Stretch Film vs. Shrink Film, What’s the Difference?

It’s a common misconception that people believe stretch film and shrink film are the same thing. It’s true that both shrink and stretch films are designed to unitize products onto pallets and both are generally made from polyethylene resins. Shrink films are produced on blown film lines and stretch films can be produced on either blown or cast film lines. Outside of those similarities, the two packaging systems don’t have a lot of other common characteristics.

 

Shrink films contain a high percentage of low density polyethylene (LDPE), which is the same type of resin used to make bread bags and newspaper overwrap sleeves.  When fabricated under very specific parameters, LDPE gives shrink film its “shrink”.  The stress or tension required to make the film contract is frozen in during the fabrication process. To activate shrink film, a heat source is required such as a heat tunnel, heat gun, or torch. When sufficient heat is applied to the film, it approaches its melting point and the film begins to draw up or “shrink”. Because the film can only shrink so far, each product to be wrapped has to be matched with a specific size and configuration of film. As film resins go, LDPE does not have good puncture or tear resistance and has a relatively low load holding force. In order to provide sufficient load containment and protection for the load, these films are generally several times thicker than most stretch films.

 

In contrast, most stretch films contain high levels of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and, depending on the end-use application, can stretch from 25 to 300%.  Stretch films are either designed to be applied by hand or by machine. Hand films usually have minimal stretch (25-100%) in order to aid the operator in applying the product and are in many ways similar to a large roll of very thin tape. Machine films on the other hand can have very high stretch levels (150 -300%) and, because they are applied by automated equipment, can be configured to exert very high levels of tension on a load if desired.

 

Shrink films are good for applications where the object to be protected requires five-sided protection (top and four sides) or is very large (boats and industrial equipment). For five-sided protection on finished products such as washer/dryers, refrigerators and other appliances, along with bagged resins and cement/concrete, stretch hooders have started replacing shrink films as the older shrink tunnels are decommissioned and new, more energy efficient equipment takes its place.

 

If you have any interest in shrink film machine, I recommend that you can visit the website of Jumbo Steel Machinery Co., Ltd.

 

For over 25 years, Jumbo Steel has dedicated itself to the research of production technology for PVC shrinkable film. The company has made great improvements in product prescription and machine performance, upgrading the quality and efficiency of PVC shrinkable films. Jumbo Steel PVC shrink film machine has been sold worldwide, and has earned a reputation for its superior machine and outstanding production know-how. Get more details please do not hesitate to send inquiry or contact with Jumbo Steel immediately.

 

 

Article Source: http://www.paragon-u.com/bid/252257/Stretch-Film-vs-Shrink-Film-What-s-the-Difference

Buying a Five-Axis: Selecting the Right Machine

Horizontal or vertical? Trunnion or swivel head? What’s the effective difference between different configurations of five-axis machining centers?

 

Not all 5 axis machining centers are alike. Here’s where the application for which they will be used must be considered. You need to know what cutting speeds you’re going to run, for example. The type of spindle, the arrangement of rotary axes, rapid traverse rates, feed rates and available horsepower are other major considerations. Do you intend to machine primarily aluminum, stainless steel or titanium? How rigid does the machine need to be? What surface-finish quality do you require? What part accuracy are you trying to achieve? These are all questions you’ll need to answer in order to select the right machine for your application.

 

If you’re primarily machining aluminum, you may prefer a spindle capable of higher speed, such as 20,000 rpm, with higher rapid traverse rates, especially if you’re using smaller-diameter tools. Likewise, if you’re machining stainless or alloy steel for complex mold surfaces, you will likely be using small tools and high spindle speeds to achieve exceptionally smooth surface finishes.

 

Be aware that some machines are designed for cutting only aluminum. Others are suitable for steel and tough alloys, which require more rigidity, higher horsepower, lower spindle speeds, slower rotary speeds, higher torque and stronger box ways to make deep cuts with bigger tools. Machining different grades of steel, titanium alloys or even harder materials may require a heftier machine; however, this hefty machine would need to rotate the table excessively fast to achieve adequate surface speeds for cutting aluminum. The result might be disappointing.

 

When specifying out a five axis machining center, obtaining the expert advice of an experienced engineer is recommended.

 

Horizontal or Vertical

Horizontal five-axis machines are normally equipped with an automatic pallet changer (APC) ready to be installed on the shop floor. If you’re machining aerospace components that have deep pockets or waffling designed to reduce finished-part weight, the high volume of chips will naturally drop into the conveyor. In addition, horizontal five-axis machines tend to be heavier and more rigid, which helps when cutting steel and titanium.

 

In contrast, vertical five-axis machines tend to be more agile for processing smaller parts. VMCs tend to enable better operator access and can often take heavier cuts, but clearing chips can be inconvenient. High-pressure, through-the-spindle coolant delivery comes in handy to remedy chip accumulation.

 

Swiveling-Head or Trunnion Style

There are pros and cons to different types of machine designs. If you’re loading heavy parts, the non-tilting table on a swiveling-head machine is often preferred, because this type of table offers greater rigidity for holding big, heavy parts. The swiveling head enables the use of shorter, standard tooling, because all tool rotations occur above the part. Swiveling-head machines tend to be more versatile, lending themselves to using multiple fixtures, vises or tombstones. This somewhat simulates the appeal of an HMC.

 

A trunnion-style machine is often preferred in moldmaking, because both rotary axes are contained in the trunnion table itself and the spindle head is stationary. This configuration is similar to that of the three- or four-axis machines most moldmakers are already used to. The spindle head reaches out over the tilting table, providing better undercut capabilities and some access to the underside of the part. As the spindle head itself does not rotate, trunnion-style machines tend to be more effective in heavy chip removal and can use full X, Y and Z travels to accommodate large parts.

 

If you need more information about 5 axis machining center, please do not miss Vision Wide Tech Co., Ltd. – the company is the professional CNC machine tool manufacturer owning brand “VISION WIDE”, provides wide range products from heavy cutting to high speed, from 3-axis spindle to 5-axis spindle, and from metal cutting to composite material machining centers which have been applied in vehicles manufacture, power generating, aerial components and so on. Widely applied in curve-based polyhedral machining. Learn more details, welcome to visit Vision Wide immediately.

 

Article Source: Modern Machine Shop

Advantages of CNC Grinding

Anyone who uses CNC grinding machines is bound to enjoy the numerous advantages associated with the machines. In contrast to traditional grinding, CNC grinding produces very light cuts and fine finishes to your workpieces. The machines also make it possible to use less skilled people and limited supervision to perform your project. When looking for a CNC grinding machine, you will want to buy and use a power tool that will perform your project within the time frames you set. There are many advantages of using a machine that is suitable for grinding your materials.

Machines Work for Longer Without Breaks

Like all other CNC machines, CNC grinding machines can run 24/7, 365 days a year without the need for breaks. The only time that the machines will require to be stopped is during maintenance work. This allows you to carry out your project without any interruptions. In the end, the inconvenience of breakdowns is eliminated.

Produce in Large Quantities

Regardless of the quantity of the material that you want to grind, CNC grinding machines will fit the bill. This is partly because the machines run all year round without interruptions. This will enable you to meet the demand of your customers at all times.

High Levels of Accuracy

CNC machines can be programmed to produce fine surfaces and top-quality cuts with precision. The machine will produce great finishes in line with the specifications you provide in the operating software. This reduces the amount of waste as well as the possibility of products that do not meet the needs for which they are produced.

Software to Improve Performance

CNC grinding machines operate on software. When you want to improve the performance of your machines, all you will need to do is update your software. The latest software will also help you to perform many operations in a single setup. This will help in cutting costs and saving time.

Identical Manufacturing

CNC grinding makes it possible to produce identical products in bulk. When customers request your products in large quantities, CNC machines will help you to achieve identical manufacturing. All the components produced through CNC grinding will be an exact match to each other.

Article Source: Sturdy Grinding

EDM 101: What is EDM and Where to Find CNC Drilling EDM Machines Manufacturer?

What is EDM?

 

EDM stands for electrical discharge machining, the applications best suited for this metal removal process are those characterized by extremely exacting tolerances and situations that would be extremely difficult or impossible to handle with any other method of machining.

 

Growth of EDM

 

EDM has rapidly earned its place alongside milling and grinding equipment as a proactive, mainstream technology. EDM is best known for its ability to machine complex shapes in very hard metals. The most common use of EDM is machining dies, tools and molds made of hardened steel, tungsten carbide, high-speed steel and other workpiece materials that are difficult to machine by “traditional” methods.

 

The process has also solved a number of problems related to the machining of “exotic” materials such as Hastelloy, Nitralloy, Waspaloy and Nimonic, which are used on a large scale in the aeronautical and aerospace industries.

 

With the reduction in electrode wear and increased sophistication of EDM controls in rams, new EDM processes use simple-shaped electrodes to 3D mill complex shapes. EDM also is being used for polishing small, intricate surfaces.

 

Since EDM does not involve workpiece/tool forces like a mill or grinder, it is possible to EDM shapes that would break conventional cutting tools or be broken by them.

 

Different Types of EDM

 

  1. RAM EDM

RAM EDM, also known as plunge EDM or standard EDM, is the oldest form of EDM machining. It generally consists of an electrode usually made out of graphite that is plunged into a workpiece in order to create a blind-shaped cavity. It can also be used to generate through holes and geometry but these are not the primary uses of the process.

 

  1. Drill EDM

Drill EDM uses rotating concentric electrodes to drill through a workpiece and basically performs the same functions as a drill press, except that the material hardness is not a factor and the accuracy of the finished hole is far superior than what any drill press can produce. It is best used to drill start holes for the wire EDM in already hardened material as well as accurate very small holes for industries like aerospace and medical equipment.

 

  1. Wire EDM

Wire EDM uses a traveling wire electrode (usually .010” diameter or smaller) that goes through the workpiece. The wire, in this case, is controlled by computer following the assigned geometry for the part to be produced.

 

EDM for Tooling Applications

 

When a part requires special / unique conventional cutting tools, electrodes are easy to machine, unlike carbide. Equally important, the wire used by a wire EDM is available as a standard, off-the-shelf component. EDM is a low cost tooling option when you need short run stamping (less than 5,000 pieces) and low volume broaching. With EDM, there’s no need to make a die set. That’s why EDM is used to make sewing machine components and prototypes. Instead of using expensive broaches, EDM is a very attractive form of low-cost tooling. This is a reason companies use EDM to produce splines and gear teeth along with all their metal stamping & mold making needs.

 

Where to Find The Reliable EDM Machines Manufacturer?

 

About this question, I recommend that you can try to visit the website of OCEAN Technologies Co., Ltd.. This company is specializing in kinds of high quality EDM machines. If you need more information about CNC drilling EDM machines, please do not hesitate to check out OCEAN product pages and feel free to send inquiry to them.

 

Article Source: Mercatech, Inc.

Benefits of Having a Precision Lathe

For complex parts and components, you will always need professional precision CNC machining services. However, for prototypes, simple parts, and short runs, there are also benefits of owning a high precision lathe. Although the machine is automated, it gets its instructions from a human who enters written code. Therefore, to own a machine, you also need an operator qualified to provide it with instructions.

 

CNC machine programming may not be rocket science, but it does require knowledge and skill. However, being in control is the greatest benefit of owning a machine. You have the opportunity to produce what you need whenever you need it. Whether creating a protocol or processing a large run, you have full control. Just remember that there is a financial investment in buying a CNC machine. With many different types of the CNC machine, you can always purchase the one that you would use most and then hire a manufacturer for the other work.

 

Types of CNC Machines

 

Following are the five types of machines most commonly used, although there are others. As you can see, each machine offers distinct benefits.

 

  • Router – A CNC router works by engraving plastic, wood, or metal. Following the entered code, a router can perform simple and detailed engraving tasks.
  • CNC Laser – One of the more advanced types of machine, the CNC laser is similar to a cutter with the exception that it cuts wood and metal. In some instances, this machine also cuts plastic. Regardless of the material, the finished product is perfect.
  • CNC Milling – Widely used, the CNC milling machine moves cutters as well as other tools for cutting metal pieces into specified shapes and sizes. Based on the number of axes that a milling machine has, it falls under several classifications.
  • CNC Lathe Machines – These machines are extremely accurate, but also precise, easy to operate, and capable of producing repeatable parts and components. With CNC lathe machines, you can make 3D molds and shapes out of wood, plastic, and metal.
  • CNC Plasma Cutters – While similar to a CNC router, a plasma cutter setup is not as challenging. With this machine, you can produce 2D molds and shapes out of metal.

 

Seeking Professional Assistance

 

There is nothing wrong with owning your own CNC machine and being in control of production. However, when you need outside help, you can try to send inquiry or contact with SHUN CHUAN Machinery. They are the professional and reliable manufacturer of CNC lathe machines. Get more information about precision lathe and other CNC machines, please do not hesitate to check out Shun Chuan website: www.sunmaster-cnc.com and contact them immediately.

 

Article Source: https://www.nexgenmachine.com/benefits-of-having-a-precision-cnc-machine/

Plastic Extrusion: Advantages and Disadvantages of Plastic Extrusion

Plastic Extrusion

Plastic extrusion is the process where plastic materials are converted from solid to liquid and then it is reconstituted into finished products. In other words, plastic is melted down and then reshaped into useful items. There are some advantages to plastic extrusion, but there are also a few disadvantages that must be considered.

 

Advantages of Plastic Extrusion

3 of the major advantages of plastic extrusion are as follows.

 

  • Low Cost: Compared to other molding processes, plastic extrusion molding has a low cost and is more efficient. The extrusion molding process uses thermoplastics and they undergo repeatedly melting and hardening, this allows the waste to be reused rather than be discarded. Raw material and disposal costs are lowered. Plastic extrusion machines operate continually and this reduces the chances of inventory shortage. It also allows for 24-hour manufacturing.

 

  • Better Flexibility: Extrusion molding will provide considerable flexibility in the products being manufactured with a consistent cross section. As long as the cross section stays the same, the extrusion molding can produce complex shapes. Minor alteration to the plastic extrusion process the manufacturers can use it for plastic sheets or produce products that mix plastic attributes.

 

  • After Extrusion Alterations: Plastics remain hot when they are removed from the extruder and this allows for post-extrusion manipulations. Many manufacturers will take advantages of this and use a variety of roller, shoes and dies to change the shape of the plastic as needed.

 

Disadvantages of Plastic Extrusion

Plastic extrusion has also some disadvantages.

 

  • Expansion: Once the hot plastic is removed from the extruder it will many times expand. This is called die swell. It is problematic to try and predict the exact degree of expansion. Because it is hard to predict the exact expansion, manufacturers often accept significant levels of deviation from the dimensions of the product.

 

  • Product Limitations: Extrusion plastic molding does place limits of the types of products that can be manufactured. There are alternatives that require an investment in a different type of extrusion equipment.

 

If you have any interest in plastic extrusion machinery, I recommend that you can visit the website of Leader Extrusion Machinery Company Ltd. They have more than 20 years’ experience designing and manufacturing plastic extrusion machinery. And the company specialty is manufacture of PP, PS, PVC, PC sheet extrusion lines; and PP, PC PET hollow profile sheet extrusion lines.

 

Learn more information about plastic extrusion machines, welcome to send inquiry to Leader Extrusion Machinery Company.

 

 

Article Source: http://civilengineersforum.com/plastic-extrusion-advantages-disadvantages/

The Stages and Machines Involved in Producing EPS Foam Blocks

Expanded Polystyrene foam, also known as EPS is a highly durable material that is used in a wide variety of consumer products. It can be found nearly everywhere, in your local food store (plates, cups, food containers etc.) and the local electronics stores (insulation for refrigerators, coolers etc.), plastic utensils are made of Styrene, CD cases and cloth hangers are all made of Styrene. It is also an excellent insulation material.

 

EPS foam starts at very small beads, also known as granules, similar to sand in texture.

 

In order to make an EPS foam block out of these raw small beads, they need to be “blown” into larger beads, about 50 times its original size. This is called the pre-expansion process. Depending on the density required, the beads are blown using steam in a machine called expander or steamer. The expander can be a simple manual machine that a worker places the raw material in, then turns on the steam. Or, it can be an automatic machine where the material is blown stems automatically. At this stage, the beads – up to 50 times their original size – are called pellets and are ready to be molded.

 

Continuous pre-expanders are operated without pressure and are equipped with an open- top agitator tank in which raw material is continuously fed from the bottom by an adjustable screw conveyor. Steam is also fed continuously into the pre-expanding room through openings that are positioned shortly above the tank.

 

No matter which pre-expander is used, they all trickle the expanded beads into a so-called fluid bed dryer, where they are dried and stabilized before they are transported into the storage silos.

 

The next step is to mold the expanded beads. There are 2 options for molding. One is using an EPS shape moulding machine, which molds the foam into precise shape and size required. The other is using an EPS block molding machine which will result in creating foam blocks or sheets, 3′ x 2′ x 8′ up to 5′ x 5′ x 24′. The EPS expanded beads are poured into the molding machine for a second heating with steams. This will result in the foam beads being swelled and pressed against each other, until they become one solid piece of foam

 

The two most common blowing agents used are pentane and carbon dioxide. This process called polymerization fills the polystyrene with millions of air pockets, which helps it to expand and also gives it a low thermal conductivity. During expansion, the product can be molded into a variety of shapes and sizes. The final product is 90% air, but amazingly, EPS can have a compressed strength up to 40 psi.

 

In the last step, the EPS foam is removed from the molding machine and cooled down. If you used the shape molder and created a smaller EPS shape, then the cooling time will be shorter than when creating a whole foam block. The larger the foam – the longer it takes for it to cool. The molded EPS should be kept at room temperature (about 70F)

 

Tai Shyan Machinery Industrial Co., Ltd. was established in 1978. They specialized in whole machinery equipment and designs for EPS, EPP fully automatic molding machinery and essential accessories for machines. As a professional EPS / EPP automation solution provider, Tai Shyan is just there for you.

 

 

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8170518

Application of Cold Roll Forming Machine

Do You Know What A Cold Roll Forming Machine Is?

Cold Roll Forming Machine is a kind of machinery which uses the cold roll forming technology to roll forming the sheet, strip and sheet metal and so on. It makes the metal panel to form a special section bar, so the use of roll forming machine is very wide.

 

Cold-formed steel products which is produced by cold roll forming machine, is a kind of structural member is more important. It is widely used in construction, automotive, electronics and shipbuilding, machinery and other industries. In some areas, it is so popular as it can replace steel, play the effect of saving energy and resources, it is developing more and more rapidly, technology is being improved.

 

The cold roll forming machine have many types, like the gutter roll forming machine, door frame roll forming machine, downspout roll forming machine, garage door roll forming machine, solar photovoltaic support roll forming machine, heavy truck fender roll forming machine, rack column roll forming machine, cable bridge roll forming machine, carriage board roll forming machine, and so on.

 

Well, Where to Find The Reliable Cold Roll Forming Machine Manufacturer?

 

I think Yunsing Industrial that would be your best choice! Yunsing has accumulated more than 40 years of experience specializing in manufacturing steel plate automatic cold roll forming machines with advanced technologies and superior quality products, such as roofing and wall cladding, corrugated sheets, stepped tile roofing, floor decking, C-Purlin, rolling shutters and door frames.

 

If you need more information about cold roll forming machine series, please do not hesitate to visit Yunsing. They will supply you the best quality roll forming machines and services.

 

 

Article Source: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/application-cold-roll-forming-machine-lolita-wang

HMF Invests To Boost Production Capacity

Danish family-owned crane manufacturer HMF has invested heavily in automated production processes to meet increasing international demand.

HMF Pipe Bending Machine

The company has invested in a brand-new production line for knuckle booms, where the optimized flow ensures that knuckle booms are ready-manufactured in one single workflow, before sending them directly into the fully automatic paint facility.

 

In connection with the new production line, HMF is also implementing a brand-new welding robot that uses leading technology with adaptive welding and a fully automatic conveyor system. A new drilling center capable of handling very big items has also been added to the new production line for knuckle booms.

 

“In general, HMF experiences an increasing demand especially for larger cranes. Thereby the need for more jib extensions increases correspondingly as does the need for hydraulic pipes,” said HMF.

 

In response to this demand, the company has ordered a new fully automatic pipe bending machine for hydraulic pipes, which is to ensure the necessary capacity and delivery time. At the same time, the test capacity for large range cranes has been increased by 50%.

 

Concurrently with the increasing order intake, the number of employees has now exceeded 550 and in March HMF started using two newly refurbished office buildings. This made room among others for an extension of the R&D capacity with more than 25%.

 

The manufacturer is introducing a welding robot at the HMF Welding Academy as well, where the purpose is to train young metalworkers as well as upskilling their existing employees. Here HMF has also invested in analysis equipment for securing the quality of the weld seams.

 

“At the same time as we are investing heavily in new processes, facilities and staff, it goes without saying that we also optimize where we can. For example, we have gone through our entire range of sub-suppliers, and among others we have changed from yellow chromate to zinc-nickel treatment on sub-components to further enhance quality, just as we ensure capacity with our sub-suppliers – among others by Northern Europe’s most modern laser cutter,” said CEO Brian Stage.

 

Recommend Pipe Bender Machine Manufacturer – Shuz Tung Machinery

CNC16 Bending Servo Control Bender

Established in 1978, Shuz Tung has been dedicated to manufacturing of various machinery and automation equipment. More than 30 years, Shuz Tung has accumulated advanced and professional techniques for superior production quality on practical and solid ground. The efforts and achievement are high recognized by all the customers.

 

Based on the long experience in pipe bending field, Shuz Tung has won the great confidence from customers who count on the precision and effectiveness the pipe bending machines deliver. The company will show you how you can utilize your pipe bending machine in your store for a high quality service to your customers. If you have any interest in pipe bender series, try to visit Shuz Tung and send inquiry to let them know your requirements.

 

 

Article Source: Cranes Today Magazine

Article Source: Industry News

Alloy-Specific Band Saw Setup Improves Finish Quality at Everising

Saws like band saws and circular saws are the time-honored way to cut raw material into useable forms for further machining in industrial applications. Saw cutting is not a simple process. However, as each alloy has different speed and feed requirements to maximize surface quality and minimize waste.

In the video above, we learn how Taiwanese companies like EVERISING MACHINE CO. are advancing industrial saw technology, with company president Shu-Chai Chiao.

 

“We collect many country’s standards,” Chiao said, explaining how the company stays aware of the cutting requirements of different alloys.

 

“Every country, every manufacturer, has one number. This is a lot of data that we must collect in our computer side, which we can then put in our machines to choose materials. For example, if we’re using a United States standard, we can use that to get information and know what standard component is inside. This information includes cutting data, so we can make it easy to cut the material.”

 

EVERISING builds their own machine tools in-house, and so designs them to minimize vibration, noise and temperature.

 

To achieve the smoothest of cuts, EVERISING joined together with a saw blade manufacturer and developed their machines to properly lubricate the saw blades while in contact with the material.

 

“The cutting surface, whether it becomes smooth or rough is also really important,” Chiao continued. “Our band saws are strong enough and have enough reach that it’s easy to get that smooth cut. We joined together with a saw blade manufacturer and we worked on a solution to lubricate the blades during the cut. We need this for an improved cutting surface. The saw blade, the teeth angle and the way the teeth cut are really important for us.”

 

For more information about band saw series, please visit the EVERISING MACHINE CO. website.

 

 

EVERISING MACHINE CO.

No.1, Jingke 1st Road, Nantun District, Taichung 408, Taiwan R.O.C.

Tel: +886-4-2350-5300

Fax: +886-4-2350-5420

E-mail: evrs@everising.com.tw

 

Article Source: https://www.engineering.com/AdvancedManufacturing/ArticleID/15903/VIDEO-Alloy-Specific-Bandsaw-Setup-Improves-Finish-Quality-at-Everising.aspx