Battenfeld Gloucester To Showcase Diverse Extrusion Capabilities At NPE
Machinery and equipment for film sheet production offer numerous benefits to processors and converters
Gloucester, MA — Battenfeld Gloucester Engineering Co., Inc. will display a range of specialized equipment for film and sheet extrusion, thermo forming, converting and printing at the National Plastics Exposition in Chicago, June 19-23. Six products will highlight the company commitment to solutions engineering with machinery and components that make processors more productive and competitive. They include:
- FLEXOELITE printing press, a gearless flexographic unit with 8- or 10-color capability, that's fast, accurate and versatile.
- A new servo-controlled bag-making machine, designed to meet demand for well-engineered yet low-cost versions of a Battenfeld Gloucester specialty.
- ThermoFlex Sheet System for thermoforming, offering advanced capabilities in a line designed for use with process equipment worldwide.
- E-Plus II process control, a graphics interface control system: that has broad integration potential.
- Opticell™ foam sheet die, designed for efficient and blemish-free production of high-quality foam sheet.
Flexographic press creates opportunities
Demand for graphics-rich flexible packaging continues to grow The FLEXOELITE press gives converters the means to enter or expand operations in this lucrative market. The press was developed by Italy's Converting Technology sri, a company Battenfeid Gloucester has partnered with for its innovative printing technology and to complement its film and sheet lines.
The model runs webs up to 80 in, wide at speeds to 1500 fpm. Its patented LinearSet print-deck system utilizes linear encoders in place of ball screws to assure accurate positioning of anilox rollers and print cylinders and fast, precise movement of the print deck. The register can put one or alt print decks into final register in about two revolutions of the central drum, reducing the time needed to proof each deck and permitting faster startup.
The unit's EasyOpen system simplifies sleeve changes by signaling the PLC to open the print station so sleeves, bases and anilox sleeves are automatically ready for change. Because no moving parts of the print deck are on the operators side of the machine, the print cylinder, bases and roller sleeves not in use can be changed during operation. The PLC monitors which decks are printing and which are being changed.
Other features include drying systems customized for each users needs; intake and exhaust fans with variable-speed motors that let operators adjust airflow according to the needs of each print run; motorized dampers on air nozzles for individual regulation of airflow and temperature; web-temperature systems; and UV and EB systems for users that don't want to run solvent or water-based inks, or who want to apply coatings.
The press can run different types of winders, which permit use of rolls in diameters of 32, 40 or 60 in. Battenfeld Gloucester will display a 10-color model I 0ES32 press at NPE.
Accurate and affordable bag-making
The newest addition to Battenfeld Gloucester's bag-making line is a 70 in. machine that can be used online or offline to produce a range of bottom-seal or side-seal polyolefin consumer and industrial bags, stacked or on a roll. Servo control assures accuracy and repeatability by regulating multiple axes of motion, Including infeed and exit nip-roll speed, up-and-down head motion and shuttle-travel distance. This pre vents over-tensioning of film during sealing and possible breaks in the web.
The model runs at a maximum speed of 450 fpm and is rated at 200 cycles per minute, both depending on product type. Operational parameters including set-up and individual recipes are entered in a computer and downloaded for each job. The ma chine has an innovative electronic scanner that assures printed images appear in the same position.on every bag, no matter how much the film stretches or relaxes. The machine is economical, easy to run and simple to maintain.
Sheet line is compatible with thermoforming equipment
The ThermoFlex Sheet System incorporates a three-roll hydraulic stack, slanted at a 45-degree angle and powered by independent AC solid-state drives for precise control of line speed. Designed for use with alt inline thermoforming systems, the unit handles 1050 mm wide sheet. Line speed is controlled by the middle roll, with the top and bottom rolls electronically integrated to maintain precision movement of the sheet. Each roil is 600 mm in diameter.
A motorized roll-gap adjustment for bath nips works under full operating pressure. The gaps can be adjusted on either side, independently or as a unit. Operations are controlled by a pendant-mounted touchscreen panel. Features include piping sized for maximum sheet cooling; a Conveyor with anodized aluminum idlers; and an electric power traverse that moves the sheet line away from the die for maintenance and screw removal.
To maintain sheet quality, each roll has a water-cooled closed-loop temperature- control system with a centrifugal pump, heat exchanger and reservoir tank. The system is rated for operation to 250°F (121°C).
User-Friendly Integration and Operation
The E-Plus II process control combines a state of the art operator interface with BGE's proven expertise in process control, Utilizing a 19 in, (48 cm) fiat-panel touch screen, E-Plus II provides a highly intuitive user-friendly interface that simplifies the complexity of a fully integrated control system. it's ability to present process data with graphics and animations, historically and in real-time, takes the guess work out of your process. The E-Plus II is a process oriented, time driven control system that delivers information on all operations you require relating to production and web finishing.
Using the latest standards in communications technology, the E-Plus H has broad integration and configuration capabilities, With data transfer via an OPC interface, the system is compatible with most industrial software and standard PC's. Process data is saved in common formats like Excel, Access or other relational databases. Standard Windows-based PC and Ethernet communications allows the E-Plus II to readily link to corporate networks, local and worldwide, allowing remote access. The support network for diagnosing and troubleshooting your process just got bigger, better and faster,
Foam Die Upgrades Sheet Production
The 160 mm Opticell™ die has an innovative spiderless design that achieves more efficient processing of foam sheet than conventional annular dies (spider or spider- less). What this means, according to Battenfeld Gloucester, is processors can pro duce high-quality foam sheet with tighter gauge control and no weld lines or striations. The result is higher throughput and lower production costs.
Among features of the die is a conical taperlock construction that improves thickness and weight control across the sheet. The die also permits quick gap adjustments on the-fly reducing downtime. The unit has removable inner and outer lips to achieve variations in die-lip geometry and diameter, which permits multiple widths to be run. The design also allows for an adjustable external air ring, The die can be machined in different sizes.
SOURCE: Battenfeld Gloucester Engineering Co.