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Addex Inc. is introducing the next generation of its Intensive Cooling External Gauge Control (Gen 3 EGC) as a retrofit to existing blown film plastic lines with rotating dies. Addex first introduced Intensive Cooling auto-profile air rings at K 2016 for stationary dies only.

The new auto-profile system for rotating dies is based on the company’s high-resolution EGC (external gauge control) air ring which can reduce gauge variation by over 50%.

New blown film lines are typically sold with stationary dies;  however, there are many blown film producers with rotating dies in operation that need improved gauge control. Addex has responded with a new gauge control package based on its new Generation 3 control technology that retrofits to rotating die lines and controls to the desired 50% reduction level, according to Addex President Bob Cree.

The new Gen 3 EGC for Rotating Die System operates much like Addex’s EGC gauge-controlling cousin for stationary dies, but with additional features. The EGC air ring, well known for its very high-resolution control, has a series of “fingers” that open or close to adjust localized air volume. A 300-mm/12-in. air ring, for instance, includes 168 control zones, with 200+ control zones on larger systems. This new rotating die-enabled technology is facilitated by a proprietary mapping algorithm embedded within Addex’s latest Gen 3 control technology that corrects for die rotation effects in real time. The new software/hardware system controls not only the auto-profile air ring but also simultaneously controls the physical rotation of the die.