Automatic Air Ring for Thickness Control of Blown Film Extrusion

Elevate your plastic film extrusion line’s performance with cutting-edge film thickness control, delivering a uniform film gauge via air-modulated gauge control.

Reduce blown film tolerances by 70%

Present in 61+ countries

Improve Bubble Stability

High quality components from a single source

Why SmartLip?

Enhance flatness.
Minimize film waste.
Optimize profit margins.

The SmartLip ONE represents the pinnacle of Octagon’s 35-year history in developing automatic air rings and tecnhology for the blown film industry, showcasing the utmost perfection achieved.

The SmartLip Automatic Air Ring is a cutting-edge solution for precise control of transverse direction film thickness. With its innovative approach to air modulated gauge control, it swiftly achieves uniform film gauge and ensures on-time production alignment.

Reducing tolerances by up to 70%, this special air ring ensures optimal properties for the manufacture of technical films. In addition to standardizing quality, it reduces production cost and increases extruder production capacity by up to 30%.

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How It Works

How does an automatic air ring work?

Air rings play a critical role in the plastic film extrusion process by controlling and maintaining the thickness and quality of the produced film. Leveraging over 35 years of expertise, Octagon has transformed this process into a more streamlined and simplified experience.

01. Air Flow Control

After the plastic material is melted and formed into a continuous shape, rapid cooling is necessary to solidify and maintain its desired form. Air rings are designed to achieve this by regulating the airflow through their air channels or chambers. These channels or chambers are strategically positioned to facilitate the formation of the film bubble.

02. Air Pressure Adjustment

The air pressure within each channel is carefully controlled using a combination of valves, sensors, and feedback mechanisms. These components work together to maintain the desired air pressure levels.

03. Film Thickness Measurement

An automatic air ring typically operates inside a closed-loop system. The other member of this system is the inline thickness gauge (or thickness sensor). While it moves around the bubble, it continuously measures the film thickness using sensors and provides feedback back to the air ring. This feedback loop enables real-time adjustments to maintain the desired film thickness.

04. Gauge Control

Both the air ring and the thickness gauge interact in real time. By adjusting the air pressure in different sections of the air ring, the film thickness can be controlled and maintained within specific tolerances.

05. Automation and Precision

The automatic air ring relies on advanced automation and control systems to ensure precise and consistent film thickness. It can make rapid adjustments based on real-time measurements, while informing the operator with real time data, resulting in improved product quality and reduced waste.

Equipment Upgrade

Got an old extruder? Be surprised by the ROI of an upgrade.

Discover six compelling reasons why upgrading to SmartLip from your existing air ring is a worthwhile investment:

Get advanced process control, automation, and data monitoring capabilities. Gain better control over process parameters, enhanced troubleshooting capabilities, and the ability for data-driven decisions.

By attaining faster startup times, you can minimize downtime of your blown film extrusion line.

Reduce the need for human interventions and manual control. SmartLip makes adjustments to your film extrusion line automatically based on thickness measurement.

By upgrading to newer and more resilient technology you benefit from improved reliability and simplified maintenance procedures.

Incorporate energy-saving features and optimized designs that reduce power consumption while achieving even greater product quality and productivity.

Save money, reduce waste.

Ready to take the leap?

Talk to our sales team today.

Benefits it brings

Meet the benefits SmartLip can bring to your company

Increase production

With an automatic air ring, it is possible to increase the production speed of the blown film extrusion process. The precise control over air flow and bubble stability allows for higher haul-off speeds, resulting in faster production rates. This can lead to improved productivity and cost efficiency.

Improve quality

The controlled cooling provided by an automatic air ring can help improve the overall quality of the blown film. It helps in reducing surface defects, such as melt fracture or air entrapment, resulting in a smoother and more uniform film surface. Additionally, the enhanced bubble stability minimizes thickness variations, ensuring consistent film properties throughout the production run.

Enhance bubble stability

The automatic air ring helps in maintaining a stable and well-defined bubble shape during the extrusion process. It provides a steady and controlled flow of air into the bubble, preventing fluctuations in bubble size or shape. This stability is crucial for achieving consistent film thickness and dimensional control.

Reduce human intervention

Once the desired parameters are set, the system can automatically regulate the air flow rate based on real-time feedback from sensors or control systems. This eliminates the need for operators to manually adjust air flow during the production run, reducing human intervention and potential errors.

Reduce waste

SmartLip is also an efficient waste reducer that goes beyond energy efficiency. Inconsistent cooling can lead to film defects, such as warping, holes, or uneven thickness. These defects often result in rejected or scrapped film. It also facilitates quicker setup and changeover times when switching between different film specifications, reducing the amount of startup waste generated.

Add SmartLip to your film extrusion line and take advantage of all these benefits.

We are leaders in gauging and thickness technology for over 35 years.

Why SmartLip

The best automatic air ring in the market

1. Single air inlet

The single air inlet design helps optimize air consumption and allows for more precise adjustment of the air volume.

2. Fine-tune

By controlling the air gap, operators can fine-tune the cooling effect and optimize bubble stability.

3. Enhanced air distribution

Improve bubble stability with our latest design engineered to distribute the cooling air evenly around the circumference of the bubble.

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4. Triple or dual lip

Choose between 2 or 3 air chambers and achieve even more cooling control.

5. Modern design

The updated aesthetics of the air ring showcase Octagon’s commitment to innovation.

6. Elevation system

The MC8 is an exclusive elevation model designed by Octagon for its air rings. It allows better bubble geometry and easier maintenance.