Extrusion International 6-2018

24 Extrusion International 6/2018 INDUSTRY NEWS Online Analytical Tool Nordson Corporation has developed a digital tool for com- paring the cost inputs of standard sheet dies with removable lower lips and those of the EDI ® SmartGap™ mechanism for rapidly changing sheet thickness. The tool, called the Smart- Gap Payback Analysis, enables sheet manufacturers to calcu- late the payback time for switching to SmartGap technology. It can be accessed online at www.nordson.com/en/divisions/polymer-processing- systems/support/calculators SmartGap technology enables manufacturers to make changes in thickness with unprecedented speed, extend the range of thicknesses that they can produce, and achieve these improvements while enhancing sheet quality. The sys- tem uses a single-point adjustment mechanism that changes the lip gap while simultaneously modifying the length of the lip land to provide the most appropriate conditions for the newly adjusted thickness as the sheet exits the die. By me- chanically linking the adjustment of these two key process variables, the SmartGap system ensures a proper set-up of the die and takes substantial time and guesswork out of the process for achieving desired sheet properties. Users of the SmartGap Payback Analysis enter two types of information: 1) the one-time costs of equipment investment for a standard sheet die with removable lower lip and for a new SmartGap system; and 2) process data including die length, output rate, number of die gap and die lip changes, Nordson Polymer Processing Systems www.nordsonpolymerprocessing.com number of working days, raw material cost, approximate product selling price, and burden cost of sheet line per hour. Using these inputs, the tool calculates the daily output values of the two systems, including downtime, missed production output, downtime cost, missed product gross profit, and to- tal downtime cost; compares the time required for changing die lips versus that needed for changing the die gap in the SmartGap system; and estimates the how long it would take for a complete return on an investment in the SmartGap sys- tem. interplastica 2019 – Course for Success continues interplastica, the 22nd International Trade Fair for Plas- tics and Rubber, to be held Moscow, Russia, from 29 Janu- ary to 1 February, continues to develop very positively. After 650 exhibitors from 31 countries presented their ranges at the latest interplastica in January 2018, prospects are also ex- cellent for 2019. There is growing evidence that next year’s edition will post similarly good KPIs. The demand in the raw materials segment is as strong as for machinery and equip- ment. Registered exhibitors include the major suppliers from the plastics and packaging industries as well as specialised SMEs, longstanding participants and a strikingly high number of new exhibitors. As for the international attendance Germa- ny, Austria, Italy and also China are particularly well repre- sented. Furthermore, numerous companies from Turkey will take part in interplastica 2019. The ranges displayed by exhibitors will be accompanied by a programme of technical side events. One of the high- lights will be the special show 3D fab+print Russia in Hall Messe Düsseldorf GmbH www.interplastica.de 2.3, to be held concurrently with interplastica for the third time now. It focuses on the fast growing areas of Additive Manufacturing/3D Printing. Both Russian and international experts will discuss the developments, opportunities and challenges of this young technology while exhibitors will showcase their innovative products and solutions. Another major attraction for the international expert audi- ence will be the Polymer Plaza in Hall 1. With lectures and discussions on raw materials production, application and processing this lecture forum proves an extremely valuable add-on feature for trade fair visitors. Focal themes will in- clude sustainability along the value chain and environmental issues, to name but two. Held in parallel with interplastica 2019 again will be upak- ovka – processing and packaging with more than 250 exhibi- tors, generating clear synergies. SmartGap™Sheet Die