Nine-layer extruder system installed in Europe

Canada-based film and sheet extrusion machinery supplier, Macro Engineering & Technology, Inc., has installed a state-of-the-art nine-layer system in Europe.

The 1.8m-wide line uses nine extruders and a Macro proprietary nine-layer die design to produce various barrier structures for the packaging industry to make film and bags. This line is also equipped to run 18-layer structures.

The line is designed to handle various materials including barrier resins such as polyamide, EVOH, PETg. The winding system is designed to handle film thicknesses ranging from 20um to 300um.

Macro explained the high performance surface winder has zero fold-back roll starts; it is able to auto-cut and transfer in both directions, and has automatic shaft and roll handling, as well as automatic shaft extraction.

The system was designed with features to further minimise waste and maximise energy efficiency, says Macro, including the company’s control system, which includes the “ReadyRun” feature in which the customer can restore frequently used recipes at the push of a button. This significantly reduces changeover time, and improves the consistency of the products, it says.

The line is also equipped with the “Green Energy” feature, in which the energy consumption is optimised during the heat and cool process and the customer is able to view energy consumption in real-time. This feature reportedly helps users to know which recipes are the most efficient to produce.