DOWNSTREAM EQUIPMENT | MACHINERY
Clean break: taking film to a new level
Downstream equipment – from MDO stretching technologies to surface inspection and cleaning systems – helps to raise the quality of extruded products
The many variants of downstream extrusion equipment perform jobs as varied as web guiding, surface inspection and cleaning – for products including packaging and battery film. Baldwin – part of BW Converting – says its new in-line cleaner will transform the production of advanced battery film. It showcased the Electrode Press Industrial Cleaning (EPIC) system at last year’s Battery Show North America, held in Detroit. It can be combined with its Corona Pure surface treat- ment system for a “superior, cost-efficient solution in cell manufacturing”, it says. The system offers automated cleaning in calender processes, specifically for anode and cathode film production. Operating at up to 150°C, EPIC ensures high surface cleanliness, leading to higher battery film quality and productivity. It uses
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a solvent formulated to withstand high heat to clean the calenders automatically with the machine running. The process takes 2-4 minutes – compared to a typical 45 minutes – by cutting the need for cooling and manual cleaning. EPIC was adapted from Baldwin’s established film cylinder cleaner for film extrusion. It can be provided by OEMs who make calendering units or retrofitted to existing equipment. For a retrofit, it can be installed in a single day. BW Converting has tested the system for eight months at three factories – where it is running every day on calenders. “We’re excited with the benefits we see at our
early-bird customer base – and can’t wait to enhance automation in more battery factories,” said Dennis Behnisch, product line leader for surface, cleaning and spray at Baldwin.
� July/August 2025 | FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION 27
Main image: Baldwin’s EPIC in-line cleaner is used in the production of advanced battery film
IMAGE: BW CONVERTING
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