The cast film process involves the extrusion of polymers melted through a slot or flat die to form a thin, molten film. We typically speak of a film when its thickness is below 1 mm. Thicker materials (> 1 mm) are sheets. These thin plastic membranes are used to separate areas or volumes, to hold items, to act as barriers, or as printable surfaces. As most plastics can be formed into a thin film, the non-exhaustible materials list covers PE, PP, Polyester (e.g. BoPET), Nylon, Polyvinyl chloride, PVC, Polycarbonate and PLA as well as a variety of bioplastics and biodegradable plastics. The use of coextrusion is on the rise, simultaneously extruding multiple materials from a single die to form a multi-layered film. This responds to the need for plastic films offering a performance that cannot be achieved by films composed of a single material.
With rising global population and disposable income, plastic films are finding increasing applications in packaging as well as in non-packaging sectors globally. In packaging, plastic films are used in food, pharmaceuticals, personal care, industrial and other applications. Today, plastic films are extensively used in flexible packaging. In non-packaging, plastic films find applications in agriculture, construction, medical and health care, consumer goods, and others.
Asia-pacific is the key market for plastic films with more than 30% of global market share, fuelled by the rising middle class in China and India. North America and Europe are experiencing slow growth in the sector, with specialty films and biodegradable films slowly gaining importance.
The cooling in the extruded film process is much more efficient than that of blown film. This results in higher production rates with superior optical properties of the product. As the degree of draw and orientation is significantly lower in the cast film process than in the blown film process, the thickness distribution in cross direction is more uniform with cast processes. However, thickness measurement solutions of Hammer-IMS, connected in closed-loop, control the extrusion process to achieve and maintain film thickness variations between 1.5 and 3%.
To support high-width production, plastic cast film manufacturers can decide on the frame length of the Marveloc-CURTAIN solution as well as the number of integrated measuring units. The traveling sensors ensure maximum coverage in cross-machine direction. That is the perfect strategy to detect local deviations, which generally correspond to individual screwing bolts of the extrusion die. Thickness measurement in flat film extrusion lines ensures high film quality and reduces the consumption of raw materials.
The M-Ray based measuring solutions of Hammer-IMS offer lower total cost of ownership (TCO) compared to conventional nuclear and radioactive measuring technologies. This is good news for manufacturers with the ambition to equip their production lines with faster and more accurate quality control.
The M-Ray based measuring systems of Hammer-IMS can be easily placed in a plastics extrusion line on the production floor. Typically, they are located between the cooling rollers and the cutter.
The plastics conversion industry is highly-automated. Check out our technology section on which control loops Hammer-IMS can assist.
MARVELOC-CURTAIN-O
Our CURTAIN integrates our Marveloc technologies enabling full-industrial solutions. CURTAINs are tailored to perform a 24/7 industrial measurement task. Each CURTAIN machine can be equiped by our innovative Marveloc measuring devices of which multiple flavors exist (M-Ray, C-Ray, U-Ray and L-Ray). The CURTAIN itself is basically a rigid metal frame that support high measurement reliability and robustness. The rigidity of the frame guarantees robust measurements even in harsh environments.
MARVELOC-CURTAIN for Labs
In addition to a range of in-line solutions, Hammer-IMS offers thickness and basis-weight measuring systems for laboratory use. Typically, lab systems consist of a single fixed measurement head, optionally equipped with a feeder and/or scanner. The incorporated M-Ray measurement technology is non-radioactive and non-nuclear, so no increased safety precautions or legal restrictions apply for your lab environment. In-depth measurements from within a lab-environment are typically performed for purposes of: production process optimization; when developing new materials such as nonwovens, plastics or coatings, ...; to investigate used specimens to draw conclusions about endurance, wear and material stability.
MARVELOC-CURTAIN-C
The CURTAIN C-frame system, displayed on the right, uses a 100% classic scanning C-frame concept. Its design is sleek and slim. The CURTAIN itself is basically a rigid metal frame that support high measurement reliability and robustness. The rigidity of the frame guarantees robust measurements even in harsh environments. Each CURTAIN machine can be equiped by our innovative Marveloc measuring devices of which multiple flavors exist (M-Ray, C-Ray, U-Ray and L-Ray). 'Marveloc' brings the power of multi-head to classic C-frame measuring technology. The pure electronic nature of the Marveloc technoloy within this fixed or scanning frame is non-nuclear and non-radioactive. C-frame CURTAIN systems are available with arm lengths up to 2 meter. Such systems are extremely flexible because they can simply be inserted on either side of a production line without interrupting production. C-frame type systems can be used on lines of any material width.
M-Ray OEM Module
Whether you are a machine builder, a sensor integrator, a scientific researcher, or just an enthusiast, Hammer-IMS can provide you with an additional M-Ray eye on your measurement tasks. Hammer-IMS is proud to present you its newly developed M-Ray OEM module.
The device has been developed with the main intention to open up the world of non-nuclear and non-radioactive thickness and basis-weight measurement to manufacturers of inline quality control systems. M-Rays - electromagnetic waves just like those used in your cell phone - can be applied to measure plastics, fabrics, nonwovens, coatings, etc. We are happy to assist you with your OEM projects.
Marveloc-CHARIOT
Hammer-IMS released the brand new M-Ray based Marveloc-CHARIOT (or shorter the Chariot!) measuring machine. The compact system is perfectly suited for new and retrofit production lines of thick nonwovens, coated textiles and heavy plastic sheets. The new system efficiently measures the basis-weight or thickness where capacitive measurements are typically not an option. The Chariot is an affordable solution as it incorporates a single-sensor traveling unit that scans the entire product width.
Edge-Vision-4.0
Hammer-IMS excels in inline process and production control. With our EDGE-VISION-4.0-C product family we are adding a new eye to your product or process. We are offering this new product in the same industries we are targeting with our inline thickness and basis-weight measuring solutions (our Marveloc-CURTAIN and Marveloc-CHARIOT products).
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