TPT May 2011

T echnology U pdate

New flexible extrusion lines designed for the modern squeeze tube market

BOSTON Matthews has announced the launch of the new range of medium-speed ‘squeeze tube’ extrusion lines. The medium-speed line forms part of range of extrusion lines designed by Boston Matthews specifically for the production of thin walled polyethylene tubes used within the packaging industry. The capability to extrude a wide range of tube sizes, configurations (1,2,3,4,5 layers) and polymer blends and to quickly change from one tube specification to another allows the squeeze tube manufacturer to react quickly in order to meet with the ever changing demands of their customers. The new lines have been developed by Boston Matthews through a very close association with a large number of squeeze-tube manufacturers from around the world since the successful introduction of its high speed-squeeze tube lines six year ago. Observing that the ever changing consumer markets have placed greater pressures and demands on tube makers to manufacture a more diverse range of tube sizes, specifications, blends and colours, Boston Matthews has reacted to this by developing the medium-speed line. Boston Matthews sales director Simon SCHWARZE-ROBITEC, Germany, a manufacturer of tube cold bending machines, has recently sold several special bending machines for the production of piping systems to different countries. For the production of tight radii tube serpentines and tube systems for the boiler and power station manufacturers the production of high capacity boilers in smaller dimensions was possible. This can be used in the most modern (fossil fuelled and nuclear) new power stations, or to refurbish existing ones. The machines with PC CNC control for highly accurate movements of all axes can be equipped with different special options, for example with flip-over table for synchronous rotation of large flat

Brookes said: “We are always listening to our customers and constantly monitoring market trends. This enables us to develop and design our equipment to meet with the specific requirements and demands of today’s markets and also for the future.” The medium speed line has been extremely well received by tube manufacturers around the world with orders successfully completed and in full production within several of the industry’s leading tube producers. Interest at the K’2010 was also very high with tube manufacturers specifically visiting the Boston Matthews stand to discuss their extrusion requirements. Flexibility and the importance of quick change-over have been designed into every element of the line. The die head has the ability to change colour or polymer faster; to produce different tube layer configurations without adjustment; simple disassembly on the extrusion line eliminating the need for heavy lifting equipment; and shorter flow passages for higher quality production. The die head incorporates a combination of technologies to ensure the successful processing of the wide range of blends, masterbatches and additives associated with squeeze tube production takes place serpentines. The control features and the use of up to eight different boosting pressure curves in one program also satisfies the requirement for different bending angles in different materials in one product or serpentine. The bending results comply with the latest EN 12952- 5 European Standard for water-tube boilers and auxiliary installations approved in 2000. The shipbuilding market is always looking for producing piping with a reduction in tool change times. Schwarze- Robitec anticipated this several years ago by developing machines up to Ø 219.1 x 12.7mm in multi-stack design for bending steel, stainless steel, copper, and CuNiFe tubes, as well as flanged and flared tubes

in order to achieve a high standard of surface finish which is essential for the tube decorating operation. These advancements in die head technology are in combination with the development of calibration, cooling and cutting technologies that provide the processor with more flexibility whilst making improvements in production quality. The tube calibration system has been designed for easy, damage-free removal incorporating quick and easy size change and also for quick and easy cleaning when required. The unit is designed in such as way so that identification of a tube scratch/ contamination issue can be quickly identified and recertified without involving heavy lifting equipment which can potentially cause further damage. Line control and operation is made simple via the SMART 15" colour touch- screen operating system. Features include automatic line start-up; recipe storage; constant performance monitoring and diagnostics, language selection, process data access, and password protection. Boston Matthews – USA Fax: +44 1905 763101 Website: www.bostonmatthews.com and pipes. No more adjustments must be done before starting a new bending operation with a different tube size. With the “SpringMatic” function the spring back can be automatically measured and compensated. A permanent cycle of innovations ensures continuous technical progress and proves the engineering potential of Schwarze-Robitec. The latest PC CNC control offers all kind of features to enter the necessary values, either manually or from a database, to obtain highest quality products in the shortest possible time. Schwarze-Robitec GmbH – Germany

Special tube cold bending machines for the production of piping systems

Email: sales@sch-r.com Website: www.sch-r.com

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M ay 2011

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