Strictly-Extrusion

The miniBEX from Battenfeld Extrusionstechnik, Germany, is a cost-efficient complete line for manufacturing small profiles with an excellent price/performance ratio. Now the innovative machine manufacturer has introduced winBEX, a ‘big brother’ to miniBEX for the medium to higher performance range in window profile extrusion. The winBEX is a standardised modular line concept similar to miniBEX. From a range of five components, customers can choose the version best suited to their particular requirements. Four twin-screw extruder models are available for winBEX lines, including the new, large BEX 2-72 C conical twin-screw extruder, which lends itself to a great variety of applications with a performance range from 40 and 250 kg/h. The other three extruders available for processing hard PVC are parallel twin-screw models, i.e. BEX 2-68-28 V for an output from 50 to 200 kg/h, BEX 2-92-28 V for a performance from 150 and 350 kg/h and BEX 2-110-28 V for applications ranging from 200 to 500 kg/h. All four extruders are among the most advanced models in the machine manufacturers range.

In cooperation with Pipelife, a Norwegian pipe manufacturer, Reifenhäuser is building an extrusion unit for integration into a pipe plant suitable for production of large HDPE pipes of up to 2000 mm diameter. Die-heads of this size will considerably increase the diameter range of plastic pipes, which is presently limited to 1600 mm. The pipe extrusion line will be provided with a single-screw extruder with screw diameter of 150 mm and 33 D (L/D) length that has been especially designed by Reifenhäuser for high performances. The advantages of this extruder lie in an improved melting efficiency, a good homogenising performance and a high throughput capacity at low melt temperature. The large pipe die-head of special design, features a spiral melt guiding mandrel that uses Reifenhäuser’s long-standing know-how for large film extrusion dies. Both the die geometry and the surface coating of the melt channel have been adapted to the low flow rate. The die-heads are available in different dimensions suitable for production of pipes from 1600 to 2000 mm diameter and a maximum wall thickness of 135 mm.

Dual Spiral Systems has teamed up with a surface engineering and coatings company to supply a newly developed composite coating for extrusion dies named K05. The new K05 coating is intended for use on extrusion components that experience a high degree of abuse or abrasive wear, where chrome plating was previously used.
Some of the unique properties of K05 are that it is extremely hard, resists temperatures in excess of 3000ºC, and has a coefficient of friction (COF) 4 times lower than regular chrome or nickel plating. Due to its very low COF, K05 has the ability to reduce the occurrence of melt fracture commonly observed on extrusion lines that do not use polymer processing additives. Because of this, K05 coating reduces the need for PPA lubricants. Melt fracture or “Sharkskin” causes processors to run blown film lines at slower rates. K05 reduces the need for expensive polymer processing aides and allows processors to run at higher output rates by reducing the occurrence of melt fracture. K05 coating is less expensive than traditional ceramic coatings used in extrusion dies. DSS can plate any die lip section with K05 regardless of who the manufacturer is.
K05 Features:
• Reduces melt fracture and reduces the need for polymer
processing aide.
• Allows use of narrower die gap for higher output.
• Eliminates need of expensive lip heaters.
• Reduce die buildup and scrap.
• Extremely hard and durable: superior protection against
wear.
• Better corrosion protection than chrome and no post
plating grinding is required.
• Very low COF, excellent lubricity and release
characteristics.
• K05 can be applied to your existing dies, and is a very
cost effective alternative.

For further technical details on this coating: www.dualspiralsystems.com/extrusion_die_coatings.html