NRC200 Small Business Machines For Spiral Tube Making

A spiral paper tube making machine is an industrial device that manufactures hollow, cylindrical tubes or cores by spirally winding multiple layers of paper (or other materials) around a mandrel and bonding them with adhesive. This is the most common method for producing strong, consistent, and durable tubes used in everything from fabric rolls to industrial cores.

The "spiral" name comes from the fact that the paper is fed at an angle, creating a helical (spiral) seam, which provides excellent crush resistance and flexibility.

How Does It Work? (Step-by-Step Process)

The process is continuous and can be broken down into several key stages:

1. Unwinding: Large rolls of paper (called "slitting rolls") are mounted on an unwinding stand. Multiple rolls can be used simultaneously to create tubes with several layers for added strength.

2. Slitting & Guiding: The paper webs are slit into the required width, which directly determines the length of the finished tube. The strips are then guided through a series of rollers.

3. Gluing: A precision gluing system applies a controlled amount of adhesive (typically PVA, hot melt, or dextrin) to one or both sides of the paper strips.

4. Spiral Winding (The Core Process): The glued paper strips are fed onto a rotating mandrel (a solid metal bar) at a specific, predetermined angle. The angle of feed and the mandrel's rotation work together to spiral-wrap the paper around the mandrel.

5. Forming & Pressure: As the paper wraps around the mandrel, forming belts or shoes apply consistent pressure to ensure tight winding, eliminate air bubbles, and create a strong bond between the layers.

6. Cutting: Once the tube reaches the desired diameter and wall thickness, it is cut to the required length by a flying saw or a rotary cutter that moves synchronously with the tube as it exits the mandrel.

7. Drying & Ejection: The freshly cut tubes are then conveyed through a drying section (often a multi-tiered drying rack) where the adhesive cures. After sufficient drying, the finished tubes are ejected for collection and packaging.

Key Components of the Machine

• Unwinding Stand: Holds the master paper rolls.

• Paper Guidance System: Includes tension controllers and guides for smooth paper flow.

• Gluing Unit: A critical component with a glue tank, rollers, and applicators for even adhesive distribution.

• Mandrel: The heart of the machine. Its diameter defines the inner diameter (ID) of the tube. Machines often have interchangeable mandrels for different sizes.

• Forming Head: The assembly where the paper is wrapped around the mandrel under pressure.

• Cutting System: A high-precision flying cut-off saw.

• Control System: A PLC (Programmable Logic Controller) and HMI (Human-Machine Interface) panel to set parameters like tube length, production speed, and cutting frequency.

• Drying Rack: A conveyor system that allows tubes to dry without deformation.

Applications of Spiral Wound Tubes & Cores

Spiral tubes are ubiquitous in industrial and consumer packaging:

• Textiles: Cores for yarn, thread, and fabric rolls.

• Packaging: Cores for plastic wrap, aluminum foil, parchment paper, gift wrap, and adhesive tapes.

• Paper Industry: Cores for newsprint, kraft paper, and other roll materials.

• Construction: Sonotubes® for creating concrete pillars and columns.

• Printing: Cores for flexible printing plates and films.

• Shipping & Storage: Protective packaging for documents, posters, and delicate materials.