Page 51 - Plastics News February 2023

TECHNOLOGY

Current Trends and Innovations in Film Orientation Systems

AlOx or SiOx or special lacquers are
created in the high-barrier area, pre-
defined film properties are necessary
for all of these processes. “With our
systems and their proven, extremely
flexible 7-layer and 9-layer die heads,
we meet the high requirements here,”
emphasises Bayer. “This is because
the right MDO technology makes
every layer the right thickness with
the required physical properties.” In
addition to MDO films, these system
types can also produce standard barri-
er films such as: EVOH barrier films or
lidding films with resealing properties.
“This is how we are able to develop
the right MDO system technology for
New TRIO technology saves ma- “There is currently a lot of interest in individual customer requirements,”
terial and increases quality for stretched barrier films in the film mar- concludes Bayer. The MDO stretch-
further processing ket,” explains Bernd Bayer, Head of R ing system from Hosokawa Alpine
& D of the Film Extrusion Division at combined with the TRIO technology,
osokawa Alpine AG is the pio- for example, meets the highest quality
Hneer in Machine Direction Ori- Hosokawa Alpine. Since print sub- demands in film production while also
entation (MDO) technology. This strate films for full PE packaging made enabling lamination and printing of full
is a key element for the production from 5-layer MDO films are now PE material composites.
of high-performance polyethylene available on the market, yet another
monomaterial composites for flexible step in the development process is TRIO 2.0 INCREASES THE FIN-
packaging. Full PE packaging solutions complete. “This means we have com- ISHING QUALITY
are made of pure polyethylene com- bined sustainability and resource con- The new machine and control tech-
posites and can be fully recycled after servation,” says Bayer. But the possi- nology “TRIO 2.0” from Hosokawa
use and reused in the circular econ- bilities by no means stop there. “We Alpine includes a single layer meas-
omy for end products without any are continuing with our research of urement of the stretched film after
loss of material. Through the use of a variety of film composites that are separating and before the winding
monoaxial stretching, film properties of interest in the production of flex- points. “This more precise film layer
such as stiffness, oxygen permeabil- ible packaging,” Bayer adds. Each film detection enables the thin sections
ity or appearance can be specifically layer has clearly defined tasks. “Each to be even better positioned for the
adjusted and the film thickness can of these individual layers should be as stretching process,” explains Bayer.
also be reduced. Hosokawa Alpine thin as possible. That is why stretched Using the measured values obtained,
has been involved with monoaxial films are particularly suitable for this a smart control algorithm calculates
stretching for more than 25 years and purpose,” adds Bayer. an improved presentation of the fac-
is constantly optimising the flatness of SUITABLE SYSTEM TECHNOL- tors influencing the MDO on the en-
the films. The new TRIO technology OGY FOR A VARIETY OF FILM tire control circuit. The optimised re-
“Trim Reduction for Inline Orienta- PROPERTIES cording and calculation of the target
tion” now also ensures significant ma- To ensure a brilliant presentation of values for the thin sections makes the
terial savings when it comes to edge the packaged products, the films are control in the inline MDO process
trimming. more precise, thereby increasing the
finished with surface or reverse print-
BARRIER FILMS TRENDING ing. Since surface coatings with Al, quality of the further processing.

PLASTICS NEWS 53
February 2023