Globaline makes global debut at NPE2009

Aurora, IL—Calling the system a “major platform for us going forward,” Dana Hanson, president of sheet-extrusion system supplier PTi (Aurora, IL), will use the major stage of NPE2009 to launch its latest extruder, the Globaline. Speaking with MPW from his company’s corporate headquarters and manufacturing center in Aurora, IL, Hanson said the Globaline has been engineered in a way to cut delivery times and cost, with lead times trimmed from six months to four-and-a-half and a price tag that’s 15-20% lower.

The line targets overseas markets and select domestic segments where business is more fragmented and smaller runs more frequent. The Globaline operates in throughputs from 300 to 1500 kg/hr, compared to traditional PTi sheet systems that have outputs upwards of 10,000 lb/hr. It uses a 4.5-inch main extruder, with two width platforms of 1200 and 1700 mm producing sheet from 1m (40 inches)-1.5m wide. Developed over the course of a year, with the initial announcements made at a PTi open house last August and at the 2008 Society of Plastic Engineers Thermoforming conference, an assembled Globaline system will be on hand at PTi’s NPE2009 booth (N77056).

PTi describes the line as Efficient Pre-Engineered Sheet Extrusion Systems, and in addition to global sourcing, it has removed some bells and whistles for a global cost position. During MPW’s visit, PTi VP of sales and marketing John Chalmers was attending Brasilplast, targeting a Latin American market PTi believes will be a fit for the Globaline, in addition to certain segments in North America and Eastern Europe.

The line can be set up for co-extrusions in A/B, A/B/A, A/B/C, and monolayer structures. At NPE, PTi will display a compact unit that’s intended for inline thermoforming, with a full-length configuration for roll-stock production also available. Hanson said PTi is currently developing a horizontal roll stand version of the Globaline with an articulating third roll to run thin-to-thick sheet gauges with greater processing flexibilities that could allow thin-gauge polypropylene (PP) sheet production, for instance.

In terms of standard features, the Globaline has several patent-pending technologies—integral ratchet-actuated gap positioning and display, linear-bearing-mounted frame infrastructure for retraction and easier installation, and universal anti-stat coater for top, bottom, and side coating—as well as a pivoting extruder base for easier maintenance, touch-screen controls with startup/shutdown tutorials, and individual roll drives. By using “quick-style” electrical plug-ins, among other features, PTi says mechanical system installation can take only two to three days.

In addition to its booth in the North hall of McCormick Place, PTi will also be present at the Society of Plastic Engineers Thermoforming pavilion in the West hall. In spite of broader economic difficulties, Hanson said PTi is fully committed to the show, saying the three-year cycle gives companies a tremendous opportunity to show off new technologies. “A lot of people say, ‘It’s only five days in Chicago,’ but if you miss a cycle, it’s a five-year deal,” Hanson said. —[email protected]