Extrusion Asia Edition 1-2019

Gerodur MPM Kunststoffverarbeitung GmbH & Co KG Andreas-Schubert-Str. 6, 01844 Neustadt, Germany www.gerodur.de SIKORA AG Bruchweide 2, 28307 Bremen, Germany www.sikora.net In the line, the millimeter wave system CENTERWAVE 6000 is installed directly after the first vacuum tank. The system mea- sures over 360 degrees of the pipe circumference the diameter, ovality, wall thickness and the sagging in real-time and, thus, enables a fast centering of the extrusion tools. An alternative measuring method on the market is ultra sound. This technolo- gy also measures the pipe diameters, however, due to its tem- perature dependency, it can only be applied later in the produc- tion process. “It is our goal to receive reliable and accurate in- formation about the pipe dimensions as early in the process as possible in order to take actions if necessary. Thereby, an early measurement of the wall thickness is of significant importance considering that pipes with large diameters and large wall thicknesses are being produced at a line speed of 0.5 meters per minute,” adds Richter. An optimized start-up process – meaning time saving and ma- nufacturing at nominal dimensions while, simultaneously, avoiding waste – leads to process reliability and an efficient pro- duction, which is often crucial with regard to competition. Gerodur understands its business as a continuous improvement process. “We constantly review our processes and also break new grounds if this enables us to further increase customer sa- tisfaction,” explains Axel Mantey, Managing Director of Tech- nology at Gerodur. “In addition to quality, the highest delivery reliability and flexibility concerning customer requirements are important aspects.” Thus, the company has launched two in- novative products, which opened up new application areas. Gerodur also places high demands on its suppliers. Process technology, which includes measuring and control technology, is a crucial component within the value-added chain. The data supplied by the measuring technology is the basis for process improvements and has an impact on business correlations within the company. “We are in close exchange with SIKORA and develop further together. For example, we are discussing ideas to adapt the system to our line requirements even after purchasing the device. This applies, for instance, to customized software modifications or individual visualizations of measure- ment data to support the operator,” explains Mantey. The re- sults are optimal processes and high productivity. At Gerodur, the production of high-quality products and pro- cess optimization will continue to be at the top of the agenda in the future. „Besides technical innovation, industry 4.0 and digitalization will be long-term challenges,” says Mantey. In ex- trusion lines, various machines, devices and systems are inte- grated that supply different data. A particular challenge is to evaluate and process these amounts of data that have to be in- telligently reduced to be perceivable for human. “Thus, the co- operation with machine manufacturers and manufacturers of measuring devices, like SIKORA, will play a key role,” says Mantey. SIKORA’s millimeter wave measuring system is well equipped with regard to industry 4.0 and already provides in- terfaces such as OPC UA and industrial fieldbus connections to be networked with the production plant. Axel Mantey is con- vinced that the combination of future-oriented technology with proven functionality and reliable service makes the cooperation with SIKORA so valuable. “If we achieve more process reliabili- ty by using measuring technology and produce a perfect pipe at the end of the production line, not only our customers will be satisfied, but we will be too.” 36 测量技术 - 用户报告 Extrusion Asia Edition 1/2019 Gerodur 公司使用SIKORA 的毫米波技术 在线测量塑料管道的外径、椭圆度、壁厚 及熔垂度。从左往右：SIKORA 区域销售 经理 Peter Hügen 和 Gerodur MPM Kunststoffverarbeitung 管道系统部门组长 Andre Richter SIKORA’s millimeter wave technology measures inline at Gerodur the diameter, ovality, wall thickness and sagging of plastic pipes; from left: Peter Hügen, Area Sales Manager at SIKORA, and Andre Richter, Team Leader of the division piping systems at Gerodur MPM Kunststoff- verarbeitung