250°C 1m IXPE Tunnel Oven for Chemical Cross-Linked Polyethylene Foam

• Customization: Available
• After-sales Service: 10 Year
• Warranty: 1 Year
• Model NO.: tm-ir-ixpe
• Tefloen Belt Width: 1.2 M
• Belt Mesh Hole: 2X2mm
• Vulcanization: 180--230
• Bottom: 15PCS
• Transport Package: Plywood
• Specification: 14 m * 1.4m * 1.3m
• Trademark: Tamprinter
• Origin: China(Mainland)
• HS Code: 8514300090
• Production Capacity: 1000 Sets/Month
• Package Size: 270.00cm * 125.00cm * 158.00cm
• Package Gross Weight: 380.000kg
• Lead Time: 25 days (1 - 15 Sets) ; To be negotiated ( > 15 Sets)

Product Description

250°C 1m  IXPE tunnel oven (for Chemical cross-linked polyethylene foam)

Tunnel Oven Technical Specifications

Category	Specification
Electrical Parameters	480V, 3 Phase, 60Hz
Control System	Independent Power Control Cabinet
Overall Dimensions (L x W x H)	14 m x 1.4 m x 1.3 m
Oven Layout & Zones	Total 14 m: 2m (Inlet) + 2.5m (Heat Zone 1) + 2.5m (Heat Zone 2) + 2.5m (Heat Zone 3) + 2.5m (Heat Zone 4) + 2m (Outlet)
Heating System	Far Infrared Lamp Heat (Top & Bottom)
Total Heating Power	Top 15 kW + Bottom 15 kW = 30 kW Total
Heating Control	Independent control for top and bottom heaters
Vulcanization Temperature	180°C ~ 230°C
Conveyor System
Conveyor Belt	Teflone, Width: 1.2 m
Belt Mesh Aperture	2 mm x 2 mm
Drive Motors	370W Motors x 2 Units
Speed Control	2 independent belt speed controllers, each adjusting one 7-meter section
Ventilation System
Internal Air Circulation	750W Fans x 4 Units
Exhaust System	2 Exhaust ports for gas/smoke extraction
Additional Features	4-cylinder lift mechanism for opening the oven cover

Chemical Cross-Linked Polyethylene Foam (IXPE): Oven vs. Roller Process

The manufacturing of chemically cross-linked polyethylene foam (IXPE) relies on a process where a polyethylene sheet containing a chemical blowing agent and a cross-linking agent is heated. This heating triggers two simultaneous reactions: cross-linking (forming a 3D polymer network) and foaming (decomposition of the blowing agent to generate gas). The method of applying this heat is the fundamental difference between the two primary processes: the Oven (Hot-Air Circulating) Process and the Roller (Calendering) Process.

The core distinction can be summarized as follows:

•  

Oven Process: Uses hot air to heat the material, similar to baking bread. It is a static or semi-static heating process.

•  
•  

Roller Process: Uses heated metal rollers to conduct heat directly to the material, similar to ironing fabric. It is a dynamic, continuous pressure-calendering process.

•  

The following diagram provides a visual overview of these two core processes:

 

Detailed Process Comparison

1. Oven (Hot-Air Circulating) Process

This is a classic and widely used method.

•  

Principle: Heated air is circulated within a long oven or chamber. This hot air transfers heat to the pre-formed polyethylene sheet via convection and radiation, causing the chemical reactions (cross-linking and foaming) to occur uniformly throughout the material.

•  
•  

Process Steps:

• •  

Mixing & Sheeting: LDPE, chemical blowing agent (e.g., Azodicarbonamide), cross-linking agent (e.g., Dicumyl Peroxide), and other additives are mixed and calendered into a uniform, non-foamed sheet of specific thickness.

•  
•  

First Heating (Foaming & Cross-linking): The sheet is fed into a multi-zone heating oven. It is typically suspended or conveyed on a belt, allowing hot air to contact all surfaces evenly.

•  
•  

Foaming & Cross-linking: Inside the oven, the cross-linking agent reacts first to form a 3D network. Simultaneously, the blowing agent decomposes, generating gases trapped within this network, causing the material to expand and foam.

•  
•  

Cooling & Trimming: The foamed material exits the oven, is cooled to set its structure, and is finally trimmed and wound into rolls.

•  

2. Roller (Calendering) Process

This is a more continuous and efficient method.

•  

Principle: Heat is transferred directly to the sheet surface via thermal conduction from one or multiple heated metal rollers. The sheet is nipped and pulled through these rollers, undergoing foaming and cross-linking under controlled pressure and shaping.

•  
•  

Process Steps:

• •  

Mixing & Feeding: The initial raw material preparation is similar to the oven process.

•  
•  

Continuous Calendering & Foaming: The non-foamed sheet is fed directly into a set of large, heated rollers. These rollers are internally heated (with oil or steam) to precise temperatures.

•  
•  

Conduction Foaming: Heat is rapidly transferred from the roller surface to the sheet surface and then conducted inwards. The surface layer reaches the foaming temperature first, while the core heats up more slowly.

•  
•  

Control & Shaping: By precisely controlling the roller gap (nip), temperature, and line speed, the final thickness, density, and surface quality of the foamed sheet can be tightly controlled. The foaming occurs under constraint, resulting in a finer and more uniform cell structure.

•  

 

Summary of Key Differences

Feature	Oven (Hot-Air) Process	Roller (Calendering) Process
Heat Transfer	Convection & Radiation (Hot Air)	Conduction (Direct Roller Contact)
Heating Uniformity	Excellent, uniform heating from all sides	Thermal gradient; surface heats before the core
Process Nature	Static/Semi-Static (No external pressure during foaming)	Dynamic & Continuous (Sheeted under pressure and tension)
Foam Structure	Relatively larger cells, very uniform, isotropic	Finer, denser cell structure, may have slight orientation
Product Density	Can produce very low density (e.g., 20-30 kg/m³) soft foam	Typically produces medium-high density (e.g., 45-200 kg/m³) foam
Surface Quality	Relatively rough surface, with a natural skin	Very smooth, glossy, and flat surface, "calendered" appearance
Thickness Control	Controlled by initial sheet weight and expansion ratio; less precise	Precisely controlled by roller gap; tight tolerances, high stability
Production Speed	Slower, dependent on oven length and heating rate	Very high, continuous process, fast line speeds
Energy Efficiency	Lower, as it requires heating a large volume of air	Higher thermal efficiency, energy directly transferred to material
Typical Applications	Yoga mats, sports padding, soft packaging, insulation	Automotive interiors, floor underlayment, laminates, industrial parts

 

 

How to Choose the Right Process?

The choice between the two processes ultimately depends on the target market and required product properties:

•  

Choose the Oven Process for applications requiring very low density, high softness, and excellent resilience, where a perfectly smooth surface is not critical.

•  
•  

Choose the Roller Process for applications demanding a smooth surface, precise dimensions, high structural integrity, and superior mechanical strength. It is dominant in automotive and high-quality laminates.

•  

In conclusion, the oven and roller processes are the two technological pillars for manufacturing IXPE foam, each with distinct advantages that cater to the diverse needs of the market.

 

Technical Specification: Tunnel Curing Oven**

**1. Electrical Parameters**
- Power Supply: 380V, 3 Phase, 50Hz
- Total Power: 48 kW (24 kW top heating + 24 kW bottom heating)

**2. Mechanical Structure & Dimensions**
- Overall Dimensions (L × W × H): 14,000 × 1,400 × 1,300 mm
- Layout: 2m (Infeed Section) + [2.5m (Heating Zone) × 4] + 2m (Outfeed Section)
- Construction: Modular design, composed of two 7-meter sections

**3. Heating System**
- Heating Elements: 24 top & 24 bottom far-infrared quartz tubes (48 tubes total)
- Heating Control: 4 independent PID-controlled zones (top & bottom separately controlled)
- Temperature Range: Ambient - 230°C (adjustable)
- Temperature Uniformity: ±3-5°C

**4. Conveyor System**
- Belt Material: Brown PTFE-coated mesh, 2 × 2 mm aperture
- Belt Width: 1,200 mm
- Drive System: Two 370W gear motors (one per 7m section), with independent AC inverter speed control
- Speed Range: 0-2 m/min

**5. Air Flow & Ventilation**
- Internal Circulation: Four 750W high-temperature fans (one per zone)
- Exhaust System: Two adjustable exhaust dampers (one per two zones)

**6. Construction & Materials**
- Exterior: T1.2mm cold-rolled steel, powder-coated (computer white)
- Interior: T1.2mm stainless steel
- Insulation: Compressed high-temperature ceramic fiber wool
- Cover Mechanism: One pneumatic lift cylinder per zone + one air filter-water separator (FRL unit) at air inlet

**7. Control & Safety**
- Temperature Controller: RKC PID digital indicator/controller
- Safety Features: Motor overload protection, phase failure protection, ammeters, main switch
- Design: Enclosed "wrap-around" structure for aesthetics and safety

**8. Included Spare Parts**
- 10 quartz tubes
- 1 PTFE conveyor belt

Tamprinter only focuses on one thing: how to make your label and sticker screen printing work choose a better set of equipment solutions.

Company Profile

SHENZHEN TAMPRINTER PRINTING MACHINERY CO.,LTD. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Tamprinter printing machinery group limited designed to take up the invenstment ,design and construction of the most professional plastic sheet and paper screen printing machinery for world. We have supplied OEM service for the domestic counterparts since 2003. OEM products have been achieved CE certification. 

Tamprinter printing machinery group limited  (referred to as: Tamprinter brand printer supplier) is one of the first settled Made-In-China labels &  stickers screen printing machinery foreign trade service market cross-border electricity providers.
Tamprinter are Made-In-China,Diytrade Gold service provider, has service throughout the printing industry of more than 85 country. 
The main business is providing one-stop solution, mainly offer  Screen Printing Complete Equipment for service for the manufacturer of technical labels, stickers, labels. such as Aluminium labels printing ,Aluminium ceiling auto screen print, stainless labels printing, polycarbonate labels screen printing, brass signs screen printing, PVC signs embossing,3M self-adhesive stickers printing market. . . Etc.

In March 2013 the company strategic upgrades, invested Three  millions to build a new printer factory , the depth of integration of B2B, the rich resources, the establishment of professional project team operates its own brand - TAMPRINTER, development of screen printing machinery products, to sheet  screen printing equipments as an opportunity to develop more new business models and the extension of explosive force. We always adhere to the user first value and service concept, and strive to become the most word-of-mouth electricity supplier, and strive for service millions of labels and stickers manufacturer .

 

Original intention(bodhicitta-samutpada):

People oriented management in enterprise, Good business is business for responsibility, People share prosperity and responsibility together!

 

Key products:  

Screen printing machine,UV curing machine, IR tunnel dryer.