Country Focus Three PPS pillar brands are represented: BKG pelletising and melt delivery systems; EDI extrusion and fluid coating dies; and Xaloy screws and barrels for extrusion and injection moulding. In China, following a move of its EDI extrusion and coating dies operation to a new, larger facility, Nordson has begun assembly of screen changers and gear pumps and it is also planning for the finishing of Xaloy barrels produced at its facility in Thailand. In Japan, Nordson has added capacity for building EDI dies and for remanufacturing dies. In Münster, Germany, it is building a facility for BKG pelletisers and melt delivery components, with a dedicated aftermarket centre. Also in Germany, at Pirmasens, Nordson is producing Xaloy products in Europe for the first time. In the US, Nordson has just opened a new 60,000 sq ft facility for Xaloy while at a second location in Wisconsin it is starting up advanced systems for the manufacture of EDI flat dies. “Nordson products and services are now available worldwide on a localised basis and for both multinational and domestic customers,” said Keane, adding that regional centres lower shipping costs and lead times. New technology ramps up output Reifenhäuser cites the advantages of its EVO blown film lines, featuring a simplified functional operation and enhanced with clear and tidy surfaces and a modular system that can be configured for three-12+ layers. The modular Midex cast film lines can also be configured for the customer's specific application. In the area of cast sheet coating, Mirex sheet lines features line components that include a broad portfolio of single-screw extruders, high-speed extruders and twin-screw extruders. For building up the layers, there is a range of various coextrusion feedblock systems from the REIcofeed series. The system enables the production of sheets with up to 11 or more layers. In all these sheet and film production systems, technical services are now available in Asia for faster response to customers' concerns, said the company’s CEO. W&H stressed the importance of its converTex SLC 120 for PP block bottom valve bags at Chinaplas. The machine delivers 120 sacks/minute and has proven record of being adapted to the specific needs of PP fabric sack production. The machine has taken an important position in today’s sack production with technical support for the operator of the machine. In the first process step “fabric unwinding” the operator is now supported by a double unwinding station ERC - Easy Roll Change which allows very short change-overs. This raises the production efficiency as no time is lost before restart with a fresh fabric roll. Sensors can be integrated into the next process step “perforation” to assist the operator in quality improvement. According to Schaeperklaus, W&H machines are known for their high output, easy and reliable operation. The end-products can be produced economically due to the innovative adhesive-free production process as converTex uses coating applied to the fabric as joining material.
Sack bottoms, as well as valve and bottom patches are heated by hot air to soften the coating and then are joined together by intense pressure. The omission of any glue saves significant cost and avoids usage of solvents and the necessity for cleaning. Kautex exhibited a compact KCC10 MK3, which was demonstrating the production of three-layer 1,000-ml bottles with a foamed middle layer using US firm Trexel’s MuCell technology. The foaming of the middle layer reduces the amount of material required and provides better thermal and insulating properties. Kampf presented its new generation battery separator film (BSF) system, designed to improve the production of lithium ion batteries, according to Chong. The compact machine features short overall web path and the latest digital tension control, while downtime and roll handling time is reduced due to easy and efficient positioning aid systems to achieve quick changeover procedures of slitting equipment, said Chong. Also, the machine has a specialised rewind section for ultra-precise and ultrasensitive web control. The latest concepts for the production of films are what German film stretching line market leader Brückner Maschinenbau unveiled. With demand for speciality films on the rise in Asia, Brückner has been innovating a new breed of film production systems aimed at achieving high quality films, said Reinhard Priller, Sales Director. Thus, it launched the new generation Karo 5.0, a laboratory stretching machine, catering from mono-axial to bi-axial, sequential or simultaneous stretching. “Karo 5.0 follows Karo IV, which has set a global standard as the laboratory stretching machine,” said Priller, adding that it boasts a new visualisation system for an optimised, intuitive machine control; Reinhard Priller better process control; faster change of Brückner says of process settings and oven cooling that though the function; clip cooling system for company has not faster trial sequences; quieter made any significant machine operation; and less energy move to expand its production capacity, consumption. it is continuously Brückner also highlighted its improving to meet battery separator film production growing demands in lines. Priller explained. “It features China the patented Evapore line concept designed to achieve high productivity and greater flexibility. The 5.5 m line concept for the wet process is considered the most powerful and efficient battery separator film technology in the market today.” The company also promoted its BOPP and BOPET film production lines for the packaging industry. “The Chinese film packaging manufacturers prefer machines with high output and low production costs so we developed several systems, such as the BOPET lines with 10.4 m working width for greater productivity and the BOPP lines, capable of producing more than 60,000 tonnes/ year," said Priller. MAY 2018
25