Case Studies

The Challenge

A manufacturer of quality terrace covers for domestic and commercial use, with large see-through walls and windows in crystal (clear) PVC, commissioned the development of a solution to stabilize this challenging material. When exposed to sunlight and heat, crystal PVC can shrink and ruffles, creating ugly crinkles in the end-product. This shrinking can be serious in large crystal PVC sheets, so much even that the sides where a keder or a zipper is welded are pulled out of the structure.

Poor-quality systems used to stabilize crystal PVC can age and stiffen the fabric, giving the end-product a yellowish color. This customer requested a solution that would have left the fabric perfectly transparent, clear, flexible and completely stable.

The Solution

To solve the problem of shrinking crystal PVC, SolarEdge Automation Machines developed a manufacturing solution for the just-in-time (JIT) heat treatment of single PVC sheets. During the treatment with infrared light and cold air, the clear PVC shrinks in one direction while expanding in the other. At the end of the cycle, the sheet is perfectly flat and stable, with the ability to be welded or sewn into finished products such as terrace covers, veranda covers, or industrial speed doors. The material no longer shrinks, even when exposed to extreme hot or cold weather.

We installed our stabilization solution on the SM-400-TA Dual Axis Cutting Machine. Originally designed to cut X-Y patterns out of specialty fabrics typically used in the awning industry, its powerful engineering design, high-speed brushless motors, and high-quality cutting tools make this machine the ideal solution to stabilize crystal PVC.

Our crystal PVC stabilizing machine works straight from the roll, automatically spreading the panel at the programmed length on a heat-resistant work-top. The crystal PVC is then treated according to a memorized stabilization method.

With SolarEdge Automation Machines’ PVC stabilization system, this customer is now able to produce high-end, transparent terrace covers that will remain stable and will not crinkle, even after installation.