technology | Machinery COEXTRUSION
Coextrusion line makes sausage casings at top speed
Macro Engineering & Technology of Canada has developed a high speed coextrusion line for making biaxially-oriented (biax) sausage casings. The line can be configured
to produce casing structures of up to 11 layers using nylon, PE and EVOH. It can also be extended to allow processing of structures with PVdC. It produces casings with width calibres of 80-120mm and thickness of 40-50 microns. The line operates at speeds up to 170m/min, and can be readily converted to produce films for barrier shrink bag production.
The line includes a primary bubble forming section with vacuum calibrator, orientation section
with infrared (IR) sectional heaters and an IR annealing oven. The bubble diameter in each section is precisely measured and controlled to ensure consistent production quality.
An advanced control system helps operators to operate the complex line.
The control system
contains recipes for auto- matic ramping up (and down) of the line speed with simultaneous adjustment up to 30 process parameters. Macro intends to add
automatic gauge control to the system by 2015. ❙
www.macroeng.com
SENSORS
Keeping the weight off
Thermo Fisher Scientific says that its new weight transmis- sion sensor can help manufacturers of thin film to reduce waste. Its Beta Plus sensor uses either a Kr-85 or Sr-90 source of beta radiation, to offer accurate, high-resolu- tion basis weight readings for webs and films between six and 7,000 grammes per square metre. The sensor with the Kr-85 source is designed to measure basis weight of very thin film. “The Beta Plus sensor
enhances web gauging performance by incorporat- ing improved optics and advanced digital electronics,” said Tam Nguyen, product marketing manager for web gauging at Thermo Fisher Scientific. ❙
www.thermoscientific.com
BARRIER FILM Oxygen transmission sensor improves sensitivity
Mocon says that its latest oxygen transmission rate test instrument is 10 times more sensitive than previous models. The Ox-Tran Model 2/21 10x system can measure barriers to 5x10-4
cc/(m2 x day),
at precise temperature and relative humidity conditions. It is aimed at
applications that require a high oxygen barrier. Potential users include film and resin manufacturers, converters and packagers in industries such as electronics (OLED and thin film), solar, vacuum panel, food, pharmaceutical and medical devices. Improved material barrier
systems have created a demand for increased testing sensitivity,
40 FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION | January/February 2014
says the company. “The improved proprietary Coulox coulometric
sensor counts every oxygen molecule permeat- ing through the film,” said Doug Lindemann, vice president of Mocon. “This is why Mocon has the only system that complies with ASTM D3985.” Additional improvements include: improved
electronics to reduce system ‘noise’; a TruSeal film cell, designed to eliminate edge-leakage and assure a perfect seal every time; and, improved temperature stability. Each module contains two test cells and is
available in master and satellite configuration. The 10x module connects with all other modules in the Ox-Tran 2/21 family of transmis- sion rate test systems. ❙
www.mocon.com
www.filmandsheet.com
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