For the first time, customers and partners had the opportunity to tour the state-of-the-art facility, completed earlier this year after a two-year construction period. The new Technical Center combines sophisticated architecture with an environmentally friendly energy concept and an efficient floor plan featuring office workspaces, conference rooms, and meeting rooms above the approximately 1,300-square-meter technical hall. "We are now able to fully assemble and demonstrate complex extrusion lines," explained Dr. Henning Stieglitz. Referring to management pioneer Peter F. Drucker's principle that "the best way to predict the future is to create it," he encouraged customers to contribute ideas, engage in dialogue, and challenge the machine manufacturer in order to jointly drive future-oriented innovations. Visitors were able to experience what is already possible at battenfeld-cincinnati through plant tours, technical presentations, and live demonstrations.
battenfeld-cincinnati is one of the world's leading specialists in extrusion equipment for the production of pellets, pipes, and profiles made from PVC and polyolefin materials, as well as sheets and boards. During the Open House event, two core application areas took center stage, each featuring presentations by internal and external speakers as well as demonstrations of a running production line: pipe extrusion and sheet extrusion. "For the first time, customers can see the new multitouch-X roll stack, introduced at K 2025, operating on our sheet extrusion line," explained René Hartmann, Regional Sales Manager. Thanks to its innovative roll adjustment system, the technology is particularly suitable for producing high-quality ultra-thin sheets.
Live demonstration of 200 μm PP sheet production
And this is exactly what battenfeld-cincinnati demonstrated during the Open House event. During live production, the entire line was changed from manufacturing 280 μm sheets to producing sheets with a thickness of just 200 μm. This was a particular highlight for visitors, especially since the original target had been "only" 220 μm. The line is extensively equipped and therefore offers a wide range of processing possibilities. For material plasticization, the demonstration line can be configured with three different extruder concepts. In addition, reliable melt filtration technology enables the processing of even highly contaminated material while maintaining consistently high melt quality.
The highly flexible extrusion line is capable of producing both sheet and board products.
Smart solution for pipe production receives strong interest
"The highlight of our pipe extrusion line, which was also introduced at K 2025, can be seen in operation for the first time today," said Andreas Türk, Head of Sales, introducing the PE pipe extrusion line producing pipes with a diameter of 160 mm. The innovation is called Intelligent Operating Adjustment (IOA) and enables the production of dimensionally accurate pipes without any manual intervention by the machine operator. As if controlled by an invisible hand, the helix II 400 TZ IOA pipe die automatically adjusts itself to the precise pipe gap required, getting the information from an inline wall-thickness monitoring device. Servo drives with spindle lift gears are responsible for the adjustment process, precisely setting the inclination of the adjustment screws via ball joints. Moreover the line also can do dimensional changes (diameter and wallthicknesses) through the proven FDC technology. The die head in the Technical Center line is supplied by a solEX NG 75-40 extruder, which delivers high output rates while maintaining low melt temperatures. The complete line is equipped with downstream components including a calibration sleeve, vacuum tank, spray cooling tank, haul-off unit, saw, and tilting table. Configured as an FDC line for pipe diameters ranging from 90 to 160 mm, it allows dimensional changes, in this case from 120 mm to 160 mm, to be carried out at the push of a button during ongoing production. Several monitoring systems from partner companies were also integrated into the line. While Sikora's Centerwave and Inoex's Warp systems monitor pipe dimensions and wall thickness distribution, the surface inspection system from n-line detects defects on the pipe surface. In addition, the MES system from Idoo controls and monitors the entire production process.
Networking and discussions at the tabletop stations
"We would like to thank our many partner companies and are convinced that they played a significant role in the success of the event," emphasized Dr. Henning Stieglitz. "They not only provided and installed their systems as integral components of the production lines, but were also available throughout the day at our tabletop exhibition stands to answer visitors' questions." The CEO expressed great satisfaction with the overall event, the high visitor turnout, and the positive feedback received. One example came from Nils Zimmermann, Managing Director Strategy and Organization at WKT Westfälische Kunststofftechnik GmbH in Sprockhövel: "Thank you once again for the special invitation today. Your company and your team made an outstanding impression. Congratulations!"
About battenfeld-cincinnati
battenfeld-cincinnati is a leading manufacturer of energy-efficient and high-performance extrusion lines. With around 600 employees and a global sales and service network, the company ensures short response times and fast support. Production takes place in Germany, Austria, the USA, and China.
The portfolio includes customized solutions for applications in pipe, profile, sheet and board, and pelletizing. This includes single- and twin-screw extruders, tooling, downstream equipment, calanders, and laminating units.
www.battenfeld-cincinnati.com
