Reifenhäuser Extrusion Systems (RES) – the Reifenhäuser Group’s business unit specializing in extrusion components – has formed a strategic partnership with maku AG at K 2022, the world’s largest plastics trade fair. The aim of the cooperation is the joint marketing and further development of the automation system designed by maku for coextrusion adapters and slot dies.
 

The so-called PAM system (precise, autonomous, mechatronic) is available immediately and exclusively as an automation option for new Reifenhäuser dies and adapters, as well as for aftermarket dies across all manufacturers. PAM enables producers in the field of flat film and sheet production as well as extrusion coating to precisely control the entire hot part (coextrusion adapter and die) via the line’s control panel. This is significantly faster and more accurate than conventional control by hand or expansion bolt automation. It enables faster start-up of good production, higher output with lower energy consumption, and thus significantly improved overall equipment efficiency (OEE). The decisive advantage lies in the use of motorized manual adjustment bolts that replace conventional thermal expansion bolts. Reifenhäuser presented the system for the first time at the K 2022.
 

Uwe Gaedike, Managing Director of Reifenhäuser Extrusion Systems, explains, “The technology and experience of maku ideally completes our hot part competence. As RES, we manufacture extruder, coextrusion adapter and die completely in-house and thus know the entire extrusion process. With the automation option, we can now offer our customers a perfectly coordinated overall system that is second to none. Together with maku, we will establish the technology in the market and continuously develop it further. The special thing about this is that we also offer it as part of our refurbishment portfolio for all lines in the market.”
 

Reto Maeder, Managing Director and Co-Owner of maku AG, adds, “We are very pleased to have found a strong partner in Reifenhäuser to now market our technology even more effectively globally. Together we will exploit the full potential of our cross-process know-how and create clear competitive advantages for our customers. This is nothing less than the best hot part competence combined with the highest possible level of automation in the market. At the same time, maku AG will continue its classic retrofit business on existing dies unchanged. Reifenhäuser’s worldwide service network puts us in a position to offer our system to even more customers outside Europe.”