TPT November 2011

T echnology U pdate

Measuring technology in hose and tube extrusion lines

HOSE and tube manufacturers are obligated to fulfil customer specifications at the production. These specifications refer to the dimensions of the product as well as their material characteristics. In order to meet the demands there are measuring technologies used in the lines that continuously monitor the quality during production. In extrusion lines, where for example installation tubes, automotive or industry hoses are produced, the X-Ray 6000 helps to permanently comply with the required specifications. Immediately with the online measurement the measuring values of the wall thickness, eccentricity, outer and inner diameter and ovality are available at the processor system Ecocontrol 6000. The eccentricity measuring values are displayed at eight points and allow the operator for an optimal centring of the extrusion tools and controlling of the wall thickness or the diameter to the nominal value. The values are numerically or graphically displayed as product cross-section. Depending on the application, the measuring device is installed before

the cooling trough, between two cooling troughs or after the cooling trough. The application field of the X-Ray 6000 ranges from one or multi layer hoses or tubes as they are common in extrusion lines such as composite pipes, pressure pipes with textile reinforcement, small and large diameter pipes made of PE, HDPE, PVC, EPR, also foamed products, products made of EPDM, nylon, rubber and silicone. In addition the X-Ray 6000 is applicable for medical hoses, industry and automotive tubes as well as for the gas and water sector. By using an X-Ray 6000 as hot measuring head right after the extruder and a diameter measuring head after the cooling trough in combination with a control a constant diameter is achieved. With the hot/cold control module HC 2000 the material shrinkage can be calculated and automatically considered for the control of the diameter or wall thickness. Besides the X-Ray 6000, which measures the dimensions of the hose or tube, testing and measuring devices are necessary, to assure product quality regarding material properties. Customers can configure their lines with Sikora measuringdevicestailoredtotheir needs.

Between extruder screw and the cross head the Ultratemp 6000 measures the melt temperature. As a result of the temperature measurement a homogeneous melt is assured. Inhomogeneities in the material are also detected by the measuring system. In the extrusion line 2- or 3-axis lump detectors are used, which detect faults on the material surface. The 3-axis measuring principle of the LUMP 2000 T devices is designed for the detection of small punctual faults with a constantly high detection probability. During the production hose and tube manufacturers can measure the product length with the help of Length 6000 and assure that precisely the required length is produced. A continuous quality control during hose and tube manufacture is a precondition for an economic production as risks can be identified and faults can be prevented at an early stage. With the first day of operation Sikora measuring technology reduces the costs of a production line and contributes significantly to profit increase. The X-Ray 6000 for example pays off already after four months.

Sikora AG – Germany Fax: +49 42148 90090 Email: sales@sikora.net Website: www.sikora.net

Possible configurations of Sikora measuring technology in hose and tube extrusion lines

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N ovember 2011

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