battenfeld-cincinnati presents new-generation mono- and 3-layer heads

The Spider NG 160 mono-layer head on display is suitable for pipes with dimensions ranging from 32 to 168 mm and output rates from 250 to 800 kg/h, the 3-layer Spider NG 250-3 for pipes from 110 to 250 mm in diameter and outputs from 400 to 850 kg/h. Both these heads will be shown directly in combination with suitable extruders. While the mono Spider is flanged onto a conical conEX NG-65 twin screw extruder, the practical example involving the 3-layer pipe head, Spider NG 250-3, is part of an extremely space-saving piggyback solution. The smaller conical twin screw extruder model conEX NG 54 will be shown mounted on top of the twinEX 93-34 R parallel twin screw extruder with a pipe die.

With the latest further development of its proven pipe head series, battenfeld-cincinnati has managed to meet all at once the various demands from customers for low material consumption, a wide process window, high throughput rates and low investment costs. The 3-layer-Spider of the new generation comes with a completely new design. Here, the middle layer is distributed via spider-type mandrel geometry. It ensures that an extremely wide range of different materials, such as compounds with high filler content, regrind mixtures and even foaming compounds can be processed without any problems. A spider-type mandrel which offers the same advantages is also used for the inner layer. The flow channel geometry of the outer layer consists of several coat hanger distributors positioned around the circumference and a matching pre-distribution unit supplying them with even flow quantities. In this way, extremely narrow wall thickness tolerances can be achieved.

What is more, this system shows excellent flushing properties. The pipe manufacturer who has been testing this die in practice for some time is very satisfied with its low material consumption and narrow pipe tolerances. The Spider NG 250-3 is being presented to the public for the first time at the K 2019. Not only the 3-layer dies, but also the mono-layer dies have been completely revised. From the K onwards, the pipe heads of the Spider NG series will be available in six sizes for pipe diameters ranging from 6 to 630 mm. With the help of flow simulation, the performance of the well-known mono dies has been significantly improved in the course of their re-design. The newly developed “twin compression” concept is applied here, which enables the production of pipes with optimal wall thickness tolerances and virtually without spider marks. The inner surfaces can also be adapted according to customers’ wishes. The new distribution concept is rounded off by numerous design optimizations, which substantially simplify the change of die sets in particular and thus minimize changeover times. From this series, too, a model already being tested in practice is proving successful in every respect. By the way, new-generation Spider pipe dies for twin-strand lines are also available.