MACHINERY | BLOWN FILM DIES


Cool running UK-based Vardar Systems says that its dual directional flow (DDF) air ring technology can increase the productivity of blown film production by adding additional cooling above the frost line. This helps to reduce effects such as blocking – where the inside surface of the bubble sticks to itself at the nip during collapsing, making it almost impossible to open. It can also reduce the tackiness of the bubble’s outer surface. The technology is particularly effective when the


IMAGE: SKZ


Above: SKZ is adding equipment including a five-layer


blown film die from Collin Lab & Pilot Solutions


The few film widths that could not be produced


on the rental line during the 17-week overhaul could be produced elsewhere through planning. The die head was put back into operation smoothly and on schedule. In future, EK-Pack plans to keep entrusting W&H with its dies. “The professional die head service offers a


hassle-free package from the initial contact to the final documentation,” said Stober.


Asian demand Reifenhäuser showed a number of blown film technologies at the recent Chinaplas 2024 event in Hongqiao, Shanghai – including Evo Aqua Cool water shock cooling and Kdesign’s Karat cooling rings


“China and the Asian market are demanding


state-of-the-art machines to produce recyclable high-performance plastic films,” according to Eugen Friedel, director of sales at Reifenhäuser’s blown film subsidiary.’ One example is its Evo Ultra stretch MDO unit, which allows blown film manufacturers to produce fully recyclable all-PE mono films, such as for barrier food pouches. Stretching gives the PE film enough stability to replace the usual PET film in the structure, while an EVOH content of around 5% provides the barrier. Reifenhäuser also exhibited Kdesign technolo- gies for blown films, which offer cooling, measure- ment and calibration technologies. The Karat cooling ring is known for its high performance, low film tolerances and easy handling. With an output capacity that it claims is up to 50% higher than mid-range products – and 25% higher than high-end competitors – the Karat cooling ring helps increase productivity, while maintaining profile tolerances and film quality.


36 FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION | June 2024


height of the blown film line is limited, so is provided as a retrofit to existing lines. It is also available on new Hosokawa Alpine machinery – and can be seen running in the Hosokawa Alpine’s technical centre in Augsburg, Germany. The system is available in a variety of sizes, with web widths up to 4m. The company says some of the benefits of DDF include: a non-contact concentric system that ensures even cooling around the circumference of the bubble; an average film temperature drop of 10-15°C; and a reduction in expenditure, with less need for expensive anti-block additives.


Research boost Research organisation SKZ is adding a blown film extrusion line from Collin Lab & Pilot Solutions – which includes a five-layer blown film die. The new equipment will enable practical training courses in blown film extrusion in the future. The machine will also be available as a sample line for training courses in the areas of quality manage- ment and quality assurance. The plant is equipped with three high-perfor-


mance extruders. The five-layer die head can also be operated as a three-layer die head. The maxi- mum flat lay width of the line is 600mm. The line can be operated with different material systems and film thicknesses of around 50-250 microns. “We are pleased to be able to include blown


film extrusion in our advanced training portfolio,” said Andreas Büttner, group manager education material development, compounding and extru- sion at SKZ. “Until now, we did not have this equipment available at SKZ.”


CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: � www.addexinc.com � www.drjosephinc.com � www.wh.group � www.reifenhauser.com � www.vardarsystems.com � www.skz.de � www.collin-solutions.com


www.filmandsheet.com


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