News
17.09.2008
The comfortable world of extrusion
Extrusion lines in full production in iNOEX Technology Centre
„It is our claim to look beyond today’s technical standards. We want to be faster and better than everybody else in detecting potential for more economic profitability, efficiency and quality and to make our customers benefit from them“, says Reinhard Klose, managing partner of iNOEX GmbH, to describe the company’s philosophy which is well put to practice in the Technology Centre. „Our strategy is to have a real impact on the future of the extrusion industry through our innovative technologies.“ ADVANTAGE, PEXLINK and MAXFLEXX in iNOEX’s Technology Centre are three examples of innovative equipment integrated in a real production process. ADVANTAGE is used for fully automated changes of pipe dimensions at the push of a button. A plus in production time and flexibility are the benefit. When all system components have been installed, dimensions can be changed gradually up to a ratio of 1 : 2,5. The process is automatically controlled by stored recipes and changes take only minutes to be completed. The guide parameter is the flexible calibration sleeve. ADVANTAGE improves the profitability of the production process. Expensive conversion or downtime are avoided and the production of small lots becomes profitable again.
PEXLINK offers a revolutionary system configuration for an optimum cross-linking process in the production of PEX-A pipes. This kind of extrusion process is particularly complex and challenging because a high-quality PEX-A pipe must not only have specific physical properties but also a specific chemical composition. PEXLINK optimises the one-stage process of PEX-A extrusion. Cross-linking is based on an infrared oven and the process is completed already during production. A guaranteed cross-linking degree, a maximum line speed and a higher flexibility are granted.
MAXFLEXX optimises the cooling process through efficient heat dissipation. The cooling process has an improving influence on product quality and the line speed. MAXFLEXX by iNOEX is an innovative system configuration. Cooling of the exterior surface is complemented by cooling the interior surface. Cold air is led inside the extruded pipe. The double cooling effect from inside and outside continuously and quickly removes thermal energy from the pipe. Pipe shrinkage is more regular and unwanted residual stress is reduced, this increases the pipe’s quality.
All three innovative technologies are shown in operation in the iNOEX Technology Centre for both demonstration and training to facilitate their handling in practical use. Tailor-made technology training has been established which is offered worldwide and has met with great response.