EXTRUDER DEVELOPMENTS | MACHINERY
Machine learning: latest extruder developments
Recent innovations in extruder systems include a mid-range coextrusion adapter, a new blown film line series and a lab line to help shrink film customers remove PVdC
Extrusion systems for film and sheet are many and varied, ranging from dies that boost the flexibility of coextrusion to extrusion lines that help to boost output or manufacturing capacity. Macro Engineering Technology of Canada is installing a biaxially oriented multi-bubble lab line for shrink film, to help customers move away from structures based on polyvinylidene dichloride (PVdC). “We’ve had enquiries from producers who don’t
know if PVdC is going to be around for long – or if the shrink market will move to EVOH for some products,” said Karen Xiao, vice president of technology at Macro. “We’ve already pro- duced a few lines capable of running both PVdC and EVOH.” In anticipation of a switch – and to help customers to plan for the future – Macro says the new system is optimised to run structures based on nylon, EVOH and mono-material structures in two- and three-bubble formats. “We want to help customers develop structures
that are more sustainable on a small scale that can be easily scaled up to wider widths,” she added. More than 10 of Macro’s customers have
expressed interest in running trials on the line – which the company wants to be ready by the end of the year.
“PVdC has a superior moisture and oxygen barrier and is very difficult to replace,” she said. “If you have to remove it from the structure you will need to re-engineer the film without compromising on the final film properties.” The line will produce film of up to seven layers.
The line is equipped with a die with multiple lip sets ranging from 60 to 90mm and will run at layflat
www.filmandsheet.com
widths of 200-600mm, making it suited for both trials and small production
runs. It is built to accommodate various barrier and non-barrier
structures for film development purposes for non-shrink applications. “We know enough about PVdC to extrapolate
from those recipes to help customers design new structures,” said Xiao. Macro offers both a Quadex-2B two-bubble line and Quadex-3B three-bubble system.
Flat films Indian packaging group Lorven has boosted production after installing a Varex II blown film extrusion machine from Windmoller and Holscher (W&H). The three-layer machine, measuring 2800mm in
October 2024 | FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION 29
Main image: Macro is installing a biax film lab line to help customers move away from PVdC structures
IMAGE: MACRO
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58
