ORLANDO, FLA. — Sheet producers will find it easier to add downstream technology with the configurable roll stand introduced by Processing Technologies International LLC at NPE 2015, the company said.
“You can add equipment, such as corona treatment machinery and laminators, easily,” said Matthew Banach, vice president of sales and marketing.
PTi's new G-Series configurable roll stand is designed for simple installation of downstream equipment for inline thermoforming and roll stock applications. Typical custom roll stands can take days or weeks to modify for equipment additions but the G-Series cuts that time down to just hours, PTi said. That means less downtime and less re-engineering. The configurable frame can accept new modules without any cutting, welding or machining, Banach said.
The length of the module can be adjusted to increase or decrease the distance between the main roll stack and the pull roll. Additional cooling, slitting and gauging stations are other downstream modules easily added to the configurable G-Series. Sheet extruders can change the order of downstream operations within a system or they can share modules between other compatible G-Series systems.
The configurable roll stand makes it easy to integrate utilities such as electrical, water and compressed air. An integral energy chain means utilities are readily repositioned.
Standard patented features for the G-Series include linear bearing system positioning, ratcheting vertical nip height adjustment, mechanical roll lock-out and transfer roll coating for top and/or bottom side application. Also standard are modulating water circuits, internally positioned energy tracks that permit open-side access and catwalks for easy operator access.
Banach said installation of the G-Series system allows precise vertical positioning, which is especially critical for thin sheet. The system rides linear rails, unlike the usual base of tracks that can pulverize grout beneath the base, which would skew positioning. Banach said PTi has applied to patent a novel mechanical lockout for safety.
PTi also showed an HVTSE extruder-based sheet system that is highly flexible regarding materials at NPE 2015 in Orlando. Its flexibility has proved to be the biggest selling point of the system, although its energy efficiency and process simplification are also key benefits. The company has sold four of the systems in the past six months that represent theoretical PET sheet capacity of 390 million pounds per year.
PTi recently said it is in the final stages of formalizing a commercial agreement with an undisclosed global tooling producer for exclusive sourcing of PTi's patented layer flipping technology. Banach said March 25 that the deal hadn't been completed yet and he declined to speculate when PTi would make an announcement about the deal.
PTi recently appointed Gary Kemp as aftermarket sales and customer service director in a revitalized customer service initiative.
“He will lead our focused effort to meet the growing demand for services and parts that is a natural byproduct of our continually growing installed machine base,” PTi President Dana Hanson announced at NPE.