Machine Direction Orientation (MDO) Systems

Technical Highlights

Over 40 Years of MDO Experience
Single or Multi-Stage Draw Sections
Horizontal or Vertical Configurations
Compression Roll Drawing

Machine Direction Orientation of polymers is accomplished by the means of an MDO.

Marshall and Williams Plastics (M&W) MDOs are built to process the materials, polypropylene, polystyrene, PVC, polyester, PLA, polyolefins, netting and specialty films and sheets.

M&W’s MDOs range from small R&D versions with 300 mm (12 in) wide cantilevered rolls to full production models with roll face widths over 4.0 meters (157 in).

For each application, our exclusive M&W heat transfer simulation program augments our extensive processing knowledge to predict the style of machine and the number and size of rolls needed to provide the best machinery for each customer's application.

The MDO typically consists of four sections:

Preheat section: The material is heated by passing over a series of rolls to allow the material to reach a particular orientation temperature. When the material has reached its optimum processing temperature, it is then oriented or stretched in the Stretch section.

Stretch section: The material is oriented between rolls rotating at different speeds. The Stretch section consists of one, or multiple stretch steps, depending upon the material to be processed. After the Stretch section, the material enters the Anneal section.

Anneal and Cooling section: The material passes over one or more rolls to anneal in order to stabilize and maintain the orientation in the web, then the material is cooled.

Compression Roll Drawing

Marshall and Williams Plastics is a worldwide exclusive licensee of a patented Compression Roll Drawing (CRD) process. CRD is the simultaneous compression and machine direction orientation of plastic material.

Marshal and Williams Plastics can sublicense CRD technology to its customers when purchasing a Marshall and Williams Plastics MDO.

CRD Benefits:

Uniform draw (stretch) at lower than typical draw ratios
Machine Direction Orientation can be maximized
Greater finished thicknesses
Increased tensile strength and modulus
Improved Clarity

Click here for more information on Compression Roll Drawing.

The Marshall and Williams Plastics Orientation Pilot Lab has an MDO equipped with CRD capability and is available for customer use on a reasonable fee basis.

Machine Direction Orientation (MDO) Systems