Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the benefit of pushing the tape as opposed to pulling the tape?
- Is the track fully covered/protected?
- How often will track require changing?
- Am I able to negotiate a payment plan ot purchase an MAI system?
- What is the difference between MAI turn-up tape and our competitor's products?
- Is M.A. Industries a wholly owned U.S. company or is it a part of an offshore company/operation?
- Is M.A. Industries a full service company?
- Who can be contacted with further questions regarding these products?
- What are some differences between MAI systems and competitor's?
Pull type systems were originally designed to avoid patent infringement, pushing the turn-up tape is a more reliable operation as long as the track and turn-up tape are manufactured correctly, and are straight. The pull type system requires additional drive motors, as well as a cable and pulley system and a "mouse" type vehicle to pull the tape. This set-up has serious maintenance and reliability implications. If any of the tape delivery components fail, the system is rendered inoperable. Also, the turn-up tape is left exposed at the drive side of the paper machine, in the curve, and is held loose within the main "track" housing.
Yes. The track and curve are fully covered from the main unit at the tending side of the paper machine all the way to the end of the curve at the nip. This prevents contamination of the turn-up tape and track from paper dust, steam and condensation, and anti-skid products.
The main track is made of extruded aluminum and will not require changing from normal wear and tear. The curve track is made of extruded UHMW polyethylene, and should not require replacing for many years under normal wear and tear. Both the main track and the curve track are covered with a reinforced urethane cover which may require changing, dependant upon mill conditions, every one to two years, and may often last longer. This is a relatively quick and inexpensive process. Some systems in the field require the whole track replacing, and/or components of the turn-up tape tensioning system replacing.
Yes. M.A. recognizes that many mills are trying to reduce major capital expenditures, and to that end we have developed various payment options. These options range from straight purchases to 30/60/90 day payments by installments, as well as contracts with the purchase price of a system incorporated into the purchase of turn-up tape over a one or two year period.
MAI bleached tape is manufactured at our facility at PTC and is subject to rigorous quality control. It is considered to be the most easily repulpable product in the world today. Our kraft product (brown tape) is manufactured to a specification unique to MAI, and is widely considered a higher quality product than our competitor's. Both lines are available in individually packaged boxes, or packaged three rolls to a box, and is shipped FOB our manufacturing facility in Peachtree City, Georgia.
M. A. Industries is a wholly owned U. S. company and is not a part of or managed by off shore operations.
M. A. Industries is the only company with qualified service technicians for all types of systems in the market today. In addition, M. A. manufactures high quality Turn-up Tape as well as superior Reel Turn-up Systems in Peachtree City, GA, USA.
Please call Customer Service at 1-800-241-8250. A Customer Service Representative will put you in contact with one of our regional sales & service managers.
The MAI MATS system is two systems in one, the only machine on the market that incorporates an automatic system with a full manual system back-up. Should the system experience any power loss, or in the unlikely event of a component failure, the system is fully operational using compressed air alone. The MAI systems incorporate a patented "V" track which delivers a smoother tape transfer to the nip, reducing tape twisting and sheet wrinkling. The systems use a patented cam feed system, eliminating slippage of a feed wheel on a shaft or slippage of a cable on a pull type system. Both the automatic and manual systems provide instructions on the face of the unit, enabling minimal training of operators when shift rotations or staff "set-ups" are required.
