EDI® Lip Adjustment Systems
Nordson offers a variety of lip adjustment systems, from manual systems that enable direct coarse tuning for each set-up, to automatic systems that deliver fine adjustments in reduced time.
Where It All Started: Manual Lip Adjustments
Manual lip adjustments enable operators to make adjustments to the die lip by using hand-operated tools to tighten or loosen the bolts. This tried and true method has been used in the field for decades whenever coarse adjustments to the die's lip gap are required.
Push-Only Lip Adjustments
A single thread allows for large movement per revolution (around 1mm/rev).
Differential Push-Only Lip Adjustments
The two-thread system enables finer movement per revolution (around 0.2mm/rev).
Differential Push-Pull Lip Adjustments
The two-thread system enables finer movement per revolution (around 0.2mm/rev) and the pull feature assists with lip opening in lower pressure applications.
Stepping It Up: Autoflex™ Lip Adjustments
Autoflex™ lip adjustment systems use thermal expansion and contraction of the lip adjusting unit to make finer adjustments to the flexible lip than are possible with strictly manual adjustments.
Autoflex™ Technology
Autoflex™ systems pair with a processor's gauging system to reduce gauge variation and increase product yield. Each lip adjusting position is fitted with a block containing a heater and an air cooling path. With this technology, the approximate gauge uniformity is established in a conventional manner before the thermal system is engaged. The thermal system then utilizes an electrical source for each adjusting point to increase or decrease the temperature of the adjustment block, changing the die lip gap opening.
Autoflex™ VI and VI-R System Features
- Feature low mass translators, which provide improved reaction time for both heating and cooling cycles
- Adjustments available on 21.0mm (0.827"), 25.4mm (1.000"), or 28.6mm (1.125") centerlines, with additional spacing options available upon request
- A stainless steel cover is installed over the adjustment system, preventing external drafts from influencing the adjustments and vapor residue from building up on adjustment components
- Low profile, close approach to the nip
- Optional VI-R design enables the system to be removed as a complete modular assembly
Autoflex™ VI-RE System Features
US Patent 10,518,459
- Provides a 43% increase in the stroke of the lip adjusting system without adding to response time, enabling the system to correct a wider range of process variations, often without the need for manual intervention
- The system may be operated in convective or forced air cooling conditions
- Heater wiring is routed directly into a junction box via a quick disconnect plug
- Features module sets, containing 3 or 4 adjustments each, allowing for easy access to wearable parts in a specific area of the system
The Future: Prodigi™ Motorized Lip Actuators
The patent pending EDI® Prodigi™ motorized lip actuator system allows for full remote control of the die lip gap articulation, removing the need for any direct-contact tuning by a technician.
Prodigi™ Technology
Instead of using thermal bolts to control the lip adjustment, Prodigi™ relies on a series of motorized actuators. They are connected to the adjustment threads which smoothly translate motor rotation into precise linear movement to locally open and close the lip. This is accomplished away from the hot die, at a user interface.
Development trials captured an original thickness variation of +/- 25% decreasing significantly after 44 seconds. Within only three minutes of engaging APC, an almost perfect gauge over the complete length of the die was achieved. This compares to an average of 12 minutes to achieve the same tolerances using conventional thermal actuators, enabling operations significant time savings and the ability to exactly repeat their production cycles. This will create much less scrap and add more productive time since final tolerances are achieved so quickly.
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