Cylindrical Spiral Dies

No Weld Lines:

A major drawback to dies that use spider or flow splitter types of distribution is the appearance of weld lines where the polymer has gone around a spider and is then brought back together again.
This can lead to cosmetic defects or weaknesses in the pipe wall. With the spiral mandrel we don't have any obstacles in the flow path and thus we eliminate the weld lines and their associated problems.

Advanced Engineering:

Computer aided technologies have assisted us in streamlining the engineering and manufacturing process to a point where you can expect to have 20% less lead time for a new die system.

Computer Designed Flow Passages:

We use the industry's most advanced computer simulation package to design all the flow passages in all our dies. This means that each die is custom designed for each application, with none of the compromises inherent in standard dies.

Streamlined Flow Passages:

All the flow passages in our dies are designed so that the polymer flows uniformly with no velocity gradients across any channel. This means that the polymer has no place to hang-up and degrade, as is common in other types of dies. This is particularly important when processing degradable materials or switching from one resin to another in the shortest possible time period.
We have successfully processed many difficult polymers, including EVOH, PVDC, XLPE and Flexible PVC. Streamlined flow also means that our dies are easier to flush during product changeovers, so that downtime can be significantly reduced.

Multi-Layer Co-extrusion:

The spiral mandrel is particularly important in co-extrusion applications. Since the distribution of the polymer coming off the spirals is so uniform, it is very easy to go to multi-layer extrusion. This is not the case with other types of dies where the tooling needs to develop high pressure to correct for the weld lines and non-uniform flow inherent in these designs, which makes successful co-extrusion much more difficult than with spiral mandrel distribution.

Construction:

Spiral mandrel distribution system with streamlined ports (spiral start is offset from radial port exit).
Manufactured from 4340 machine steel hardened to 26-32 Rc.
Material flow surfaces highly polished.
All parts electroless nickel-plated all over, plating is heat treated to a hardness of 60 Rc.
All melt distribution takes place in the spirals allowing the tooling to be sized to provide the optimum velocity and pressure balance characteristics necessary for uniform gauge film.
± 5 to 7% film gauge thickness distribution.
System operating pressure of 3500-5500 psi.
Outer lip is adjustable for concentricity with the inner lip, outer and inner lip are removable.
High capacity, long life, insulated ceramic heaters are provided.
Manufactured from machine steel annealed and stress relieved.
Polymer surfaces and passages machined and polished to 12-RMS, and hard nickel-plated.
Long-life rotating surfaces with positive sealing mechanism.
Dual bearings incorporated in rotation assembly.
Variable speed motor system complete with gearbox, chain, sprockets and chain guard.
Includes heater bands and thermocouple.

Please contact Future Design if you have any questions,
or if you would like a quotation for a Cylindrical Spiral Die.