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ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL
FLAT-DIE FILM EXTRUSION PROGRAM

A successful flat-die or cast-on-carrier extrusion program involves much more than just having equipment. Up to five key factors must be included:

1. Recipe Control - the fixed ratio of ingredients that go into the film. Argotec uses up-front engineering to eliminate mid-run recipe changes to fix problems or increase yield. Three basic components are custom designed to meet the specific needs of the application:
   • Virgin TPU (or other polymeric) resin, straight out of the box from the resin supplier.
   • Chemical additives which can impart flame resistance, UV resistance, antibacterial (odor) control, infection control, antifungal, antistatic, lubricant or antiblock properties.
   • Regrind, the recycling of edge trim or other films of the same chemistry previously produced by Argotec. Use of regrind is carefully controlled and limited to the same resin type, color and additives. Cleanness of the regrind is strictly monitored. Argotec does not buy regrind on the open market unless instructed by the customer.
2. Process Control - standard operating conditions and procedures are used to ensure consistent film quality, lot-to-lot, roll-to-roll. The conditions and procedures include:
   • Temperature & pressure used to pump the melted recipe through the die.
   • Running speed effects product quality. Running film at low temperatures and high speeds can result in poor dimensional stability in the end use. This is because the resin tends to orient in the machine direction. When exposed to ambient or secondary processing heat, the polymer will attempt to reorient, causing the film to change dimension, typically becoming narrow or longer. Argotec maintains the optimum temperature and through-put rate for consistent dimensional stability.
   • Measurement of critical film properties to assure consistently high product standards. Argotec utilizes beta gauge systems to maintain consistent sheet thickness and camera inspections system for gel and defect detection. 
3. Packaging - Argotec will package in a variety of con-figurations to meet customer requirements, including:
   • Sheeted and stacked per customer specification.
   • Individually boxed rolls, horizontally suspended with end plates.
   • Vertical bulk pack, rolls stacked on end.
   • Horizontal bulk pack, rolls suspended in cradles.
4. Labeling - Argotec will package, label and ship in a manner that will support customer objectives:
   • Standard Argotec labels and drop shipment.
   • Private labeling, with shipping and labels custom-ized to specific customer requirements.
5. Secondary Processing - Argotec can refer you to a variety of secondary processing operations through industry partners who meet rigorous quality standards, including:
   • Slitting
   • Die cutting
   • Sealing
   • Adhesive coating
   • Textile lamination
   • Glass lamination
   • Perforation

Argotec's control of carefully engineered recipes, tight process and measurement of film properties, packaging and labeling options, andindustry partners, provides a complete TPU film and sheet program.