Lines for polished / thermoforming sheets: Modules

The coextrusion process has gained increasing importance for the development of sheets that are capable of being polished. In earlier years, only typical 2-layer composites such as PS/SB were manufactured. Today composites with up to 9 layers dominate. With the proven and patented coextrusion slider-adapter process, Reifenhäuser is able to optimally manufacture these film composites.

The polished sheet die-heads are available in the customary nominal widths between 850 and 2,200 mm with throughputs of 200 to 2,000 kg/h. Continuous development of the distributor geometries guarantees optimal tolerances, a broad operation spectrum and low pressure use. Additional characteristics are:

	Inlet and distributor system designed for mono- and adapter coextrusion
	Flow channel with optimised flow properties, suitable for all polymers.
	Inline Slot Regulation (ISR II system ) for changing the lip gap during production.

	controlled melt flow into the polishing nip, also for thin sheet with low melt stability
	perfect handling allowing good view into the polishing nip
	feed and web position easily adjustable
	no condensation on the sheet
	optimum chill roll operation for thin sheet production

However, Reifenhäuser also caters for the possibility of horizontal extrusion which involves the use of the  "MIREX-W" polishing stacks.

Advantages of horizontal extrusion:

	particularly suitable for sheet of high melt stability
	simple line assembly
	easy access
	also suitable for combining thermoforming sheet/standard sheet lines

For sheet treatment after polishing additional line modules, e.g. thickness gauge and pre-treating station can be used:

Depending on the product and production capacity, additional cooling rolls can be placed downstream from the polishing stack. These rolls can be integrated into the cooling circuit. The sheet thickness can be measured by magnetic induction systems or isotope measuring units. Other systems can be integrated on demand.

Longitudinal cutting units:
	blade cutter unit or
	rotating cutter unit

Reifenhäuser's extensive product program for thermoforming sheet lines include winders that meet a wide range of customer-specific requirements. They are electrically driven and permit reel diameters of up to 2,000 mm.
Product type, sheet rigidity and thickness as well as production speed are decisive factors in selecting the right winder.

Junbo reel winder
	with and without accumulator
	with and without auxiliary haul-off unit
	with and without pneumatic crosscutter
	max. reel diameter 1600 mm or 2000 mm

Automatic winder
	with auxiliary haul-off unit
	with accumulator
	with automatic web lay-on
	with pneumatic crosscutter
	max. reel diameter 1600 mm or 2000 mm

REIcontrol - the automation system
REIcontrol is an automation system that meets the constantly growing demands placed on quality improvement and rationalisation. This system, developed by Reifenhäuser, monitors, controls and regulates extrusion line and process parameters.

	Extruder and die temperatures
	melt pressures
	line and haul-off speed
	start-up and shut-down parameters
	fault messages
	throughput control (optional)
	multi-component dosing (gravimetric/volumetric) (optional)
	recording of trend data
	printing of trend data
	alarm logging

REIcontrol Plus - the logging system
REIcontrol Plus is a logging system that satisfies the steadily increasing demands for process logging which is of great importance for quality management. 

This system has been developed by Reifenhäuser to include functions for logging and memorizing of line and process parameters.

	recording of trend data
	printing of process data in tabular form
	printing of trend data
	formulation management
	daily logging of inputs and alarms