Blown and Cast Film Extrusion Course

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Attendees will benefit by receiving a better understanding of film extrusion technology and the ability to use this information to improve existing film extrusion processes.

In this introductory-to-intermediate level course, participants will learn about common resins used, and equipment from the extruder through to the winder utilized in both Blown and Cast Film applications processes. In addition there will be discussions on troubleshooting problems such as occurrence of gels, and winding defects. Experts in the field will discuss commonly faced problems in the cast film and blown film industry. Please bring your questions to the class, as it is conducted in an interactive format with the attendees.

Who Should Attend?

• Extrusion Engineers, Extrusion Supervisors, and Packaging Engineers
• Extrusion Line Operators
• R & D Personnel
• Technical Service Personnel
• Technical Directors, Superintendents, and Technical Assistants
• Blown Film Converters
• Cast Film Converters
• Equipment and Resin Suppliers
• Auxiliary Equipment Suppliers
• Process Engineers
• Quality Control Personnel
• Plant Managers
• Set-up Technicians
• Purchasing Managers

For maximum benefit, participants should have a very basic knowledge of film extrusion coating technology and the ability to use this information to improve existing film extrusion processes.

This course is designed to help participants learn to:

• Understand properties and processing issues of various film resin
• Identify capabilities, specifications, and limitations of various film extrusion & winding equipment components
• Evaluate equipment and resin requirements for differing co-extrusion application
• Methodically approach processing problems and gel issues during extrusion
• Comprehend terminology, general theory, and troubleshooting techniques used in designing extrusion screws
• Address safety concerns in extrusion processes

Scott B. Marks – Dow Chemical – Film Extrusion Course Chair

Scott B. Marks is currently a Senior Technical Consultant in Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics. Since 1984, Scott has been as an active member of TAPPI's IFPE Division (formerly called PLACE in 2001-2016, and PLC in 1984-2000). He has served as co-chair of the International Planning Committee, has held all the Division Council positions, remains a Chair Emeritus of the Division, and serves as Council Member At-Large. He remains active on the Technical and Products committees.  Scott has served multiple times as session chair in the Tappi PLACE conference, presented in conferences and symposiums, and currently chairs the Peer Review team for the conference. He has been an instructor in the Extrusion Coating Short Course and the Film Extrusion course for many years, as well as leader of both courses on multiple occasions. Scott also has received both IFPE’s major awards, the Division Leadership Award (2000) and the Technical Leadership Award (2022).

Scott holds degrees in mechanical engineering and business administration from Rutgers University of New Jersey. After graduating from Rutgers in 1982, he joined DuPont, and worked in several engineering and technical positions. From 1986 through 2008, Scott worked for DuPont's packaging materials business covering the Asia-Pacific region performing technical troubleshooting, market development, application development, training (both internal and external), and mentoring new sales personnel. He specializes in coextrusion processes of blown film, cast film, extrusion coating/laminating, sheet, and tubing. He also is experienced with end-use equipment used in packaging and other industrial applications. From April 2008 through August 2017 Scott worked on several revitalization projects in DuPont's Lab Extrusion Facilities specifying and commissioning new extrusion equipment.  Scott also assists customers in specifications for extrusion lines. In April 2019, Scott transitioned from DuPont to Dow along with the Packaging & Industrial Polymers business, now known as the High Pressure Copolymers group within Dow’s P&SP business unit.  He continues to be a key member for global technical support of co-extrudable adhesive polymers, and all the HPC polymers moved from DuPont to Dow. He consults on technical applications with North American and International extrusion converters and conducts global training programs internally and externally for technical proficiency.

David Anzini - Macro Engineering & Technology Inc. as the Technical Sales Manager

Dave works for Macro Engineering & Technology Inc. as the Technical Sales Manager for the Northeast and Southeast regions of the US, with an office in Fort Mill, South Carolina. 

Macro Engineering is a global supplier of systems, components and services for value-added films and sheet for food packaging, medical, industrial and consumer products markets.

Prior to this, Dave has held various positions at Celgard, Zip-Pak, Pactiv, Conwed Plastics, and Mobil Chemical.  He holds an MS and a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Connecticut and has spent 40-plus years in the plastics and packaging industries.  Dave holds multiple patents and has several patent applications pending.  He is a member of the Association of Roll to Roll Converters, the Plastics Pioneers Association, and is as an Honored Service Member of the Society of Plastics Engineers, where he serves on the Extrusion Division Board of Directors.

Andy Christie - SAM North America

Andy Christie is currently Managing Director of SAM North America. This company is the sales, service, and support group of SAM (Sung An Machinery), a South Korean converting machinery manufacturer of printing, coating, laminating, and extrusion coating machinery. SAM North America, is sales and service organization for North and South America, and operates a state of the art high speed co-extrusion coating and laminating line with up to 14 layer co-extrusion for converter customers product development needs.

Prior to working for SAM, in 2002 had Andy founded Optex Process Solutions, an extrusion process consultancy. Optex provided extrusion system design and technical process support to the continuous extrusion converting industry, particularly coatings and films. Optex worked with OEM's as well as packaging and specialty converters worldwide until 2016 when it discontinued operation due to the growth of SAM's American business.

Prior to starting Optex, Andy spent 15 years with Black Clawson Converting Machinery in engineering design, applications, and management. After graduating with his BSME degree from Rochester Institute of Technology he held various machine design engineering positions at several companies.

Andy has been active in SPE & TAPPI where he has authored, co-authored, and presented at many conferences and symposiums. He is a past Chair of the TAPPI Film Extrusion Committee, and has been a co-instructor at several TAPPI short courses. He is the inventor of three US Patents relating to screw design and a co-extrusion feed-block, and has an additional patent application pending for an improved extruder screw mixing device. Andy lives in the heart of New York State with his wife Mary. They enjoy outdoor activities with their two sons families including their three grandchildren.

Vipul Padman - Berry Global

Vipul Padman is a Principal Engineer II at Berry Global in Mason, OH. He received his Bachelor's degree from Pune University, India in Polymer Engineering and his Ph.D. from the University of Southern Mississippi in Polymer Science and Engineering. He has also received an MBA degree from Kelley School of Business, Indiana University. His research experience covers various aspects of polymer rheology, cast extrusion processing, extrusion lamination, material selection, formulation design and simulation. While working in the rheology field for more than a decade; he has successfully derived and established several structure-property relationships for a wide range of polymer systems, such as solutions, gels, and colloids. His current focus is largely on understanding polymer melt behavior during extrusion processing. He has successfully established structure-processing relationships of polymer melts and developed models that can predict processing behavior. His expertise includes designing rheological tests and using simulation software to resolve processing issues.

Ted Schnackertz - ScanTech

Ted has over 40 years of experience in the process control industry with real-time on-line measurement and control systems in the paper and plastics industry. He has held positions as a field engineer, systems engineer, project manager, and applications engineer. Ted studied electronics engineering at CCNY (New York) and electrical engineering at Lowell Institute of Technology in Lowell, MA. Ted is a TAPPI member and has instructed in a variety of Short Courses and delivered TAPPI PLACE conference papers since 1998.

Andy Svenningsen -  Nordson Extrusion Dies Industries, LLC

Andy Svenningsen is an application engineer with Nordson Extrusion Dies Industries, LLC, part of the Nordson Polymer Processing Systems line of business. In this role, he serves global EDI® extrusion and fluid coating die system customers by providing the commercial and technical support that enables improved efficiency and performance in their production.

Andy holds dual bachelor’s degrees, in Manufacturing Engineering and Plastics Engineering, from the University of Wisconsin-Stout.

Scott Weber - Lyondell Basell

Scott Weber is an Application Development and Technical Support Engineer at Celanese working in their EVA Polymers group. Scott holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering Technology which he earned at Miami University of Oxford, Ohio. As an industry veteran, Scott has over 25 years of experience in extrusion coating and lamination, blown and cast film which focused on flexible packaging applications. Scott currently has one patent and has been involved in the development of other products that have also been patented during his career. Continuing to help others develop and grow in the industry is very important to Scott. This has led him to become involved with TAPPI. Scott has chaired the TAPPI Extrusion Coating Short course for the past four years and will be chairing again in 2017. Scott resides in West Chester, Ohio his wife Lori. Together they enjoy spending time at Lake Cumberland, Kentucky with their family and friends. Scott is the proud father of two daughters and grandpa of three grandsons.

R. Duane Smith - Davis-Standard

R. Duane Smith is Process Manager, Web Handling & Specialty Winding at Davis-Standard, LLC.  Duane has over 45 years of experience, and is widely known throughout the paper, film and nonwoven industries for his technical knowledge on web handling and winding. He has been awarded two patents in winding. Duane has made over 85 technical presentations, and published over 30 articles in major international trade journals and magazines. He is the author of the Winding Chapter of the TAPPI Film Extrusion Manual and is currently working on the Unwinding/Splicing and Winding chapters of the upcoming 5th edition of the TAPPI Extrusion Coating manual. He has been an instructor at 18 TAPPI short courses and has published three books through TAPPI Press. He is the editor of TAPPI Press' first e-book, The Ultimate Roll and Web Defect Troubleshooting Guide. Duane has been active in TAPPI for over thirty five (35) years. In 2011 Duane was named a TAPPI Fellow by the TAPPI Board of Directors.

Lou Piffer - Davis-Standard

Lou Piffer is currently a Senior Sales Engineer for Davis-Standard LLC, Converting Systems.  He has been with D-S for the past 33 years, mainly in the Field Technical Sales function.  He is currently responsible for sales of cast film, extrusion coating, and liquid coating equipment in the central & southern USA, the Latin American region, and also several Strategic Worldwide accounts. He received a BS in Chemical Engineering from Drexel University in 1985, and has been a proud Dragon ever since.  Lou has been a recipient of the Davis-Standard 'President’s Award', which is given to the top employee in the organization. Lou and his wife Linda currently reside in their beloved 'TreeHouse' in southern Delaware. Lou began teaching in the Tappi Extrusion Coating Short course in 1993, and also began teaching in the Film Extrusion Short course in 2017.  He has consistently received top scores for faculty via course attendee evaluations for both the Extrusion Coating and Film courses. Lou has been very active in Tappi since the late 1980's.  He has written multiple papers, chaired conference sessions, and has contributed chapters to each of the last two Extrusion Coating Manual revisions.  Lou has held all the officer positions in the IFPE Division Council, and is currently a practicing Chair Emeritus.  In 2001, Lou was the recipient of the Division Leadership Award & Andreas Ahlbrandt Prize.

Richard Kanarski - Davis-Standard

Rich Kanarski is a chemical engineer who began his professional career in polymer extrusion process development. He held a process engineering role at Coperion, responsible for conducting twin screw extrusion technology scale-up, various process developments, and developing research programs serving the polyolefin, bio-plastics, food, ceramics, and pharmaceutical industries. Rich than has expanded his process expertise by joining Davis Standard where he focuses on the process development of larger scale polymer converting lines, including the single screw extrusion technology and many of the various upstream and downstream technologies composed in cast film and extrusion coating products. His responsibilities extended on projects across the world and correspondences with people of various cultures, gaining business experiences with a vast network of other polymer professionals and industrialists. Rich has been a member of the SPE Extrusion Division since the beginning of his career in the plastics industry and now serves on the Board of Directors Extrusion Division.

Carmelo Declet-Perez - Dow Chemical

Carmelo Declet-Perez is a Technical Service &    Development Scientist for Dow in the Food and Specialty Packaging in North America.

Carmelo earned a B.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez, and a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Minnesota.  

Carmelo joined Dow in 2014 as part of the Packaging and Specialty Plastics Materials Science R&D group. In this role, Carmelo worked on a variety of polyethylene technologies to correlate materials performance to their structure in the context of various applications.  He has also developed new capabilities and testing methods to validate the value proposition of Dow materials. 

In his current TS&D role Carmelo is responsible for managing Dow’s relationship with several major customers by delivering innovative solutions and technical expertise. Carmelo is also leading a research platform to gain fundamental understanding of multilayer structures and their role in incorporation of recycled material for more sustainable packaging. He also supports development work to establish end-of-life solutions to reduce plastic waste and enable a plastics circular economy.    

John Perdikoulias - Compuplast

John Perdikoulias is a Professional Engineer with over 30 years of experience in the plastics industry. He holds B.Eng. and M.Eng. Degrees from McMaster University and a Ph.D. from the University of Waterloo, Canada.

He is currently president of Compuplast North America, providing simulation software and services to the polymer processing industry worldwide.  From 1985 to 1996, John was R&D Engineer for Brampton Engineering where he was responsible for screw and die design and helped develop the first commercially available 8 and 9 layer blown film dies in the world.

In 1996 he formed Compuplast Canada Inc. as the 1^st North American office for Compuplast International (Czech Republic) which he co-founded in 1990.  In 2003 he formed Compuplast International Inc (USA) to better serve the growing USA client list.

John has been active member of the SPE Ontario Section holding several positions including President.  He is also currently on the SPE Extrusion Division Board of Directors and was been elected as an SPE Honoured Service Member for his contributions to the Society.  He is a frequent presenter at industry conferences and has received best paper awards. In 2017, John was very honored to receive the SPE Extrusion Division’s, Bruce Maddock Award for his contributions to the industry and, most recently, became a Fellow of the SPE. 

John lives in Etobicoke, Ontario with his wife Helen and their 3 children, Petula(25), Georgia (23) and Teddy(21).

Mark Wodrich - Macro Engineering

Mark Wodrich, currently is an Account Executive with Macro Engineering, in charge of sales for the USA.  He is based centrally in the Chicago, Illinois area.   

Prior to joining Macro in 2012, he held a similar position for many years with Brampton Engineering also serving the USA market. Mark has been in the Film Extrusion industry for over 30 years, predominantly working in the sales function as an account executive for equipment manufacturing companies, including Davis-Standard, and for machinery representative K-Incorporated.   He is very knowledgeable about complete extrusion lines, and also on the topic of winders and web handling equipment for retrofits.  Mark has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Technology and has presented at various conferences on the topics of Film Extrusion and Web Handling.

At present Mark and his wife Stacey are keeping themselves young by being in their second phase of child rearing.  They now have two adorable adopted children, after being empty nesters when their elder children finally moved out on their own.  Mark believes round two is easier since he got all the learning done on his older children, and... because children do not come with instruction manuals like Film Extrusion equipment!

Tyler Derus - ITW Pillar Technologies

Tyler Derus completed a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a minor in Business from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He began his career at Bostik, specializing in the development of pressure-sensitive adhesives and later transitioned into business development and strategic marketing, focusing on flexible packaging, tape & label, and end-of-line packaging.

In 2018, Tyler earned an MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, further enhancing his strategic skills. In 2021 Tyler joined ITW as the Business Unit Manager for Pillar Technologies, a manufacturer of corona and plasma surface treatment and induction equipment. Additionally, Tyler oversees ITW Air Management, a leader in compressed air cooling devices (Vortec) and centrifugal blowers for drying and blow-off (Paxton products).

With a proven track record in both science and business, Tyler aims to understand scientific concepts in simple terms, and utilize this understanding to drive better solutions for customers. During his presentation Tyler will review the issues surrounding surface energy in film extrusion and explain the theories of corona and surface treatment.

Robert Kleinschmidt - ITW Pillar Technologies

Robert Kleinschmidt, holds a degree in Tool and Die Design along with a minor in Machine Design from AIT School of Engineering. His career began in 1992 at Pillar Technologies, a company renowned for its corona and plasma surface treatment and induction equipment. 

At Pillar, Robert designed the market's first Universal style treater, allowing end users increasing flexibility in their operations.

In 1995, Robert ventured into the specialty machine field, focusing on hydraulic equipment design for notable firms like John Deer and Tenneco. His expertise was soon recognized, leading to his recruitment back to Pillar Technologies in 1997. The following year, Robert revolutionized the Narrow Web corona treater, earning a patent for its multifaceted design, which included novel features like hands-free high voltage and single-point gap adjustment.

Since his return to ITW Pillar Technologies, Robert has been a key innovator in Corona and Plasma Treater technology. He has amassed an impressive portfolio of patents and accolades, thanks to his groundbreaking work in the field. His role extends beyond design; he is integral in the initial stages of client engagement for specialized equipment.

Elevated to the position of engineering manager in 2015, Robert steers the Pillar engineering team with his commitment to excellence and customer service, with expansive 30-years of experience to draw upon. Robert is set to share his extensive knowledge and insights during his presentation, focusing on the mechanics and applications of corona and surface treatment.

Olivier Catherine - ExxonMobil

Olivier Catherine is a Polyethylene Customer Application and Development Engineer with ExxonMobil, based in Baytown Texas, since April 2023. In his current role, Olivier is responsible for the technical relationship of various customers with flexible packaging applications.

Prior to this, Olivier was the Technical Director at Cloeren Incorporated (Orange, TX) a leading supplier of coextrusion solutions for cast film, extrusion coating and sheet. For over thirteen years, Olivier’s main focus was to develop flow channel designs, performing intricate flow models, and characterize complex flow behaviors through rheology. He was also supporting customers globally with their technical projects, and assisting Cloeren’s Global Sales Team in order to grow market shares through technical expertise.

From 2004 to 2010, Olivier worked as a Senior Research Engineer at Saint-Gobain Research America, located in Northborough, MA, where he developed modeling tools for injection molding and extrusion, and participated in various polymer and ceramic processing projects.

Throughout his career, Olivier has been an enthusiastic speaker at conferences, seminars and webinars, including TAPPI, SPE and AMI conferences. He is currently the Vice Chair of the IFPED Technical Team for the 2024 FlexPack PLACE Conference, and is a member of the Board of Directors for SPE Extrusion Division.

Olivier graduated from ParisTech Mines (France) in 2001, and holds a MS degree in Materials Science.

John Chalmers - Cloeren Incorporated

John Chalmers began his career with Cloeren Incorporated in 1986 after graduating from Lamar University. He started in engineering roles, serving as both Designer and Project Manager, before moving into technical sales in the mid-1990s.

Over the years, John has held a variety of sales and marketing positions, ultimately becoming Global Sales Director and now serving as Vice President of Sales.

With more than 35 years of experience, John has worked with clients and partners around the world and has played a key role in shaping Cloeren’s global reputation for innovation in coextrusion flat film, sheet, and extrusion coating tooling technology.

His deep technical knowledge and international experience continue to support Cloeren’s mission of delivering world-class extrusion solutions to the global plastics industry.

Ranadip Ganguly - ExxonMobi

Ranadip has 10+ years of professional experience in polyolefin product and application development. He has published more than 15 patents and publications in peer reviewed journals. Ranadip has a Ph.D. in Polymer Engineering from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst and executive management education from the Wharton School.

Mike Rutkowske - The Dow Chemical Company

Mike Rutkowske is an Associate TS&D Scientist with 20 years of experience in polymer research and technical development at The Dow Chemical Company.  The primary focus of his career has been centered around improvements in operational discipline and fundamental process analyzation for both small- and large-scale packaging/extrusion equipment.  His practical application expertise includes blown film, twin-screw extrusion, extrusion coating/lamination, and various types of packaging conversion machinery.  As a coordinator for the Pack Studios campus in Freeport, Texas, Mike was responsible for training new operators and engineers, method development, improving workflow, machine safety, and mechanical troubleshooting/design. In his current role, Mike is the North American application development lead for machine direction oriented (MDO) films and supports efforts to implement targeted machinability requirements for future sustainable packaging designs.

Mike is an author of one patent and has extensive experience with optimizing polymer fabrication processes and equipment for efficiency, reliability, and quality.  Mike holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology from The University of Houston.

Josh Heidebrecht - NOVA Chemical

Josh Heidebrecht is a Research Scientist for NOVA Chemicals’ Product Safety and Additives Technology team located in Calgary, Alberta. He has been with NOVA Chemicals’ for over 6 years and currently focuses on evaluating emerging additive technologies for polyethylene application, particularly those tailored toward PFAS replacement or improving recyclability. Josh also provides technical support to customers on additive-related issues and collaborates with manufacturing to implement new technologies.

Paul Carter - Advanced Blending Solutions

Paul Carter is the Regional Sales Manager for Canada at Advanced Blending Solutions, an industry-leading supplier of blending and convey equipment to the extrusion and compounding industries. Blown film machinery veteran Carter has over 35 years of experience in the extrusion industry, with a strong focus on engineering, manufacturing, and project management. He previously held various technical roles at extrusion machinery manufacturers in the greater Toronto area. Paul is a Certified Engineering Technician (Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians & Technologists) and a Certified Sales Professional (Canadian Professional Sales Association).

Tuesday, March 24th

8:00 - 8:15 AM: General Welcome, Course Overview, and TAPPI Antitrust Policy
Scott Marks / Carmelo Declet-Perez --- Dow Chemical

8:15 - 9:00 AM: Intro to Product Structures and Terminology
Carmelo Declet-Perez / Scott Marks --- Dow Chemical

9:00 – 10:15 AM: Polyethylene for Blown & Cast Film: LD, HD, LMD, LLD, ULD, VLD, Plastomer/Elastomer
Mike Rutkowske --- Dow Chemical

10:15 – 10:30 AM:  Short Break

10:30 – 11:15 AM: Polypropylene for Blown & Cast Film Extrusion
Olivier Catherine  & Ranadip Ganguly - ExxonMobil Chemical

11:15 AM – 12:00 PM: Additives for Films: Slip, Antiblock, Antioxidant, Antifog, etc...
Josh Heidebrecht --- Nova Chemical

12:00 – 1:00 PM:  Lunch Break

1:00 – 2:00 PM: Specialty Resins for Blown & Cast Film Extrusion
Carmelo Declet-Perez / Scott Marks --- Dow Chemical

2:00 – 2:45 PM: Understanding Rheology for Processing, & Hot-Stage Microscopy for Troubleshooting
Vipul Padman --- BerryGlobal

2:45 – 3:00 PM:  Short Break

3:00 – 3:45 PM: Resin Conveying & Blending Technologies for Blown & Cast Film Extrusion
Paul Carter --- ABS (Advanced Blending Solutions LLC)

3:45 – 4:30 PM: Extruder Designs & Configurations for Blown vs Cast Film Extrusion
Rich Kanarski --- Davis Standard

4:30 – 5:15 PM: Extrusion Processing: Safety around the Extruder & Polymer Processing Troubleshooting
Scott Weber --- LyondellBasell

5:30 – 7:00 PM: Evening activity (To Be Determined)

Wednesday, March 25th

8:00 – 8:15 AM: Welcome, Housekeeping, Reminders, etc.

8:15 – 9:00 AM: Screw Designs for Blown vs Cast Film Extrusion
Andy Christie --- SAM North America

9:00 – 9:45 AM: Cast Film Feedblock Technologies: Fixed Plane, Movable Vanes, Layer Multipliers and Nanolayer
Andy Svenningsen --- Nordson Corp.

9:45 – 10:00 AM:  Short Break

10:00 – 10:45 AM: Cast Film Die Technologies: Manifold styles, External Deckles, Internal Deckles
John Chalmers --- Cloeren Incorporated

10:45 AM – 12:00 PM: Blown Film Die Technologies Nested Spirals, Stacked Plates, Stacked Cones, Nano-Layer, IBC vs non-IBC designs
John Perdikoulias --- Compuplast

12:00 – 1:15 PM:  Lunch Break

1:15 – 2:00 PM: Air Rings for Blown Film: Single/Dual/Triple lip; Fixed/Elevating/Stacked; Auto adjusting air rings (for gauge control)
David Anzini --- Macro Engineering

2:00 – 2:45 PM: Film Casting Section configurations: Vacuum boxes, air knifes, soft boxes, embossing, etc.
Lou Piffer --- Davis Standard

2:45 – 3:00 PM:  Short Break

3:00 – 3:45 PML Processing Parameters... Beyond the Die; Influence for Blown & Cast Film Properties
Mike Rutkowske --- Dow Chemical

3:45 – 4:30 PM Extruder System Resin Transitions & Purging
Scott Marks / Carmelo Declet-Perez --- Dow Chemical

4:30 PM – Midnight:  Evening on your own

Thursday, March 26th

8:00 – 8:15 AM: Welcome, Housekeeping, Reminders, etc.

8:15 – 9:00 AM: Blown Film Haul-Off systems: Bubble Cages (stabilizers and bubble sizing systems); Collapsing Systems (rollers/slats/covered slats); Horizontal & Vertical oscillating systems
David Anzini --- Macro Engineering

9:00 – 9:45 AM: Corona & Plasma Treating Systems for Blown & Cast Film Extrusion
Tyler Derus & Robert Kleinschmidt - ITW Pillar

9:45 - 10:00 AM:  Short Break

10:00 – 10:45 AM: Online Gauging Measurement for Blown & Cast Film Extrusion
Ted Schnackertz / David Atkinson --- Scantech 

10:45 – 11:30 AM: Tools for Process Improvement
Andy Christie --- SAM North America

11:30 AM – 1:00 PM:   Lunch Break
* Allows extra time for those checking out.

1:00 – 2:00 PM: Winders for Blown & Cast Film: Surface, Center, Center-Surface, Gap Mode winding, Shafted vs Shaftless, etc...
Mark Wodrich --- Macro Engineering

2:00 – 2:45 PM: Extrusion Processing: Troubleshooting Gels and Various Other Issues
Lou Piffer --- Davis Standard

2:45 – 3:00 PM:   Short Break

3:00 – 4:30 PM: Web Handling/Winding in Blown & Cast Film: Challenges and Case Study Examples
Duane Smith --- Davis Standard

4:30 – 4:45 PM: Turn in Evaluations / Hand out Certificates

4:45 PM: End of Class

Cancellation Policy:

If you find that you have to cancel, your full registration fee will be refunded if TAPPI’s Registration Department receives written notification (fax acceptable at  +1.770.209.7206 by (Feb 23, 2026). 

Please note: There will be a 50% refund for all written cancellations made after (Feb 23, 2026) but no later than 5 business days prior to the start of the course (March 12 2026). 

Understandably, after March 12 2026, no refunds can be issued.

Substitutions, however, will be accepted any time without a penalty.

Refund:

• 100% - Cancellation received by (Feb 23, 2026)

• 50% -  Cancellations received after (Feb 23, 2026) and no later than (March 12, 2026). 

• NO REFUND- Cancellations received after (March 12, 2026).

TAPPI Press is known as an industry leader for publishing reliable and practical publications and training products created and peer reviewed by industry experts for professionals and students alike. 

Course attendees can take advantage of a 15% discount on TAPPI Press Publications when ordering with registration.  This is a great time to refresh or master new skills and restock your corporate or personal library.

Purchase with registration and receive a 15% discount. Pick-up onsite at the event and SAVE ON SHIPPING!  

These titles have been selected just for this event: 

Ultimate Roll and Web Defect Troubleshooting Guide
Member:  $135               
Non-member:  $176   

Extrusion Coating Manual, fifth Edition
Member:  $174            
Non-member:  $227                    

Film Extrusion Manual, Third Edition
Member:  $174           
Non-member:  $227

Mechanics of Rollers  
Member:  $74                 
Non-member:  $111            

Winding Machines Mechanics and Measurements
Member:  $173                
Non-member:  $227

Web Handling Handbook                                                                     
Member:  $258               
Non-member:  $258