Automatic Die Reduces Costs, Improves Quality
(Pawcatuck, Conn.)--A Davis-Standard Series 50 internal deckle die upgrade has made all the difference on an extrusion coating line at Propex Inc.'s facility in Nashville, Georgia. The new auto profile die has significantly cut down on resin usage taking coating on fabric from a ±10 percent profile tolerance down to ±1 percent. According to Joel Manacop, Propex staff engineer at the Nashville, Georgia plant, this tighter tolerance immediately reduced material costs and has improved quality.
"In only a few months, this die has more than proven its worth. We took a 15-year-old Davis-Standard extrusion coating line and gave it an immediate boost with this upgrade. We have realized a cost savings of at least 20 percent and have a more uniform end product," said Manacop. "In addition to performance, the best feature of this particular die is the ease of maintenance. You can clean it in place which is a big advantage."
Propex has other Davis-Standard Egan extrusion coating lines at its Georgia plant as well as Mexico and Brazil. The company is pleased with the new die and has seen an increase in line speeds. Other advantages of the Series 50 include reduced edge bead for most grades of polymer, an internal deckle system, removable lips for die cleaning, externally mounted block heaters, and a larger body cross section to insure thermal stability at high output rates.
"I am glad we pursued the automatic die option because many people were trying to push us in other directions. Davis-Standard handled the entire project for us including the addition of a gauging system supplied in conjunction with the die," Manacop added. "Davis-Standard's people have always been able to find solutions for us. They respond quickly and their service is impeccable."
Propex has experienced significant growth in the retail markets for the conversion of fabric into bags, building materials, house wrap, lumber wrap and similar products. The company is a full-service operation, performing all the weaving and extrusion coating in-house with the end product going to the supplier. As a global company, Propex is the largest producer of geosynthetic, concrete, furnishing, and industrial fabrics and fiber. The company's product lines serve the flooring, filtration media, automotive, recreation, packaging, agriculture, recreation, building materials and concrete systems markets.
For more information about Propex, visit www.propexinc.com. For more information about the Series 50 die, contact Ken Piora at piorak@bc-egan.com.
Contact
Christine Maxam
Sales and Marketing Coordinator
Converting Systems
315-593-0359
