Intensive Cooling External Gauge Control (EGC) This air-ring system from Addex helps direct air to provide peak cooling efficiency to extruded film bubbles. The aerodynamically designed elements create a high-velocity airstream without compromising bubble stability. 

What’s new? The Gen 3 EGC for Rotating Die System, the next generation of the EGC technology. Powered by a proprietary mapping algorithm embedded within Addex’s latest Gen 3 control technology that corrects for die rotation effects in real time, it’s available as a retrofit to existing blown film plastic lines with rotating dies. The system, consisting of both hardware and software, controls both the auto-profile air ring and the physical rotation of the die. Finger-like devices open and close to adjust localized air volume. A 12-inch air ring includes 168 control zones, with over 200 control zones on larger systems.

Benefits The reduction of gauge variation by 50 percent, with a retrofit, rather than a full system upgrade. Addex’s retrofit technology provides a much more affordable solution, giving processers an option that doesn’t require them to buy new lines with stationary dies to achieve improved profile performance. While new blown film lines are typically sold with stationary dies, many blown film producers with rotating dies also need improved gauge control. The typical answer — adding an oscillating haul-off to the line — isn’t always practical due to budget limitations or physical constraints, such as a tower that is too short, or a tower that can’t support the weight of an oscillating haul-off.  

Addex Inc., Newark, N.Y., 315-331-7700, www.addexinc.com