New internal pipe cooling (IPC) system boosts productivity in plastic PO pipe extrusion

Krauss Maffei Extrusion of Munich Germany, a world leader in plastics machinery have released a new system for internal pipe cooling (IPC), which significantly reduces the initial cost and the space requirements for new Polyolefin pipe extrusion lines and increases the productivity by up to 60% if the existing line length is maintained.  The system can also be retrofitted to existing pipe extrusion lines.

The IPC system uses ambient air which is sucked through the centre of the pipe at high speed against the haul-off direction by means of a side channel compressor. Used in addition to conventional external water cooling in vacuum tanks and cooling baths, it cools the pipe gently from the inside. The IPC can reduce the length of the cooling zone by as much as 40% resulting in floor space savings without compromising production speed should factory space be a limitation.

Significant benefits are gained by using the IPC system in the production of thick walled pipe, where standard cooling methods are ineffective in removing heat from the extruded pipe. As with conventional pipe extrusion lines, the melt flows directly from the extruder into the pipe head, avoiding the problems of lateral melt feed. Continuous monitoring and active control of the air suction volume adjusts conditions to ensure the uniform cooling performance, essential to guarantee consistently high product quality.

The IPC also provides substantial energy savings, as the system uses ambient air, and does not require the use of other cooling media.

The IPC system can be used on all PO pipe extrusion lines from 110mm to 2,500mm diameter.