Extrusion International 5-2019

32 Extrusion International 5/2019 INDUSTRY NEWS PIPE EXTRUSION • Possibility of big data collection and analysis to optimize the processes The above are just some of the many pros of having ex- trusion plants, which are operating with Industry 4.0 technology and therefore TECNOMATIC is focusing and investing on it. This will enable TECNOMATIC to supply its clients with the most efficient extrusion lines available in the market. Extruders & Die-Heads Further to an extruder of the ZEPHYR series Tecnomatic will also display die-heads of the VENUS series, to produce PP-R pipes with fiberglass up to 250 mm, and of the VE- NUS COAT series for the coating of PE or metal pipes with protective or functional layers. ZEPHYR is the most performing extruder manufactured by Tecnomatic, it features an array of advanced techni- cal solutions which makes it ideal and suitable for pipe producers looking for even more focused energy saving machines, offering extreme output performance at lower melt temperatures. The innovation spans the entire ex- truder and includes new spiral grooved bush, screw and motors. Pipe extrusion is highly dependent on electricity and most of the energy usage is in operating the extruder itself. The Zephyr series has been designed by focusing on this as a priority, in fact the extruders of this line feature increased screw length and AC water-cooled motors, to ensure same output of bigger size extruders but with a better energy efficiency. The new feed bush ensures minor friction, commonly generated by raw material transport, with subsequent increasing of the specific and total throughput. The fur- ther development in screw design, with optimization and enhancement of torque and shearing elements, have im- proved the output but have also led to process the mate- rial at lower melt temperatures. In a market, which is always more and more looking for highly innovative development, with respect to the grow- ing improvement of material properties, single-layer pipes are not always able to fulfill the necessary require- ments. Tecnomatic has well interpreted these customer needs and has developed, on the basis of the VENUS con- cept, a full range of die-heads for the production of 2, 3 or 4 layers polyolefin pipes even in big size. The VENUS MULTI pipe heads have implemented impor- tant technological features in order to reach the best pipes processing and to fit a wide range of materials at very high output. The spiral geometry has been especial- ly optimized for the latest generation of PE and PP raw materials, while length, volume and pressure have been reduced. The heart of the VENUS MULTI consists of an innovative flow channels geometry, which has been cal- culated by considering the current raw material. This ge- ometry assures the same behaviour for pressure and dis- tribution of the melt, in every pipe head of the range, also at very high output rate. The new feeding system of the spiral channels, as well as for the matching ranges and the small die sets contributes to reduce the working pressure. This influences remark- ably energy consumption during extrusion taking into ac- count that approximately 5 to 10%of the extruder power is necessary for the pumping capacity. Lower pressure also results in a lower increase of the melt temperature and with lower residence times assuring improved pipe’s characteristics with regard to OIT (oxidation resistance) values, extra weight and thermal and shear stresses re- duction. Coated Pipes The inherent flexibility of polyethylene has enabled a wide range of techniques, including thrust boring, direc- tional drilling and pipe bursting, to be used to install poly- ethylene pipe systems. Multilayer pipe systems have been developed with the specific objectives of improving the protection of the pressure pipes during such installations and to maximize the quality of the pipe system. This pipe, with a peelable outer skin, has provided significant eco- Four layers pipe-head Cross-head for PE coating