TPT January 2013

Technology News

X-RAY 6300 for 270mm diameter PE tube quality control

to continuously control the quality of PE tubes both quickly and precisely during the production process. After switching on the device all measuring results such as wall thickness, outer and inner diameter, eccentricity and ovality are immediately available. All data is presented numerically and graphically on the processor display system Ecocontrol which has simple operation via an intuitive touchscreen. Ecocontrol provides a clear overview with a graphical line representation of positioning of all measuring devices to the user and utilising the special control module Set Point, DYKA can additionally control the diameter or wall thickness to nominal value continuously by automatically influencing either line speed or extruder rpm. Hence, the X-RAY 6300 fulfils all requirements for process stability and permanent quality control.

being conducted several years ago, the bad memories were still present. The Sikora device demonstration quickly removed any doubts and misgivings the staff held from the past. They were quickly convinced of the advantages and the reliability of the device, discovering that this technology is excellent for process optimisation and control. The obvious next step was setting out the technical specifications in detail and tailoring it to the specific conditions of their extrusion line.” Their extrusion line produced natural gas tubes made of polyethylene with an outer diameter of 250mm and a wall thickness of 25mm at a line speed of 6m/min. For the large diameters that are typical for gas or water tubes the online quality control is of enormous importance for minimising costs. Due to the large diameter of the product the X-ray device X-RAY 6300 was chosen since it covers a diameter range from 30 to 270mm. It was installed between the first vacuum tank and the spray bath. The function of the X-RAY 6300 in this position is

SIKORA has recently commissioned the X-ray device X-RAY 6300 at DYKA, a gas and water tube producer in Overpelt, Belgium. After extensive discussions, project meetings and development work over a three-year period, the project was successfully realised. Knut Szemjonneck, sales director hose and tube, said: “At the beginning of our cooperation, DYKA desired to reliably measure single-layer PE tubes during production. By pursuing this goal with Sikora the basic concept for a continuous quality control at the extrusion of plastic tubes was developed. In 2011, the first X-RAY 6000 device was presented to DYKA. DYKA at no point of time questioned the quality of the system. In fact it was intended to present the technology to the staff (who now work with it daily) so they could see the advantages of reliability, operation and support. “Previously DYKA had tried alternative measuring procedures within the factory, but they were found to showweaknesses and were rejected. Despite these trials

Sikora AG – Germany Email: sales@sikora.net Website: www.sikora.net

X-RAY 6300 at DYKA in Overpelt, Belgium

36

www.read-tpt.com

J anuary 2013