Extrusion Lamination Coating Machine
Extrusion Lamination Coating Machine
The extrusion lamination coating machine is a flexible and versatile process used for economical application of a thin web of synthetic resin, normally polyethylene but also other thermoplastics, to a substrate such as paper.extrusion lamination coating machine This technique is a key technology in the production of high-quality flexible packaging for food and non-food products as well as a wide variety of industrial, construction, and commercial packaging materials such as sacks, bags, and wraps. The resulting combined substrate inherits significantly enhanced physical properties and barrier protection performance.
A wide range of polymers can be extruded by the coating line, including LDPE, HDPE, PP, ionomers, copolymers, and blends.extrusion lamination coating machine The coating line can also be equipped to handle a wide variety of fillers, pigments and other additives as needed for specific applications.
In the simplest form, an extrusion coating machine is a line that applies an extruded layer of hot molten polymer to one side of a substrate and then rolls it into a roll. The substrate is usually paper but can be other materials such as corrugated fiberboard, aluminium foils, cellulose, non-wovens, and even plastic films. In a more sophisticated version of the process, known as co-extrusion, two or more extruders are linked together through a die head to combine their separately extruded melts into a multilayer film.
The result is a laminated product that may be printed, formed and sealed to make products such as flexible food packaging and bags, retort pouches, and beverage cartons as well as sacks and industrial wraps for the transport of dry chemicals, flour, grain, cement, and other bulk commodities. The versatility of the process makes it suitable for a number of other end-use applications as diverse as liquid packaging, photographic, mill and industrial wrappings, and woven material laminates for hygiene and construction.
Extrusion lamination is particularly suited to low-cost production of high-quality packaging due to its ability to produce the complex shapes required by modern consumer products at competitive prices. This is a very important consideration for companies that are competing in the global marketplace and must remain competitive in the face of rapidly rising raw material prices.
An important consideration in running a coating and laminating line is the coefficient of friction (COF) between the inner and outer layers. The higher the COF, the more difficult it will be to pull the inner layer over the forming cone. To reduce this problem, a slip is typically added, or the use of a matte chill roll can be employed to minimize contact between the inner and outer layers.
BOBST’s extensive design and manufacturing experience with the extrusion coating and laminating process extends to a wide variety of industry-specific applications, ranging from simple snack and retort bags to complex technical materials such as sound-deadening materials for automotive interiors. Using modular construction, the company can customize and upgrade lines for each individual customer. This provides flexibility and the ability to change quickly to meet ever-changing market requirements. This is the hallmark of our FlexPack concept, designed to meet the needs of today’s dynamic packaging market while remaining adaptable to future demands.