Automatic External Gauge Control increases output capabilities.
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Press Release Summary:
For blown film extrusion lines, Tandem External Gauge Control (TEGC) system combines gauge control efficiency of Addex EGC air ring with bubble stabilizing lower air ring to reduce film thickness variations by up to 70% and increase throughput. Ethernet connection is standard, electronic circuit board is located in plenum area, and 90–288 control zones are available depending on air ring size. Among others, OEM options include mapping hardware and software for control processor.
Original Press Release:
Addex Inc.'s New Tandem External Gauge Control (TEGC) Delivers Greater Output
STOUGHTON, Mass. – Addex Inc., a leading global supplier of blown film equipment and components, has announced an enhanced automatic external gauge control (EGC) system for blown film extrusion lines. The new Tandem external gauge control (TEGC) system combines the gauge control efficiency of Addex’s EGC air ring with a bubble stabilizing lower air ring which achieves 15% to 30% greater output compared to Addex’s standard EGC system.
"The Tandem EGC is the culmination of extensive development work and is yet another example of how Addex works continually to devise unique products that help processors increase yield and realize major raw material savings," said Rick von Kraus, president of Addex Inc.
The lower single-lip air ring sits on the die and matches the die’s diameter. It is fed by a blower about half the size of the blower needed for a typical air ring. The blower gently cools the bubble and stabilizes it before entering the realm of the upper, dual-lip automatic gauge control air ring which is located above it. The more stable bubble allows for higher output without jeopardizing the gauge control function.
The upper EGC air ring is 2-in (50mm) bigger than the die size. Therefore, a 16-in (400mm) die employs a 16-in (400mm) single-lip air ring located on the die and an 18-in (450mm) EGC air ring situated on top (as shown in photo). The larger diameter for the upper air ring, which is equipped with the gauge controlling features, is needed to accommodate for the blow up ratio.
The remaining components of the Tandem EGC system are the same as those of the standard EGC system. The standard unit is an automatic system that reduces film thickness variations by up to 70%, typically resulting in a 5% to 6% raw material savings. Addex simplified the original air ring structure by moving the electronic circuit board (the brains) from outside of the air ring into the plenum area. This integration offers simplicity, enabling the user (end user or OEM customer) to rely on its own control panel if desired. An end user or OEM customer may also use its own thickness measuring system and feed it via the Ethernet connection to the air ring.
Other key options for the OEM include mapping hardware and software for the control processor and monitoring devices for the reversing nip position and nip roll speed along with a control algorithm which converts the mapped gauge profile into instructions for the air ring software.
The EGC system has the most control zones in the industry for air ring-based systems. The number of control zones ranges from 90 to 288 depending on the air ring size. A scanning actuator horizontally slides as many teeth (control zones) as needed to open or close the air flow channels (vanes) and automatically adjusts the cooling air, thus correcting thickness variation in the blown film. Just two motors activate all the movable parts in the system compared to competitive systems which use one motor per zone. Like the previous EGC air ring, one motor is used to adjust the air flow and the second one adjusts the first motor 360 deg.
About Addex Inc.
Addex Inc., based in Stoughton, Mass., USA, was founded in July 1989 as a supplier of high-performance components for blown film production. Today, Addex has supplied some of the most sophisticated technologies capable of producing very flat film, without camber, with the lowest possible gauge variation and the highest possible output. The company is a leading manufacturer of many patented blown film components and systems including manual and automated gauge controls, dies, air rings, internal bubble cooling systems, oscillating haul-offs, and winders, as well as leading designs of gravimetric blenders and bubble cages. For more information, visit www.addexinc.com.
Press Contact:
Joseph Grande
413.684.2463
joe@jgrandecommunications.com
