Strictly-Extrusion

Wexco (www.wexco.com) announced upgrades to their AGIECUT 350 HSS wire EDM equipment. President Peter Jones stated, “Wexco’s wire machine is one of a few comparable in size that are located in North America. It gives Wexco a somewhat unique and versatile cutting ability on large complex parts. We decided it was time to better utilize the EDM resource by investing in upgrades to improve speed and efficiency. In the past it has primarily been used in the production of our figure eight twin bore segment liners and barrels for extrusion machinery. The machine can do much more. The investment is intended to expand machining services to our existing customers and offer wire EDM services to new industries on a local and national scale.”
Improvements have been made to controls; wire threading and associated components to reduce set up cost and maximize throughput capacity.
The AGIECUT HSS350 wire (EDM) offers precision computer controlled machining ability for medium to large size production parts, tooling components and finish work. It delivers high accuracy in machining difficult and complex geometries that require tight tolerances. The working capacity for the Wexco wire EDM machine is a width of 1100 mm (43.31 inches), depth 1300 mm (51.18 inches) and height of 600 mm / 23.62 inches.

For more information please contact Tony Grant  tgrant@wexco.com

Davis-Standard, LLC will host its popular workshop on “The Basics of Plastics Extrusion” on April 7 and 8, 2009 at its headquarters in Pawcatuck, Connecticut. The two-day class will cover the fundamentals of plastics extrusion, as well as the composition and properties of various polymers and the mechanics of essential downstream processes. Topics include extruder components, temperature control, maintenance and screw design.

In addition to instruction, course participants will tour Davis-Standard’s laboratory and manufacturing facilities and will have access to polymer process engineers and technical specialists. The fee is $750 per person with a 10 percent discount given for groups of three or more. Course books and materials are included, and class size is limited to promote student/teacher interaction.

For enrollment or more information about Davis-Standard’s seminars and on-site extrusion training, contact Wendy Smith at (860) 599-6119 or at wsmith@davis-standard.com. To register online, visit www.davis-standard.com.

Macro Engineering & Technology Inc., a Canadian extrusion systems supplier for the plastic film and sheet industries, has developed a series of double-bubble lines for barrier shrink film applications.
The lines, which Macro is marketing under the name DXL Series, required years of investment in R&D before being made available. The primary product for the line is 5- or  7-layer tubing for shrink bags used as food packaging for cheeses and  fresh or smoked meats. The primary barrier material in the film can be  PVdC, EVOH or Nylon.

Tubing processed on the line can have a width between 200-600 mm  and a film gauge between 40-80  microns. The shrink bag film offers  excellent barrier to water, oxygen and aromas, shrinkage (MD/TD) of  40-60%, superior puncture resistance, and are heat sealable and  printable. As with other Macro lines, the DXL line is offered as a total  processing solution. Macro provides a complete technology transfer  package in which Macro not only supplies the machinery, but also provides the processor with the film structure including resin specifications, and training on how to run the line.
Macro already has several of their DXL lines in operation worldwide.  The most recent installations were two lines delivered to South American processors in late 2008. Macro is a global supplier of extrusion and coextrusion systems for barrier and specialty films and sheet, including equipment for custom coating, winding, and web handling applications.

Since January 2007, the student lab team of Bayer MaterialScience has welcomed 5,000 students and their 400 teachers. At the interface between school and vocational training or college/university studies, the „plastics lab for all the senses“ offers profound insight into the professional world: the daily work and research routine of a chemical company.The one-day program at Baylab plastics goes beyond basic research. It actively involves the participants in innovative processes during the production process from the idea to the finished product. Several group tasks promote key teamwork skills and the communicative abilities of the participants, who divide up into a research, design, technology, finance, and communication team. At the end of a successful workday at Baylab plastics, the participants take home with them a unique product that they have designed and produced. Baylab plastics is the first student lab that is open to a large variety of target groups. Starting at age 14, students from all school types are welcome, as well as students as part of their career orientation, trainees in a wide range of professions, special youth groups (teams of chemical Olympics, or groups of gifted students who participate in national science competitions), teachers-in-training and teachers as part of their advanced on-the-job training. But students from technical universities and academic universities, college seniors and Ph.D. candidates, as well as groups of Bayer employees, also take advantage of this program as part of their advanced education and teambuilding training.

As a result of the tremendous enthusiasm and educational success of the plastics lab among the one-day visitor groups, Baylab plastics is considering an expansion of the program. „We would like to take our student lab idea to the national level, to trigger enthusiasm for science and technology, especially among young people, on a even broader scale,“ says Dr. Johann Thim, co-founder Baylab plastics. The idea is to create a larger network of institutions focusing on specific topics, based on the concept of Baylab plastics. The demand from visitors has stayed at a high level ever since the lab opened its doors. „We get inquiries daily about the highly coveted one-day programs at Bayer MaterialScience,“ says Karl-Heinz Wagner, head of Baylab plastics. „It is especially the interdisciplinary work that thrills students and teachers alike,“ explains Wagner (www.baylab-plastics.de).

In Germany, Bayer’s commitment to education unfolds in three different areas. In addition to programs for schools and student scholarships by the Bayer Foundation, the company gives children and adolescents the opportunity to conduct hands-on experiments under professional supervision at its BayLabs, where students can experience applied sciences first hand. Bayer is also a long-term partner of Germany’s youth science competition. „Jugend forscht.“

More information about the school programs and student scholarships of the Bayer Science & Education Foundation can be found on the Internet at www.bayer-stiftungen.de

Converting Magazine

Macro’s Supercom Supervisory and Control System for blown and cast film lines has recently been upgraded to include an optional thermal imaging system that allows processors to monitor bubble temperatures from anywhere an internet connection is available.
The system consists of one or more infrared cameras that   target specific points on the bubble to monitor
temperatures. The data is displayed in real-time on the
Supercom HMI and stored by the supervisory system for future analyses.The system can also be used to monitor a configurable zone to provide a broader range of observation. Alarms are easily programmed to bring attention to any temperatures that fall out of the desired maximum and minimum thresholds. In addition to on-site alarm signals, an email is automatically generated with a snapshot of the screen and sent to off-site personnel for immediate notification of temperature-related problems.

The cameras can also be directed at specific line equipment, such as the die or extruders, to monitor reheating during early morning or overnight start-ups when supervision may be limited. If equipment temperatures reach unsafe levels the system will automatically shut down heating to avoid damage to the line. The upgraded software allows the user to run analysis tools, set up alarms and scheduled data collection events, and adjust the cameras settings.

Macro is a global supplier of extrusion and coextrusion systems for barrier and specialty films and sheet, including equipment for custom coating, winding, and web handling applications.

Davis-Standard customers who purchase an EPIC III supervisory control system in 2009 will now have access to remote diagnostics and troubleshooting via a secure Internet connection. The REACT (REmote ACcess Technology) system, standard on all new EPIC III systems, will enable Davis-Standard process engineers and technicians to support customers worldwide in real-time without a service call. With REACT, Davis-Standard’s service team can remotely and immediately view process conditions at a customer’s plant during a production run without the need to stop the line.

“This EPIC III remote access system gives customers the option of receiving high-speed troubleshooting and diagnostics via a secure Internet connection,” explained Jerry Warren, Vice President of Davis-Standard’s aftermarket group. “It is the fastest and most effective way we can help customers solve potential problems before they result in downtime or lost production.”

All required hardware and software for REACT is included with new EPIC systems. The troubleshooting and assistance service is provided on a subscription basis. The first year’s subscription is included in the initial price of the new system. Subsequent years’ subscriptions are offered under service plans of different lengths. Modifications and upgrades to EPIC III systems supplied with REACT are not part of the service plan, but may be offered at additional fees if applicable. REACT is not available as an upgrade for existing EPIC III systems due to PLC licensing agreements.

For more information, contact Jerry Warren at jwarren@davis-standard.com or John Clemens at jclemens@davis-standard.com.