GB2381234A

GB2381234A - Extrusion plant with adjustment means

Info

Publication number: GB2381234A
Application number: GB0207395A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Annerer; Luck Frank Van
Original assignee: Sms Folientechnik & Co KG GmbH
Current assignee: Sms Folientechnik & Co KG GmbH
Priority date: 2001-10-24
Filing date: 2002-03-28
Publication date: 2003-04-30
Also published as: DE20117404U1; GB0207395D0

Abstract

An extrusion plant for producing in particular foam films, comprises at least one extruder (2), one extrusion die (3) and a calibrating device (4). The extrusion die (3) and calibrating device (4) at least are both arranged on a component support (5) downstream of the extruder (2) in the direction of extrusion. The component support (5) is constructed in modular manner and comprises at least one adjusting system (6) and one system support (7) for adjusting the component support (5) in at least one axis via the adjusting system (6) or the system support (7). The adjusting system 6 may be constructed from two plates 10 or profile frames, which are arranged on the system support 7. The adjustment may be achieved by screws 8, a piston/cylinder unit, a pneumatically hydraulic spindle, a spindle or a lever system. The system support 7 may be movable on a guide system 9, which latter may take various forms as described in the text.

Description

EXTRUSION PLANT The invention relates to an extrusion plant for producing in particular foam films, comprising at least one extruder, one extrusion die and one calibrating device, wherein at least the two components extrusion die and calibrating device are arranged downstream of the extruder in the direction of extrusion and are arranged on a component support.

In the generally known extrusion plants of foam films, a die and a cooling mandrel follow the extruder in the direction of extrusion, if required a further filter and/or a pump may also be arranged downstream. In addition, a static mixer and a homogenising zone may also be arranged downstream of the extruder.

For optimum process flow, it is necessary that all components are flush on a line, for this purpose, the components are arranged on an adjusting system and may be adjusted via four adjusting screws attached to the ends of the units. However, often the widest variety of systems are used in the individual units, which makes exchange with one another difficult.

The object of the invention is to avoid these disadvantages and to offer a device which can be used universally, wherein the adjustment should be simplified.

The solution to this object is characterised in conjunction with the preamble of clam 1, in that the component support is constructed in modular manner and comprises at least one adjusting system and one system support, wherein the component support may be adjusted via the adjusting system or the system support in at least one axis.

An identical structure of the component support is thus selected for all units.

The adjusting system is preferably constructed from two, preferably trapezoidal, plates, which are arranged on a movable system support, wherein each plate can be a altered via two adjusting means in at least one axis. Adjusting screws or any other suitable device, such as a piston/cylinder unit or spindle, can be used as adjusting means. However, a pneumatically hydraulic spindle, a lever system made from, for

example a hinge with a screw or magnetic or electric adjustment, may also be provided. This ensures that the components may be mounted on a uniform component support and simply adjusted.

The system support of the component support is advantageously a movable frame and can be moved via a guide system. It may thus be positioned slightly behind the extruder and be mounted at a suitable site without dismantling. The guide system is a rail system, which is formed from wheels or rollers having complementary guide profile. However, it is also conceivable to use a system made from a linear or other guide systems, which is anchored firmly to the base. Very precise positioning of the individual units is thus possible.

In order to absorb the increased cost expenditure, it is proposed to equip the adjusting system with a guide system and to design the movable system support to be adjustable in at least one axis.

All downstream components or units, such as a cutting knife for cutting into sections or also an atmosphere or air ring, and a cooling ring may be mounted on this proposed component support, of course this also applies to a discharge device.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown schematically in the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a part of the extrusion plant; Figure 2 shows the component support; Figure 3 shows four variants of the guide system; and Figure 4 shows an alternative design.

Figure 1 shows an extrusion plant 1 schematically. An extrusion die 3 and a calibrating device 4 are arranged downstream of the extruder 2 in the direction of extrusion. In order to extrude a usable film, all components have to be arranged in a

line after the extruder 2. For this, the components are constructed on a component support 5. Both component supports 5 are constructed in modular manner and can be fitted individually onto each component. Each component may be aligned exactly via an adjusting system 6. The adjusting system 6 comprises in each case two plates 10, the position of which is altered via an adjusting means 8, here an adjusting screw. In the simplest case, the two plates 10 are not connected to one another. Should this be necessary, connection takes place as far as possible by profiles attached above or between the plates 10. If possible, all plates 10 have a trapezium shape, but which may be adapted during separation of the hose-like film into 2 individual films, and when using cooling rings for PE films.

Figure 2 shows the component support 5 with the adjusting system 6, which comprises the trapezoidal plate 10 and is connected to the system support 7 via the adjusting screws as adjusting means 8. The system support 7 is directed via a guide system 9 in the base. A roller/rail system is used as guide system in Figure 2. In order to prevent the system support from springing out from the guide system 9, it is proposed to use a guide shoe system on a rail profile. If a certain force distribution is necessary, any other conceivable system suitable for guiding may be used. Figure 3 shows some examples of such an embodiment.

The exemplary embodiment 3a shows a roller/rail guide, as used on the component support according to Figure 2, Example 3b shows a guide shoe system, in which the rail is fully engaged and consequently springing out is prevented. A further variant of a profile system is shown in Figures 3c and 3d. These guide systems likewise facilitate cleaner sliding of the component support, wherein the design according to Figure 3d may absorb forces in several directions. Tilting or swaying of the component support is thus additionally effectively prevented. Figure 4 shows an alternative design, here height adjustment is integrated into the rollers of the system support 7, so that the component may be displaced on a rail system. Separate adjustment of the plates (not shown in Figure 4) may be omitted.

These profile systems are very well suited to also form the overall component support.

The proposed modular structure of the component support facilitates simple adaptation of the components to the particular extruder and can be set universally for each unit.

For convenience, the reference numerals in the accompanying drawings designate the following parts :- 1 Extrusion plant 2 Extruder 3 Extrusion die 4 Calibrating device 5 Component support 6 Adjusting system 7 System support 8 Adjusting means of the adjusting system 6 9 Guide system 10 Plate of the adjusting system 6

Claims

Claims: 1. Extrusion plant for producing in particular foam films, comprising at least one extruder (2), one extrusion die (3) and one calibrating device (4), wherein at least the two components extrusion die (3) and calibrating device (4) are arranged on a component support (5) downstream of the extruder (2) in the direction of extrusion, characterised in that the component support (5) is constructed in modular manner and comprises at least one adjusting system (6) and one system support (7), wherein the component support (5) may be adjusted via the adjusting system (6) or the system support (7) in at least one axis.
2. Extrusion plant according to claim 1, characterised in that the component support (5) may be used for each of the components (3,4).
3. Extrusion plant according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterised in that the adjusting system (6) is constructed from two, preferably trapezoidal, plates (10) or profile frames, which are arranged on a system support (7), wherein each plate (10) or profile frame can be altered via two adjusting means (8) in at least one axis.
4. Extrusion plant according to claim 3, characterised in that the adjusting means (8) comprises adjusting screws.
5. Extrusion plant according to claim 3, characterised in that the adjusting means (8) comprises a piston/cylinder unit.
6. Extrusion plant according to claim 3, characterised in that the adjusting means (8) comprises a pneumatically hydraulic spindle.
7. Extrusion plant according to claim 3, characterised in that the adjusting means (8) comprises a spindle.

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8. Extrusion plant according to claim 3, characterised in that the adjusting means (8) comprises a lever mechanism, preferably made from a hinge and a screw.
9. Extrusion plant according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the system support (7) is moveable on a guide system (9).
10. Extrusion plant according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the guide system (9) is formed from a rail system made of wheels or rollers having complementary guide profile.
11. Extrusion plant according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the guide system (9) is a linear guide system.
12. Extrusion plant according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the guide system (9) can be folded away.
13. Extrusion plant according to any preceding claim, characterised in that a cutting knife for cutting into sections is arranged on the component support (5).
14. Extrusion plant according to any preceding claim, characterised in that all components (3,4) arranged downstream of the extruder (2) are arranged on a single system support (6).
15. Extrusion plant substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to any one of Figures 1, 2,3 or 4 of the accompanying drawings.