Technology of the Year

Galileo Vacuum Systems, Inc.
Technology: CMS Dual-Mode Deposition Monitor

The Association of Industrial Metallizers, Coaters and Laminators, honored Galileo Vacuum Systems, Inc., East Granby Connecticut, with its Technology of the Year Award at a banquet on Thursday, March 13th during its March Management Meeting held March 12-16 at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort, Tucson, Arizona.

Galileo's patent-pending CMS Dual-Mode Deposition Monitor measures the thickness and uniformity of vacuum-deposited coatings using optical density or radio frequency (RF) eddy current technologies. The noncontact, multi-point deposition monitoring system is designed for use in roll-to-roll web vacuum coaters such as aluminum metallizers. Its dual-mode nature, a first for the industry, makes it compatible with a wide range of clear, opaque or printed substrates and allows users to select the monitoring method best suited to the substrate. Optical density measurement is more precise but not compatible with opaque or printed substrates, while RF, which measures surface resistance, offers greater flexibility at a lower accuracy level. Microprocessor-equipped emitters and receivers enable the signal to be processed within the "smart" sensor itself rather than through a central processing unit. The result is higher measuring accuracy and stability over time.

The judges unanimously selected the CMS Dual-Mode Deposition Monitor for this year's top prize, citing its potential for broad application in the industry. "It answers a long-standing problem and allows users to seamlessly switch between RF and optical density technologies," commented one member of the panel.

Material Category: Technical Excellence Award

Toray Plastics (America), Inc.
Product: LumBrite U6E Polyester Film

The finalist in the Material Category is Toray Plastics (America), Inc., North Kingstown, Rhode Island, for its LumBrite U6E polyester film, the first directly embossable polyester for holographic applications. Available in three gauges, 60, 92 and 200, the film consists of a three-layer coextrusion, which is oriented in the machine direction, coated with a proprietary coating, and oriented in the transverse direction. Applying the coating between the orientation steps results in it being mechanically linked to the surface and ensures superior adhesion. The coating, which dries to a thickness of about 0.5 micron provides a high degree of thermal stability to enhance metal adhesion. When compared to oriented polypropylene, the directly embossable polyester film offers superior performance with regard to thermal stability, optical qualities, mechanical properties and print registration. Initially, the primary application for the film is lamination to paperboard. However, the material is suitable for barrier metallized holographic flexible packaging and could feature holograms on one side, printing on the other. Another potential application for the film involves the addition of a patterned High Refractive Index coating, which would permit the production of customizable holograms on demand.

"This innovation combines existing technologies in a new way," noted one judge. He and his peers also thought highly of the embossable film's strong marketing appeal.

Product Category: Technical Excellence Award

PROMA Technologies
Product: 40- and 72-inch-diameter "CDs" Produced for a Holiday Retail Display for A/X Armani Exchange

The third finalist in this year's Technology of the Year Competition, PROMA Technologies, Franklin, Massachusetts, took home the prize in the Coated, Laminated or Metallized Product Category for 40- and 72-inch-diameter "CDs" produced for a holiday retail display for A/X Armani Exchange, New York, New York. The large disks feature PROMA's 80-pound HoloPRISM holographic metallized paper in a HoloPRISM/paperboard/HoloPRISM structure. The metallized, holographic paper combines and repeats three distinct custom holograms to make the 72-inch disk, the world's largest mass-produced embossed hologram to date. The large-format "CDs" tied into the retailer's national ad campaign, "Dance Space – A Celebration of Music and Style," and served as an eye-catching attention-grabber for holiday shoppers in 65 stores worldwide.

"Large holographic images are difficult to do economically and efficiently," noted the judges. "This product accomplishes both."