Head and extruder for large pipes

A compact extrusion head and an extruder have been specially developed by Amut to be installed in large lines for the production of polyethylene pipes. A line based on these components, with an output capacity of up to 1,200 kg/hour, was recently commissioned at a major Asian processor for the production of PE100 pipes with external diameter up to 1,000 mm.
The extrusion head features a 16-spiral distributor system that guarantee thickness uniformity on the pipe's entire circumference. The high-torque EA 130 HP extruder has a 400 kW drive, a high thermal exchange feeder, and a 40-diameter plasticizing unit extending the output rate up to 1,500 kg/hour.
The extrusion line has two vacuum tanks: the first is 10 metres long and offers the possibility of separating the first stage from the second stage by means of a hydraulic cylinder, in order to facilitate start-up operations and introduce an ultrasonic thickness gauge; the second tank, 6 metres long, is single stage. The total length of the cooling section is 34 meters, this size being necessary for the production of tubes for applications at PN 6 and PN 8 pressures.
The 8-track haul-off can reach a tension of 9,000 N, while the rotary knife cutting unit can handle HDPE pipes with thickness up to 60.5 mm and is equipped with universal pipe blocking vices. In order to check the quality of the final product, the extrusion line incorporates a gravimetric feeder and an ultrasonic thickness gauge, both controlled by a new-concept supervision system.