TPT November 2011

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42 November 2011 ›
Technology Update
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:
Website:
Measuring technology in hose and
tube extrusion lines
Possible configurations of Sikora measuring technology in hose and tube extrusion lines