MDO (Machine Direction Orientation)

Film orientation lines

With over 25 years of experience in monoaxial stretching, we are the pioneers in MDO technology
The one-of-a-kind TRIO technology “Trim Reduction for Inline Orientation” provides significant material savings in edge trimming
Superior MDO film quality with outstanding processability, optimized flatness and no hanging edges thanks to our new vacuum technology

Produce blocked and double flat film on Hosokawa Alpine blown film lines and benefit from maximum flexibility for your production.

Our experts will be happy to advise you — contact us!

Improve film properties & save material costs

Monoaxial film orientation lines allow the improvement of selected film properties to suit specific application.

Optical properties
Haze and clarity
Stiffness

Machinability
Barrier properties
Shrink properties

Save material costs in the production of packaging films.

Reduced thickness
Reduced material requirement
With properties similar to non-oriented film

MDO vacuum technology

Optimized flatness for excellent processability

Neck-in reduction by up to 70%
Significantly improved flatness
Perfectly prepared for lamination or printing
Outstanding roll quality

MDO process

Principle of operation

The MDO film orientation process is divided into four phases: heating, stretching, annealing and cooling. Depending on the application, the MDO is based on an 8, 10 or 12 roller concept.

1. Heating phase (2 or 4 rollers)
The film is conveyed on heated rollers to obtain the required temperature.

2. Stretching phase (2 rollers)
The heated film is stretched between two rollers to obtain the required stretching ratio.

3. Annealing phase (2 or 4 rollers)
Annealing rolls reduce the stresses created during the orientation process.

4. Cooling phase (2 or 4 rollers)
The film cools down and compensates for thermal shrinkage.

Technical details

Available layflats	1,600 / 2,000 / 2,600 / 3,000 mm
Film speed inlet	up to 130 m/min
Film speed outlet	300 m/min
Stepless orientation ratio	up to 1:10
Individual heating of the rollers with water tempering unit	easy handling, safety, better heat transfer max. processing temperature 130°C
Individual heating of the rollers with oil tempering unit	when higher temperatures are required max. processing temperature 150°C