130
M
arch
2014
Technology News
Turkshead straightener
RAFTER Equipment Corporation has
finished a new RT-2000S raft set and
double-sided turkshead straightener for
a North American tube producer. The
equipment will replace older American
Electric Fusion (AEF) tube mill equipment
that is worn and has lived its useful life.
The company reversed engineered the
raft plates and drive shaft connections
so that they would work with the existing
equipment. The new driven and idle side
roll stands will include updated quick-
change features and be more robust than
the ones they replace. The turkshead will
offer the same improvements. Rafter
Equipment Corporation manufactures
tube mills, pipe mills, roll forming
machines, cutoff machines, and other
related tube and pipe mill machinery.
Additional services include rebuilding
and upgrading mill equipment. Originally
started in 1917, the Rafter name is known
for reliable, high-quality tube mill and roll
forming equipment.
Rafter Equipment Corp
– USA
Email:
Website:
Turnkey extrusion
CUSTOM Downsteam Systems offers
turnkey systems that are complete
lines starting with the extruder through
to the end of the downstream extrusion
line. As manufacturers strive to reduce
costs and improve productivity, capital
investments in equipment must provide
a solution to managing operations.
The benefits of manufacturing a
turnkey system speak for themselves
through overall reduced downtime,
efficient production and savings in
shipping costs. However, customers
can expect longer lead times for design,
manufacturing, testing and installation.
High profile projects may require months
of combined planning and execution; on
the other hand, they provide for excellent
training opportunities that transcend
upcoming generations in the workforce.
Innovations in extrusion technology for
tubing have not advanced as rapidly as
tubing applications themselves. Often
similar to a pipe, a tube is a closed-
section hollowed profile with a relatively
thinner wall and smaller size. It is usually
non-standardised and then defined
explicitly by both its outside diameter and
a constant wall thickness. However, the
hollow can be not only round, but also
square, oval and hexagonal for which
applications include fluid distribution,
medical device, irrigation, pneumatic and
hydraulic pressure distribution and the
list goes on.
The wall thinness and flexibility have
characterised tubing as: various tubes
require different types of pressure
adjustment where additional control
devices may be required to avoid
deformation at haul-off entry and exit;
in puller systems, two belts are usually
enough, but the choice of a grooved belt
is better; to enhance tube centring and
traction force without damage on product;
at the end of the extrusion process, tube
will be cut dustless, either by a fly-knife
cutter or a guillotine; and it may also be
coiled continuously on a winder.
The importance of customisation
of machinery is greater than ever.
Technology of tubing applications has
translated into a need for improved
flame retardancy, increased tensile
strength, permeation resistance and
long-term performance for repeatable
accuracy.
Medical tubing required specific
downstream line with FDA compliant
materials, improved cleaning ability and
higher control of constraints applied on
multi-lumen, ever thinner medical tubes.
The downstream extrusion line does
not change fundamentally, however,
individual system specifications are
customised through speed control and
pressure applied to the extrudate.
CDS has become accustomed to
streamlining its clients’ innovations
and engineering for the best quality
production. For cooling and sizing, the
main components that are modified
according to customer specifications
include vacuum controls, spray nozzles
and rollers. Although ovality controls are
used most frequently, small tubing of
1
/
8
"
or smaller may require Iris controls.
Custom Downstream Systems Inc
–
Canada
Email:
Website:
LOT numbers, meter marking or 1D- and
2D-codes... the LEIBINGER JET3 inkjet
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&coding requirements on any kind of wire,
cables and tubes in the production process.
Perfect print quality at high production
speeds guaranteed on all materials such
as aluminium, stainless steel or any kind of
plastic.
non-clogging nozzle
highest reliablility
high speed printing
suitable for all surfaces
pigmented contrast inks
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HALL 9
