Battenfeld Gloucester Engineering Co. Inc. officials are aiming their sites on the market for machines for stretch film for silage, used by farmers to store grass, corn, grains and vegetables. The film also can be used to make large bags and covers to store agricultural products.
The company has modified its blown film equipment for the silage film market. Key elements include a device to inject the additive polyisobutylene, screw design for optimal mixing of the PIB, the die, haul-off and winder.
Battenfeld Gloucester modified its Traversanip with special nonstick turning bars, a ceramic-coated steel nip roll and a special silicone rubber roll, all cooled by water. The nip configuration is changed into an S-wrap.
White silage films reflect the sun's rays and reduce heat buildup during storage.
The film structure generally is an inside and outside layer of linear low density polyethylene, color, PIB and additives to protect against ultraviolet light.
“What is most important is the way we mix the PIB, our ability to obtain high output rates, gauge, and the controlled bloom of PIB,” said Carl Johnson, product sales manager for blown film at Battenfeld Gloucester, based in Gloucester, Mass.
Tel. 978-282-9450, fax 978-282-9111, e-mail [email protected]