New Autoflex VI-RE Die Produces Uniform Film With 30% Better Tolerance

Press Release Summary:

• Die uses data from a computerized downstream gauging system to adjust the transverse thickness profile by making changes to the flexible upper lip of the die
• Flexible lip is made-up of thermally actuated adjuster blocks that expand or contract to adjust the lip gap in areas of the film
• Yields uniform film enhancing the printing and heat shrinking processes used for labels in packaging

Original Press Release:

Switch to EDI® Automatic Die Enables Shrink Sleeve Film Maker Innovia to Improve Tolerances By 30% and Achieve Faster Startups

Replacing Another Auto Die, Nordson’s Autoflex™ VI-RE Die Yields More Uniform Film, Enhancing the Printing and Heat Shrinking Processes Used for Labels in Packaging 

Schkopau, Germany, July 1, 2019: When a die used by Innovia Shrinkfilms GmbH for making shrink sleeve film yielded product that was often out of tolerance, the company switched to a die from Nordson Corporation that improved tolerances by 30% and reduced startup times.

Innovia is a specialty film manufacturer and a division of CCL Industries Inc., the world’s largest producer of labels. To supply the fast-growing shrink sleeve segment of the label market, Innovia produces transparent film that is subsequently printed on the inside surface, slipped over a container, and made to conform to the container surface by means of heat shrinking. On the cast film line in which the Nordson die has been installed, Innovia processes a polystyrene blend into monoaxially-oriented film.

The new die, replacing one from another supplier, is an EDI® Autoflex™ VI-RE H40 unit. Like the previous die, the Autoflex die is an automatic one, using data from a computerized downstream gauging system to adjust the transverse thickness profile by making changes to the flexible upper lip of the die.

“In comparison with our previous die, the EDI Autoflex die from Nordson produces more uniform film with 30% better tolerances,” said Giuseppe Ronzoni, Innovia plant manager. “The automatic control of the flexible lip is faster and more accurate and startups are faster than before.”

The flexible lip of an Autoflex die is made up of thermally-actuated adjuster blocks that expand or contract to adjust the lip gap in areas of the film that are thicker or thinner than the target dimension. “The upper lip of the Autoflex die is more flexible in that the adjustments to the lip gap take place more rapidly,” said Patrick Meinen, polymer dies product manager for Nordson.

Another critical factor for ensuring product quality is the length of the lip land—the lip surface just before the die exit. “The lip land can be made longer or shorter to optimize product thickness, flatness, and surface finish,” said Mr. Meinen. “Besides having a stiff upper lip, the older die had a lip land that was too short. In our Autoflex die, we optimized the lip land to control the product profile and manage die pressure.”

At startups, the rapid gauge profile adjustment provided by the Autoflex system reduces the time before saleable product is produced. Also helping to shorten startups is the design of the flow channel, or manifold, inside the die.

“The greater uniformity of the film produced with the EDI die reduces the potential for gauge bands on the product roll,” said Mr. Ronzoni. “This leads to less stretching of the final product and better printing results.”

For information on Innovia films for shrink sleeves, visit https://www.innoviafilms.com/applications/label-films/shrink-sleeve/. Innovia Shrinkfilms GmbH is located at Dow Value Park, Building E45, Schkopau, Germany 06258. Email: info@innoviafilms.de.

About Nordson

Nordson Corporation engineers, manufactures and markets differentiated products and systems used for the precision dispensing of adhesives, coatings, sealants, biomaterials, polymers, plastics and other materials, fluid management, test and inspection, UV curing and plasma surface treatment, all supported by application expertise and direct global sales and service. Nordson serves a wide variety of consumer non-durable, durable and technology end markets including packaging, nonwovens, electronics, medical, appliances, energy, transportation, construction, and general product assembly and finishing. Founded in 1954 and headquartered in Westlake, Ohio, the company has operations and support offices in more than 30 countries. Visit Nordson on the web at http://www.nordson.com, @Nordson_Corp, or www.facebook.com/nordson.

Nordson Polymer Processing Systems provides customers with engineered components to melt, homogenize, filter, meter, and give shape to plastic and fluid coating materials. Nordson Corporation leverages the collective plastics industry experience from a series of strategic acquisitions to offer a uniquely broad portfolio of industry-leading technologies. Nordson delivers a full range of precision melt stream products — from screws and barrels for extrusion and injection molding — to filtration systems, pumps, and valves — to the extrusion dies and pelletizing systems to meet the constantly evolving needs of the polymer industry.

Nordson Corporation provides customers with local technical sales, service and remanufacturing capabilities through sales organizations and regional manufacturing facilities in over 30 countries. To learn more visit us at http://www.nordsonpolymerprocessing.com or www.facebook.com/NordsonPPS.