New blown-film lines use a single air ring

New from Reifenhäuser Kiefel Extrusion (Worms, Germany), formed last summer through the fusion of Kiefel Extrusion and Reifenhäuser’s blown-film division, is a cooling concept for blown-film extrusion lines based on a cooling ring that can be adjusted in height. The "counter cooling process" used for this air ring design means that the cooling air is not only conveyed upward to the air lips, as is the case in conventional air rings, but also downward to an additional air exit. As a result, only one air ring is needed to achieve stabilization of the film bubble.

The manufacturer says the end result includes not only higher output but—depending on the film structure—also improved film with regard to properties such as transparency, gloss, and strength. —[email protected]