Bandera to Run 5-Layer Blown Film Line at NPE2024

Luigi Bandera is bucking the trend among suppliers of blown film machinery by running a production line during NPE2024 in two months. The machine builder, which recently opened a new office in the U.S. in Charlotte, N.C., will operate its 5-layer TechnoFlex line in Orlando May 6-10, running a variety of polyolefin-based structures for shrink film, lamination, printing and gusseted film. At the show, Bandera will be running a thickness from 20-200 μm at output rates to 880 lbs/hr.

The line was shipped to the show after it debuted at an open house in January at Bandera’s headquarters in Busto Arsizio, Italy (near Milan). It will be available for sale right from the show floor, says Mattia Gambarotto, general manager of Bandera’s North American operation.

While builders of injection molding and blow molding machinery conventionally operate machines at trade shows, many manufacturers of extrusion lines have trended toward static displays — in particular at NPE, but of late at the K Show as well — due to cost, line size and complexity, potential processing complications and numerous other factors. Bandera, however, decided to invest in running an actual blown film line at the show as a means to demonstrate its commitment to the North American market, Gambarotto notes. “Compared to other European suppliers of blown film technology, our decision to invest in the North American market came a little later, so we feel that demonstrating our capabilities at a show like NPE is important given our new organization in North America and our plan to increase brand awareness,” he says.

The line features a 20-component gravimetric dosing system with an automatic cleaning system; 5 extruders (one 85 mm; the other four 65 mm); a 5-layer 300-mm coextrusion die head with IBC; a high-efficiency dual-lip air ring; automatic film thickness control; flattening and gusseting devices; calibration cages; an oscillating haul-off, 1,800-mm roller width; the company’s Trim Flex edge-reclaim system; a two-station face-to-face winder featuring contact/axial winding modes with automatic reel extraction; and a complete tower frame. The line is designed and supplied on 480-volt components.

Says Gambarotto, “Nowadays when someone purchases a blown film line and invests millions, they want to be sure not only about the technology, but about also about the company they are buying from, how strong it, how committed they are to the market. We’re confident that what we will be demonstrating will be interesting to the audience and also be positive for Bandera.”

Meantime, Bandera’s new 6,000-square-foot facility in Charlotte will house sales, spare parts and service support.