Extrusion International USA 6-2019

37 Extrusion International 6/2019 manufacturing process, including material feeding, temper- ature control and syncronisation is coordinated and tracked. Another important point is having all parameters centrally recorded and monitored. The system allows, not only to car- ry out energy monitoring, but to convert numbers and data into valuable information on the processes within the line. This enables optimal analysis of a line’s performance. From the relevant key performance indicators (KPI) for shift supervisors up to the clear presentation of the line performance for the management. Perfectly in line with the concept of “smart factory” of the Industry 4.0, all data, including preventive maintenance and service parameters or alarms can be monitored via internet or intranet, to Pc, servers or to mobile devices. The invest- ment on Industry 4.0 brings about many advantages as: • Higher flexibility and efficiency of the extrusion line through a reduced set-up period, reducing errors and downtime • Possibility of big data collection and analysis to optimize the processes The above are just some of the many pros of having extru- sion plants, which are operating with Industry 4.0 technolo- gy and therefore TECNOMATIC is focusing and investing on it. This will enable TECNOMATIC to supply its clients with the most efficient extrusion lines available in the market. Extruders & Die-Heads Further to an extruder of the ZEPHYR series Tecnomatic will also display die-heads of the VENUS series, to produce PP-R pipes with fiberglass up to 250 mm, and of the VENUS COAT series for the coating of PE or metal pipes with pro- tective or functional layers. ZEPHYR is the most performing extruder manufactured by Tecnomatic, it features an array of advanced technical so- lutions which makes it ideal and suitable for pipe produc- ers looking for evenmore focused energy savingmachines, offering extreme output performance at lower melt tem- peratures. The innovation spans the entire extruder and includes new spiral grooved bush, screw and motors. Pipe extrusion is highly dependent on electricity and most of the energy usage is in operating the extruder itself. The Zephyr series has been designed by focusing on this as a priority, in fact the extruders of this line feature increased screw length and AC water-cooled motors, to ensure same output of bigger size extruders but with a better energy efficiency. The new feed bush ensures minor friction, commonly generated by raw material transport, with subsequent increasing of the specific and total throughput. The fur- ther development in screw design, with optimization and enhancement of torque and shearing elements, have im- proved the output but have also led to process thematerial at lower melt temperatures. In a market, which is always more and more looking for highly innovative development, with respect to the grow- Caption 3: Sample tray withmaterial samples: Detected contamination are highlighted in color. On the monitor, selected impurities are visualized on the sample tray by cross hairs Caption 4: X-ray image of pellets on monitor: Detected contamination are highlighted in color and shown enlarged