Compression and surface finishing for sheet and film products
Plastics and paper calendering encompasses a broad range of processes — from heavy compression of thick sheet stock to light surface finishing of thin films to supercalendering of paper products for gloss and smoothness. IMC designs calender machines for each of these applications with the appropriate roll configuration, surface finish, heating capability, and control precision.
How IMC engineers plastics and paper calenders
The machine configuration depends on the product. Single nip calenders provide straightforward compression and thickness control. Multi-roll stacks enable progressive compression or simultaneous multi-surface finishing. Heated rolls enable thermal bonding, embossing, and surface modification. IMC specifies each roll for the application — diameter, surface finish, hardness, temperature capability, and deflection compensation — based on the material properties and the target product characteristics.
Applications
- PVC and polyolefin sheet finishing
- Paper supercalendering for gloss and smoothness
- Rubber sheet and gasket material compression
- Nonwoven fabric calendering
- And other sheet and film products requiring controlled thickness
- Density
- Or surface finish