A new Davis-Standard seven-layer blown film line at Raven Industries exemplifies the benefits of performance and efficiency for lightweight films. The line, installed at Raven’s facility in Sioux Falls, Sound Dakota, features next generation technology for manufacturing precise lightweight barrier films ranging from 0.80 mil to 10 mil in thickness. Adding this capability has expanded Raven’s product range by targeting thinner film profiles with several distinct features. It has also increased throughput efficiencies for consumer-sized rolls, which are packaged and sold straight off the line.
“This line has met or exceeded our expectations on several levels,” said Anthony Schmidt, vice president and general manager of Raven Industries Engineered Films Division. “We collaborated with Davis-Standard on several add-on features that control film profiling and processing to meet performance parameters, along with barrier design flexibility that delivers added value to end-use applications. Our customers have been pleased.”
The seven-layer coextrusion system features in-line web-flattening capability, necessary for precise films used in lamination and conversion operations. The Vertex die configuration includes high volume IBC airflow and is expandable to nine layers. The machine is configured with two sets of winders to produce small diameter rolls for hand carrying and large diameter rolls for converting. SLC Surface winders with full shaft handling enable production of mill rolls up to 40 inches (1,016mm) in diameter. The Model 1750 turret winder with swing-out shafts produces the small reels. The system operates in trimless mode. However, to support Raven’s sustainability efforts, the line also features the capability of direct recycling by converting excess plastic film to reusable resin pellets.
For more information about Raven Industries, visit www.RavenInd.com. For more information about Davis-Standard’s world leading blown film capabilities, visit www.davis-standard.com.
About Raven Industries, Inc.
Since 1956, Raven Industries has designed and manufactured high quality, high-value technical products. Raven is publicly traded on NASDAQ (RAVN) and has earned an international reputation for innovation, product quality, high performance, and unmatched service. Raven’s purpose is to solve great challenges in areas of safety, feeding the world, energy independence, and resource preservation. To realize this purpose, we utilize our strengths in engineering, manufacturing, and technological innovation to serve the precision agriculture, high performance specialty films, aerospace, and electronic manufacturing services markets. Visit www.RavenInd.com for more information.
About Davis-Standard, LLC
Davis-Standard (www.davis-standard.com), headquartered in Pawcatuck, Conn., is a global leader in the design, development and distribution of plastic and rubber extrusion and converting technology. Davis-Standard systems encompass over 10 product lines to support manufacturing applications and customers within every major industry. This includes the agriculture, automotive, construction, healthcare, energy, electronics, food and beverage packaging, and retail industries, among others. With more than 850 employees worldwide and a network of independent sales agents and suppliers in nearly every country, Davis-Standard is committed to engineering equipment that is cost effective, environmentally friendly, and offers a high return on investment. The company has two manufacturing and technical facilities in the United States, as well as subsidiaries with facilities in China, Germany and the United Kingdom.