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Transverse Direction Orientation (TDO) Systems

• Heavy-duty, high speed
• SuperFlex™ Rail Hinge System
• 475DJ Tenter Clips
• Custom-built to your width and length requirements

Transverse direction orientation of polymers is accomplished by the means of a transverse direction orienter (TDO), sometimes referred to as a tenter frame. 

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

The TDO consists of two horizontal chain tracks enclosed in a hot air oven with clip and chain assemblies riding on the tracks. The clips on the TDO grip each side of the material and convey the material along the chain tracks through the oven. The film passes through the three heated sections of the oven; the preheat, stretch, and anneal sections.

Preheat section:  In the preheat section, tracks are set parallel to each other and the material is heated to its proper orientation temperature.

Stretch section:  After the preheat section, M&W’s unique SuperFlex™ Rail Hinge System provides a smooth transition of the chain into the stretch section where the tracks are pre-set to the desired stretch profile.  Stretching is followed by a second SuperFlex™ hinge, which provides for a smooth transition of the chain into the anneal section.

Anneal section:  In the anneal section, the tracks are repositioned to a parallel, or near papallel, configuration for annealing or heat setting.  Upon exiting the oven, the material remains on the tracks through a cooling section and then is released from the TDO.

The oven consists of insulated panels and a series of independently controlled temperature zones. The heating is accomplished by forcing hot air through nozzles at high velocities to the top and bottom of the moving web. The oven air is heated by either, direct or indirect fired gas, steam, electric or thermal oil heat transfer fluid. Cooling is accomplished by forcing cool air through nozzles above and below the web.

SuperFlex™ Rail Hinge System

M&W’s latest technology hinge system, SuperFlex™ has replaced the former M&W Multi-Joint System and provides smoother transition of the clip bases across the hinged region.  SuperFlex™ is a lower profile system, which allows optimum placement of the oven nozzles to insure accurate process temperatures in the stretch zone.  Aluminum-bronze alloy replaceable wear strips are used for all chain contact surfaces.

475DJ Tenter Clip

The 475DJ Clip is M&W’s heavy-duty sliding type film clip equipped with a dual jaw design.  The pivot portion (jaw assembly) of the clip is heat treated and honed for accurate alignment and wear resistance.  A unique feature of the M&W clip is the “snap latch design”, which allows the clip to remain open after releasing material at the delivery turnaround section.  The benefit is that the life of the clip assembly is greatly increased.

The new 475DJ Tenter Clips can replace M&W’s older 40/24 Tenter Clips.