainer
MirkoBoeddecker
Hi Rainer,
For goodness’ sake: NO!
The project hasn’t been scrapped, of course. Thanks for starting a new thread – I’ll pin it to the top.
The product has been fully developed and the scale-up has also been carried out – it’s just that we haven’t yet been able to find a suitable partner to perform the coating on baryta paper to our quality standards.
That leaves us with no option but to do it ourselves. However, we can only do this once our own plant is up and running, and everyone involved has been proven wrong time and again regarding the initial optimism surrounding the plans and specifications.
I understand that from the outside it almost looks as if the lights have gone out. But that’s not the case – rest assured. In the meantime, Phönix (formerly Machine K) is already up and running. Initial trials with water-gelatine mixtures are scheduled for next week.
Best regards,
Mirko
Andreas_23
- However, we have not yet been able to find a suitable partner for the coating of baryta paper to our quality standards.
Hi Mirko,
Why can’t Inoviscoat do it? They’re also getting started with MCP, and you mention them as a potential partner for the Polywarmton project.
Best regards,
Andreas
MirkoBoeddecker
Hello Andreas,
Unfortunately, that’s not correct. If Inoviscoat were already producing the MCP, we would be able to manufacture the MCC as well.
Inoviscoat currently only produces the emulsions for the MCP; the coating is done at Agfa – precisely because Phönix is not yet able to coat.
Until Polywarmton is ready, the plant will of course continue to operate.
Best regards,
Mirko
cfb_de
Hi Mirko,
Just be honest with your customers and tell them the truth: there isn’t a single coating plant in the world at the moment that wants to run dusty baryta substrate through its equipment. Unfortunately, the Fotokemika plant isn’t suitable for this. The emulsion is simply too complex.
Let’s keep it honest: that’s exactly why you’re developing your own coating with Inoviscoat. But that might take a few more months.
Just say it!
The paper from the pilot machine is actually already very good. Get the machine to produce at least 30cm-wide sheets. Preferably without casting defects.
Then we can do without the resurrection from the ashes for the time being and serve the basic market straight away. Me, for example. Roll stock to start with would be enough for me. My Adox Vario Classic FB rolls are almost used up by now. In 30mm width. The Christmas present in 50mm width is only 3m so far.
It’ll be a while longer before the Phoenix learns to fly again. Let’s not kid ourselves.
Sorry, you’ve gone out on a limb and I’ve just thrown you a lifeline. It’s a bit of a shame when other forum users know a thing or two about production too ;-)
Best regards,
Franz
RainerQ
Hi Mirko,
Thanks for the quick reply. So there’s still hope... (It’s a shame about the paper)
Rainer
MirkoBoeddecker
Franz,
Sorry, but I’m not quite following you.
What exactly did you just say that I hadn’t said before, or hadn’t made clear?
Could you clarify that for me – then I’ll be happy to respond.
Best regards,
Mirko
cfb_de
Hello Mirko,
We have yet to hear a statement from you confirming that there is currently no coating available for MCC baryta.
Nor have we heard a statement confirming that you are looking for a coating and that, in fact, self-coating is the only option you have left.
We have also been waiting for several months now for clear deadlines regarding the MCC project.
Please finally make the following clear statement: “We at FOTOIMPEX first need to develop our own coating for the MCC. That will take xx months.”
Is that so difficult? All options remain open to you, after all. A clear statement from the boss would certainly be welcome.
Alternatively, you could ensure the pilot machine is sufficiently qualified to deliver products suitable for customers. That would be my suggestion for a rapid market launch of the new MCC.
Have all questions been answered?
Best regards,
Franz
MirkoBoeddecker
You haven’t yet stated that there is currently no coater available for MCC baryte.
Franz, that’s nonsense
,
to say the least. I’ve said from the outset that we can’t produce the MCC until our own machine is up and running, because we have no alternative coating option available to us. Given that you were also actively involved in those same discussions, I’m genuinely surprised by this statement. If no one else is doing it and our machine isn’t up and running yet, what’s the difference from your formulation?
There’s also no statement from you that you’re looking for a coater and actually have to consider in-house coating as the only possible option.
Correct. That’s exactly how I would never put it either. It was clear from the start that we have to apply coating to the MCC ourselves and that only the MCP can be coated externally. External coating has actually never really been a concrete option for the MCC. Should that change, we’ll be on board immediately. But as I’ve never made a statement to that effect, I can’t retract it now.
Clear deadlines for the MCC project have also been a long time coming, for several months now.
Correct. After having to cancel the deadline three times because the schedules of all the experts involved could not be met, I now only communicate the status quo that I have seen with my own eyes and refuse to make any predictions about the future. The current status quo is stated above. The phoenix is already flapping its wings mightily.
Please finally make the following reliable statement: “We at FOTOIMPEX first need to develop our own coating for the MCC. That will take xx months.”
“We, InovisCoat and FOTOIMPEX, can coat the MCC once a coating system is available to us.” You’ll find out immediately when that happens.
Is that so difficult? All variables remain open to you
,
after
all. A clear statement from the boss would certainly be welcome.
I do my utmost to always express myself clearly.
Alternatively, you could sufficiently qualify the pilot machine so that it delivers products suitable for customers. That would be my suggestion for a rapid market launch of MCC-new.
Also conceivable, but not in the proposed form. The web path is not wide enough. A completely new web path plus dryer would not be financially viable, but a machine for producing intermediate-sized products is certainly a recurring concept. If I may dream for a moment: 50 cm casting width, triple cascade, dead-volume-free dosing and degassing, 80-metre drying section, back-side moistening, resting on its own steel tube frame in a hall with huge doors, ready for transport...... ahhhhhh. Do you know of one? ;-)
All questions answered?
Ditto?
Best regards,
Mirko
