Data was generated to determine any correlation of the winding defect to an air ring (after cleaning) and a subsequent change of the
air-ring position on the die (Fig.
The BFC Series promises an increase in blown-film productivity, especially in warmer climates or environments where ambient air temperatures rise during the summer, by eliminating production variables in
air-ring supply, including air temperature, pressure, and volume, the company says.
The cooling air from the
air-ring is one of the key factors to stabilize or destabilize the bubble in the film-blowing process.
The Intensive Cooling air rings also include all the secondary air-collar locking points of the original
air-ring design, says Addex.
The cooling air is assumed to originate from a dualorifice adjustable
air-ring. The streamline patterns and heat fluxes are determined through a finite volume numerical technique for modeling of turbulent air flow.
In these trials, it has reportedly been shown to increase output by 40-60% over what can be generated from lines equipped with just conventional
air-ring technology.
The new design of the WesJet AutoPro blown film air ring reportedly improves
air-ring control, gauge tolerance, and yield.
Called the Optifil P-MDO, the device is designed to work with W&H's Optifil P auto-gauging systems (either die or
air-ring based).
"On three of our lines that are about 10-years old, we evaluated new
air-ring technology," Lord recalls.
An Auto-Profile Converter Module (ACM) replaces the existing automatic
air-ring junction box and provides local control over the air ring/pancakes, including the control algorithm itself.
The line also featured the Arctis high-performance, dual-lip
air-ring system, an upgrade of W&H's Opticool air ring that is said to boost output by 5-10%.
die) Gauge-Control Gauge-Control Gauge-Control Resulting Resulting System System System Thickness Thickness Resolution Variation Variation (360[degrees]+# 3 [less 2 [less of Control than or than or Zones) equal to] equal to] Addex IBC 275 1.3 [+ or [+ or Based -]2.3 - -]1.5 - 2.8% 2.1% Addex
Air-Ring 168 2.2 [+ or [+ or Based -]2.8 - -]2.3 - 3.5% 2.8% Competing Air 48 7.5 [+ or -] [+ or Ring 7.3 - -]4.9 - 8.4% 6.6% Chart cornares Addex's
air-ring and IBC-based gauge-control systems with competing technologies in a test under 'real world' production conditions.