TAM
Hot & cold perforation
Complete perforation machines for film, foil and non-wovens — from a modular device to a full line.
Published capabilities
From a simple device to a complete machine
Tambula describes itself as a system partner, going from the simple device through to the complete machine. In practice that covers four things: modular perforation devices you build into your own line, complete hot perforation machines, a patented cold process for elastic films, and special machinery.
Complete machines are engineered for micro-perforation of foil, paper, foam rubber or metal, and can be built for working widths of up to 4 metres.
Hot perforation machines
Holes are melted rather than punched, which gives a clean, consistent hole in film and non-woven. The spiked roller is normally mounted above the backing roll so it stays reachable for cleaning and maintenance.
Working widths to 4 metres
Machines are built to the width your line needs, up to a maximum of 4 m.
Temperatures to 350 °C
Hot perforation units are built for special materials such as synthetic leather and foils at temperatures up to 350 °C.
Backing roll to suit the hole
Brush rollers for large penetration depths and large holes; rubber rollers for micro-perforation and high pressures.
Servo geared motors only
For best control performance Tambula uses servo geared motors exclusively. Speed reference comes from the central control as an analog value or over bus.
Depth control
The backing roll is lifted pneumatically or hydraulically depending on the pressure needed, with adjustable limit stops for variable perforation depths.
Segmented temperature control
Temperature is measured on the perforation roller surface. With electric heating, roller segments are controlled separately to compensate for faster cooling at the margins.
Three heating methods, compared
| Method | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Outside infrared | Inexpensive; simple; effective heating of the pin points | Moderate heat supply; difficult to measure and control; fire danger from an exposed thermal source (≥ 650 °C) |
| Inner electric | High heat input; cost effective; no moving parts; no maintenance; no fire danger; high efficiency | Thermal distance until the pin points are heated; control difficult because of potentially large hysteresis and irregularities |
| Inner heat-transfer oil | Good control characteristics; low risk of overheating; suits sensitive material needing precise temperature control | High cost; rotary feedthrough wears out; risk of leakage; careful maintenance needed; low efficiency |
Tambula publishes the trade-offs for all three rather than pushing one. Which suits you depends on material sensitivity, required temperature and how tightly the process must be controlled.
Built to be threaded while hot
Shielded during threading
The perforation roller is shielded while threading, so material can be inserted safely even when the roller is hot.
Monitored interlocks
A safety control monitors all doors and the roller shield.
Monitored heating segments
With electrical heating, every heating segment can be controlled and monitored separately.
Reachable from above
The spiked roller is easily reachable from above for cleaning and pin inspection.
Options: penetration depth adjustment via servo motors; length compensation for constant web tension; torque-controlled draw roll for densely pinned rollers and thick materials; complete surface temperature monitoring; remote control; touch screen operation; machine unit on wheels for easy relocation.
Cold perforation of extensible films
Elastic films are difficult to perforate cleanly. The film catches on the pins and wraps around them until small dome-like “caps” form and tear out — which produces fine perforation dust that disturbs downstream processes, and leaves hole diameters noticeably uneven.
A well-known elastic-film manufacturer brought this problem to Tambula. The answer was a two-stage process, which has since been patented.
Pre-weaken the film
The first stage makes only a slight perforation. This pre-weakening significantly reduces the film's resistance before the hole is actually formed.
Perforate at lower force
The second, deeper perforation is then carried out with significantly less force. Friction is reduced, bead formation is largely prevented, and material abrasion is visibly reduced — which can potentially save on suction.
The holes are produced by piercing the film rather than tearing it out under stretch. The machine uses a powerful servo motor for precise force control and consistent process stability over long runs. It is built as a compact, integrated unit that is easy to move, with all electronics mounted directly on the frame — a plug-and-play system ready for use without complicated installation.
Perforation devices, bag perforation and special machinery
Modular perforation devices
The lowest-cost route to integrating perforation into your own machine. Any working width, optional manual or pneumatic distance setting, exact depth setting, and quick changeover between machines. Commercially available brush rollers are normally used as counter-pressure rollers, and the rollers are covered for working safety.
Bag perforation machines
Special machines for hot perforation of bag film. Integrated in the manufacturing line, they perforate only the viewing windows of the bags and leave the border areas unperforated — holes are melted with steel spiked rollers at high temperature.
Special machinery
For high perforation depth through multilayer strong material in a predefined horizontal pattern. Different axial layers and several sliding perforation units can be integrated, with locking and interlocking to prevent incorrect positioning.
Freely selectable geometry
On special machinery, device width, number of perforation units, pin density and pin size are freely selectable within technological and physical limits. The grooved roller is almost wear-free.
Machines in detail
What these machines process
Works well with
- VAREX II (Windmöller & Hölscher) — Produce the film these machines perforate.
- PrimeSlitter (Kampf) — Slit the perforated web to finished width.
- Needle perforation machines (AFS) — Inline hot-needle perforation machines for breathable film, as a complete line unit.
Interested in a Tambula perforation machine?
Speak to our machinery specialists in Pakistan for a tailored quotation.
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