A system for inline, 'press button' pipe dimension change on plastics extrusion machines now processes PVC pipe as well as polyolefin pipe without stopping production

Flexibility and cost savings are the two main reasons why extruded plastics pipe producers invest in QuickSwitch systems, said KraussMaffei Berstorff. The innovative system allows 'press-button' change to pipe dimensions - within the designated diameter range - without stopping the production line.

This obviously cuts the man hours and production time lost to dimension change to an absolute minimum.

Capacity utilisation and productivity surge as a result.

Order turnaround times improve and it becomes financially attractive to produce even small batches of a particular dimension.

Furthermore, special pipe dimensions can be produced at low cost at the 'touch of a button'.

KraussMaffei Berstorff currently offers QuickSwitch for polyolefin pipe in the three diameter ranges: 25-63mm; 70-160mm and 160-250mm.

QuickSwitch can be used flexibly in the production of both single- and multi-layer polyolefin pipe within the designated diameter range.

The PVC QuickSwitch system can process all available PVC dryblends and C-PVC and covers the 90-60mm diameter range.

KraussMaffei Berstorff offers QuickSwitch either as a complete automated extrusion line or as an upgrade package for already-installed conventional lines.

The upgrade package allows a phased conversion from conventional pipe production to flexible production with QuickSwitch.

Both variants offer the prospect of fast amortisation and a high return on investment.

KraussMaffei Berstorff is working intensively on further development and refinements to the QuickSwitch system in order to meet steadily rising market requirements.

The focus of development at present is to make QuickSwitch available for more dimensions and other raw materials.

* Orders - since first launching its revolutionary QuickSwitch system for inline pipe dimension change in May 2003, KraussMaffei Berstorff has already sold more than 24 systems.

Initially, QuickSwitch was available only for polyolefin pipe production; but in 2006 the company launched a version for PVC pipe.

Several PVC pipe manufacturers have been quick to see the bottom line benefits of investing in a QuickSwitch system.

Especially in Europe, KraussMaffei Berstorff has booked orders for a number of complete QuickSwitch systems.

A polyolefin line for the 25-63mm diameter range, plus a single-layer pipehead, has been supplied to Italy.

A system for the 70-160mm diameter range with a three-layer pipehead is already installed and in operation with another Italian customer.

* Eastern Europe - the technology is also gaining ground in Eastern Europe, said Krauss-Maffei, where there are QuickSwitch systems for polyolefin pipe in all three available diameter ranges already up and running.

The systems operate with the single-screw extruders KME 60-36 B/R, KME 75-36 B/R and KME 90-36 B/R, respectively, and are teamed up in each case with a single-layer pipehead.

A reference line is due to be commissioned shortly with a customer in Austria, who will be producing polyolefin pipe in the 160-250mm diameter range.

* Overseas - pipe manufacturers outside Europe, for example in Iran and Australia, are increasingly profiting from the multiple benefits of QuickSwitch dimension change 'on the fly'.

QuickSwitch extrusion lines for PO pipe in the diameter ranges 25-63mm and 70-160mm will shortly go into operation in these countries.