Welex Evolution® thin-gauge PET PP line gives custom sheet house Pro Ex Extrusion a competitive edge

July 31, 2018

The dual-resin line features a J-stack configuration with -skewing and electric gap adjustment under full hydraulic load

A Welex Evolution® sheet extrusion line from Graham Engineering Corporation has given custom sheet processor Pro Ex Extrusion a thin-gauge capability not generally found among custom sheet houses. In 2017, Pro Ex partnered with Graham Engineering to specify a Welex Evolution sheet line that would expand its capability and capacity. Commissioned in December 2017, the dual-resin PET/PP line features a 5” (130 mm) extruder with the flexibility to expand to co-extrusion. The J-stack configuration features -skewing and electric gap adjustment under full hydraulic load followed by a unique arrangement of auxiliary cooling rolls, each independently driven, heated, and cooled. 

Based in Oskosh, Wisconsin, Pro Ex Extrusion is a recycler and manufacturer of custom and proprietary plastic products, including sheet, stock, profile, injection molding, polymeric compounds, and packaging technologies for several industries. The company’s sheet business comprises stock for thermoforming and lithography. They also work with several experienced printing partners to apply high-quality graphics to their products.

“Many sheet houses are able to produce PET/RPET at 15-18-20 mil,” said Pro Ex co-owner and vice president of operations Chris Bendickson. “The ability to manufacture high quality polyester at 10-12-14 mil expands our capability to serve more demanding applications and gives us a capability not generally found among custom sheet houses. Adding the ability to run high quality clear and colored polypropylene on the same sheet extrusion line as thin as 15 mil truly differentiates us in the market.” 

Pro Ex co-owner and president Gary Borgers added: “With the Pro Ex team’s decades of experience in equipment selection and commissioning, we were very confident in the selection of our new Welex line. The design features, the team’s willingness to customize to our unique needs, and their reputation and commitment to customer service led to our selection.” 

“Working with Pro Ex, with their experience, creativity, and demand for excellence, allowed for a very collaborative experience that resulted in a flexible, multi-purpose sheet line to expand their gauge range, pushing the limits of thin-gauge products for printing and thermoforming,” commented Graham Engineering director of business development Mike Duff.