APET, PETG, CPET Sheet Extrusion Line — CX Series Plastic Sheet Production System

Product Overview

The CX Series APET/PETG/CPET Sheet Extrusion Line is a fully integrated continuous production system engineered by Chenxing Machinery for the high-volume manufacturing of rigid and semi-rigid polyester sheets. Designed around a single-screw extrusion core combined with a T-die, calendaring roller stack, and precision cooling train, the line delivers consistent gauge control across the full 0.20–1.5 mm thickness spectrum at throughputs ranging from 450 to 800 kg/h.

Three polyester material families are natively supported on a single platform:

• APET (Amorphous Polyethylene Terephthalate): High optical clarity and excellent rigidity, making it the material of choice for cold beverage cups, fruit trays, fresh-produce containers, cake boxes, and sushi packaging. APET sheets exhibit glass-like transparency with good drop-impact resistance at chilled temperatures.

• PETG (Glycol-modified PET): Superior toughness and deep-draw thermoforming behavior. PETG flows readily into complex cavity geometries without stress whitening, ideal for cosmetic insert trays, retail display stands, and anti-static electronics handling trays.

• CPET (Crystalline PET): Heat-deflection capability up to 220°C combined with low-temperature impact strength, enabling dual-ovenable applications—microwave meal trays, baking dishes, and frozen-food containers that transition directly from freezer to oven.

The CX Series accepts virgin resin, in-house regrind, and post-industrial recycled (PIR) flake, supporting the circular-economy targets of modern packaging converters. Optional multi-layer co-extrusion (3- or 5-layer) enables functional layer engineering—barrier, adhesive tie, seal-peel, and high-gloss cap layers—without post-extrusion lamination steps.

Compared with conventional sheet extrusion lines, the CX Series reduces changeover downtime through modular barrel sections and quick-disconnect die adapters, allowing a single line to serve multiple packaging formats within the same shift.

Complete Production Line Layout

The CX Series is built around nine integrated functional stations, each designed for independent maintenance and future upgrade without disassembling adjacent modules.

Extrusion & Feeding Section

Raw material enters through a screw feeder / automatic feeding machine paired with a high-speed mixer that homogenizes virgin pellets with regrind, color masterbatch, and processing aids before delivery to the hopper. The main extruder features a barrier-flight screw with tailored L/D ratio and compression ratio for polyester processing. Barrel heating is segmented across feed, compression, and metering zones, each regulated by a composite thermal management system—ceramic band heaters for rapid ramp-up, forced-air cooling for overshoot suppression, and jacketed water channels for sustained thermal stability. A hydraulic screen changer protects downstream tooling by capturing gels and contaminants before the melt enters the die manifold.

For multi-layer configurations, one or two satellite co-extruders feed the combining block independently, enabling dissimilar materials (e.g., virgin APET cap layer over recycled CPET core) with precise layer-ratio control. This architecture leverages the same co-extrusion expertise deployed across Chenxing's full range of extrusion solutions.

Calendering & Cooling Section

The melt exits through a T-type coat-hanger die optimized for uniform transverse melt distribution at the target sheet width (customizable from 1.2 to 1.8 m). The web immediately enters a vertical or inclined three-roll calendaring stack with polished stainless-steel rollers driven by hydraulic servo-positioning. Gap force is closed-loop controlled to ±1 μm repeatability, ensuring surface gloss and thickness uniformity across the full coil length.

Downstream, a dual-sided cooling train—water-bath immersion and/or chilled contact rolls served by an SML water-cooled chiller or SML air-cooled chiller / industrial chiller—quenches the sheet below its glass-transition temperature before the haul-off nip, preventing sag, curl, and post-crystallization shrinkage.

Haul-off, Winding & Control Section

Constant-tension servo-driven haul-off with rubber-laminated nip rolls pulls the sheet through the cooling train without inducing longitudinal stretch. An in-line thickness gauge feeds real-time data to the PLC, which adjusts haul-off speed and calendaring gap force in a closed control loop.

Finished sheet is wound on an automatic turret winder with edge-guide web steering, pre-set length cut-off, and auto-transfer to a fresh core without interrupting line speed. The entire line—from feeding to winding—is orchestrated through a multi-point HMI + PLC architecture that logs temperature profiles, melt pressure, line speed, and gauge deviation for batch traceability.

Auxiliary systems include a closed-loop cooling-water circuit, vacuum venting for the die zone, and optional dust-extraction and fume-scrubbing modules to meet ISO 14001 environmental compliance.

For converters who also operate downstream size-reduction equipment, Chenxing offers the PC series plastic crusher and SMF series disc grinding pulverizer for in-line edge-trim recovery, plus the ZSQ series linear vibrating screen for classifying regrind before reinjection into the extrusion hopper.

Technical Specifications

Performance Parameters (Three-Model Comparison)

Note: The 110 kW / 45 kW notation for the CX120/65-1000 denotes the main extruder motor (110 kW) plus the co-extruder satellite motor (45 kW). The numbers 120 and 65 in the model designation refer to the respective screw diameters in millimeters.

Material Compatibility Matrix

Model Selection Guide

• CX120-1000 (Single-Layer): Entry-level choice for converters producing monolayer APET or PETG sheet at medium volume (450 kg/h). Lowest capital investment, simplest operation, and fastest commissioning. Ideal for regional packaging suppliers serving fresh-produce and bakery sectors.

• CX120/65-1000 (Multi-Layer Co-Ex): Mid-range workhorse for manufacturers needing functional layer engineering—virgin/recycled ABA structures, seal-peel lid stock, or barrier-enhanced CPET for extended shelf-life. The 500 kg/h throughput balances output with layer-precision control.

• CX150-1500 (High-Efficiency): Top-tier configuration for 24/7 high-volume operations producing commodity-grade APET sheet at 800 kg/h. The 150 mm screw diameter shortens residence time, reduces thermal degradation risk, and lowers specific energy consumption per kilogram of output.

Converters who also run PVC/PE sheet or WPC foam board lines may benefit from Chenxing's broader SBP series sheet line portfolio for a unified equipment supplier strategy.

Key Features

1. High Throughput Efficiency

The CX150-1500 model achieves 800 kg/h maximum output, enabling large-scale continuous production with minimized labor cost per unit. The 150 mm barrier screw with optimized channel depth reduces melt residence time while maintaining homogeneous plastication, translating directly to higher annual tonnage on the same factory footprint.

2. Multi-Layer Co-Extrusion Capability

Optional 3- or 5-layer combining blocks allow converters to engineer functional structures—ABA virgin/recycled/virgin for cost reduction, EVOH barrier core for oxygen-sensitive food, or adhesive tie-layers for peelable lidding—all within a single extrusion pass. This eliminates post-process lamination and reduces total converted cost.

3. Precision Thickness Control

Closed-loop gauge control across 0.20–1.5 mm with in-line scanning feeds real-time correction signals to both the die-bolt heaters and the haul-off speed drive. The hydraulic servo-calendering stack maintains uniform nip force, achieving gauge variation below ±2% of target thickness for thermoforming-grade sheet.

4. Full Automation via PLC Architecture

A multi-point HMI & PLC centralized system provides real-time closed-loop regulation of barrel temperature, melt pressure, line speed, and sheet thickness. Batch-logging functions record every process variable with time stamps, enabling traceability for ISO 22000 / BRC packaging audits. Fault auto-diagnosis and safety interlock routines reduce unplanned downtime.

5. Modular Design for Serviceability

Each functional segment—extruder, die, calendaring stack, cooling train, haul-off, and winder—operates as an independent module with standardized mechanical and electrical interfaces. Individual modules can be maintained, upgraded, or reconfigured without dismantling adjacent stations, minimizing maintenance-related production losses.

6. Broad Material Compatibility

The CX platform processes APET, PETG, and CPET without barrel or screw changes. It also accepts post-industrial regrind and PIR flake at blend ratios validated per resin grade, supporting sustainability targets and reducing raw-material cost. This flexibility extends the line's useful life across evolving packaging-material trends.

7. Energy-Efficient Design

Optimized screw geometry reduces shear heating, lowering the electrical load on barrel heaters. An optional waste-heat recovery system captures thermal energy from the cooling train for preheating incoming raw material or facility hot water, cutting per-kilogram energy consumption by up to 12% in audited installations. Regrind reclamation via a plastic grinding machine or disc grinding pulverizer further reduces virgin-resin demand.

8. Operator Safety & Compliance

Full-perimeter green safety fencing with interlocked access gates and integrated stair platforms ensures compliance with CE and ISO 13849 machinery-safety standards. Emergency-stop circuits are hardwired independently of the PLC, and all high-temperature surfaces are thermally insulated and guarded.

9. Flexible Customization

Sheet width, layer count, automation tier, and auxiliary modules—in-line corona treatment, silicone-coating station, in-line slitting, or printed registration mark insertion—are engineered to order based on the converter's end-market requirements. Chenxing's engineering team works directly with customers from process simulation to factory acceptance testing.

How It Works — Sheet Extrusion Process

The CX Series transforms polyester pellets into finished rolled sheet through seven sequential stages:

Step 1 — Raw Material Conveying: APET/PETG/CPET virgin pellets and measured regrind are transferred from storage silos via a screw feeder into a high-speed mixer. The batch is homogenized and fed into the extruder hopper under controlled moisture conditions to prevent hydrolytic degradation.

Step 2 — Melting & Plastication: Inside the heated barrel, the rotating screw conveys the material forward through three functional zones—feed (solids conveying), compression (melting and de-volatilization), and metering (homogenization and pressure build-up). Barrel temperatures are precisely profiled to achieve complete melting without thermal degradation.

Step 3 — Filtration & Homogenization: The melt passes through a hydraulic screen changer that traps gels, unmelts, and contaminants. A static mixer downstream of the screen pack equalizes melt temperature and pressure before the die entry, eliminating streak defects.

Step 4 — Die Extrusion: The homogenized melt is distributed across the full sheet width by a T-type coat-hanger die. In multi-layer mode, individual melt streams from the main and satellite extruders converge in a combining block and enter the die as a unified multi-layer flow, with each layer maintaining its discrete composition and thickness ratio.

Step 5 — Calendering & Cooling: The molten web is immediately nipped between polished calendaring rolls under hydraulic pressure, imparting surface gloss and setting the target thickness. The sheet then traverses a chilled-roll and/or water-bath cooling section served by an industrial chiller that quenches it below Tg to lock in dimensions.

Step 6 — Haul-off & Gauge Feedback: Constant-tension servo-driven haul-off pulls the solidified sheet at a precisely regulated speed matched to the extrusion rate. An in-line thickness scanner feeds real-time measurements to the PLC, which trims die-bolt temperatures and haul-off speed in a closed loop.

Step 7 — Winding & Packaging: The finished sheet is wound onto cores by an automatic turret winder with web-edge steering and pre-set length cut-off. Completed rolls are labeled with batch traceability data and conveyed to the warehouse, ready for downstream thermoforming, printing, or die-cutting operations.

End-Product Applications & Material Selection Guide

APET Applications — Clarity & Rigidity

APET's glass-like transparency and stiffness make it the standard substrate for consumer-facing rigid packaging where product visibility drives purchase decisions. Typical end products include cold-drink cup lids, fresh-produce clamshell containers, fruit and salad trays, bakery dome covers, and sushi presentation boxes. APET sheet is also widely used for clear folding cartons and blister packaging where the packaged article must remain fully visible.

PETG Applications — Toughness & Deep-Draw Formability

PETG sheet excels in applications requiring aggressive thermoforming without stress whitening. The material's superior elongation accommodates deep-cavity draws typical of cosmetic insert trays, point-of-sale display platforms, medical device trays with complex undercuts, and electronics component handling trays that require static-dissipative additive loading. PETG also bonds readily with solvent adhesives and RF welding, expanding design flexibility for multi-piece assemblies.

CPET Applications — Thermal Resistance & Dual-Ovenable Performance

CPET sheet withstands temperatures from -40°C (freezer storage) to 220°C (conventional oven), enabling ready-meal packaging that moves directly from freezer to microwave or oven without decanting. Key end uses include microwaveable meal trays, airline catering dishes, baking pans, and frozen-food containers for retail and foodservice channels. The material's high crystallinity also imparts excellent chemical resistance to oils, acids, and cleaning agents.

Industry Verticals Served

For converters also serving the building-materials sector, Chenxing's SPC four-roll floor production line and PP hollow construction formwork extrusion line complement the CX Series for a diversified product portfolio. Packaging-focused operations often pair the sheet line with a PP PE hollow grid board line for corrugated plastic packaging containers.

Why Choose Chenxing Machinery CX Series Sheet Lines

Chenxing Machinery brings over two decades of extrusion engineering expertise to every CX Series installation. Unlike generalist equipment suppliers, Chenxing maintains dedicated process laboratories for polyester rheology and co-extrusion simulation, enabling pre-delivery validation of customer-specific formulations and layer structures.

Three factors differentiate the CX Series in the global market:

• Integrated supply chain: The CX Series is supported by Chenxing's full ecosystem of auxiliary equipment—from plastic crushers and pulverizers for edge-trim recovery, to screw feeders and high-speed mixers for material preparation, and industrial chillers for process cooling—all engineered and warrantied by a single manufacturer.

• After-sales responsiveness: Remote diagnostics via PLC VPN, on-site commissioning by factory-trained engineers, and a globally stocked spare-parts inventory minimize commissioning time and post-installation downtime.

• Custom engineering without custom pricing: Chenxing's modular design philosophy means width, layer count, and automation-level configurations are achieved through standard module selection rather than one-off engineering, keeping lead times competitive while delivering application-matched performance.

For extrusion operations that also require downstream pelletizing capability—whether for compounding or recycling—Chenxing's plastic pelletizer and PVC hot-cutting pelletizing line provide seamless integration with the sheet extrusion ecosystem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the difference between APET, PETG, and CPET sheet, and how do I choose the right material for my application?

APET (Amorphous PET) delivers the highest optical clarity and rigidity at the lowest material cost, making it the default substrate for transparent consumer packaging—clamshells, blister packs, and cup lids—where product visibility is paramount. PETG (Glycol-modified PET) trades some stiffness for significantly improved impact toughness and deep-draw thermoforming capability; choose PETG when your part geometry involves aggressive draw ratios, undercuts, or requires post-form bonding. CPET (Crystalline PET) is the material for thermal applications: its 220°C service ceiling supports dual-ovenable ready-meal packaging that transitions directly from freezer to microwave or conventional oven. The CX Series runs all three material families without screw or barrel changes, so converters can serve multiple market segments from a single line. A consultation with Chenxing's application-engineering team is recommended to validate layer structure and additive package before commissioning.

Q2: What is the production capacity of the CX Series, and which model suits my target output?

The CX Series spans three throughput tiers: the CX120-1000 single-layer line delivers up to 450 kg/h, suitable for regional converters producing 2,000–3,000 tonnes annually; the CX120/65-1000 co-extrusion line outputs 500 kg/h with multi-layer capability for converters needing ABA virgin/recycled structures or barrier-enhanced sheet; the CX150-1500 high-efficiency model achieves 800 kg/h for 24/7 commodity-scale operations exceeding 5,000 tonnes per year. Sheet width is independently customizable across all three models (1.2–1.8 m). Chenxing recommends modeling your target product mix, layer count, and annual volume with our process engineering team to right-size the investment and avoid over- or under-specification.

Q3: Can the CX Series process recycled PET (rPET) flake or post-industrial regrind?

The CX Series is engineered for rPET compatibility. The barrier-flight screw geometry with deep-channel feed section accommodates bulk-density variations between virgin pellet and flake. A vented barrel configuration (optional) removes moisture and volatiles from hygroscopic regrind without a separate pre-drying system. The hydraulic screen changer can be specified with finer mesh packs for rPET containing residual label or cap contaminants. Typical validated blend ratios range from 30% to 70% rPET content depending on flake quality and end-product specification. For converters operating dedicated regrind operations, Chenxing's SMF series disc grinding pulverizer and ZSQ vibrating screen provide the preprocessing infrastructure.

Q4: How does multi-layer co-extrusion on the CX120/65-1000 work, and what layer structures are possible?

The CX120/65-1000 employs a feedblock-based combining system: one main extruder (120 mm, 110 kW) plus one or two satellite co-extruders (65 mm each, 45 kW) deliver independent melt streams into a multi-manifold combining block where they are arranged into an ABA, ABC, ABCBA, or custom layer stack before entering the single T-die. Common structures include ABA (virgin/recycled/virgin) for cost-optimized sheet with virgin surface quality; ABC with EVOH barrier core for oxygen-sensitive food packaging; and peel-seal structures where a low-melt-strength skin layer enables easy-open lidding. Layer ratios are adjusted through independent extruder RPM control, giving converters the flexibility to dial in barrier thickness or recycled content without mechanical reconfiguration.

Q5: What auxiliary equipment is required for a complete CX Series sheet production setup?

A production-ready installation typically requires: material handling—screw feeder and high-speed mixer for pellet/regrind blending; process cooling—industrial chiller (air- or water-cooled) sized to the line's heat load; edge-trim recovery—plastic crusher and disc grinding pulverizer with vibrating screen for in-line regrind return; compressed air and vacuum services; and an optional fume-extraction system for CPET processing. Chenxing supplies all auxiliary equipment as a single-source package, ensuring compatibility and single-warranty coverage. A complete utility-connection diagram is provided at the quotation stage.

Q6: What is the typical lead time, installation, and commissioning timeline for a CX Series line?

Standard lead time for a CX120 single-layer model is 90–110 days from order confirmation; CX120/65-1000 co-extrusion and CX150-1500 high-efficiency models add 15–25 days for layer-block and high-torque gearbox fabrication. On-site mechanical installation typically requires 10–14 working days with a crew of 3–4 technicians, plus 5–7 days for electrical termination and I/O check. Process commissioning—from dry-run safety verification through first-quality sheet production—takes an additional 7–10 days led by a Chenxing senior process engineer. Operator training is conducted in parallel during commissioning. Total timeline from crating to commercial production is approximately 18–22 weeks, with Chenxing providing a detailed Gantt schedule at the purchase-agreement stage.

Q7: How does the CX Series compare with European-made sheet extrusion lines in terms of cost-performance ratio?

The CX Series competes on gauge-control precision, throughput efficiency, and build durability with European OEMs at a significantly lower total cost of ownership—typically 40–55% below equivalent European specifications. Key differentiators include: standard inclusion of high-torque gearboxes and servo-driven calendaring (often optional extras on European lines); direct factory pricing without distributor margin; and rapid after-sales support through remote PLC diagnostics that resolve 70%+ of service calls without an on-site visit. For converters producing standard packaging-grade sheet at 450–800 kg/h, the CX Series offers the shortest payback period in its class without sacrificing output quality or uptime reliability.

Inquiry & Quotation

Get Your CX Series Sheet Extrusion Line Proposal in 4 Steps

Step 1 — Share Your Requirements: Tell us your target material (APET/PETG/CPET), desired annual output tonnage, sheet width and thickness range, and whether you need single-layer or multi-layer co-extrusion capability. Include any special requirements—in-line slitting, corona treatment, silicone coating, or rPET blend ratio.

Step 2 — Receive a Tailored Quotation: Our application engineers will select the optimal CX model, configure auxiliary equipment, and deliver a detailed technical-commercial proposal within 3–5 working days, including a 3D plant-layout drawing.

Step 3 — Validate with Process Simulation: For complex multi-layer or rPET applications, Chenxing's process lab can run a small-batch simulation using your target formulation. We share rheology data, optical clarity benchmarks, and gauge-uniformity reports before you commit capital.

Step 4 — Confirm & Commission: Upon order confirmation, we issue a firm delivery schedule, assign a dedicated project manager, and dispatch a factory-trained commissioning team. Production ramp-up support continues until your line achieves nameplate throughput with first-quality output.

Contact Chenxing Machinery today:

• Contact Person: Nicole

• Phone / WhatsApp: +86 15951187228

• Email: ceo@cxsljx.com

• Company: Zhangjiagang Chenxing Machinery Co., Ltd.

• Website: www.chenxingmachinery.com