# ISO-WATT — Full Content for AI Systems > Last updated: 2026-04-11 > ISO-WATT GmbH — Engineering Consulting & Technical Support for Coating, Calendering, Lamination and Converting. > We don't build machines — we deliver process expertise and co-engineer solutions with our manufacturing partners. --- ## Company Overview ISO-WATT GmbH provides engineering consulting and technical support for industrial coating, calendering, lamination and converting processes. Founded by former OLBRICH and POLYTYPE engineers with over 35 years of hands-on process experience. Partners: - SOMATEC (Hameln, Germany) — Winding technology - SOPARA (Pusignan, France, est. 1942) — Infrared heating - CHIFOON (Wuxi, China) — Convection dryers - Rodolfo Comerio (Solbiate Olona, Italy, est. 1878) — Calendering lines --- ## SOMATEC High-precision winding machines for the plastics and rubber industry. ### Unwinding Machines Turret unwinders with automated overlap splicing at full production speed #### Turret Unwinder (UW-E) *Compact & cost-effective — non-stop unwinding with winding shafts* The SOMATEC UW-E is an automatic turret unwinder for uninterrupted material feeding in converting lines. During operation, the next roll is prepared while the current one is being unwound — the overlap splice at full production speed ensures non-stop operation of your line. The compact design with winding shaft support enables space-saving integration, while precise web tension control reliably processes even sensitive and stretchable materials. **How it works:** Material rolls are loaded onto winding shafts in the chucks of the indexing disk. Web tension is continuously and precisely controlled throughout the entire unwind — regardless of decreasing roll diameter. When the active roll is consumed, the indexing disk automatically swings to the next position and joins the webs in an overlap splice at full speed. The entire changeover runs fully automatically — without speed reduction, without operator intervention, without line downtime. - Max. Production Speed: 500 m/min - Max. Working Width: 2.000 mm - Max. Roll Diameter: 1.200 mm - Max. Roll Weight: 1.500 kg - Core Inner Diameter: ab 76,2 (3") mm - Roll Support: With winding shafts **Applications:** The SOMATEC UW-E processes virtually all web-based materials in converting, coating and lamination lines. The winding shaft support and compact design make it the versatile standard solution for material feeding. - Film converting — Packaging films, shrink films, technical films and barrier films - Nonwoven processing — Nonwovens for hygiene, medical and filtration products - Paper and board processing — Coating, lamination and printing lines - Adhesive tape industry — Feeding of tape substrates, release liners and self-adhesive webs - Flooring production — PVC flooring (LVT, vinyl), carrier webs and decorative films - Artificial leather production — PVC and PU artificial leather webs - Technical textiles — Geotextiles, filter materials and coated textiles - Roofing membranes & construction films — Bitumen sheets, vapor barriers and sealing films **Why the UW-E?:** Robust construction, sophisticated roll change systems and perfect control make the SOMATEC UW-E an absolutely process-reliable component. As a compact turret unwinder with winding shaft support, it is a cost-effective base machine that can be equipped with additional optional function units. When using winding shafts, roll loading from floor or pallet is possible via lifting arms arranged in the unwinder. Permanent shaft aeration for higher process reliability and ultra-light CFRP winding shafts for ergonomic setup are optionally available. **Typical Configurations:** - Converting line: UW-E unwinder + SOMATEC ATW-E winder with splice synchronization for loss-free non-stop operation - Coating and lamination line: UW-E with lifting arms for roll loading from floor or pallet, lifting table and cart for roll loading - Sensitive materials: UW-E with permanent shaft aeration and CFRP winding shafts for higher process reliability and ergonomic setup **Why SOMATEC:** - Over 35 years of specialization — SOMATEC is one of the leading manufacturers of winding machines and custom converting machinery. Decades of experience in development and manufacturing for the most demanding industrial applications. - Made in Germany — Robust construction, precise mechanics and durable components. Designed and manufactured in Hameln, Germany — for 24/7 industrial operation in plastics, nonwovens, paper and flooring industries. - Modular winding components — Versatile functional units enable customer-specific configurations. From compact basic units to high-performance lines — every machine is precisely tailored to the customer's process. - Proven with international market leaders — References in nonwoven, paper, films, composites, flooring, adhesive tapes, artificial leather and technical textiles. SOMATEC machines run worldwide in the most demanding production lines. **Frequently Asked Questions:** - What is a turret unwinder? — A turret unwinder is a machine that feeds material rolls automatically and without interruption into the production process. While one roll is being unwound, the next can already be prepared. The changeover happens on-the-fly, without stopping the line — essential for continuous converting processes. - When do I need a turret unwinder instead of a simple unwinder? — Whenever your production line must run continuously without stopping for each roll change. Typical in coating, lamination and printing processes, where a stop causes scrap, web breaks or quality issues. At line speeds above 50 m/min a turret unwinder is practically mandatory. - What materials can the UW-E process? — The SOMATEC UW-E processes virtually all converting materials, such as films, paper, nonwovens, technical textiles, flooring (LVT/vinyl), artificial leather and coated webs. The tension level is precisely controllable throughout the entire unwind — even with sensitive or stretchable materials. - How does the UW-E differ from the UW-C and UW-S? — The three variants are optimized for different application profiles: UW-E for electric drives with maximum flexibility, UW-C for compact installation situations, UW-S for heavy rolls and high web tensions. The right choice depends on material, roll weight and line speed. - How does the consultation work the selection of the right unwinder? — SOMATEC analyzes your requirements for web tension, speed and material handling together with you and recommends the optimal configuration. From requirements analysis to commissioning. - Can an existing unwinder be retrofitted to a turret unwinder? — In principle yes — SOMATEC offers retrofit solutions. SOMATEC assesses the asset condition and technical feasibility and develops the upgrade concept. Often a retrofit is more economical than a new purchase. --- #### Turret Unwinder (UW-C) *Flexible for various core formats — shaftless roll support* The SOMATEC UW-C is an automatic turret unwinder in shaftless design. Rolls are clamped directly via chucks without winding shafts — ideal for frequently changing roll widths, as width differences up to 250 mm are compensated steplessly. The overlap splice runs automatically at full production speed for uninterrupted non-stop operation. **How it works:** Material rolls are clamped shaftlessly into the chucks of the indexing disk. Motor-driven supports automatically center the roll and compensate width differences up to 250 mm without mechanical adapters. Web tension is precisely controlled throughout the entire unwind. During roll change, the indexing disk swings automatically and joins the webs in an overlap splice at full speed. - Max. Production Speed: 500 m/min - Max. Working Width: 2.000 mm - Max. Roll Diameter: 1.200 mm - Max. Roll Weight: 1.500 kg - Core Inner Diameter: ab 76,2 (3") mm - Core Width Tolerance: ±100 mm - Roll Support: Shaftless **Applications:** The SOMATEC UW-C processes virtually all web-based materials — particularly efficient with frequently changing roll widths. The shaftless support compensates width differences up to 250 mm without mechanical changeover. - Flexible production — Applications with frequently changing material widths and formats - Film converting — Packaging films, technical films, shrink and barrier films - Adhesive tape industry — Tape substrates and release liners in varying widths - Nonwoven processing — Nonwovens for hygiene, medical and filtration - Flooring production — PVC flooring (LVT, vinyl) and carrier webs - Artificial leather production — PVC and PU artificial leather webs - Paper and board processing — Coating and lamination lines - Technical textiles and roofing — Geotextiles, vapor barriers, sealing films **Why the UW-C?:** Robust construction, sophisticated roll change systems and perfect control make the SOMATEC UW-C an absolutely process-reliable component. The shaftless design enables variable support of cardboard or steel cores. Core widths may vary within ±100 mm — for larger core widths, the versatile turret unwinder UW-S is recommended. An optional web joining system without preparation of the new roll is available, significantly reducing setup times. Thick and tough materials can also be cut with the active striking knife. **Typical Configurations:** - Flexible production: UW-C with motorized mandrel adjustment for quick changeover between different core formats for nonwovens, papers and films - Thick materials: UW-C with active striking knife for reliable cutting in converting, coating and lamination lines - Optimized setup: UW-C with web joining system without preparation of the new roll, lifting arms and lifting table for roll loading **Why SOMATEC:** - Over 35 years of specialization — SOMATEC is one of the leading manufacturers of winding machines and custom converting machinery. Decades of experience in development and manufacturing for the most demanding industrial applications. - Made in Germany — Robust construction, precise mechanics and durable components. Designed and manufactured in Hameln, Germany — for 24/7 industrial operation in plastics, nonwovens, paper and flooring industries. - Modular winding components — Versatile functional units enable customer-specific configurations. From compact basic units to high-performance lines — every machine is precisely tailored to the customer's process. - Proven with international market leaders — References in nonwoven, paper, films, composites, flooring, adhesive tapes, artificial leather and technical textiles. SOMATEC machines run worldwide in the most demanding production lines. **Frequently Asked Questions:** - What distinguishes the UW-C from the UW-E? — The UW-C is optimized for compact installation situations. Where space for a standard turret unwinder is limited, the UW-C offers the same functionality in a reduced footprint — without compromising web tension and changeover accuracy. - What materials is the UW-C suitable for? — Films, paper, nonwovens, composite materials and technical textiles. Web tension is precisely controllable throughout the entire unwind. - Can the UW-C be retrofitted? — Yes — SOMATEC offers the UW-C also as a retrofit solution for existing lines. SOMATEC checks the installation situation and supports the integration. - How does the roll change work? — On-the-fly, without production stop. While one roll is being unwound, the next can be prepared. - How do I decide between UW-E, UW-C and UW-S? — SOMATEC analyzes your requirements for installation space, roll weight, web tension and speed and recommends the appropriate variant. --- #### Heavy-Duty Turret Unwinder (UW-S) *For heavy rolls up to 3,500 kg and varying widths* The SOMATEC UW-S is the heavy-duty turret unwinder for particularly heavy rolls up to 3,500 kg and wide materials up to 2,500 mm. Motor-driven support arms clamp the roll centered and compensate width differences steplessly — without mechanical adapters. Automatic overlap splice at full production speed up to 600 m/min, optionally in both unwinding directions. **How it works:** Material rolls are picked up shaftlessly via motor-driven support arms and automatically centered. The support arms clamp the roll at the core and compensate width differences steplessly. The splicing process joins the webs automatically in overlap at full speed. The flexible concept allows use for the widest variety of materials and formats without mechanical changeover. - Max. Production Speed: 600 m/min - Max. Working Width: 2.500 mm - Max. Roll Diameter: 1.500 mm - Max. Roll Weight: 3.500 kg - Min. Core Diameter: from 152.4 (6") mm - Roll Support: Shaftless, motor-driven support arms **Applications:** The SOMATEC UW-S is designed for particularly heavy rolls and wide materials. It processes all web-based materials up to 3,500 kg roll weight and 2,500 mm material width — from flooring through roofing membranes to heavy composites. - Flooring production — Heavy PVC flooring (LVT, vinyl), heterogeneous flooring and carrier webs - Roofing membranes & construction films — Heavy bitumen sheets, vapor barriers and sealing films - Artificial leather production — Heavy PVC and PU artificial leather webs - Technical textiles — Heavy geotextiles, reinforcement fabrics and coated textiles - Film converting — Thick composite films, heavy packaging films and technical films - Nonwoven processing — Heavy nonwovens and filtration materials - Automotive — Interior trim materials and technical composite films - Paper and board processing — Heavy paper rolls in coating and lamination lines **Why the UW-S?:** Robust construction, sophisticated roll change systems and perfect control make the SOMATEC UW-S an absolutely process-reliable component. The motor-driven mandrel carriages center-clamp rolls of widely varying widths — without adapters or manual changeover. Roll weights up to 3,500 kg and speeds up to 600 m/min are safely handled. As an expandable base machine, the UW-S can be equipped with lifting arms, lifting table and cart for roll loading, as well as both unwinding directions. **Typical Configurations:** - Heavy-duty converting: UW-S unwinder + SOMATEC ATW-E/ATW-C winder for non-stop operation with heavy rolls and variable widths - Coating and lamination line: UW-S with lifting arms and lifting table for ergonomic roll loading with heavy roll weights - Flexible production: UW-S with motor-driven width adjustment for quick changeover between different roll widths without retooling **Why SOMATEC:** - Over 35 years of specialization — SOMATEC is one of the leading manufacturers of winding machines and custom converting machinery. Decades of experience in development and manufacturing for the most demanding industrial applications. - Made in Germany — Robust construction, precise mechanics and durable components. Designed and manufactured in Hameln, Germany — for 24/7 industrial operation in plastics, nonwovens, paper and flooring industries. - Modular winding components — Versatile functional units enable customer-specific configurations. From compact basic units to high-performance lines — every machine is precisely tailored to the customer's process. - Proven with international market leaders — References in nonwoven, paper, films, composites, flooring, adhesive tapes, artificial leather and technical textiles. SOMATEC machines run worldwide in the most demanding production lines. **Frequently Asked Questions:** - When do I need a heavy-duty turret unwinder? — When your rolls are particularly heavy (e.g. >2 tons), when web tension must be exceptionally high, or when very wide webs (>2 m) are processed. The UW-S is the most robust variant of the SOMATEC turret unwinder family. - What roll weights can the UW-S handle? — The UW-S is designed for heavy rolls. Exact specifications are determined customer-specifically — depending on material, width and production requirements. - How does the UW-S differ structurally from the UW-E? — Reinforced bearings, more robust turret drive and higher tension control. The construction is designed for maximum durability in heavy-duty operation. - In which industries is the UW-S used? — Flooring production, technical textiles, heavy composite films, roofing membranes and automotive supply industry. - Can SOMATEC advise on the design? — Yes — we analyze the requirements and support the specification as co-engineering partner with SOMATEC. --- ### Winding Machines Turret and surface winders for automatic roll change at full speed #### Turret Winder (ATW-E) *Cost-effective non-stop winding with winding shafts up to 3,000 mm working width* The automatic turret winder ATW-E is the cost-effective variant with winding shaft support. Its main application is in printing lines as well as in paper finishing and laminated film processing. Other applications where web-form material must be continuously wound are also easily handled. The machine concept can be optimally adapted to individual requirements and perfectly integrated into new or existing production lines. **How it works:** Automatic roll change at full production speed via TAC system (with core preparation, up to 600 m/min) or NTC system (without core preparation, up to 350 m/min). Selectable contact or gap winding with driven lay-on roll. Optional in-line slitting unit with scissors or razor blade cut. - Max. Production Speed: 600 m/min - Max. Working Width: 3.000 mm - Max. Roll Diameter: 1.500 mm - Max. Roll Weight: 3.500 kg - Min. Core Diameter: 3", 4", 6" or 4" steel core - Cutting System: Scissors cut, razor blade cut - Roll Support: With winding shafts **Applications:** The SOMATEC ATW-E automatically winds virtually all web-based materials — the economical standard solution with winding shaft support for printing, coating and converting lines. - Film converting — Packaging films, shrink films, technical films and barrier films - Nonwoven processing — Nonwovens for hygiene, medical and filtration products - Paper and board processing — Coating, lamination and printing lines - Adhesive tape industry — Feeding of tape substrates, release liners and self-adhesive webs - Flooring production — PVC flooring (LVT, vinyl), carrier webs and decorative films - Artificial leather production — PVC and PU artificial leather webs - Technical textiles — Geotextiles, filter materials and coated textiles - Roofing membranes & construction films — Bitumen sheets, vapor barriers and sealing films **Why the ATW-E?:** The ATW-E is the cost-effective variant with winding shafts, offering a wide range of equipment options for perfect winding results. Selectable contact or gap winding, motorized rider rolls and antistatic equipment ensure optimal quality. The automatic roll change takes place at full production speed — depending on the system with core preparation (TAC, up to 600 m/min) or without (NTC, up to 350 m/min). The machine concept can be individually adapted to your requirements. **Typical Configurations:** - Converting line: SOMATEC UW-E unwinder + ATW-E winder with splice synchronization for loss-free non-stop operation - Paper finishing: ATW-E with NTC system for roll change without core preparation and roll removal cart with up to 25 m travel - High automation: ATW-E with in-line slitting unit, roll support roller and automatic finished roll and winding shaft handling **Why SOMATEC:** - Over 35 years of specialization — SOMATEC is one of the leading manufacturers of winding machines and custom converting machinery. Decades of experience in development and manufacturing for the most demanding industrial applications. - Made in Germany — Robust construction, precise mechanics and durable components. Designed and manufactured in Hameln, Germany — for 24/7 industrial operation in plastics, nonwovens, paper and flooring industries. - Modular winding components — Versatile functional units enable customer-specific configurations. From compact basic units to high-performance lines — every machine is precisely tailored to the customer's process. - Proven with international market leaders — References in nonwoven, paper, films, composites, flooring, adhesive tapes, artificial leather and technical textiles. SOMATEC machines run worldwide in the most demanding production lines. **Frequently Asked Questions:** - What is the difference between unwinder and winder? — The unwinder feeds the raw material into the line. The winder (rewinder) takes up the finished product at the line end. Both are winding machines but with reversed function. - What does automatic turret winder mean? — An automatic turret winder changes the winding position on-the-fly — without stopping the line. When a roll is full, the turret automatically swings and the next empty core takes over. Essential for continuous production. - Which industries is the ATW-E suitable for? — Adhesive tape production, nonwoven processing, film coating, packaging converting, technical textiles, artificial leather production and flooring finishing. Wherever continuous winding under controlled conditions is required. - Can the ATW-E be integrated into existing lines? — Yes — SOMATEC turret winders are available as new installations and as retrofit solutions for existing converting lines. SOMATEC assesses the installation situation and coordinates the technical interface. - How is the right machine selected? — SOMATEC analyzes your process: material type, web width, line speed, roll weight, web tension requirements and space constraints. Then SOMATEC recommends the appropriate variant and supports the project through to commissioning. --- #### Turret Winder (ATW-C) *Shaftless with movable chucks — for paper, films and composites* The SOMATEC ATW-C is a compact turret winder in shaftless design for automatic winding at full production speed. Rolls are clamped directly via chucks without winding shafts. Ideal solution for installation situations with limited space. **How it works:** The ATW-C automatically winds the material web onto pre-prepared cores. During roll change, the turret swings to the next position and the cut/splice process runs fully automatically at production speed. Web tension is continuously controlled, regardless of increasing roll diameter. - Max. Production Speed: 600 m/min - Max. Working Width: 2.500 mm - Max. Roll Diameter: 1.500 mm - Max. Roll Weight: 5.000 kg - Min. Working Width: 900 mm - Min. Core Diameter: 4", 6" or 4" steel core - Roll Support: Shaftless, movable chucks **Applications:** The SOMATEC ATW-C is the compact solution for automatic winding in installation situations with limited space. Processes all common converting materials shaftlessly. - Film converting — Packaging films, shrink films, technical films and barrier films - Nonwoven processing — Nonwovens for hygiene, medical and filtration products - Paper and board processing — Coating, lamination and printing lines - Adhesive tape industry — Feeding of tape substrates, release liners and self-adhesive webs - Flooring production — PVC flooring (LVT, vinyl), carrier webs and decorative films - Artificial leather production — PVC and PU artificial leather webs - Technical textiles — Geotextiles, filter materials and coated textiles - Roofing membranes & construction films — Bitumen sheets, vapor barriers and sealing films **Why the ATW-C?:** The proven ATW-C design with mandrels movable in the side frames provides reliable shaftless roll support for roll weights up to 5,000 kg. Selectable contact or gap winding with motorized rider rolls ensure optimal winding quality. An optional slitting unit for edge trimming and various handling components such as lifting cart or lifting table complete the machine concept. **Typical Configurations:** - Converting line: SOMATEC unwinder + ATW-C winder for loss-free non-stop operation with shaftless roll support - Paper finishing: ATW-C with automatic roll removal via lifting cart or lifting table for high productivity - Heavy rolls: ATW-C with motorized rider rolls and contact or gap winding for heavy rolls up to 5,000 kg **Why SOMATEC:** - Over 35 years of specialization — SOMATEC is one of the leading manufacturers of winding machines and custom converting machinery. Decades of experience in development and manufacturing for the most demanding industrial applications. - Made in Germany — Robust construction, precise mechanics and durable components. Designed and manufactured in Hameln, Germany — for 24/7 industrial operation in plastics, nonwovens, paper and flooring industries. - Modular winding components — Versatile functional units enable customer-specific configurations. From compact basic units to high-performance lines — every machine is precisely tailored to the customer's process. - Proven with international market leaders — References in nonwoven, paper, films, composites, flooring, adhesive tapes, artificial leather and technical textiles. SOMATEC machines run worldwide in the most demanding production lines. **Frequently Asked Questions:** - What distinguishes the ATW-C from other turret winders? — The ATW-C is the compact variant for installation situations with limited space. Full turret winder functionality in the smallest footprint. - What materials are wound? — Films, nonwovens, paper, coated webs and technical textiles — everything that needs winding in converting lines. - Is a flying roll change possible? — Yes — the ATW-C automatically changes the winding position at full line speed. - How does the consultation work? — SOMATEC advises on selecting the right winder variant and supports project execution. --- #### Turret Winder (ATW-S) *Shaftless with movable and indexable chucks — for constantly changing core lengths* The SOMATEC ATW-S is the heavy-duty variant of the turret winder for high roll weights and wide materials. Shaftless roll support via motor-driven chucks with automatic width compensation. Designed for 24/7 continuous operation in flooring, film and nonwoven production. **How it works:** The material web is wound onto the core via a contact roller or in gap winding mode. Winding hardness, web tension and contact pressure are precisely controllable throughout the entire winding process. The automatic roll change occurs at full line speed. Reinforced bearings and drives enable high roll weights in continuous operation. - Max. Production Speed: 600 m/min - Max. Working Width: 2.500 mm - Max. Roll Diameter: 1.500 mm - Max. Roll Weight: 5.000 kg - Min. Working Width: 900 mm - Min. Core Diameter: 4", 6" or 4" steel core - Roll Support: Shaftless, indexing system **Applications:** The SOMATEC ATW-S winds heavy rolls and wide materials in continuous operation — the heavy-duty solution for flooring, film and nonwoven production. - Flooring production — Heavy PVC flooring (LVT, vinyl), heterogeneous flooring and carrier webs - Roofing membranes & construction films — Heavy bitumen sheets, vapor barriers and sealing films - Artificial leather production — Heavy PVC and PU artificial leather webs - Technical textiles — Heavy geotextiles, reinforcement fabrics and coated textiles - Film converting — Thick composite films, heavy packaging films and technical films - Nonwoven processing — Heavy nonwovens and filtration materials - Automotive — Interior trim materials and technical composite films - Paper and board processing — Heavy paper rolls in coating and lamination lines **Why the ATW-S?:** With mandrels traveling directly on the turret system, the ATW-S offers even greater flexibility in accommodating different core lengths than the ATW-C. This allows the machine to optimally adapt to changing production conditions. Selectable contact or gap winding with motorized rider rolls ensure perfect winding results for roll weights up to 5,000 kg. **Typical Configurations:** - Flexible production: ATW-S with mandrels traveling directly on the turret system for quick changeover between different core lengths without retooling - Converting line: SOMATEC unwinder + ATW-S winder for loss-free non-stop operation with maximum format flexibility - Heavy rolls: ATW-S with motorized rider rolls and automatic roll removal via lifting cart or lifting table **Why SOMATEC:** - Over 35 years of specialization — SOMATEC is one of the leading manufacturers of winding machines and custom converting machinery. Decades of experience in development and manufacturing for the most demanding industrial applications. - Made in Germany — Robust construction, precise mechanics and durable components. Designed and manufactured in Hameln, Germany — for 24/7 industrial operation in plastics, nonwovens, paper and flooring industries. - Modular winding components — Versatile functional units enable customer-specific configurations. From compact basic units to high-performance lines — every machine is precisely tailored to the customer's process. - Proven with international market leaders — References in nonwoven, paper, films, composites, flooring, adhesive tapes, artificial leather and technical textiles. SOMATEC machines run worldwide in the most demanding production lines. **Frequently Asked Questions:** - When is the ATW-S the right choice? — When heavy rolls need to be wound at high web tension. The ATW-S is the reinforced variant for demanding converting applications. - Which industries is the ATW-S suitable for? — Flooring production, heavy films, technical textiles, roofing membranes and artificial leather. - Can the ATW-S be integrated into existing lines? — Yes — SOMATEC delivers the ATW-S also as retrofit. SOMATEC coordinates the interface between existing line and new winder. - How does the ATW-S differ from the ATW-E? — Reinforced construction for higher roll weights and web tensions. Same operating concept, more robust mechanics. --- #### Turret Winder (ATW-I) *Turret winder with integrated shaft extraction up to 3,300 mm* The SOMATEC ATW-I is a turret winder for direct inline integration into coating, lamination and printing lines. The machine adapts to the speed and control of the overall line and works as an integral part of the production system — not as a standalone unit. **How it works:** The ATW-I receives the material web directly from the upstream process step and winds onto pre-prepared cores. The automatic roll change is synchronized with the line control. Web tension, winding speed and roll change timing are centrally coordinated. - Max. Production Speed: 600 m/min - Max. Working Width: 3.300 mm - Max. Roll Diameter: 600 / 800 / 1.000 mm - Max. Roll Weight: 1.500 / 2.500 / 3.500 kg - Min. Core Diameter: 3", 4", 6" or 4" steel core - Cutting System: Scissors cut, razor blade cut - Roll Support: Integrated shaft extraction **Applications:** The SOMATEC ATW-I is designed for direct inline integration into complete systems. It processes all web-based materials as an integral part of coating, lamination and printing lines. - Film converting — Packaging films, shrink films, technical films and barrier films - Nonwoven processing — Nonwovens for hygiene, medical and filtration products - Paper and board processing — Coating, lamination and printing lines - Adhesive tape industry — Feeding of tape substrates, release liners and self-adhesive webs - Flooring production — PVC flooring (LVT, vinyl), carrier webs and decorative films - Artificial leather production — PVC and PU artificial leather webs - Technical textiles — Geotextiles, filter materials and coated textiles - Roofing membranes & construction films — Bitumen sheets, vapor barriers and sealing films **Why the ATW-I?:** Integrated winding shaft handling is the distinguishing feature of the ATW-I — the winding shafts always remain in the machine, significantly simplifying finished roll handling. Thanks to its modular design with various sizes (600–1,000 mm roll diameter, up to 3,500 kg), the ATW-I can be ideally adapted to any production situation. Already built more than 50 times worldwide. **Typical Configurations:** - Film production: ATW-I with TAC system for automatic roll change at up to 600 m/min and integrated winding shaft extraction - Converting line: SOMATEC unwinder + ATW-I winder with in-line slitting unit and automatic finished roll and winding shaft handling - Nonwoven production: ATW-I with NTC system for roll change without core preparation and roll removal cart with up to 25 m travel **Why SOMATEC:** - Over 35 years of specialization — SOMATEC is one of the leading manufacturers of winding machines and custom converting machinery. Decades of experience in development and manufacturing for the most demanding industrial applications. - Made in Germany — Robust construction, precise mechanics and durable components. Designed and manufactured in Hameln, Germany — for 24/7 industrial operation in plastics, nonwovens, paper and flooring industries. - Modular winding components — Versatile functional units enable customer-specific configurations. From compact basic units to high-performance lines — every machine is precisely tailored to the customer's process. - Proven with international market leaders — References in nonwoven, paper, films, composites, flooring, adhesive tapes, artificial leather and technical textiles. SOMATEC machines run worldwide in the most demanding production lines. **Frequently Asked Questions:** - What is special about the ATW-I? — The ATW-I is designed for specific integration requirements — when the turret winder should work not as a standalone machine but as an integral part of an overall system. - In which applications is the ATW-I used? — Inline integration into coating, lamination and printing lines. The ATW-I adapts to the control and speed of the overall line. - Can SOMATEC advise on line integration? — Yes — integrating winding technology into existing or new overall systems is one of our core competencies. - Is retrofitting into existing lines possible? — In principle yes — SOMATEC designs the machine according to the interface requirements of the existing line. --- #### Large-Format Turret Winder (ATW-IG) *For largest diameters up to 2,400 mm & 4,000 mm working width — nonwoven & glass fleece* The SOMATEC ATW-IG is the large-format variant of the turret winder with integrated extraction. Designed for particularly wide webs and heavy rolls where standard winders reach their mechanical limits. Automatic roll change at full production speed even in large formats. **How it works:** The ATW-IG works on the same principle as the ATW-I, but with reinforced mechanics for large formats. Integrated roll extraction, reinforced bearings and increased drive power enable processing of heavy and wide materials in continuous operation. - Max. Production Speed: 600 m/min - Max. Working Width: 4.000 mm - Max. Roll Diameter: 2.400 mm - Max. Roll Weight: 2.500 kg - Min. Core Diameter: 3", 4", 6" or 4" steel core - Cutting System: Scissors cut, razor blade cut - Roll Support: Integrated shaft extraction **Applications:** The SOMATEC ATW-IG processes particularly wide webs and heavy rolls in large-format applications — for flooring, wide technical textiles and large-format packaging films. - Flooring production — Heavy PVC flooring (LVT, vinyl), heterogeneous flooring and carrier webs - Roofing membranes & construction films — Heavy bitumen sheets, vapor barriers and sealing films - Artificial leather production — Heavy PVC and PU artificial leather webs - Technical textiles — Heavy geotextiles, reinforcement fabrics and coated textiles - Film converting — Thick composite films, heavy packaging films and technical films - Nonwoven processing — Heavy nonwovens and filtration materials - Automotive — Interior trim materials and technical composite films - Paper and board processing — Heavy paper rolls in coating and lamination lines **Why the ATW-IG?:** The ATW-IG is the large-format variant of the ATW series with integrated winding shaft extraction. Roll diameters up to 2,400 mm, roll weights up to 2,500 kg and working widths up to 4,000 mm make it the first choice for nonwoven and glass fleece production. The integrated support roller ensures perfect winding quality even with the largest rolls. **Typical Configurations:** - Glass fleece production: ATW-IG with support roller and integrated winding shaft extraction for roll diameters up to 2,400 mm - Nonwoven line: ATW-IG with TAC system for automatic roll change at full speed and automatic finished roll handling - Large-format film production: SOMATEC unwinder + ATW-IG winder for working widths up to 4,000 mm **Why SOMATEC:** - Over 35 years of specialization — SOMATEC is one of the leading manufacturers of winding machines and custom converting machinery. Decades of experience in development and manufacturing for the most demanding industrial applications. - Made in Germany — Robust construction, precise mechanics and durable components. Designed and manufactured in Hameln, Germany — for 24/7 industrial operation in plastics, nonwovens, paper and flooring industries. - Modular winding components — Versatile functional units enable customer-specific configurations. From compact basic units to high-performance lines — every machine is precisely tailored to the customer's process. - Proven with international market leaders — References in nonwoven, paper, films, composites, flooring, adhesive tapes, artificial leather and technical textiles. SOMATEC machines run worldwide in the most demanding production lines. **Frequently Asked Questions:** - What does IG stand for in ATW-IG? — IG stands for the large-format version. The ATW-IG processes particularly wide webs and heavy rolls — for applications where standard winders reach their limits. - In which industries is the ATW-IG used? — Flooring production, wide technical textiles, large-format packaging films and roofing membranes. - How is winding quality ensured at large widths? — Through precise web tension control across the entire width, automatic edge control and adapted contact roller geometry. - Can SOMATEC advise on the specification? — Yes — we support requirements definition and accompany the project with SOMATEC. --- #### Surface Winder (SW-E) *Compact surface winder, single drive up to 2,000 mm* The surface winder SW-E is the cost-effective solution for winding nonwovens, films and tobacco behind production lines. Thanks to its compact design focused on essential functions, this automatic surface winder is particularly economical. In its base version it operates with just one drive while meeting all requirements for modern and safe winding technology. **How it works:** Surface winding from the first to the last layer. Automatic roll change at full production speed onto adhesive-prepared cores. Winding tension and contact pressure are each selectable via characteristic curve. - Max. Production Speed: 200 m/min - Max. Working Width: 2.000 mm - Max. Roll Diameter: 1.500 mm - Max. Roll Weight: 1.000 kg - Min. Core Diameter: from 76.2 (3") mm **Applications:** The SOMATEC SW-E is the economical contact winder solution for sensitive, coated or tacky materials. Processes all web-based materials where uniform winding without air inclusions is critical. - Adhesive tape production — Non-stop winding of self-adhesive webs, tape substrates and release liners - Coated films — Freshly coated webs with sensitive surfaces - PVC films with decor — Decorative films for flooring and furniture surfaces - Artificial leather — PVC and PU artificial leather webs with sensitive embossing - Packaging films — High-quality films with quality requirements for winding - Nonwoven processing — Nonwovens for hygiene and medical - Flooring production — Wear layers, decorative films and carrier webs - Technical textiles and papers — Coated and finished webs **Why the SW-E?:** As the most compact variant of the surface winder series, the SW-E offers an economical alternative to turret winders or multi-station winders with accumulators. In its base version it operates with just one drive, making it particularly cost-effective. Surface winding from first to last layer ensures optimal winding results — without lateral displacement during multiple-up winding. **Typical Configurations:** - Nonwoven line: SW-E as compact and cost-effective winding behind production lines with automatic roll change - Film line: SW-E with optional edge and slit trimming for integrated slitting and winding - Extended operation: SW-E with roll and shaft handling for higher productivity **Why SOMATEC:** - Over 35 years of specialization — SOMATEC is one of the leading manufacturers of winding machines and custom converting machinery. Decades of experience in development and manufacturing for the most demanding industrial applications. - Made in Germany — Robust construction, precise mechanics and durable components. Designed and manufactured in Hameln, Germany — for 24/7 industrial operation in plastics, nonwovens, paper and flooring industries. - Modular winding components — Versatile functional units enable customer-specific configurations. From compact basic units to high-performance lines — every machine is precisely tailored to the customer's process. - Proven with international market leaders — References in nonwoven, paper, films, composites, flooring, adhesive tapes, artificial leather and technical textiles. SOMATEC machines run worldwide in the most demanding production lines. **Frequently Asked Questions:** - What is a contact winder and when is it used? — A contact winder (surface winder) winds the material web via a contact roller. Winding hardness is controlled not through tension but through the contact pressure of the contact roller. Ideal for sensitive, coated or tacky materials where uniform winding without inclusions is critical. - When is a contact winder better than a center winder? — When your product is touch-sensitive (e.g. freshly coated webs, adhesive tapes, PVC films with decor), when air inclusions must be prevented, or when winding hardness must be uniform across the entire roll. Contact winders are also particularly suitable for wide webs. - What is the difference between SW-E, SW-S and SW-R? — SW-E is the standard variant with electric drive, SW-S the reinforced version for heavy rolls and high web tensions, SW-R the reversible variant for applications requiring both winding directions. - Can SOMATEC assess my existing winder? — Yes — an asset condition and risk assessment is one of our core services. We analyze wear, performance deviations and upgrade potential and provide concrete recommendations for action. - What web widths and speeds are possible? — SOMATEC contact winders are custom-engineered. The answer depends on material, roll weight and product requirements. SOMATEC advises on requirements definition and supports the technical specification. --- #### Surface Winder (SW-S) *Surface winder with motor-driven support roll up to 3,000 mm — for demanding materials* The SOMATEC SW-S is a contact winder (surface winder) in reinforced design for heavy rolls and high web tensions. Winding hardness is controlled via the contact roller — not through web tension — ideal for sensitive, coated or tacky materials with high basis weight. **How it works:** The material web is wound onto the core via a driven contact roller. The contact pressure of the contact roller determines the winding hardness — uniform from the first to the last layer. Air inclusions are structurally prevented by the contact winding principle. Reinforced mechanics for high roll weights and web tensions. - Max. Production Speed: 200 m/min - Max. Working Width: 3.000 mm - Max. Roll Diameter: 1.800 mm - Max. Roll Weight: 1.500 kg - Min. Core Diameter: from 76.2 (3") mm **Applications:** The SOMATEC SW-S is the reinforced contact winder solution for heavy, sensitive materials. Processes all web-based materials with high basis weight under controlled winding conditions. - Adhesive tape production — Non-stop winding of self-adhesive webs, tape substrates and release liners - Coated films — Freshly coated webs with sensitive surfaces - PVC films with decor — Decorative films for flooring and furniture surfaces - Artificial leather — PVC and PU artificial leather webs with sensitive embossing - Packaging films — High-quality films with quality requirements for winding - Nonwoven processing — Nonwovens for hygiene and medical - Flooring production — Wear layers, decorative films and carrier webs - Technical textiles and papers — Coated and finished webs **Why the SW-S?:** The driven support roller is the distinguishing feature of the SW-S — it supports the winding roll throughout the entire winding process and significantly improves winding results. Tension and contact pressure can be regulated even during roll change. For longitudinal cuts down to 70 mm web width no extra roll slitter is required. The automatic roll change is fold-free with electric TAC application system. **Typical Configurations:** - In-line production: SW-S with integrated slitting and support roller for multiple-up winding without deflection - Paper finishing: SW-S with optional gap winding and controllable contact pressure for sensitive materials - High productivity: SW-S with automatic roll and shaft handling and TAC roll change system **Why SOMATEC:** - Over 35 years of specialization — SOMATEC is one of the leading manufacturers of winding machines and custom converting machinery. Decades of experience in development and manufacturing for the most demanding industrial applications. - Made in Germany — Robust construction, precise mechanics and durable components. Designed and manufactured in Hameln, Germany — for 24/7 industrial operation in plastics, nonwovens, paper and flooring industries. - Modular winding components — Versatile functional units enable customer-specific configurations. From compact basic units to high-performance lines — every machine is precisely tailored to the customer's process. - Proven with international market leaders — References in nonwoven, paper, films, composites, flooring, adhesive tapes, artificial leather and technical textiles. SOMATEC machines run worldwide in the most demanding production lines. **Frequently Asked Questions:** - When is the SW-S more suitable than the SW-E? — The SW-S is the reinforced variant for heavy rolls and high web tensions. When the material is robust and requires high winding forces, the SW-S is the right choice. - What materials are typically processed with the SW-S? — Heavy PVC films, flooring, thick composite films, roofing membranes and technical textiles with high basis weight. - How does the SW-S ensure uniform winding? — The contact pressure is precisely controlled via the contact roller. Air inclusions are prevented and winding hardness remains constant across the entire roll diameter. - Is consulting by SOMATEC possible? — Yes — we analyze your requirements and recommend the optimal SOMATEC configuration. --- #### Reelwinder (SW-R) *Reelwinder for large reels up to 3,000 mm diameter and 3,000 kg — specifically for nonwoven* The SOMATEC SW-R is a contact winder with reversible winding direction. The machine can wind in both directions — ideal for processes with two-sided coating, laminating/delaminating applications or alternating web run directions. **How it works:** The SW-R works on the contact winding principle with the additional option to reverse the winding direction. The contact roller controls winding hardness uniformly in both directions. The automatic roll change works in both winding modes. - Max. Production Speed: 500 m/min - Max. Working Width: 3.000 mm - Max. Roll Diameter: 3.000 mm - Max. Roll Weight: 3.000 kg - Min. Core Diameter: from 152.4 (6") mm **Applications:** The SOMATEC SW-R is the contact winder with reversible winding direction — for processes with two-sided coating or alternating web run directions. Processes all converting materials. - Adhesive tape production — Non-stop winding of self-adhesive webs, tape substrates and release liners - Coated films — Freshly coated webs with sensitive surfaces - PVC films with decor — Decorative films for flooring and furniture surfaces - Artificial leather — PVC and PU artificial leather webs with sensitive embossing - Packaging films — High-quality films with quality requirements for winding - Nonwoven processing — Nonwovens for hygiene and medical - Flooring production — Wear layers, decorative films and carrier webs - Technical textiles and papers — Coated and finished webs **Why the SW-R?:** The SW-R achieves winding diameters up to 3,000 mm, significantly reducing the number of roll changes. Controlled surface winding from first to last layer is permanently monitored by a two-dimensional pressure measurement system. The additional center drive at each winding station ensures gentle start-up winding. Automatic web blow-in via the pivoting conveyor table enables roll change at full speed. **Typical Configurations:** - Nonwoven line: SW-R with automatic shaft feeding and winding shaft magazine for maximum productivity at largest roll diameters - Nonwoven production: SW-R with 2D pressure measurement system and edge/slit trimming for consistent winding quality - High automation: SW-R with automatic roll and shaft handling for uninterrupted production operation **Why SOMATEC:** - Over 35 years of specialization — SOMATEC is one of the leading manufacturers of winding machines and custom converting machinery. Decades of experience in development and manufacturing for the most demanding industrial applications. - Made in Germany — Robust construction, precise mechanics and durable components. Designed and manufactured in Hameln, Germany — for 24/7 industrial operation in plastics, nonwovens, paper and flooring industries. - Modular winding components — Versatile functional units enable customer-specific configurations. From compact basic units to high-performance lines — every machine is precisely tailored to the customer's process. - Proven with international market leaders — References in nonwoven, paper, films, composites, flooring, adhesive tapes, artificial leather and technical textiles. SOMATEC machines run worldwide in the most demanding production lines. **Frequently Asked Questions:** - What distinguishes the SW-R from other contact winders? — The SW-R is the reversible variant — it can operate in both winding directions. Ideal for applications where the web side needs to be changed or the material processed from both sides. - In which processes is the SW-R used? — Coating lines with two-sided coating, laminating/delaminating applications, and processes with alternating winding directions. - How does the consultation work? — SOMATEC advises on selecting the right contact winder type and coordinates project execution. --- ### Slitting & Rewinding Machines Modular slitting and rewinding machines, configured per project #### Scissors Cut Rewinder (SR-01) *Slitter-rewinder with scissors cut for films and paper* The SOMATEC SR-01 is a slitter rewinder with scissors cutting method. The material web is slit longitudinally and wound onto individual reels. The scissors cutting method (upper/lower blade) delivers clean cut edges on films and paper. **How it works:** The material web is unwound from the parent roll, guided through the scissors cutting system and separated into individual reels. Each reel is wound separately onto a core. Blade positioning can be done manually or via the automatic EPOS system. - Max. Production Speed: 600 m/min - Max. Working Width: 3.000 mm - Slitting Method: Scissors Cut - Web Guiding: Edge guiding - Winding Mode: Unwind and Rewind **Applications:** SOMATEC slitter rewinders for precision finishing of material webs into all common converting formats. - Adhesive tape finishing — Precision slitting of tape substrates and release liners - Label production — Format cutting for self-adhesive labels and label materials - Film formatting — Slitting of packaging, shrink and technical films - Nonwoven cutting — Formatting of nonwoven webs for hygiene and medical products - Paper and board cutting — Format cuts for coating and printing products **Why the SR-01?:** Scissors cut is particularly suitable for films and papers. High variability through different concepts for roll supports and winding methods. The automatic knife positioning system EPOS minimizes setup times. Optional inspection sections enable seamless quality control. **Typical Configurations:** - Film converting: SR-01 with EPOS positioning system and automatic winding shaft preparation for minimal setup times - Quality control: SR-01 with inspection section and defect detection for seamless web inspection - Paper finishing: SR-01 with web edge guiding and roll removal cart for high productivity **Why SOMATEC:** - Over 35 years of specialization — SOMATEC is one of the leading manufacturers of winding machines and custom converting machinery. Decades of experience in development and manufacturing for the most demanding industrial applications. - Made in Germany — Robust construction, precise mechanics and durable components. Designed and manufactured in Hameln, Germany — for 24/7 industrial operation in plastics, nonwovens, paper and flooring industries. - Modular winding components — Versatile functional units enable customer-specific configurations. From compact basic units to high-performance lines — every machine is precisely tailored to the customer's process. - Proven with international market leaders — References in nonwoven, paper, films, composites, flooring, adhesive tapes, artificial leather and technical textiles. SOMATEC machines run worldwide in the most demanding production lines. **Frequently Asked Questions:** - What is a scissors slitter rewinder? — A machine for slitting and rewinding material webs using the scissors cutting method. The cut is made between an upper and lower blade combination — clean cut edges on films and paper. - What materials is scissors slitting suitable for? — Films, paper and thin composite materials. For thicker or more sensitive materials, other cutting methods (blade or crush cut) are recommended. - Can the SR-01 be integrated into existing lines? — Yes — SOMATEC offers slitting modules also as retrofit solutions. SOMATEC advises on selecting the right cutting method. --- #### Blade Cut Rewinder (SR-02) *Slitter-rewinder with blade cut for precise cut quality* The SOMATEC SR-02 is a slitter rewinder with blade cutting method. A stationary blade cuts against a counter roller — for particularly precise cut quality with minimal burr formation. Ideal for sensitive materials and applications with the highest quality requirements for cut edges. **How it works:** The material web is guided over a stationary blade that cuts against a counter roller. The method delivers the highest cut quality among the three SOMATEC cutting methods — minimal burr, no fiber tear-out, clean edge even on thin films. - Max. Production Speed: 600 m/min - Max. Working Width: 3.000 mm - Slitting Method: Blade Cut - Web Guiding: Edge guiding - Winding Mode: Unwind and Rewind **Applications:** SOMATEC slitter rewinders for precision finishing of material webs into all common converting formats. - Adhesive tape finishing — Precision slitting of tape substrates and release liners - Label production — Format cutting for self-adhesive labels and label materials - Film formatting — Slitting of packaging, shrink and technical films - Nonwoven cutting — Formatting of nonwoven webs for hygiene and medical products - Paper and board cutting — Format cuts for coating and printing products **Why the SR-02?:** Blade cut delivers the highest cut quality for demanding materials. The format roller ensures constant gap distances during multiple-up winding. Optional pre-treatment stations, auxiliary winding stations and defect detection offer maximum flexibility. **Typical Configurations:** - Multiple-up slitting line: SR-02 with blade cut, format roller and EPOS for precise multiple-up winding - Laminating line: SR-02 with auxiliary winding stations for laminating/de-laminating and scrap winder - Quality assurance: SR-02 with inspection section and defect detection for highest product quality **Why SOMATEC:** - Over 35 years of specialization — SOMATEC is one of the leading manufacturers of winding machines and custom converting machinery. Decades of experience in development and manufacturing for the most demanding industrial applications. - Made in Germany — Robust construction, precise mechanics and durable components. Designed and manufactured in Hameln, Germany — for 24/7 industrial operation in plastics, nonwovens, paper and flooring industries. - Modular winding components — Versatile functional units enable customer-specific configurations. From compact basic units to high-performance lines — every machine is precisely tailored to the customer's process. - Proven with international market leaders — References in nonwoven, paper, films, composites, flooring, adhesive tapes, artificial leather and technical textiles. SOMATEC machines run worldwide in the most demanding production lines. **Frequently Asked Questions:** - What is a blade slitter rewinder? — A machine for slitting with a stationary blade against a counter roller. Delivers particularly precise cut quality with minimal burr formation. - When is blade slitting better than scissors slitting? — When the highest cut quality is required, for sensitive surfaces, or when cut edges must be finishing-free. - Which industries is the SR-02 relevant for? — Label production, medical films, high-quality packaging films and adhesive tape substrates. --- #### Crush Cut Rewinder (SR-03) *Slitter-rewinder with crush cut for nonwovens and technical textiles* The SOMATEC SR-03 is a slitter rewinder with crush cutting method. A round blade presses against a soft counter roller and separates the material by crushing. Specifically for nonwovens, felts and soft materials that cannot be cleanly separated with scissors or blade cutting. **How it works:** A rotating round blade is pressed against an elastic counter roller. The material is separated by crush pressure — without a classical cut. The method avoids fiber tear-out and fraying on soft, porous materials. - Max. Production Speed: 400 m/min - Max. Working Width: 3.000 mm - Slitting Method: Crush Cut - Web Guiding: Edge guiding - Winding Mode: Unwind and Rewind **Applications:** SOMATEC slitter rewinders for precision finishing of material webs into all common converting formats. - Adhesive tape finishing — Precision slitting of tape substrates and release liners - Label production — Format cutting for self-adhesive labels and label materials - Film formatting — Slitting of packaging, shrink and technical films - Nonwoven cutting — Formatting of nonwoven webs for hygiene and medical products - Paper and board cutting — Format cuts for coating and printing products **Why the SR-03?:** Crush cut is the gentlest cutting method for soft materials, preventing material deformation at the cut edge. Flexible winding concepts enable multiple-up winding on a shared shaft or on friction winding shafts. The fully automatic web threading system improves ergonomics and process reliability. **Typical Configurations:** - Nonwoven line: SR-03 with crush cut and friction winding shafts for gentle multiple-up winding - Technical textiles: SR-03 with automatic web threading device and web edge guiding - Nonwoven converting: SR-03 with roll removal cart for efficient finished roll handling **Why SOMATEC:** - Over 35 years of specialization — SOMATEC is one of the leading manufacturers of winding machines and custom converting machinery. Decades of experience in development and manufacturing for the most demanding industrial applications. - Made in Germany — Robust construction, precise mechanics and durable components. Designed and manufactured in Hameln, Germany — for 24/7 industrial operation in plastics, nonwovens, paper and flooring industries. - Modular winding components — Versatile functional units enable customer-specific configurations. From compact basic units to high-performance lines — every machine is precisely tailored to the customer's process. - Proven with international market leaders — References in nonwoven, paper, films, composites, flooring, adhesive tapes, artificial leather and technical textiles. SOMATEC machines run worldwide in the most demanding production lines. **Frequently Asked Questions:** - What is a crush slitter rewinder? — A machine for slitting with a round blade pressing against a soft counter roller. The material is separated by crushing — ideal for nonwovens and soft materials. - When is crush slitting the right choice? — For nonwovens, felts, soft foams and other materials that cannot be cleanly separated with scissors or blade slitting. - Does SOMATEC offer all three cutting methods? — Yes — scissors cut (SR-01), blade cut (SR-02) and crush cut (SR-03). SOMATEC advises on selecting the optimal method. --- ### Accumulators Web accumulators for continuous production, capacities up to 200 m #### Standard Accumulator (ACC-S) *Accumulator with comb design for easy thread-in, capacity up to 100 m* The SOMATEC ACC-S is a standard web accumulator for buffering material webs between two process steps. While one machine briefly stops — for example during roll change — the rest of the line continues running. The accumulator compensates the speed difference and prevents line downtime. **How it works:** The material web runs over a system of fixed and movable rollers. By traversing the movable roller group, web length is stored or released. The storage capacity results from the number and stroke of the rollers. Web tension remains constantly controlled throughout the entire storage and discharge cycle. - Max. Production Speed: 200 m/min - Max. Working Width: 3.000 mm - Storage Capacity: up to 100 m - Drive: Spindle - Design: Comb design - Carriage Direction: bottom-top **Applications:** SOMATEC web accumulators ensure continuous material flow in every converting line — the buffer between process steps. - Coating lines — Buffering between unwinder and coating station for uninterrupted roll changes - Lamination lines — Compensating speed differences between lamination and winding station - Printing lines — Continuous web run even during roll changes or format changes - Calendering lines — Buffering between calender and winding for constant line speed - Converting lines — Wherever two process steps operate at different speeds **Why the ACC-S?:** The comb roller design enables particularly easy web threading. The electric motor spindle drive with weight compensation ensures sensitive control. Optional double loop and pull rolls extend the application range. **Typical Configurations:** - Standard buffer: ACC-S with comb design for easy threading during product change - Extended capacity: ACC-S with double loop for compact design with higher storage volume - Inline buffering: ACC-S with infeed and outfeed pull rolls and web edge guiding **Why SOMATEC:** - Over 35 years of specialization — SOMATEC is one of the leading manufacturers of winding machines and custom converting machinery. Decades of experience in development and manufacturing for the most demanding industrial applications. - Made in Germany — Robust construction, precise mechanics and durable components. Designed and manufactured in Hameln, Germany — for 24/7 industrial operation in plastics, nonwovens, paper and flooring industries. - Modular winding components — Versatile functional units enable customer-specific configurations. From compact basic units to high-performance lines — every machine is precisely tailored to the customer's process. - Proven with international market leaders — References in nonwoven, paper, films, composites, flooring, adhesive tapes, artificial leather and technical textiles. SOMATEC machines run worldwide in the most demanding production lines. **Frequently Asked Questions:** - What is a web accumulator? — A web accumulator buffers material webs between two process steps. When a machine before or after the accumulator briefly stops (e.g. during roll change), the rest of the line continues — the accumulator compensates the speed difference. - When do I need an accumulator? — Whenever two process steps operate at different speeds or with different downtime. Typical: between unwinder and coating station, or between dryer and winder. - What distinguishes the ACC-S from ACC-P and ACC-HD? — ACC-S is the standard variant for normal web tensions, ACC-P uses pneumatic systems for sensitive materials, ACC-HD is the heavy-duty version for heavy webs and high tensions. - Can SOMATEC advise on accumulator sizing? — Yes — we calculate the required storage length based on line speed, changeover time and buffer requirements. --- #### Pneumatic Accumulator (ACC-P) *Pneumatically driven accumulator with pull rolls up to 200 m/min* The SOMATEC ACC-P is a pneumatic web accumulator with dancer roller system. The pneumatic control enables particularly gentle web tension — ideal for sensitive, stretchable or thin materials where mechanical accumulators would exert too much force on the web. **How it works:** Pneumatically controlled dancer rollers maintain web tension at a constant, adjustable level. The control responds smoothly to speed fluctuations — without abrupt tension peaks. Pressure marks and stretching are structurally prevented. - Max. Production Speed: 200 m/min - Max. Working Width: 3.000 mm - Storage Capacity: up to 50 m - Drive: Pneumatic cylinder - Pull Rolls: yes **Applications:** SOMATEC web accumulators ensure continuous material flow in every converting line — the buffer between process steps. - Coating lines — Buffering between unwinder and coating station for uninterrupted roll changes - Lamination lines — Compensating speed differences between lamination and winding station - Printing lines — Continuous web run even during roll changes or format changes - Calendering lines — Buffering between calender and winding for constant line speed - Converting lines — Wherever two process steps operate at different speeds **Why the ACC-P?:** The pneumatic drive enables particularly direct control via the roller carriage position. Driven pull rolls ensure reliable web transport. The comb roller design enables easy threading. **Typical Configurations:** - Direct control: ACC-P with pneumatic drive and position control of the roller carriage - Reliable transport: ACC-P with driven pull rolls and web guiding - Compact buffer: ACC-P with comb design for easy threading during quick product change **Why SOMATEC:** - Over 35 years of specialization — SOMATEC is one of the leading manufacturers of winding machines and custom converting machinery. Decades of experience in development and manufacturing for the most demanding industrial applications. - Made in Germany — Robust construction, precise mechanics and durable components. Designed and manufactured in Hameln, Germany — for 24/7 industrial operation in plastics, nonwovens, paper and flooring industries. - Modular winding components — Versatile functional units enable customer-specific configurations. From compact basic units to high-performance lines — every machine is precisely tailored to the customer's process. - Proven with international market leaders — References in nonwoven, paper, films, composites, flooring, adhesive tapes, artificial leather and technical textiles. SOMATEC machines run worldwide in the most demanding production lines. **Frequently Asked Questions:** - What characterizes the pneumatic accumulator? — The ACC-P uses pneumatically controlled dancer rollers instead of fixed mechanics. This enables particularly gentle web tension — ideal for sensitive, stretchable or thin materials. - What materials is the ACC-P suitable for? — Thin films, elastic nonwovens, coated papers and materials where pressure marks or stretching must be avoided. - Can the ACC-P be retrofitted? — Yes — SOMATEC delivers the ACC-P also as retrofit for existing converting lines. --- #### Heavy Duty Accumulator (ACC-HD) *Heavy-duty accumulator up to 200 m capacity for wide webs* The SOMATEC ACC-HD is the heavy-duty web accumulator for particularly heavy materials such as thick PVC flooring, roofing membranes and heavy composite films. Reinforced roller bearings, robust frame and higher drive power — designed for materials where standard accumulators reach their mechanical limits. **How it works:** The operating principle corresponds to the ACC-S, but with reinforced mechanics for high web weights. Reinforced roller bearings, more robust frame structure and more powerful drives enable buffering of heavy webs at constant web tension. - Max. Production Speed: 200 m/min - Max. Working Width: 4.500 mm - Storage Capacity: up to 200 m - Drive: Spindle - Design: Double loop **Applications:** SOMATEC web accumulators ensure continuous material flow in every converting line — the buffer between process steps. - Coating lines — Buffering between unwinder and coating station for uninterrupted roll changes - Lamination lines — Compensating speed differences between lamination and winding station - Printing lines — Continuous web run even during roll changes or format changes - Calendering lines — Buffering between calender and winding for constant line speed - Converting lines — Wherever two process steps operate at different speeds **Why the ACC-HD?:** With up to 200 m storage capacity and 4,500 mm working width, the ACC-HD is the most powerful accumulator in the SOMATEC series. The double-loop design enables compact footprint despite high capacity. Mechanical or pneumatic weight compensation of the roller carriage ensures sensitive control. **Typical Configurations:** - Nonwoven line: ACC-HD with double loop and 200 m capacity for long roll change times with wide webs - Heavy-duty production: ACC-HD with infeed and outfeed pull rolls and web edge guiding - Large format: ACC-HD with up to 4,500 mm working width and pneumatic weight compensation **Why SOMATEC:** - Over 35 years of specialization — SOMATEC is one of the leading manufacturers of winding machines and custom converting machinery. Decades of experience in development and manufacturing for the most demanding industrial applications. - Made in Germany — Robust construction, precise mechanics and durable components. Designed and manufactured in Hameln, Germany — for 24/7 industrial operation in plastics, nonwovens, paper and flooring industries. - Modular winding components — Versatile functional units enable customer-specific configurations. From compact basic units to high-performance lines — every machine is precisely tailored to the customer's process. - Proven with international market leaders — References in nonwoven, paper, films, composites, flooring, adhesive tapes, artificial leather and technical textiles. SOMATEC machines run worldwide in the most demanding production lines. **Frequently Asked Questions:** - When is the heavy-duty accumulator needed? — When particularly heavy webs (e.g. thick PVC flooring, roofing membranes, heavy composite films) need to be buffered. The ACC-HD is designed for high web weights and tensions. - What structurally distinguishes the ACC-HD? — Reinforced roller bearings, more robust frame structure and higher drive power. For applications where standard accumulators reach their mechanical limits. - Can SOMATEC recommend the right accumulator variant? — Yes — we analyze material, web weight, speed and buffer requirements and recommend the appropriate ACC variant. --- ### Winding Components Individual function groups as additions to existing systems #### Edge Trim Winder (WC-ET) *Edge trim winder, machine-mountable or arranged separately* The SOMATEC WC-ET is an edge trim winder for reliable disposal of edge strips created during slitting. Mountable directly on the machine or arranged separately. Prevents tangles and disruptions in the production line. **How it works:** Edge strips are picked up by a driven winder and wound cleanly. Optionally with suction for automatic edge strip removal. Easy integration as addition to existing slitting and winding systems. - Mounting: On machine or separate - Application: Edge trim disposal **Applications:** SOMATEC edge trim winders are used wherever edge trim from slitting operations must be reliably disposed of. - Converting: Edge trim disposal on slitting and rewinding machines - Coating lines: Integrated edge trim winding on existing lines - Film and paper finishing: Clean disposal during edge and slit trimming **Why SOMATEC:** - Over 35 years of specialization — SOMATEC is one of the leading manufacturers of winding machines and custom converting machinery. Decades of experience in development and manufacturing for the most demanding industrial applications. - Made in Germany — Robust construction, precise mechanics and durable components. Designed and manufactured in Hameln, Germany — for 24/7 industrial operation in plastics, nonwovens, paper and flooring industries. - Modular winding components — Versatile functional units enable customer-specific configurations. From compact basic units to high-performance lines — every machine is precisely tailored to the customer's process. - Proven with international market leaders — References in nonwoven, paper, films, composites, flooring, adhesive tapes, artificial leather and technical textiles. SOMATEC machines run worldwide in the most demanding production lines. **Frequently Asked Questions:** - What is an edge trim winder? — An edge trim winder disposes of the edge strips that are created when slitting a material web. It reliably winds up the waste strips and prevents tangles in the line. - Can the WC-ET be retrofitted? — Yes — the WC-ET is designed as an addition to existing winding and slitting systems. Mounting directly on the machine or separate arrangement. - How does the consultation work? — SOMATEC advises on selecting the right winding components for your converting line. --- #### Slitting Module (WC-SM) *Slitting modules: scissors cut, blade cut and crush cut* The SOMATEC WC-SM is a modular slitting module for retrofitting into existing converting lines. Available in three cutting methods: scissors cut, blade cut and crush cut. With optional automatic knife positioning system EPOS for minimal setup times during format changes. **How it works:** The slitting module is integrated into the web path of the existing line. Blades are mounted on a traverse and can be positioned manually or automatically via EPOS. Three cutting methods (scissors, blade, crush) cover all common materials. - Cutting Methods: Scissors / Blade / Crush - Application: Retrofit **Applications:** SOMATEC slitting modules are the ideal retrofit solution for existing lines that need precise slitting capabilities. - Retrofit: Integration into existing winding and production lines - Upgrade: Extension of older lines with modern slitting technology and EPOS positioning - Flexible production: Three slitting methods (scissors, blade, crush) in one modular system **Why SOMATEC:** - Over 35 years of specialization — SOMATEC is one of the leading manufacturers of winding machines and custom converting machinery. Decades of experience in development and manufacturing for the most demanding industrial applications. - Made in Germany — Robust construction, precise mechanics and durable components. Designed and manufactured in Hameln, Germany — for 24/7 industrial operation in plastics, nonwovens, paper and flooring industries. - Modular winding components — Versatile functional units enable customer-specific configurations. From compact basic units to high-performance lines — every machine is precisely tailored to the customer's process. - Proven with international market leaders — References in nonwoven, paper, films, composites, flooring, adhesive tapes, artificial leather and technical textiles. SOMATEC machines run worldwide in the most demanding production lines. **Frequently Asked Questions:** - What is a slitting module? — A modular slitting system that can be integrated into existing lines. Available in three cutting methods: scissors cut, blade cut and crush cut. - What is the EPOS positioning system? — An automatic knife positioning system by SOMATEC that minimizes setup times during format changes. The blades automatically move to the programmed positions. - Can the WC-SM be integrated into any converting line? — In principle yes — SOMATEC designs the interface individually. SOMATEC supports with the technical requirements analysis. --- #### Mobile Auxiliary Winder (WC-AW) *Mobile auxiliary winder for laminating/de-laminating and scrap winding* The SOMATEC WC-AW is a mobile auxiliary winder for flexible deployment at different positions in the production line. Used for laminating, delaminating and scrap winding. Thanks to mobile design, quickly switchable between different machines. **How it works:** The mobile auxiliary winder is moved to the desired position and winds laminating, delaminating or scrap webs. Simple operation, quick positioning, flexible deployment at multiple machines. - Design: Mobile - Application: Laminating, de-laminating, scrap **Applications:** SOMATEC mobile auxiliary winders are used as flexible additions wherever laminating, de-laminating or scrap winding is needed. - Laminating lines: Laminating and de-laminating operations with optional laminating station - Quality assurance: Scrap winding for defect sections and rejects - Flexible production: Mobile deployment at different positions in the production line **Why SOMATEC:** - Over 35 years of specialization — SOMATEC is one of the leading manufacturers of winding machines and custom converting machinery. Decades of experience in development and manufacturing for the most demanding industrial applications. - Made in Germany — Robust construction, precise mechanics and durable components. Designed and manufactured in Hameln, Germany — for 24/7 industrial operation in plastics, nonwovens, paper and flooring industries. - Modular winding components — Versatile functional units enable customer-specific configurations. From compact basic units to high-performance lines — every machine is precisely tailored to the customer's process. - Proven with international market leaders — References in nonwoven, paper, films, composites, flooring, adhesive tapes, artificial leather and technical textiles. SOMATEC machines run worldwide in the most demanding production lines. **Frequently Asked Questions:** - What is a mobile auxiliary winder? — A flexibly deployable winder that can be placed at different positions in the production line. For laminating, delaminating and scrap winding. - What applications is the WC-AW intended for? — Laminating and delaminating processes, scrap winding for defective sections, auxiliary webs and temporary winding tasks in converting lines. - Can the WC-AW be used on multiple machines? — Yes — thanks to its mobile design it can flexibly switch between different positions and machines. --- ## SOPARA Specialized solutions for converting applications and defense technology. ### IR Fields & Modules Turnkey IR heating fields, booster modules and power control #### IR Fields / Panels (IF-IR) *Turnkey IR heating fields — precisely matched to your line* IR fields are complete heating modules combining multiple IR lamps or emitters in a housing with reflectors, protective glass and electrical connections. They are what converting customers know as an 'IR field' in their line — a ready-to-install module with defined heating area, zone division and power control. SOPARA designs and manufactures IR fields custom: power density, dimensions, voltage, number of zones and the entire arrangement are precisely matched to the process and machine. IR fields can be equipped with short-wave lamps, medium-wave lamps, medium-wave area emitters or combinations. Through the SOPARA system design with separately mounted reflectors, active reflector cooling is eliminated — no fans, no cooling sensors, no heat loss through cooling air. In practice, this often results in 20–30% higher energy efficiency at field level with the same lifetime. **How it works:** Multiple IR lamps (single tube or twin tube) or area emitters are arranged in parallel in an aluminum or stainless steel housing. Separately mounted reflectors behind the lamps focus radiation onto the product. The lamps are divided into independently controllable zones — typically across the web direction, to achieve a uniform temperature profile across the full working width. A high-temperature protective glass on the front side protects the lamp cassette from dust, vapors and mechanical damage. Power control is via thyristor controllers (SCR) with phase angle and soft-start function to limit the inrush current of quartz lamps. Temperature sensors (pyrometer or thermocouple) enable a closed control loop for precise product temperature control. - Max. Working Width: >6,000 mm - Max. Speed: >1,200 m/min - Configuration: SW lamps, MW lamps, area emitters or combinations - Dimensions: Customer-specific - Zone Division: Independently controllable, number as required - Voltage: 230V / 400V / customer specific - Power Control: Thyristor controller with phase angle and soft start - Temperature Control: Pyrometer (non-contact) or thermocamera /-couple - Protective Glass: High-temperature glass, front side - Housing: Aluminum, Ceramic or stainless steel **Benefits:** - Turnkey module — Install, connect, produce. IR lamps, reflectors, protective glass, housing and power control — completely pre-assembled and tested. - Easy Clean Design — Reflectors and protective glass separately accessible, cleanable and replaceable. A decisive advantage in industrial environments with plasticizer vapors, coating mist or dust for consistently high field performance. - No active reflector cooling — No fans, no cooling sensors, no process heat removed by cooling air. Often 20–30% higher energy efficiency at field level compared to conventional systems. - Multi-zone control — Independently controllable heating zones for uniform temperature profile across the web width — including edge compensation. - Wavelength flexibility — Short-wave and medium-wave lamps in the same cross-section — reconfiguration without cassette change. Combination of different wavelengths in one field for multi-stage processes. - Tilt-away mounting — Quick swiveling during line stops protects sensitive web materials from overheating. **Reference project:** IR field retrofit at leading flooring manufacturers: Existing IR fields in a vinyl flooring production line were retrofitted with SOPARA technology. The new IR fields combined with the cooling-free system design resulted in energy savings of over 30% per year — at the same line speed and product quality. The retrofit was performed without major changes to the machine geometry. **Applications:** Coating drying on knife-over-roll, doctor blade and roller coating machines. Pre- and post-drying in laminating lines. Ink drying in printing and finishing machines. - PVC gelation in artificial leather and flooring production lines - Preheating before embossing, calendering or lamination - Curing of adhesives and lacquers on films, paper, textiles and nonwovens - For machine builders: SOPARA delivers the complete IR field including switchgear as a ready-to-install module — wavelength, power density, zoning and interfaces coordinated directly with your engineering - For plant operators: Existing IR fields can be completely replaced with SOPARA modules — often with identical connection dimensions and without changes to machine geometry **Why SOPARA:** - 84 years of infrared expertise — Founded 1942 in France. As one of the oldest specialty brands for industrial infrared technology, SOPARA brings over eight decades of development and manufacturing expertise to every plant. - References with European industry leaders — SOPARA IR systems are running at market leaders in automotive, composites, flooring and nuclear — powering the most demanding thermal processes at French and European top companies. - Test laboratory in Pusignan near Lyon — Your material is validated in the SOPARA infrared lab on actual substrates: wavelength, power density and process parameters. Concrete results before the investment decision — no theory, no assumptions. - System expertise — from component to turnkey plant — Not just IR lamps. SOPARA delivers complete thermal process solutions: lamps, reflectors, protective glass, IR fields, power control, switchgear and process control. One contact for the entire thermal process. Made in France, ISO 9001:2015 certified, 5 % of sales invested in R&D. **Frequently Asked Questions:** - What is an IR field? — An IR field is a modularly constructed infrared heating unit, equipped with multiple IR emitters (twin-tube, single-tube or area emitters). It is typically installed above a material web and delivers uniform, zone-by-zone controllable heat for drying, gelation, curing or preheating. - When is infrared drying better than convection drying? — IR drying is more efficient when rapid surface heating is needed, when line length is limited (IR requires less floor space), or when energy should be directed specifically at the surface rather than into the surrounding air. IR fields are also frequently used as boosters before convection dryers. - How is the power of an IR field controlled? — Via thyristor controllers with phase angle control and soft start. Each zone is independently controllable. Temperature is monitored contactlessly via pyrometers or thermal cameras. Power control and switchgear come from SOPARA as a complete system. - Can existing IR fields be replaced by SOPARA? — Yes — SOPARA fields are custom-manufactured and can be integrated as retrofits into existing lines. SOPARA assesses the current condition, identifies savings potential and designs the retrofit solution incl. power control and switchgear. - How flexible is the zone layout of an IR field? — SOPARA IR fields are delivered with a customer-specific number of independently controllable zones. Each zone can be separately controlled in power and temperature — ideal for processes with different heat requirements across the web width or for product changes with different drying profiles. - How are SOPARA IR fields integrated into existing lines? — SOPARA manufactures IR fields custom-built to the dimensions and interfaces of the existing plant. Integration is done as a direct mount into the existing machine frame — typically without structural changes to the line. Power control and switchgear are supplied as a complete system. --- #### IR Booster (IB-IR) *More power from your existing line — without rebuilding* Increased demand or new product requirements create capacity bottlenecks — the dryer is no longer sufficient. An IR booster solves this problem: A compact IR module installed before, after or between existing drying sections. The booster quickly brings the product to the right temperature, the existing dryer maintains it. Instead of installing a completely new drying section, the IR booster is mounted in the available space — minimal footprint, minimal downtime, maximum effect. **How it works:** One or more compact IR fields — equipped with single tube, twin tube lamps or emitters — are mounted in the available space within the existing line. Typical installation positions: Directly after the coating head as pre-drying of the wet layer. Before a convection zone for pre-fixing the coating. Between drying zones as power boost. Before the embossing or laminating nip as preheating. The booster operates independently from the existing drying and can be switched on or off as needed. Due to the instant response time of IR lamps (1–10 seconds), the booster reaches full power within seconds — no preheating, no energy loss during production pauses. - Max. Working Width: >6,000 mm - Max. Speed: >1,200 m/min - Configuration: SW, MW (Single / Twin Tube) & Emitters - Length (Web Direction): Typically 200 – 1,000 mm - Power: Customer-specific, typically 10 – 200 kW - Zone Division: 1 – 4 zones depending on width - Response Time: 1 – 10 seconds - Control: Standalone thyristor controller or PLC integration - Mounting: Bolted to existing machine frame **Benefits:** - No rebuilding required — The booster is mounted in the available space in the line. No new foundations, no extension of the machine hall, no weeks of downtime. - Savings in time, space and energy — Faster heating through IR instead of convection. Shorter drying sections through higher power density. Fast response times eliminate standby losses. - Minimal footprint — Typically only 200–1,000 mm installation length in web direction. Fits in virtually any available space. - Independently switchable — The booster can be switched on or off as needed — depending on product, speed and coating thickness. - Easy Clean Design — As with all SOPARA IR modules: reflectors and protective glass separately accessible, cleanable and replaceable. **Reference project:** IR field retrofit at leading flooring manufacturers: Existing IR fields in a vinyl flooring production line were retrofitted with SOPARA technology. The new IR modules combined with the cooling-free system design resulted in energy savings of over 30% per year — at the same line speed and product quality. **Applications:** Speed increase of existing coating lines — the dryer is often the bottleneck, the booster solves it. Processing thicker coatings on the same line without speed reduction. - Pre-drying wet coatings directly after the coating head — fixes the layer before entering convection drying - Preheating before embossing, calendering or lamination — exact temperature at the nip - For machine builders: The IR booster as a standard option in your machine — SOPARA delivers the module ready to install including control - For plant operators: The most economical way to make an existing line faster — before investing, SOPARA tests your material in their own lab **Why SOPARA:** - 84 years of infrared expertise — Founded 1942 in France. As one of the oldest specialty brands for industrial infrared technology, SOPARA brings over eight decades of development and manufacturing expertise to every plant. - References with European industry leaders — SOPARA IR systems are running at market leaders in automotive, composites, flooring and nuclear — powering the most demanding thermal processes at French and European top companies. - Test laboratory in Pusignan near Lyon — Your material is validated in the SOPARA infrared lab on actual substrates: wavelength, power density and process parameters. Concrete results before the investment decision — no theory, no assumptions. - System expertise — from component to turnkey plant — Not just IR lamps. SOPARA delivers complete thermal process solutions: lamps, reflectors, protective glass, IR fields, power control, switchgear and process control. One contact for the entire thermal process. Made in France, ISO 9001:2015 certified, 5 % of sales invested in R&D. **Frequently Asked Questions:** - What is an IR booster? — A compact infrared heating module that is retrofitted into existing production lines to increase drying or heating performance at specific points — without extending or modifying the line. - When does an IR booster make sense? — When existing drying capacity is insufficient but line speed should not be reduced. Also for seasonal performance peaks or new products with higher drying requirements. - How is an IR booster installed? — The booster is mounted in the existing free space of the line — no new foundations, no extension of the machine hall. Bolted to the existing machine frame. - Does SOPARA design the booster customer-specifically? — Yes — SOPARA dimensions the IR booster according to the specific requirements: power, wavelength, installation dimensions and control integration. --- #### Power Control & Switchgear (SC-IR) *Precise control — from a single zone to a 760 kW field* The best IR lamp only delivers full performance when the control is right. SOPARA designs and manufactures custom switchgear cabinets for IR systems — from simple power variation of individual panels to multi-zone control of complete heating fields with over 760 kW total power. Each switchgear cabinet is designed precisely for the respective IR field and process: Thyristor controllers with phase angle and soft start protect quartz lamps at startup. Pyrometers and thermocouples enable a closed control loop for precise product temperature control. Automatic or manual power variation — as required. **How it works:** Infrared quartz lamps draw a high inrush current at startup — the cold tungsten filament has a significantly lower resistance than during operation. Without soft-start function, this current surge would considerably shorten lamp lifetime. SOPARA switchgear cabinets use thyristor controllers (SCR) with phase angle control and soft start that gently ramp up the current at startup. The power of each heating zone is individually controlled — via PLC control with touch panel or via integration into the customer's existing machine control. Temperature sensors (non-contact IR pyrometers or contact-based thermocouples) measure product temperature in real time and automatically adjust heating power in a closed loop. This maintains the setpoint temperature on the product regardless of web speed and coating thickness. - Max. Total Power: > 760 kW (documented) - Power Control: Thyristor controller (SCR) with phase angle - Soft Start: Yes, for quartz lamp protection - Control: PLC with touch panel or customer control integration - Temperature Sensors: IR pyrometer and/or thermocouple - Control Loop: Closed-loop PID control on product temperature - Zone Control: Independently controllable, number as required - Voltage: 230V / 400V / custom - Data Export: Temperature curves via USB (Excel) or network - Design: Customer-specific, per switchgear standards **Benefits:** - All from one source — Lamp, IR field and switchgear from the same manufacturer. Perfectly matched — no interface risk between lamp supplier and switchgear builder. - Soft start extends lamp lifetime — The gentle ramp-up at startup reduces thermal stress on filaments and measurably extends quartz lamp lifetime. - Precise product temperature control — Closed-loop PID control with pyrometer or thermocouple maintains setpoint temperature on the product — regardless of speed changes or material switches. - Documentation and traceability — Temperature curves and process data are recorded and can be exported via USB or network — for quality assurance and process documentation. - Scalable — From simple single-zone control to 760 kW multi-zone switchgear — SOPARA designs each cabinet precisely to requirements. - Integration — Standalone operation with own touch panel or seamless integration into the machine's existing PLC control — both possible. **Reference project:** 760 kW switchgear for a German customer: SOPARA designed, manufactured and delivered one of the largest documented IR switchgear cabinets for a customer in Germany — 760 kW total power with multi-zone control. Transport, commissioning and integration into the existing plant control from a single source. **Applications:** Power control for IR fields in coating, laminating and embossing lines. Control of multi-zone heating fields across the full working width. - Control of IR booster modules in existing lines - Complete switchgear solutions for new installations — directly matched to the OEM's machine control - Modernization of control technology when retrofitting existing IR fields - For machine builders: SOPARA delivers the switchgear as a ready-to-install module matching your machine control — one contact for lamps, IR field and control - For plant operators: When retrofitting existing IR fields, the control is modernized at the same time — a new SOPARA switchgear often pays for itself through longer lamp lifetime alone **Why SOPARA:** - 84 years of infrared expertise — Founded 1942 in France. As one of the oldest specialty brands for industrial infrared technology, SOPARA brings over eight decades of development and manufacturing expertise to every plant. - References with European industry leaders — SOPARA IR systems are running at market leaders in automotive, composites, flooring and nuclear — powering the most demanding thermal processes at French and European top companies. - Test laboratory in Pusignan near Lyon — Your material is validated in the SOPARA infrared lab on actual substrates: wavelength, power density and process parameters. Concrete results before the investment decision — no theory, no assumptions. - System expertise — from component to turnkey plant — Not just IR lamps. SOPARA delivers complete thermal process solutions: lamps, reflectors, protective glass, IR fields, power control, switchgear and process control. One contact for the entire thermal process. Made in France, ISO 9001:2015 certified, 5 % of sales invested in R&D. **Frequently Asked Questions:** - What does SOPARA's power control include? — Thyristor controllers with phase angle control and soft start, independently controllable per zone. SOPARA delivers the complete unit incl. switchgear — from lamp to socket from one source. - Why is power control so important? — Without precise control, IR power fluctuates, leading to uneven drying, energy waste or material damage. SOPARA's thyristor controllers react in milliseconds. - Can SOPARA supply switchgear for third-party IR systems? — SOPARA designs and manufactures power control and switchgear primarily for its own IR systems. For retrofit projects, compatibility is assessed case by case. - What is included in the switchgear? — Thyristor power controllers, PLC control or connection to customer-side PLC, safety devices and operator interface. --- ### IR Components Infrared lamps and emitters for industrial heating and drying processes #### Twin Tube IR Lamps (DT-IR) *Powerful and stable — for wide webs and fast lines* Films, flooring and artificial leather products, textiles, paper, nonwovens or coated webs require fast, uniform heating. Twin tube IR lamps deliver the highest power density of all IR lamp designs — available in short-wave and medium-wave versions. **How it works:** Each of the two quartz tubes contains its own filament. Short-wave lamps emit at 0.8–1.5 µm — radiation penetrates deep into the material, ideal for fast curing and thermoforming. Full power in approx. 1 second. Medium-wave lamps emit at 2–4 µm — exactly where water, inks and coatings show highest absorption. - Cross Section: 23×11 or 33×15 mm - Max. Length (SW): 6.500 mm - Max. Length (MW): 4.000 mm - Voltage: 230V / 400V / custom - Lifetime: > 10.000 h - Reflector: Aluminum / Ceramic, separately mounted **Benefits:** - Easy Clean Design — Reflectors separately accessible, cleanable and individually replaceable without lamp removal. A decisive advantage in industrial environments with plasticizer vapors or coating mist. - System efficiency — SOPARA IR systems operate without active reflector cooling. No process heat is removed by cooling air. In practice, often 20–30% higher energy efficiency at field level. - Mechanical stability — Lengths up to 6.5 meters without sagging. Rectangular cross-section for homogeneous radiation distribution with fewer hotspots. - Fast response time — Short-wave: ~1 second, medium-wave: 3–10 seconds. Protects web materials during sudden line stops. - Flexible zoning — Multi-channel filament for independent heating zones and edge compensation within a single lamp. - Industry-standard cross-sections — 23×11 and 33×15 mm fit existing IR field cassettes. Retrofit without mechanical changes. **Available variants:** Short-wave (SW): 0.8–1.5 µm, up to 500 kW/m², response time ~1 second, tungsten filament. Typical for curing, composites, thermoforming. Medium-wave (MW): 2–4 µm, up to 80 kW/m², response time 3–10 seconds, tungsten/NiCr/carbon fiber. Typical for coating drying, lamination. Both variants in same cross-section — switching from short-wave to medium-wave without cassette change. **Applications:** Coating drying on continuous converting lines — water-based and solvent-based on films, paper, textiles, nonwovens and composites. - Lamination and bonding — preheating before the nip - Embossing — precise heating for dimensionally stable surfaces on PVC flooring and decorative films - Artificial leather and flooring — PU/PVC coating drying and gelation - Adhesive activation in laminating lines for packaging films and tapes - Ink drying in flexo, gravure and digital printing - Film stretching (BOPET, BOPP) - Composite heating and thermoforming - Paper and board finishing — functional coatings and barrier layers **Why SOPARA:** - 84 years of infrared expertise — Founded 1942 in France. As one of the oldest specialty brands for industrial infrared technology, SOPARA brings over eight decades of development and manufacturing expertise to every plant. - References with European industry leaders — SOPARA IR systems are running at market leaders in automotive, composites, flooring and nuclear — powering the most demanding thermal processes at French and European top companies. - Test laboratory in Pusignan near Lyon — Your material is validated in the SOPARA infrared lab on actual substrates: wavelength, power density and process parameters. Concrete results before the investment decision — no theory, no assumptions. - System expertise — from component to turnkey plant — Not just IR lamps. SOPARA delivers complete thermal process solutions: lamps, reflectors, protective glass, IR fields, power control, switchgear and process control. One contact for the entire thermal process. Made in France, ISO 9001:2015 certified, 5 % of sales invested in R&D. **Frequently Asked Questions:** - What is a twin-tube IR lamp? — A twin-tube IR lamp consists of two parallel quartz tubes in a shared reflector housing. This design doubles the power density on the same area and enables more uniform heat distribution than single-tube variants. - Which wavelength is right for my process? — The optimal wavelength depends on the material. Short-wave (0.8–1.5 µm) for surface drying and rapid heating, medium-wave (1.5–4 µm) for water-based coatings and adhesives, long-wave (>4 µm) for thick substrates. SOPARA tests your material in their lab in Pusignan near Lyon — before the investment. - How long does a SOPARA IR lamp last? — The lifespan depends on operating hours, switching cycles and environmental conditions. SOPARA lamps are designed for industrial continuous operation. Specific lifespan figures can be provided after a process analysis. - What sets SOPARA lamps apart from other IR manufacturers? — 84 years of experience (founded 1942), own manufacturing in France, ISO 9001:2015 certified, and a dedicated test laboratory in Pusignan near Lyon. SOPARA delivers not just lamps but complete systems — from emitter to switchgear. - Can SOPARA assess my existing IR field? — Yes — SOPARA analyzes your drying or heating process, evaluates the efficiency of the existing IR system and identifies optimization potential. If a retrofit or replacement makes sense, SOPARA designs the appropriate solution — from the lamp to the switchgear. --- #### Single Tube IR Lamps (ST-IR) *Compact and versatile — for any integration* The dryer is often the bottleneck in the line. Single tube IR lamps are the fastest solution to make existing drying and heating sections more powerful — as a booster retrofit or as individually switchable zones in IR fields. Like all SOPARA IR lamps, single tube systems work with separately mounted reflectors without active cooling. **How it works:** A filament of tungsten, NiCr alloy or carbon fiber is heated in a hermetically sealed quartz glass tube. In short-wave versions, the halogen gas provides the tungsten-halogen cycle — full power in approx. 1 second. Medium-wave versions emit at 2–4 µm, optimal for water-based coatings. - Tube Diameter: Ø 10 – 19 mm - Max. Length (SW): 1.500 mm - Max. Length (MW): 2.500 mm - Power per Lamp (SW): 500 – 3.000 W - Voltage: 230V / 400V - Lifetime: > 10.000 h - Reflector: Aluminum, separately mounted **Benefits:** - Easy Clean Design — Separately accessible reflectors — cleanable and replaceable without lamp removal. Consistently high reflection performance even in contaminated industrial environments with plasticizer vapors or coating mist. - System efficiency — No active reflector cooling required. No process heat lost through cooling air. Often 20–30% higher energy efficiency at field level compared to conventional systems. - Booster capability — Retrofittable into existing convection drying sections — often the fastest and most economical solution for capacity bottlenecks. No line modification required. - Compact diameter — Ø 10–19 mm enables dense installation and fine zone division — ideal for IR fields with many independently controllable zones. - Fast response time — Full power in 1 second (SW) or 3–10 seconds (MW). Instant protection during line stops, no energy loss in standby. **Available variants:** Short-wave (SW): 0.8–1.5 µm, up to 500 kW/m², response time ~1 second, tungsten filament. Typical for curing, composites, boosters. Medium-wave (MW): 2–4 µm, up to 70 kW/m², response time 3–10 seconds, tungsten/NiCr/carbon fiber. Typical for coating drying, lamination. **Applications:** Pre-drying as booster zone in existing convection dryers — compact retrofit installation, often the fastest solution for capacity bottlenecks. Coating drying on films, flooring and artificial leather products, textiles, paper and nonwovens — water-based and solvent-based. - Ink drying in flexo and gravure printing — individually switchable lamps enable fine zone division - Adhesive drying in laminating lines for packaging films, labels, technical tapes and composites - Paint drying and adhesive activation on individual parts and profiles - For machine builders: Single tube lamps as standard components in new machines — or as custom IR modules with reflector - For plant operators: The most economical way to make an existing line faster — a compact booster module before convection drying can significantly increase line speed **Why SOPARA:** - 84 years of infrared expertise — Founded 1942 in France. As one of the oldest specialty brands for industrial infrared technology, SOPARA brings over eight decades of development and manufacturing expertise to every plant. - References with European industry leaders — SOPARA IR systems are running at market leaders in automotive, composites, flooring and nuclear — powering the most demanding thermal processes at French and European top companies. - Test laboratory in Pusignan near Lyon — Your material is validated in the SOPARA infrared lab on actual substrates: wavelength, power density and process parameters. Concrete results before the investment decision — no theory, no assumptions. - System expertise — from component to turnkey plant — Not just IR lamps. SOPARA delivers complete thermal process solutions: lamps, reflectors, protective glass, IR fields, power control, switchgear and process control. One contact for the entire thermal process. Made in France, ISO 9001:2015 certified, 5 % of sales invested in R&D. **Frequently Asked Questions:** - What distinguishes single-tube from twin-tube IR lamps? — A single-tube lamp has one quartz tube, a twin-tube has two parallel tubes. Single-tube is suitable for uniform area irradiation, twin-tube for higher power densities on the same area. - In which wavelengths are single-tube lamps available? — Short-wave (SW) and medium-wave (MW). The choice depends on the absorption behavior of the material to be dried — SOPARA advises in their own test laboratory. - How long does a SOPARA single-tube lamp last? — The lifespan depends on operating hours and switching cycles. SOPARA lamps are designed for industrial continuous operation and provide specific figures after process analysis. - Can individual lamps be replaced in existing IR fields? — In principle yes — SOPARA checks compatibility and designs the appropriate solution if needed. --- #### IR Area Emitters (FE-IR) *Robust area radiation — zone-flexible and highly efficient* Not every process needs a quartz glass lamp. IR area emitters work without glass tubes — open heating surfaces that radiate directly. Medium-wave emitters achieve 90% radiation efficiency. Long-wave ceramic emitters are the most mechanically robust IR technology. **How it works:** Medium-wave metal ribbon emitters: Corrugated NiCr/FeCrAl ribbon on ceramic plate. Emission at 2–4 µm, element temperature 700–1,200°C, product temperature 80–250°C. Long-wave ceramic emitters: FeCrAl heating wire in ceramic body (65–72% Al₂O₃), emissivity 0.94–0.96, radiation over 5 µm. - Standard Dimensions (MW): 250×250, 300×200, 500×120 mm - Designs (LW): Concave / Flat / Half-trough / Heated floor - Element Temp. (MW): 700 – 1.200 °C - Element Temp. (LW): 300 – 700 °C - Product Temp. (MW): 80 – 250 °C - Voltage: 230V / 400V - Lifetime (MW): > 5.000 h - Lifetime (LW): 5.000 – 10.000 h **Benefits:** - 90% radiation efficiency (medium-wave) — Minimal energy loss — nearly all input energy is delivered as infrared radiation to the product. The 2–4 µm wavelength is optimally matched to absorption spectra of water and common solvents. - Compact multi-zone fields — Small standard dimensions enable many independent heating zones in minimal space — critical for zone-based web temperature profiling across the full working width. - Mechanically robust — Area emitters are insensitive to impacts and vibrations — significantly more robust than quartz glass. Long-wave ceramic emitters continue working even with cracks and damage. - Highest emissivity (long-wave) — 0.94–0.96 — maximum energy conversion. Chemically resistant, glazed surface. No visible light emission. - Easy Clean Design — As with all SOPARA IR components: reflectors and emitters separately accessible, cleanable and replaceable. **Reference project:** IR field retrofit at leading flooring manufacturers: Existing IR fields in a vinyl flooring production line were retrofitted with SOPARA technology. The new IR lamps and emitters combined with the cooling-free system design resulted in energy savings of over 30% per year — at the same line speed and product quality. **Available variants:** Medium-wave metal ribbon: Corrugated NiCr/FeCrAl ribbon on ceramic plate. Typical for coating drying, PVC gelation, preheating. Long-wave ceramic: Embedded FeCrAl wire in ceramic body (65–72% Al₂O₃). Typical for thermoforming, surface heating. **Applications:** Medium-wave emitters: Drying water-based coatings on films, flooring and artificial leather products, textiles, paper and nonwovens. PVC gelation in artificial leather and flooring lines. - Polymerization of coatings on technical textiles (silicone, latex, PTFE) - Adhesive drying in laminating lines for packaging films, labels and composites - Preheating before calendering - Long-wave ceramic: Thermoforming lines for PVC, PE, PP and other thermoplastics - Surface heating before deep-drawing processes — Orthopedics: thermoforming of splints and insoles - Large-area floor heating in industrial ovens - For machine builders: SOPARA combines medium-wave and long-wave emitters into custom multi-zone fields precisely for your machine - For plant operators: Existing IR fields with worn or inefficient emitters can be upgraded with SOPARA area emitters **Why SOPARA:** - 84 years of infrared expertise — Founded 1942 in France. As one of the oldest specialty brands for industrial infrared technology, SOPARA brings over eight decades of development and manufacturing expertise to every plant. - References with European industry leaders — SOPARA IR systems are running at market leaders in automotive, composites, flooring and nuclear — powering the most demanding thermal processes at French and European top companies. - Test laboratory in Pusignan near Lyon — Your material is validated in the SOPARA infrared lab on actual substrates: wavelength, power density and process parameters. Concrete results before the investment decision — no theory, no assumptions. - System expertise — from component to turnkey plant — Not just IR lamps. SOPARA delivers complete thermal process solutions: lamps, reflectors, protective glass, IR fields, power control, switchgear and process control. One contact for the entire thermal process. Made in France, ISO 9001:2015 certified, 5 % of sales invested in R&D. **Frequently Asked Questions:** - What is an area emitter? — An IR area emitter works without a glass tube — open heating surfaces that emit direct infrared radiation onto the product. Ideal for applications requiring compact design and high surface power. - When is an area emitter better than a tube lamp? — When installation space is limited, when uniform area irradiation without lamp shadows is needed, or when the product passes very close to the emitter. - In which wavelengths do SOPARA area emitters operate? — Primarily in the medium-wave range. The exact wavelength is matched to the material being heated — SOPARA validates in their own test laboratory. - How are area emitters integrated into lines? — SOPARA manufactures the emitters to customer-specific dimensions. Integration is done as direct mount — power control and switchgear come as a complete system. --- #### IR Special Emitters (SP-IR) *Infrared radiation exactly where it's needed — in any shape* Not every heating process can be solved with straight lamps or flat emitters. IR special emitters are manufactured for applications where heat must follow a 3D contour. Quartz glass can be bent and adapted to three-dimensional contours. **How it works:** Curved quartz glass emitters follow tube or profile contours. Omega-shaped emitters reach edges, corners and undercuts. Ring or circular emitters completely enclose cylindrical products. Wavelength, power and geometry are custom-designed. - Wavelength: 0.8 – 4 (application-dependent) µm - Power Density: customer-specific - Geometries: Curved, Omega, Ring, 3D contour - Filament: Tungsten, NiCr, Carbon Fiber - Reflector: Aluminum / Ceramic, position-optimized - Further Specs: Customer-specific based on component analysis **Benefits:** - Heat follows the shape — Curved and omega-shaped emitters enable IR heating at locations unreachable by straight lamps. No energy wasted on irrelevant surfaces. - Non-contact heating — No sticking, no marks on sensitive film, flooring or artificial leather surfaces. - Multi-zone control — Independent heating zones along the component contour — stronger heating on thicker material sections, gentler treatment of sensitive areas. - Fast response time — Even for complex geometries — IR lamps respond in seconds, not minutes like conventional heating systems. - Easy Clean Design — As with all SOPARA IR components: reflectors separately accessible, cleanable and replaceable. **Applications:** Edge heating in laminating lines — curved emitters follow the edge contour. Tube heating and forming in extrusion post-processing. Profile heating for seals, strips and extruded products. - Local heating of small areas — adhesive activation, hot stamping, spot welding - Preheating 3D components before thermoforming or forming — instrument panels, door panels, center consoles - Hose and cable jacket drying — ring-shaped emitters enclose the product - For machine builders: SOPARA analyzes your machine geometry and designs the special emitter precisely for it — from CAD model to integrated heating solution - For plant operators: SOPARA special emitters follow the component contour and deliver heat exactly where it's needed — often retrofittable into existing systems **Why SOPARA:** - 84 years of infrared expertise — Founded 1942 in France. As one of the oldest specialty brands for industrial infrared technology, SOPARA brings over eight decades of development and manufacturing expertise to every plant. - References with European industry leaders — SOPARA IR systems are running at market leaders in automotive, composites, flooring and nuclear — powering the most demanding thermal processes at French and European top companies. - Test laboratory in Pusignan near Lyon — Your material is validated in the SOPARA infrared lab on actual substrates: wavelength, power density and process parameters. Concrete results before the investment decision — no theory, no assumptions. - System expertise — from component to turnkey plant — Not just IR lamps. SOPARA delivers complete thermal process solutions: lamps, reflectors, protective glass, IR fields, power control, switchgear and process control. One contact for the entire thermal process. Made in France, ISO 9001:2015 certified, 5 % of sales invested in R&D. **Frequently Asked Questions:** - What are special IR emitters? — Infrared emitters manufactured for applications where standard lamps don't fit. Curved, omega-shaped or custom geometries for complex product shapes. - For which applications are special emitters needed? — Preheating of 3D components, heating of pipes and profiles, IR heating in machines with limited installation space, and processes requiring directed radiation on curved surfaces. - Can SOPARA manufacture any emitter individually? — Yes — SOPARA manufactures IR emitters in any required geometry. The design is based on process analysis and simulation. - How does the development of a special emitter work? — SOPARA analyzes the application, simulates the heat distribution, manufactures a prototype and validates in their own test laboratory — only then does the solution go into series. --- ### IR Dryers & Ovens IR dryers for coating, gelation, foaming and laboratory applications #### IR Dryers for Coating & Lamination (TD-IR) *Dry faster, less space, less energy* On coating, impregnating and laminating lines, the drying section determines quality and throughput. SOPARA IR dryers deliver targeted radiant heat for coating drying, solvent evaporation, resin film drying and B-stage control — non-contact and zone-controllable. The high power density enables short drying sections at high web speeds. Compared to conventional hot air dryers, SOPARA IR dryers are significantly more compact — typically >15% less length for the same drying performance. SOPARA IR dryers use proprietary "Fast Response" technology with thermal inertias of 1–10 seconds. Combined with the cooling-free system design, SOPARA dryers are often 20–30% more energy efficient than conventional systems. **How it works:** Multiple IR modules are seamlessly arranged in sequence in a tunnel housing. Each module is separately controllable as an independent heating zone — allowing a temperature profile along the web direction: gentle entry, high-temperature zone, cooling zone. Control is via PLC with pyrometers or thermocouples in a closed control loop. Integrated extraction removes solvent vapors and moisture from the process zone. With IR technology, the air in the dryer is not primarily heated — the heat goes directly into the product. Configuration uses - Max. Working Width: 4,000 mm - Max. Speed: 150 m/min - IR Technology: Short-wave and/or medium-wave - Response Time: 1 – 10 seconds ("Fast Response") - Heating Zones: Multiple independent zones along web direction - Irradiation: Single-sided or double-sided - Control: PLC with pyrometer or thermocouple - Extraction: Integrated for solvent vapors and moisture - Product Guidance: Free web, conveyor belt or guide rollers - Dimensions: Customer-specific - Voltage: 230V / 400V - Total Power: Customer-specific - Cooling: No active reflector cooling required **Benefits:** - More compact than convection dryers — Typically >15% less length for the same drying performance. IR radiation heats the product directly. - Energy efficiency — SOPARA IR dryers operate without active reflector cooling. Often 20–30% higher energy efficiency compared to conventional systems. - Instant readiness — No preheating. "Fast Response" technology: IR emitters reach full power in 1–10 seconds. - Precise temperature control — Multi-zone profile along web direction. Closed control loop with pyrometer for reproducible results. - Gentle drying — Non-contact heating. Precise temperature control prevents overheating of sensitive substrates. - Easy Clean Design — Reflectors and protective glasses separately accessible, cleanable and replaceable. **Reference Projects:** Multiple reference projects in converting at leading flooring manufacturers worldwide. Existing gas and oil burner drying sections were replaced with SOPARA IR technology — the switch from fossil fuel heating to electric infrared radiation significantly reduces the CO₂ footprint, while delivering higher energy efficiency and more precise temperature control. **Applications:** Drying water-based and solvent-based coatings on films, flooring and artificial leather products, textiles, paper and nonwovens. - Pre-drying and post-drying in laminating lines - Resin film drying and B-stage control on prepreg and impregnating lines - Solvent evaporation for adhesive coatings on packaging films and composites - Ink drying in printing and finishing machines - For machine builders: SOPARA delivers the complete IR dryer as a ready-to-install module - For plant operators: A SOPARA IR dryer increases throughput with reduced energy consumption **Why SOPARA:** - 84 years of infrared expertise — Founded 1942 in France. As one of the oldest specialty brands for industrial infrared technology, SOPARA brings over eight decades of development and manufacturing expertise to every plant. - References with European industry leaders — SOPARA IR systems are running at market leaders in automotive, composites, flooring and nuclear — powering the most demanding thermal processes at French and European top companies. - Test laboratory in Pusignan near Lyon — Your material is validated in the SOPARA infrared lab on actual substrates: wavelength, power density and process parameters. Concrete results before the investment decision — no theory, no assumptions. - System expertise — from component to turnkey plant — Not just IR lamps. SOPARA delivers complete thermal process solutions: lamps, reflectors, protective glass, IR fields, power control, switchgear and process control. One contact for the entire thermal process. Made in France, ISO 9001:2015 certified, 5 % of sales invested in R&D. **Frequently Asked Questions:** - What is an IR dryer for coating and lamination? — A turnkey infrared drying oven specifically designed for coating and lamination lines. SOPARA delivers the complete unit — IR lamps, reflectors, housing, control and switchgear. - Which coatings is the TD-IR suitable for? — Water-based and solvent-based coatings, adhesives, lacquers and primers on films, paper, nonwovens and technical textiles. - How is the TD-IR integrated into the line? — SOPARA dimensions the dryer to the measurements and requirements of the existing or new line. IR technology allows more compact designs than conventional convection dryers. - Can the TD-IR also be used as an upgrade for existing dryers? — Yes — SOPARA designs IR dryers also as retrofit solutions to modernize existing drying lines or increase their capacity. --- #### IR Ovens for Gelation & Foaming (GS-IR) *Heat exactly where the foam forms* When gelling and foaming PVC and TPO pastes, a few degrees decide cell structure, layer thickness and surface quality. SOPARA IR ovens deliver a finely adjustable power density that can be precisely matched to formulation, carrier material and line speed. This produces uniform foam patterns with stable cell structure — reproducible and controllable in real time. IR technology heats the PVC or TPO paste directly through radiation, not via air heating. SOPARA IR ovens use the cooling-free system design — often 20–30% more energy efficient than conventional systems with the same lifetime. **How it works:** IR emitters are arranged above and/or below the web. The paste on the carrier material passes through the oven and is heated zone by zone to gelation temperature. Heating zone — rapid heating of the paste to gelation temperature. Holding/gelation zone — controlled temperature maintenance for complete gelation and defined cell structure. Foaming zone — precise temperature control for uniform foaming. Cooling zone — controlled cooling to fix the foam structure. The power of each zone is controlled via PLC with pyrometer or thermocouple in a closed control loop. - Max. Working Width: 4,000 mm - Max. Speed: 100 m/min - IR Technology: Short-wave, medium-wave or combinations - Response Time: 1 – 10 seconds ("Fast Response") - Heating Zones: Multiple independent zones (heating, gelation, foaming, cooling) - Irradiation: Single-sided or double-sided - Control: PLC with pyrometer or thermocouple - Temperature Accuracy: Few degrees — critical for cell structure - Product Guidance: Free web, conveyor belt or guide rollers - Dimensions: Customer-specific - Voltage: 230V / 400V - Total Power: Customer-specific - Cooling: No active reflector cooling required **Benefits:** - Precise temperature control — A few degrees decide cell structure, layer thickness and surface quality in PVC/TPO. - Uniform foam patterns — IR radiation heats the paste directly — no temperature fluctuations from air turbulence. - Energy efficiency — No active reflector cooling. Often 20–30% higher energy efficiency compared to conventional systems. - Instant readiness — IR emitters reach temperature in seconds. - Formulation flexibility — Multi-zone control allows storage and quick recall of different product recipes. - Easy Clean Design — Reflectors and protective glasses separately accessible. A decisive advantage in environments with plasticizer vapors. **Reference Projects:** Multiple reference projects in converting at leading flooring manufacturers worldwide. Existing gas and oil burner drying sections were replaced with SOPARA IR technology — the switch from fossil fuel heating to electric infrared radiation significantly reduces the CO₂ footprint, while delivering higher energy efficiency and more precise temperature control. **Applications:** PVC gelation in flooring production lines. TPO gelation for automotive interior panels. - Foaming of PVC pastes for foamed flooring and wall coverings - Artificial leather production — gelation and foaming on textile carriers - For machine builders: SOPARA delivers the complete IR oven as a ready-to-install module - For plant operators: SOPARA analyzes your process and designs an IR oven precisely matching your formulation **Why SOPARA:** - 84 years of infrared expertise — Founded 1942 in France. As one of the oldest specialty brands for industrial infrared technology, SOPARA brings over eight decades of development and manufacturing expertise to every plant. - References with European industry leaders — SOPARA IR systems are running at market leaders in automotive, composites, flooring and nuclear — powering the most demanding thermal processes at French and European top companies. - Test laboratory in Pusignan near Lyon — Your material is validated in the SOPARA infrared lab on actual substrates: wavelength, power density and process parameters. Concrete results before the investment decision — no theory, no assumptions. - System expertise — from component to turnkey plant — Not just IR lamps. SOPARA delivers complete thermal process solutions: lamps, reflectors, protective glass, IR fields, power control, switchgear and process control. One contact for the entire thermal process. Made in France, ISO 9001:2015 certified, 5 % of sales invested in R&D. **Frequently Asked Questions:** - What is an IR oven for gelation and foaming? — An infrared oven that gelates (solidifies) or expands (foams) PVC pastes through controlled heat input. Typical in flooring and artificial leather production. - Why infrared instead of conventional hot-air oven? — IR radiation heats the product directly, not the air in the oven. This means: faster heat-up time, lower energy consumption, more compact design and more precise temperature control. - For which products is the GS-IR used? — PVC flooring (gelation of the wear layer), artificial leather (foaming of PVC paste), wallpaper and wall coverings. - Does SOPARA design the oven customer-specifically? — Yes — gelation temperature, foaming behavior and process parameters are adapted to the specific product. SOPARA validates in their own test laboratory. --- #### IR Laboratory Oven (LO-IR) *From lab test to production — develop, validate, scale* Before investing, the process must be right. The SOPARA IR laboratory oven is a compact, high-precision infrared oven for research laboratories and industrial R&D departments. It enables testing IR heating processes at lab scale, optimizing parameters and documenting results — before specifying a production solution. The oven reaches up to 500°C product temperature and is available in four configurations. Control via IR pyrometer and PLC with touch panel allows precise control and recording of temperature curves — exportable via USB in Excel format. Parameters tested in the SOPARA lab oven can be directly scaled to SOPARA production ovens and dryers — same lamps, same wavelengths, same control technology. **How it works:** IR emitters (short-wave or medium-wave, depending on configuration) are arranged on the inside of the oven and heat the inserted test sample from above and/or below. An IR pyrometer measures the product surface temperature non-contact. A PLC with 7-inch color touchscreen controls the heating power, manages recipes and cycles and records temperature curves. The oven is constructed as a cold-wall oven — the outer wall stays cool, a safety mechanism automatically stops heating when the door is opened. - Max. Temperature: 500 °C - Oven Dimensions: 900 × 700 × H 1.900 mm - Configurations: 4 variants in short-wave or medium-wave - Control: IR pyrometer (non-contact) - Controller: PLC with 7-inch color touchscreen - Recipe Management: Cycle and recipe management via PLC - Data Export: Temperature curves via USB (Excel format) - Design: Cold-wall oven - Safety: Automatic heating stop on door opening - Custom Dimensions: Customer-specific on request **Benefits:** - From lab to production — Tested parameters can be directly scaled to SOPARA production dryers — same technology, reproducible results. - Precise pyrometer control — Non-contact temperature measurement for reproducible test results. - Documentation — Temperature curves exportable in Excel format via USB. - Instant heating — The IR oven reaches temperature in seconds. - Cold-wall design — Outer wall stays cool. Automatic heating stop on door opening. - Compact — 900 × 700 × H 1,900 mm — fits in any laboratory. **Reference project:** Process validation before production investment: SOPARA conducts material tests in their own infrared laboratory in Pusignan — with identical technology as in production ovens. Customers receive documented test results as decision basis. **Applications:** Material development — Testing IR suitability of new coatings, adhesives and substrates. - Composite research — Thermoplastic and thermoset samples, prepreg tests - PVC/TPO tests — Testing gelation temperature and foaming behavior - Quality assurance — Reproducible comparison tests with documented temperature curves - For machine builders: Recommend the SOPARA lab oven as a development tool - For plant operators: Validate the IR process before investing in production equipment **Why SOPARA:** - 84 years of infrared expertise — Founded 1942 in France. As one of the oldest specialty brands for industrial infrared technology, SOPARA brings over eight decades of development and manufacturing expertise to every plant. - References with European industry leaders — SOPARA IR systems are running at market leaders in automotive, composites, flooring and nuclear — powering the most demanding thermal processes at French and European top companies. - Test laboratory in Pusignan near Lyon — Your material is validated in the SOPARA infrared lab on actual substrates: wavelength, power density and process parameters. Concrete results before the investment decision — no theory, no assumptions. - System expertise — from component to turnkey plant — Not just IR lamps. SOPARA delivers complete thermal process solutions: lamps, reflectors, protective glass, IR fields, power control, switchgear and process control. One contact for the entire thermal process. Made in France, ISO 9001:2015 certified, 5 % of sales invested in R&D. **Frequently Asked Questions:** - What is an IR laboratory oven? — A compact infrared oven for research and development. Enables material tests, formulation optimization and process validation on a small scale — before investing in production plants. - What experiments is the LO-IR suitable for? — Drying tests, gelation tests, foaming tests, wavelength optimization and power density determination for various materials. - Is the LO-IR compatible with SOPARA production systems? — Yes — the results from the laboratory oven are directly transferable to SOPARA production systems. Same lamp types, same control philosophy. - Does SOPARA also offer lab trials in their own test laboratory? — Yes — the SOPARA laboratory in Pusignan near Lyon is available to customers for material tests. Alternative to owning a laboratory oven. --- ### 3D Infrared Solutions Non-contact heat treatment for large components — preheating, temperature hold, post-heating #### 3D Infrared Systems for Large Components (3D-IR) *Non-contact heat treatment — up to 12 meters diameter, up to 120 tons* Conventional heating mats take days to install, degrade during long-term operation and leave oxidation marks on sensitive surfaces. SOPARA 3D IR systems replace hundreds of individually wired heating mats with modular infrared structures — installed in less than one day, non-contact and controllable to ±10°C. For preheating, temperature hold and post-heating on thick-walled large components up to 120 tons and 12 meters in diameter. Proven in the nuclear industry and naval shipbuilding. **How it works:** Modular IR emitters are arranged three-dimensionally around the component — matched to the geometry: ring configuration around cylindrical vessels and weld seams, igloo configuration as heating hood over convex components, inverted igloo for concave inner surfaces. Each heating zone is individually PID-controlled for ±10°C accuracy across the entire surface. Thermal camera monitoring documents the complete heat cycle minute by minute. The entire system — IR emitters, control, mobile switchgear — is reusable and can be reconfigured in less than one day. - Component Weight: up to 120 tons - Component Diameter: up to 12 meters - Temperature Range: 100 – 350 °C / >350 °C on request - Temperature Accuracy: ± 10 °C - Continuous Operation: > 400 h - Setup Time: ≤ 1 day - Heating Zones: individually PID-controlled - Configurations: Ring, igloo, inverted igloo - Monitoring: Thermal camera + thermocouples **Benefits:** - Setup time reduced by over 90% — Modular IR structures are installed in less than one day. Conventional heating mats require several days of assembly with hundreds of individually wired elements for comparable areas. - Continuous operation over 400 hours — Temperature hold at ±10°C for weeks during the welding process. No contact degradation, no mat fatigue, no failure risks during long-term operation. - Non-contact heating — No contact with sensitive component surfaces. No oxidation marks, no metallic contamination — critical for nuclear and submarine components. - ±10°C temperature accuracy — PID-controlled multi-zone regulation with minute-by-minute documentation. Thermal camera monitoring for full-area quality verification. - Modular design — Reusable IR modules in ring, igloo or dome configuration. Adaptable to pipes, domes and complex geometries up to 12 meters in diameter. - Made in France — In-house manufacturing from the IR emitter through the 3D configuration to the control cabinet. ISO 9001:2015 certified. **Reference Projects:** - IR Crowns — Infrared rings for cylindrical large components. Setup time reduced from several days to less than one day. Non-contact heating without surface damage — critical in highest quality environments where conventional heating mats leave oxidation marks. - IR Domes — Infrared heating domes for curved large components. Uniform heating even at extreme wall thicknesses. Multi-zone control with ±10°C across the entire surface — not achievable with heating mats on this geometry. - IR Carts — Mobile IR heating modules on chassis for changing positions in the production line. One system for multiple locations instead of hundreds of permanently installed heating mats. Changeover in minutes instead of hours. - Submarine industry — Temperature hold on pressure hull components for several hundred hours at ±10°C. No contact wear, no mat fatigue, no failures during long-term operation — where conventional systems require regular replacement. **Applications:** Preheating, temperature hold and post-heating on thick-walled large components. Non-contact heat treatment for nuclear, marine and offshore applications. - Preheating before welding — 100–350°C, prevention of cold cracking in high-strength steels (HY-80, SA-508) - Temperature hold during welding — 100–300°C for up to 400 hours, welding preheat maintenance and overlay welding - Post-heating after welding — 200–350°C with controlled cooling for defined metallurgical properties - Hydrogen bake-out (H₂ bake-out) — 100–200°C for the removal of diffusible hydrogen - Nuclear industry — Pressure vessels, steam generators, primary circuit components - Naval shipbuilding — Hull sections, submarine pressure hulls, large structures - For machine builders: SOPARA delivers turnkey 3D IR systems — from component analysis through configuration design to on-site commissioning - For plant operators: Setup time reduced by over 90% compared to conventional heating mats. Continuous operation for weeks without contact wear. **Why SOPARA:** - 84 years of infrared expertise — Founded 1942 in France. As one of the oldest specialty brands for industrial infrared technology, SOPARA brings over eight decades of development and manufacturing expertise to every plant. - References with European industry leaders — SOPARA IR systems are running at market leaders in automotive, composites, flooring and nuclear — powering the most demanding thermal processes at French and European top companies. - Test laboratory in Pusignan near Lyon — Your material is validated in the SOPARA infrared lab on actual substrates: wavelength, power density and process parameters. Concrete results before the investment decision — no theory, no assumptions. - System expertise — from component to turnkey plant — Not just IR lamps. SOPARA delivers complete thermal process solutions: lamps, reflectors, protective glass, IR fields, power control, switchgear and process control. One contact for the entire thermal process. Made in France, ISO 9001:2015 certified, 5 % of sales invested in R&D. **Frequently Asked Questions:** - What are 3D infrared systems? — IR heating systems designed not for flat webs but for three-dimensional large components. IR crowns, IR domes and mobile IR carts for cylindrical, spherical or complex geometries. - For which industries are 3D IR systems used? — Nuclear industry (stress relief of large pressure vessels), maritime applications (preheating of ship components), aerospace, and industrial large-component manufacturing. - What is an IR crown? — A ring-shaped IR heating system placed around a cylindrical component (e.g. pipe, pressure vessel). Enables uniform heating of the entire circumference. SOPARA manufactures IR crowns with over 5 meters in diameter. - How are 3D IR systems controlled? — Via mobile switchgear with thermal camera monitoring. Each heating zone is independently controllable. SOPARA delivers control, switchgear and temperature sensors as a complete system. - What quality processes does SOPARA apply to 3D IR? — Functional analysis, risk analysis, FMEA, parameter historization and production tracking — quality processes developed within long-standing partnerships with the nuclear industry. --- ## CHIFOON High-efficiency nozzle dryers for lacquering and coating applications — modular, maintenance-friendly, up to 4,000 mm width and 150 m/min. ### Lacquering Dryers High-performance nozzle dryers for lacquering processes — one-sided drying with top slot nozzles and roller-based web guidance #### High-Performance Lacquering Dryer (CHF-LACK) *High-performance nozzle dryer with top slot nozzles — up to 4,000 mm, up to 150 m/min* The CHIFOON Lacquering Dryer is a high-efficiency nozzle dryer for lacquering and coating processes. It operates on the proven 'nozzle recirculation' principle: hot air is fed directly onto the web through slot nozzles, recirculated via an integrated recirculation system, and constantly heated through heat exchangers. The slot nozzles are located exclusively above the web — the web itself runs on integrated guide rollers through the dryer. The modular construction in 3- or 5-meter segments allows project-specific design from compact dryer lines to long drying sections. Heating is available as gas-, thermal oil- or steam heat exchangers or electric — a hybrid version with electric component is available as a sustainable option. **How it works:** Hot air is supplied via a frequency-controlled recirculation fan through heat exchangers and slot nozzles onto the web. Each segment has its own recirculation fan, and each zone has separate temperature control via control valves. The slot nozzles can be pulled out sideways, significantly simplifying maintenance and cleaning. Fresh air supply and exhaust are controlled via motorized dampers. Optionally, a fresh air preheating system with heat recovery from exhaust air can significantly increase energy efficiency. Web guidance is provided via integrated guide rollers, which reliably guide the material through all dryer zones. Available heating media: gas, thermal oil, steam or electric — also combinable in a hybrid configuration. - Max. Working Width: 4,000 mm - Max. Speed: 150 m/min - Max. Air Temperature: 160 °C - Heating Medium: Gas, thermal oil, steam heat exchanger, electric - Top Nozzles: Slot nozzles, pull-out sideways - Bottom Nozzles: None — web guidance via guide rollers - Modular Section Length: 3 or 5 m - Insulation: approx. 120 mm - Material: Galvanized steel - Web Guidance: Integrated guide rollers - Recirculation Fan: 1 per segment, frequency-controlled - Voltage: 3×380 V, 50 Hz **Benefits:** - High-efficiency nozzle drying — Hot air is fed directly onto the web through slot nozzles. Proven recirculation principle for maximum energy utilization. - Modular construction — 3- or 5-meter sections allow project-specific design from compact dryer lines to long drying sections. Flexibly scalable. - Versatile heating media — Gas, thermal oil-, steam heat exchangers or electric. Optimally adaptable to the customer's existing energy infrastructure. - Hybrid version available — Electric component in the heating medium significantly reduces CO₂ footprint. Ideal step towards sustainable production. - Maintenance-friendly nozzle cassettes — Slot nozzles can be pulled out sideways. Cleaning and service without complex disassembly of the dryer. - Energy efficiency through fresh air preheating system — Optional heat recovery from exhaust air significantly reduces energy consumption. - Multi-zone temperature control — Each dryer zone independently controllable via control valves. Precise adaptation to web material and coating. **Detailed Operation:** - Frequency-controlled recirculation fan per segment — continuously variable speed control - Fresh air supply and exhaust via motorized dampers — precise volume control - Slot nozzles above the web — direct hot air application for efficient drying - Integrated guide rollers for web guidance — robust material guidance through all dryer zones - Galvanized steel with approx. 120 mm insulation — robust construction with excellent thermal insulation - Heating media: gas, thermal oil, steam or electric — also combinable in hybrid configurations **Applications:** High-performance nozzle dryers for lacquering and coating applications with one-sided drying. - Lacquering and coating lines for films, paper and nonwovens - Adhesive coating in packaging industry - Ink and printing dye drying in finishing machines - Artificial leather & flooring production (coating lines) **Why CHIFOON:** - 20+ years of experience in dryer construction — CHIFOON is among the established manufacturers in Asia. A clear technological focus on energy-efficient and sustainable hot-air dryers for demanding coating and lacquering processes. - References in converting — Multiple reference projects in Asia in the converting segment: tape coating, flooring production and artificial leather. Proven dryers at leading Asian manufacturers. - In-house manufacturing & R&D — Vertically integrated in-house production at the Wuxi location: from engineering through production to final assembly. Own research and development department. Made in China, CE-compliant for the European market. - Pioneer for climate-friendly drying — While many manufacturers still rely exclusively on fossil heating media, CHIFOON systematically develops hybrid and fully electric heating concepts. This future-proofs your production against rising energy costs and stricter CO₂ regulations — without compromising drying performance. **Frequently Asked Questions:** - What is a lacquering dryer? — A lacquering dryer is a drying system specifically for lacquering and coating lines. Hot air is directed via slot nozzles directly onto the coated web. The recirculation principle ensures maximum energy utilization. - Which heating media are available? — Gas, thermal oil heat exchangers, steam heat exchangers or electric. Hybrid configurations are also possible — e.g. electric share for CO₂ reduction combined with conventional heating medium for base load. - How long can a dryer be? — CHIFOON dryers are modularly constructed with sections of 3 or 5 meters in length. From compact dryers to large-scale systems, any length is achievable — custom-designed for web speed, coating weight and solvent loading. - What does hybrid version mean? — In the hybrid version, part of the heating power is generated electrically, the rest via conventional media (gas, thermal oil, steam). This reduces the CO₂ footprint without compromising drying performance. - How does the dryer selection process work? — CHIFOON analyzes the drying process together with you: material properties, coating formulation, web speed, solvent loading and energy infrastructure. On this basis CHIFOON designs the optimal dryer configuration — modular construction, heating media selection and section length are precisely matched to your process. --- ### Universal Dryers High-performance nozzle dryers with two-sided drying — top and bottom nozzles for contact-sensitive webs #### High-Performance Universal Dryer (CHF-STD) *High-performance nozzle dryer with top + bottom nozzles — up to 4,000 mm, up to 150 m/min* The CHIFOON Universal Dryer is a high-efficiency nozzle dryer for demanding drying processes. It also operates on the proven 'nozzle recirculation' principle — with one key difference: nozzles are located both above (slot nozzles) and below (CF nozzles) the web. This dries the web from both sides while simultaneously supporting it through the airflow — ideal for contact-sensitive materials such as wet coatings, thin films, or PVC products. The dryer features integrated hard chrome-plated steel guide rollers for web guidance. Modular construction in 3- or 5-meter segments allows project-specific designs from compact dryer lines to large installations with over 80 meters of drying length. Maximum air temperature 230 °C, heating media available: gas, thermal oil, steam or electric — also in hybrid combinations. **How it works:** Hot air is drawn through heat exchangers by frequency-controlled recirculation fans (1 per segment), heated, and simultaneously fed through slot nozzles above and CF nozzles below onto the web. Both nozzle types can be pulled out sideways — maintenance and cleaning without complex disassembly. Each zone has its own temperature control via control valves. Web guidance is provided via integrated hard chrome-plated steel guide rollers, which reliably guide the material through all dryer zones. Fresh air and exhaust control via motorized dampers with pressure control, optionally with fresh air preheating system for energy recovery. Heating media: gas, thermal oil, steam or electric — the hybrid version with electric component significantly reduces the CO₂ footprint. - Max. Working Width: 4,000 mm - Max. Speed: 150 m/min - Max. Air Temperature: 230 °C - Heating Medium: Gas, thermal oil, steam heat exchanger, electric - Top Nozzles: Slot nozzles, pull-out sideways - Bottom Nozzles: CF nozzles, pull-out sideways - Modular Section Length: 3 or 5 m - Insulation: approx. 120 mm - Material: Galvanized steel - Web Guidance: Integrated steel guide rollers, hard chrome-plated - Recirculation Fan: 1 per segment, frequency-controlled - Voltage: 3×380 V, 50 Hz **Benefits:** - Two-sided drying — Slot nozzles above and CF nozzles below allow uniform drying from both sides. Optimal for wet coatings, thin films and contact-sensitive materials. - Flotation support through nozzle airflow — The lower CF nozzles actively support and dry the web, reducing contact points and markings. Ideal for high-quality surfaces. - Higher drying temperature (up to 230°C) — More reserve for demanding drying tasks with thicker layers or high web speeds. - Versatile heating media — Gas, thermal oil-, steam heat exchangers or electric. Optimally adaptable to the existing energy infrastructure. - Hybrid version available — Electric component in the heating medium significantly reduces CO₂ footprint. Ideal step towards sustainable production. - Modular construction up to over 80 meters — Sections of 3 or 5 meters. Scalable from compact to large-scale. - Hard chrome-plated guide rollers — Integrated web guidance with wear protection. Reliable material guidance through all dryer zones. - Maintenance-friendly — Both nozzle types pull out sideways for easy cleaning and service without disassembly. **Detailed Operation:** - Frequency-controlled recirculation fan per segment — continuous speed adaptation to process conditions - Slot nozzles above + CF nozzles below — two-sided air application for uniform drying - Hard chrome-plated steel guide rollers — robust, integrated web guidance - Heating media: gas, thermal oil, steam or electric — also in hybrid configurations - Fresh air and exhaust control with pressure regulation — precise volume control via motorized dampers - Multi-zone temperature control via control valves — independently adjustable per zone **Applications:** High-performance nozzle dryers with flotation support for contact-sensitive webs and demanding coatings. - Coating lines for films, paper, nonwovens and technical textiles - Artificial leather & flooring production with multi-layer PVC coatings - Drying of water-based and solvent-based coatings - High-speed lines with web speeds up to 150 m/min **Why CHIFOON:** - 20+ years of experience in dryer construction — CHIFOON is among the established manufacturers in Asia. A clear technological focus on energy-efficient and sustainable hot-air dryers for demanding coating and lacquering processes. - References in converting — Multiple reference projects in Asia in the converting segment: tape coating, flooring production and artificial leather. Proven dryers at leading Asian manufacturers. - In-house manufacturing & R&D — Vertically integrated in-house production at the Wuxi location: from engineering through production to final assembly. Own research and development department. Made in China, CE-compliant for the European market. - Pioneer for climate-friendly drying — While many manufacturers still rely exclusively on fossil heating media, CHIFOON systematically develops hybrid and fully electric heating concepts. This future-proofs your production against rising energy costs and stricter CO₂ regulations — without compromising drying performance. **Frequently Asked Questions:** - What distinguishes the standard dryer from the lacquering dryer? — The standard dryer dries from both sides: slot nozzles above and CF nozzles (flotation dryer) below. This dries the web from both sides while simultaneously supporting it through airflow — ideal for contact-sensitive materials like wet coatings and thin films. - What does flotation drying mean? — The lower CF nozzles create an airflow that carries and simultaneously dries the material web. This eliminates contact points on the underside — no markings, no damage. - Which heating media are available? — Gas, thermal oil heat exchangers, steam heat exchangers or electric. Hybrid configurations are possible — electric share for CO₂ reduction while maintaining drying performance. - How long can the standard dryer be? — Modular in sections of 3 or 5 meters. From compact systems to large-scale plants over 80 meters in length — scalable to your production requirements. - How does the design process work? — CHIFOON dimensions the dryer according to your process data: web speed, coating formulation, drying temperature and material properties. ISO-WATT facilitates the contact and supports the project. --- ## RODOLFO COMERIO Italian manufacturer of calendering lines, lamination and embossing systems for plastics and rubber. 147 years of experience, Made in Italy, family business in 4th generation. ### Calendering Lines Calendering lines for the production of plastic and rubber films — 3-, 4- and 5-roll configurations #### Multi-Roll Calendering Line (RC-CAL) *Precision calendering lines for continuous film and sheet production — Made in Italy* Rodolfo Comerio calendering lines have defined the technological gold standard for continuous film and sheet production since 1878. Available as 2-, 3-, 4- or 5-roll configuration in I-, F-, L- or S-shape, each plant custom-engineered to material and process. From laboratory scale for formulation development to industrial high-speed lines for pharma-grade films — one product family for the entire spectrum, from ultra-thin films to sheets in the millimeter range. All lines are equipped with patented Rodolfo technologies: hydraulic closed-loop gap control with μm precision, real-time roll positioning and working pressure control, and optional hydrostatic roll bearings for the highest thickness precision. Turn-key, Made in Italy, uncompromising precision. **How it works:** The molten polymer is calibrated between heated rolls — with multi-roll configurations in stages, each gap finer than the previous. Each roll is individually controllable in temperature, pressure, and speed. The patented hydraulic closed-loop gap control (RC GAP System) synchronously adjusts all roll gaps with μm accuracy. Roll positioning and working pressure are controlled in real-time (RC RUN SAFE PACK). Downstream components — cooling rolls, inline thickness measurement, optional surface inspection, edge trimming, and precise winding — complete the plant as a turn-key solution. - Roll Configuration: 2-, 3-, 4- or 5-roll in I-, F-, L- or S-shape - Roll Heating: Thermal oil, individually controllable per roll - Roll Material: Chilled cast iron/alloy steel, hard-chromed - Gap Control: Hydraulic, closed-loop (patented RC GAP System) - Positioning & Pressure: Hydraulic real-time control (patented RC RUN SAFE PACK) - Roll Bearings (optional): Hydrostatic (patented RC SF-FREE) - Control: Industry 4.0 HMI with recipe management - Plant Type: Custom-engineered, turn-key **Benefits:** - Uncompromising precision — μm-level thickness control thanks to patented RC technologies. The difference between standard films and premium products starts here. - Custom engineering — Every plant is tailored exactly to material, product spectrum, and throughput. No off-the-shelf products — only solutions that fit your process. - Flexible configuration spectrum — 2-, 3-, 4- or 5-roll in I-, F-, L- or S-shape. From laboratory scale for R&D to industrial high-performance lines — one product family for all requirements. - Patented RC technology suite — RC GAP for hydraulic gap control, RC RUN SAFE PACK for positioning and pressure control, RC SF-FREE for hydrostatic roll bearings at the highest level. - Industry 4.0 integration — Modern HMI with recipe management, product historization, and seamless data connectivity. Production data in real-time, full quality traceability. - 147 years of calendering DNA — Rodolfo Comerio since 1878. No other manufacturer brings this depth of experience to every plant. **Detailed Operation:** - Molten polymer is calibrated between heated rolls in stages — each configuration matched to the production process - Each roll individually controllable in temperature, pressure, and speed for maximum process control - Thermal oil heating individually per roll — precise temperature management from first stage to finish - The RC GAP System synchronizes all roll gaps hydraulically with closed-loop μm precision - The RC RUN SAFE PACK controls roll positioning and working pressure in real-time, preventing overload situations - Downstream: cooling, inline thickness measurement, optional surface inspection, and precise winding — all from one source **Applications:** Rodolfo calendering lines are the core of continuous film and sheet production in plastics processing — from the laboratory cell to the large-scale industrial plant. Depending on roll count, they cover the entire spectrum from formulation development to pharma-grade films. - Formulation development, R&D and small series (2-roll lab configuration) - PVC and TPO films for packaging, labels, and advertising carriers - Thicker PVC sheets and high-performance films for automotive and industry - Super-clear PVC films and pharma-grade materials - Flooring from single-layer to multi-layer, LVT and design products - Artificial leather base films and technical membranes - Multi-layer composite films and automotive interior applications - Credit card stock and metallized films **Why Rodolfo Comerio:** - 147 years of specialization — Since 1878, Rodolfo Comerio has been specialized in calendering technology. As one of the oldest and most established manufacturers worldwide, the company brings over four generations of experience to the development and manufacturing of calendering lines for plastics and rubber. - Historical references with industry leaders — The first rubber calender for Pirelli (1925), the first PVC calender for Montecatini (1942). Rodolfo Comerio has fundamentally shaped the development of calendering technology for thermoplastic resins. - Proprietary RC technologies — Patented systems such as RC GAP (hydraulic gap control), RC RUN SAFE PACK (roll positioning and working pressure), RC SF-FREE (hydrostatic bearings), and the patented Embossing-in-Register synchronization technology (EP2447064). - Made in Italy — family business in 4th generation — Production in Solbiate Olona (Northern Italy) on 35,000 m², around 100 employees, in-house R&D department. No corporate structure, but family-led continuity with long-term customer focus. - Turn-key project management — Rodolfo delivers complete plants turn-key: from design through engineering and manufacturing to commissioning and after-sales service. One contact for the entire project. For details visit: https://comerio.it/en/technologies/ --- ### Lamination Plants Multi-layer lamination plants for flooring, composite materials and reinforced films #### Multi-Layer Lamination Plant (RC-LAM-MS) *Multi-layer lamination plant for flooring, films and tape* The multi-layer lamination plant joins two or more material webs into a multi-layer composite. Rodolfo's lamination plants cover the entire spectrum — from 2- and 3-layer film lamination for tape, technical films and PVC composite films, to flooring lamination lines with up to seven material layers for homogeneous and heterogeneous vinyl flooring. Through controlled merging under temperature and pressure, a durable bond is created without adhesives or with optional bonding agents. The plant is custom-engineered for the product mix: number of layers, material combinations, web width, and throughput are precisely matched to the respective production process. **How it works:** Individual material webs are fed from separate unwinders and merged in a controlled manner. For film and tape applications typically 2 or 3 layers, for flooring plants up to seven layers (e.g. wear layer, print layer, glass fiber web, carrier, backing). Heated rolls bring the materials to the optimal lamination temperature, after which they are bonded under defined pressure in a lamination nip. Roll positioning and working pressure are controlled hydraulically in real-time (patented RC RUN SAFE PACK System). Downstream cooling rolls fix the bond. Optional: embossing unit for simultaneous surface structuring. The finished composite is cut to final format and wound. - Configuration: 2 to 7 layers depending on plant type - Applications: Tape, films, flooring - Unwinders per Plant: 2 – 7 (depending on layers) - Lamination Rolls: Heated, hard-chromed - Integrated Embossing Unit (optional): For simultaneous surface structuring - Control: Industry 4.0 HMI with recipe management - Plant Type: Custom-engineered, turn-key **Benefits:** - Multi-layer composites in one production step — depending on plant type, 2 to 7 layers laminated simultaneously. Rodolfo flooring lines reach up to seven material layers. - Coverage of the entire spectrum — tape and film lamination (2 to 3 layers) for technical films and PVC composites, and flooring lamination (up to 7 layers) for vinyl flooring. - Adhesive-free bonding through controlled temperature and pressure. - Integrable with embossing unit — Lamination and embossing in one step. - RC RUN SAFE PACK controls roll positioning and working pressure — uniform pressure distribution across the entire working width. - Custom configuration depending on product portfolio. **Detailed Operation:** - Separate unwinders for each layer — 2 to 7 depending on plant type - Heated pre-heat rolls bring materials to lamination temperature - Merging in the lamination nip under controlled pressure - Downstream cooling rolls fix the bond - Web edge control for exact overlap of all layers - Optional: embossing, printing unit, inline thickness measurement **Applications:** The multi-layer lamination plant is the industry standard for the production of vinyl flooring, tape, technical films, and PVC composite films. Depending on the application, the plant scales from 2-layer film lamination to 7-layer flooring lines. - Homogeneous vinyl flooring (HOM) — up to 7-layer structure - Heterogeneous vinyl flooring (HET) - LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tile), SPC and WPC flooring - Tape substrates with 2- or 3-layer composites - Technical PVC films and composite films - Wall coverings - Automotive interior trim - Technical membranes **Why Rodolfo Comerio:** - 147 years of specialization — Since 1878, Rodolfo Comerio has been specialized in calendering technology. As one of the oldest and most established manufacturers worldwide, the company brings over four generations of experience to the development and manufacturing of calendering lines for plastics and rubber. - Historical references with industry leaders — The first rubber calender for Pirelli (1925), the first PVC calender for Montecatini (1942). Rodolfo Comerio has fundamentally shaped the development of calendering technology for thermoplastic resins. - Proprietary RC technologies — Patented systems such as RC GAP (hydraulic gap control), RC RUN SAFE PACK (roll positioning and working pressure), RC SF-FREE (hydrostatic bearings), and the patented Embossing-in-Register synchronization technology (EP2447064). - Made in Italy — family business in 4th generation — Production in Solbiate Olona (Northern Italy) on 35,000 m², around 100 employees, in-house R&D department. No corporate structure, but family-led continuity with long-term customer focus. - Turn-key project management — Rodolfo delivers complete plants turn-key: from design through engineering and manufacturing to commissioning and after-sales service. One contact for the entire project. For details visit: https://comerio.it/en/technologies/ --- ### Embossing Plants Embossing plants for surface refinement — including patented Embossing-in-Register technology #### Embossing Plant (RC-EMB-STD) *Embossing plant for PVC films and flooring* The Embossing Plant gives flat PVC and TPO films a three-dimensional surface structure — wood look, stone decor, leather texture, or technical patterns such as anti-slip profiles. The film is heated, guided between an engraved embossing roll and a counter-pressure roll, and given the structure under controlled pressure. The result: permanently embossed surfaces with high detail accuracy. Applications: vinyl flooring, wall coverings, artificial leather, technical films. Thanks to a quick-change system, the embossing roll can be swapped in under one minute — minimal setup times for flexible production. **How it works:** The film is first brought to the correct temperature via heated pre-heat rolls so that the material becomes soft and embossable. In the embossing nip between the engraved embossing roll and the counter-pressure roll, the structure pattern is transferred. The embossing pressure is controlled hydraulically in real-time (patented RC RUN SAFE PACK System). Immediately after embossing, cooling rolls fix the new structure — the material must not spring back. Downstream: thickness control, quality inspection, winding. - Film Material: PVC, TPO, TPU - Embossing Roll: Engraved steel roll, custom-manufactured - Counter-Pressure Roll: Silicone or rubber roll - Pre-Heating: Heated rolls or IR emitters - Embossing Roll Change: Quick change in under 1 minute - Pressure Control: Hydraulic real-time control (patented RC RUN SAFE PACK) - Control: Industry 4.0 HMI with recipe management - Plant Type: Custom-engineered, turn-key **Benefits:** - Permanent 3D structuring of flat films through heat and pressure. - High detail accuracy — Wood grain, stone decor, leather texture authentically reproducible. - Quick-change system for embossing rolls reduces setup times. - Precise pressure control via RC RUN SAFE PACK. - Combinable with integrated IR pre-heating. - Made in Italy — robust construction for 24/7 industrial operation. **Detailed Operation:** - Film is heated and softened via heated pre-heat rolls - In the embossing nip between engraving roll and counter-pressure roll, the pattern is transferred - Pressure control via RC RUN SAFE PACK maintains uniform contact pressure - Immediate after-cooling fixes the new surface structure - Prevents material springback - Subsequent quality inspection and winding **Applications:** The Embossing Plant refines flat plastic films with three-dimensional surface structures. - Vinyl flooring with wood or stone decor - Wall coverings - Artificial leather with grain - Automotive interior trim - Technical films with anti-slip profile - Packaging films with haptic effects **Why Rodolfo Comerio:** - 147 years of specialization — Since 1878, Rodolfo Comerio has been specialized in calendering technology. As one of the oldest and most established manufacturers worldwide, the company brings over four generations of experience to the development and manufacturing of calendering lines for plastics and rubber. - Historical references with industry leaders — The first rubber calender for Pirelli (1925), the first PVC calender for Montecatini (1942). Rodolfo Comerio has fundamentally shaped the development of calendering technology for thermoplastic resins. - Proprietary RC technologies — Patented systems such as RC GAP (hydraulic gap control), RC RUN SAFE PACK (roll positioning and working pressure), RC SF-FREE (hydrostatic bearings), and the patented Embossing-in-Register synchronization technology (EP2447064). - Made in Italy — family business in 4th generation — Production in Solbiate Olona (Northern Italy) on 35,000 m², around 100 employees, in-house R&D department. No corporate structure, but family-led continuity with long-term customer focus. - Turn-key project management — Rodolfo delivers complete plants turn-key: from design through engineering and manufacturing to commissioning and after-sales service. One contact for the entire project. For details visit: https://comerio.it/en/technologies/ --- #### Embossing-in-Register Plant (RC-EMB-IR) *Embossing-in-Register plant — patented synchronization technology* The Embossing-in-Register Plant is Rodolfo's patented process where the embossing is precisely synchronized with the printed decor pattern. The result: a tactile surface that precisely matches the visual design — grain along wood fibers, joint structure exactly on the printed tile lines, leather look with realistic grain. This is the difference between an arbitrary embossing pattern and a perfect reproduction experience. This technology is Rodolfo's central USP in the premium flooring segment. **How it works:** The core of the plant is the synchronization system: High-precision image processing continuously detects the position of the printed image on the film. Servo drives control the embossing roll so that the embossing pattern exactly matches the print motif — with μm accuracy even at high production speeds. Compensation algorithms balance material elongation and temperature differences in real-time. The underlying patent (EP2447064, filed 2011, granted 2013) covers both the optical detection and the control algorithms. No other manufacturer offers this precision in combination with industrial production speeds. - Synchronization: Patented — μm-accurate to printed image at production speed - Image Processing: High-resolution line-scan cameras - Film Material: PVC, TPO, TPU - Embossing Roll: Engraved steel roll, custom-manufactured - Counter-Pressure Roll: Silicone or rubber roll - Pre-Heating: Heated rolls or IR emitters - Pressure Control: Hydraulic real-time control (patented RC RUN SAFE PACK) - Patent: EP2447064 (granted 2013) — Rodolfo Comerio Embossing-in-Register - Control: Industry 4.0 HMI with product historization - Plant Type: Custom-engineered, turn-key **Benefits:** - Patented synchronization technology — μm-precise embossing matching the printed image. - Perfect alignment of haptics and optics — Wood grain along the printed fibers. - Image processing continuously detects print position in real-time. - Servo drives correct positioning even at high speeds. - Compensation for material elongation and temperature differences. - Rodolfo's central USP in premium flooring segment — no competitor product achieves this precision. **Detailed Operation:** - Line-scan cameras detect the print position on the film - Real-time image processing calculates necessary synchronization - Servo drives control the embossing roll with μm precision - Compensation algorithms correct material behavior - Production speed is fully maintained - Data logging for quality documentation and process records **Applications:** The Embossing-in-Register Plant is the solution for premium flooring with perfect decor-haptic synchronization. - Premium vinyl flooring (LVT) with exact wood grain - High-quality wall coverings - Designer flooring with tile look and joint embossing - Premium artificial leather with exact grain structure - Design films for automotive (interior) - Any application with high quality demands regarding decor authenticity **Why Rodolfo Comerio:** - 147 years of specialization — Since 1878, Rodolfo Comerio has been specialized in calendering technology. As one of the oldest and most established manufacturers worldwide, the company brings over four generations of experience to the development and manufacturing of calendering lines for plastics and rubber. - Historical references with industry leaders — The first rubber calender for Pirelli (1925), the first PVC calender for Montecatini (1942). Rodolfo Comerio has fundamentally shaped the development of calendering technology for thermoplastic resins. - Proprietary RC technologies — Patented systems such as RC GAP (hydraulic gap control), RC RUN SAFE PACK (roll positioning and working pressure), RC SF-FREE (hydrostatic bearings), and the patented Embossing-in-Register synchronization technology (EP2447064). - Made in Italy — family business in 4th generation — Production in Solbiate Olona (Northern Italy) on 35,000 m², around 100 employees, in-house R&D department. No corporate structure, but family-led continuity with long-term customer focus. - Turn-key project management — Rodolfo delivers complete plants turn-key: from design through engineering and manufacturing to commissioning and after-sales service. One contact for the entire project. For details visit: https://comerio.it/en/technologies/ --- ### Laboratory Equipment Pilot calendering lines for research, development and quality control #### Pilot Calendering Line (RC-LAB-PILOT) *Pilot calendering line for process validation and small series* The Pilot Calendering Line is a reduced but complete production plant at laboratory scale — ideal for process validation, material characterization, and product development. All components of a large production plant are included: heated rolls, hydraulic gap control, after-cooling, thickness measurement, and winding — only in compact design. This allows R&D teams to test new formulations and process parameters under realistic conditions before investing in large-scale plants. Also suitable for small-series production of specialty films. **How it works:** The Pilot Calendering Line works on the same principle as the large production plants, but with reduced dimensions — typically 2-3 rolls, smaller working width. All proprietary Rodolfo technologies are available in reduced form: hydraulic closed-loop gap control (patented RC GAP System) and real-time control of roll positioning and working pressure (patented RC RUN SAFE PACK). The plant is fully data-integrated — process parameters, material behavior, and quality data are recorded and can be directly transferred to production plants. Result: significant time and cost savings in the development of new products. - Roll Configuration: 2 or 3 rolls - Roll Heating: Thermal oil - Gap Control: Hydraulic, closed-loop (reduced version of patented RC GAP System) - Positioning & Pressure: Hydraulic real-time control (reduced version of patented RC RUN SAFE PACK) - Data Acquisition: Fully integrated, exportable, compatible with production plants - Control: Industry 4.0 HMI with recipe management - Installation: Laboratory or R&D environment - Plant Type: Compact laboratory version, turn-key **Benefits:** - Full-featured calendering line at laboratory scale for process validation. - All proprietary RC technologies available at pilot scale. - Direct transferability of results to series production. - Significant time and cost savings in product development. - Complete data acquisition for process documentation. - Also usable for small-series production of specialty films. **Detailed Operation:** - 2- or 3-roll configuration in compact design - Reduced working width (up to 600 mm) and speed (up to 15 m/min) - RC GAP System and RC RUN SAFE PACK available in reduced form - Complete line: calender, after-cooling, thickness measurement, winding - Fully integrated data acquisition and export function - Identical process logic as large production plants **Applications:** The Pilot Calendering Line is the link between laboratory and series production — for R&D, process validation, and small series. - Process validation of new formulations - Material characterization under realistic conditions - Prototype development for new products - Training environment for process engineers - Small-series production of specialty films - University and industrial research **Why Rodolfo Comerio:** - 147 years of specialization — Since 1878, Rodolfo Comerio has been specialized in calendering technology. As one of the oldest and most established manufacturers worldwide, the company brings over four generations of experience to the development and manufacturing of calendering lines for plastics and rubber. - Historical references with industry leaders — The first rubber calender for Pirelli (1925), the first PVC calender for Montecatini (1942). Rodolfo Comerio has fundamentally shaped the development of calendering technology for thermoplastic resins. - Proprietary RC technologies — Patented systems such as RC GAP (hydraulic gap control), RC RUN SAFE PACK (roll positioning and working pressure), RC SF-FREE (hydrostatic bearings), and the patented Embossing-in-Register synchronization technology (EP2447064). - Made in Italy — family business in 4th generation — Production in Solbiate Olona (Northern Italy) on 35,000 m², around 100 employees, in-house R&D department. No corporate structure, but family-led continuity with long-term customer focus. - Turn-key project management — Rodolfo delivers complete plants turn-key: from design through engineering and manufacturing to commissioning and after-sales service. One contact for the entire project. For details visit: https://comerio.it/en/technologies/ --- ## Industries Flooring, Artificial Leather, Adhesive Tapes, Roofing, Nonwovens, Packaging, Technical Textiles, Automotive, Insulation, Hygiene.