machinery feature | Flat dies
K launches At K2016 last year, Nordson introduced its redesigned Autoflex VI flat extrusion die – having increased the stroke of the lip adjusting system by 43% without adding to response time. This enables it to correct a wider range of process variations, often without need for manual intervention. The Autoflex VI-E lip adjusting system is
smaller and more streamlined, simplifying disas- sembly and reducing the time for maintenance. The adjusters in the Autoflex VI die include
thermally actuated copper alloy translators that are linked to a computer-controlled downstream gauge monitor. The movement, or stroke, of these translators provides gauge control by causing the die gap to increase or decrease. By providing a much larger stroke without an increase in response time, the new system has a greater capacity to correct for changes in throughput, line speed, target thickness, and other process parameters while remaining in automatic mode. “We redesigned the Autoflex VI system in response to
feedback from customers, who told us their greatest needs were for increased automation and reduced downtime,” said Sam Iuliano, business development manager for polymer dies at Nordson EDI. “Its greater responsiveness will be particularly valuable in thin-gauge applications such as cast film and extrusion coating.” To reduce downtime, Nordson has redesigned the gauge adjustment system to make replacement of wear components in the adjuster blocks faster and easier. In the latest version, disassembly has been reduced from 19 steps to six, and each lip adjustment component can now be accessed individually. It takes about 10 minutes to replace a lip adjustment component, compared to an hour with the standard design.
The Autoflex VI-E is retrofit-
table onto existing dies, and available with either convec- tive or forced-air cooling. Key aspects of the
redesign to streamline the system and make it more compact include: making
This rear view of a dual-layer model of Nord- son’s Premier fluid coating die, offset blocks – with offset shims protruding – are located across the width of the die. Two flow channels that converge at the die lips can be seen at the side
all lip-adjustment components accessible from the top or rear of the Autoflex unit; eliminating exposed electrical leads by routing the wires from each adjuster segment directly to a junction box; and, eliminating multiple components that previously needed to be removed for disassembly. At the same time, Cloeren showcased its latest Edge Bead Reduction die for extrusion coating applications – the EBR V. With an installed base of over 50 EBR V dies, Cloeren says it has shown increased robustness compared to competitive products. EBR dies are used in extrusion coating and lamination, where change of deckle width flexible packaging can be frequent, or where edge bead reduction is economically or environ- mentally essential. The company also exhibited what it says is the
world’s widest NanoLayer system, comprising a 55-layer NanoLayer feedblock paired with a 5,435mm Epoch die, to produce G3 NanoLayer stretch films – which Cloeren says show enhanced packaging integrity compared to previous versions.
At K2016, Cloeren showcased its EBR V die, which is used for extrusion coating applications
14 FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION | April 2017
Flow optimisation US-based Plastic Flow has developed extrusion die optimisation software, which has been used improve the design of a sheet die. The software successfully optimised the die’s geometry – and that of a square profile die with non-uniform wall thickness – so that a uniform velocity distribution was obtained at the die exit without exceeding a pre-specified pressure drop across the die. 3D flow simulation software for
extrusion die design allows designers to fine-tune an extrusion die before it is
www.filmandsheet.com
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