How is drip irrigation tape produced? Step‑by‑Step Guide & Best Practices
🔧 Introduction Drip irrigation tape, a flat plastic hose with built‑in emitters, is a cornerstone of water-efficient agriculture. This article explores its full production workflow —from raw material handling to precision extrusion, emitter assembly, and packaging. You'll gain insight into key equipment, quality controls, and industry benchmarks. 1. Raw Material Preparation Plastic resin blending : HDPE or LLDPE granules are blended with UV stabilizers and carbon black for longevity. Drying process : The blend is dried to remove moisture, ensuring stable extrusion. 2. Extrusion & Tube Formation High-capacity extruder melts the resin into a tubular film. The polymer flows through a flat or tubular die forming the tape body—wall thickness ranging from 0.15–1.2 mm and widths of 16–22 mm . 3. Dripper/Efflux Integration Emitter placement : Pre-manufactured dripper cores are inserted onto the still-hot film via conveyor, then laminated using heated rollers . ...