MACHINERY | CONTROL & INSTRUMENTATION
Right: Conair has added an AI-driven feature to its ResinWorks multi-hopper drying system
analysing key data points – such as bubble size changes – the team quickly identified a malfunction in one of the ultrasonic bubble sensors. This allowed the engineering team to solve the problem without the need for pro- longed on-site observation.
AI benefits At last year’s NPE, Conair ran a live, interactive demonstration of a new AI-driven conveying technology, which claims to “virtually eliminate” the need for human interaction or adjustments to central conveying systems. The patented AI technology creates and maintains optimal source-to-destination material flows regardless of material characteristics, distances, or destinations and automatically compensates for common conveying problems. “Artificial intelligence will not only optimise the
Below: Reifenhäuser says its PAM system works completely autonomously and boosts cast film quality
process of conveying but will also eliminate labour costs – specifically the need for error-prone manual interactions with the conveying equipment,” said Sam Rajkovich, VP of sales and marketing at Conair. In addition, Conair has added an optional AI-driven feature to its ResinWorks centralised, multi-hopper drying system. ResinWorks with Optimizer automates the process of maintaining process-ready resins at the correct temperatures and varied throughputs, while preventing over- drying and delivering energy savings. Typical ResinWorks systems rely on operators to physically actuate a manual damper to manage and balance airflows into each active hopper. While this is mechanically simple and reliable, it is generally based on the use of fully loaded hoppers and a predicted throughput rate for each material. This means that any changes or interruptions in hopper usage, resin mass flow through each hopper, or process resin demand can introduce
imbalances that are difficult for operators to manually detect and correct. The system was devel- oped to address this common challenge. AJ Zambanini, director of product management
at Conair, said: “Central drying systems are often ‘up-sized’ to meet maximum demand and through- put requirements. Yet, in many cases, they run at less-than-maximum levels, resulting in suboptimal airflow, potentially over-dried material, and excess energy usage and cost.”
Film automation Polish film manufacturer Bogucki Folie has invested in a new Reifenhäuser Midex cast barrier line – which incorporates its PAM (precise, autono- mous, mechatronic) automation option. The system, for flat dies and coextrusion adapters, claims to make work easier for machine operators, increase productivity and improve film quality. Mechatronic actuators automatically adjust the feed block and die via the system’s control panel. This makes producers less dependent on a shortage of skilled workers. After recipes have been saved, even less experienced system opera- tors can reproduce them at the touch of a button. Wiktor Bogucki, the company’s owner, said the
production facilities in his company were getting “a bit aged” – prompting it to invest in new technolo- gies to increase production capacity, lower production costs, and reduce production waste. “We also want to achieve a higher level of
automation in order to become less dependent on skilled personnel,” he said. “The shortage of skilled workers is one of the biggest problems in our industry in Poland.” The company makes multi-layer food and technical packaging films and barrier films. Its traditional product is a three-layer, thin ther- mostretch film for beverage packs. The company was able to test the PAM system in advance at Reifenhäuser’s technical centre. The
34 FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION | March 2025
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IMAGE: REIFENHAUSER
IMAGE: CONAIR
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