Product Overview

EXTRUTEX offers the EX-300WG as a dedicated automatic bending machine for manufacturers that need reliable, repeatable production of standard flexible drinking straws. The machine is intended to take previously produced straight straws and create a controlled flexible section through mechanical corrugating and bending. The complete operating sequence reduces manual handling between individual forming steps and allows the machine to maintain a continuous production rhythm.

The EX-300WG supports three common straw inner diameters: 4.8 mm, 5.8 mm and 7.8 mm. It is specified for straw lengths from 180 to 250 mm and wall thicknesses from 0.16 to 0.20 mm. Within the intended operating range, the flexible section can be configured at approximately 30–50 mm, while the folded flexible section length is approximately 8–11 mm. These parameters provide manufacturers with flexibility when developing finished straw designs for beverage service and disposable food-service applications.

Production capacity is approximately 200–280 pcs/min. The frequency-controlled drive allows operating speed to be adjusted according to the incoming straw quality, forming requirements and production target. Automatic counting makes it easier to prepare fixed quantities for packaging, while jam and abnormal-condition protection helps stop the machine before continued operation can damage the forming mechanism.

Automatic Flexible-Straw Forming

The EX-300WG combines several operating stages into one coordinated machine. Straight straws are loaded into the feeding area, automatically positioned and transferred to the forming section. The forming mechanism creates the corrugated flexible area and bends the straw into its finished configuration. After forming, the completed straw is discharged for collection, inspection or packing.

This automated sequence is particularly useful for factories where the volume of straight straws is too high for manual bending. By keeping feeding, forming and discharge synchronized, the machine reduces repetitive operator work and provides a more consistent production cycle. The operator can concentrate on material supply, machine supervision, quality checks and packaging rather than manually performing every bending operation.

Flexible Straw Specifications

Machine Working Principle

The production process begins with straight drinking straws that have already been manufactured and cut to the required dimensions. The operator loads the straws into the machine's feeding system. Automatic feeding then moves the straws into the correct position for forming. Controlled positioning is important because the flexible section must be created at a consistent location on every straw.

Once positioned, the straw passes through the corrugating and forming mechanism. The machine creates repeated deformation along the selected section, producing the characteristic flexible structure. The forming process then bends the straw into the required configuration. The resulting flexible section can be selected within the specified range according to the product design.

After forming, the finished straw is automatically discharged. The integrated counting function records production quantity, allowing operators to organize products into predetermined packing quantities. If a jam or abnormal condition is detected, the machine can stop automatically so that the operator can inspect the feeding and forming area before restarting production.

Speed Control and Production Stability

The EX-300WG uses a frequency-controlled drive system for adjustable operation. The operator can regulate machine speed rather than relying on a single fixed production rate. This is useful when optimizing the machine for different straw diameters, wall thicknesses, incoming material characteristics and packaging requirements.

Actual production output can vary with product dimensions, material quality, machine adjustment, feeding stability and operating conditions. The stated 200–280 pcs/min capacity should therefore be regarded as the specified production range for the intended application rather than a guarantee for every possible straw design.

Automatic Counting and Jam Protection

Automatic counting is an important feature for commercial straw production. Instead of manually counting every finished piece, the machine can track production quantity and support preset batch preparation. This can simplify packing operations and reduce repetitive manual work, particularly when flexible straws are packed in fixed quantities.

Jam protection provides another layer of process control. If an abnormal condition occurs in the feeding or forming process, the machine can stop automatically. The operator can then remove the cause of the jam, check the forming mechanism and restart production. This function helps protect mechanical components and reduces the possibility of producing a large quantity of incorrectly formed straws after a process problem begins.

Standalone or Inline Operation

The EX-300WG can be used as a standalone secondary processing machine or incorporated into a broader straw manufacturing workflow. A manufacturer can produce straight straws on a suitable extrusion and cutting line and then transfer them to the EX-300WG for automatic bending. Finished flexible straws can subsequently move to inspection, counting, individual packing or bulk packaging.

For larger production environments, the machine can be considered as part of a coordinated extrusion, forming and packing system. The exact connection arrangement depends on the customer's upstream straw equipment, downstream packaging equipment, factory layout and required production sequence.

Typical Applications

• Standard flexible drinking straws
• Beverage shop and café straws
• Juice and soft-drink straws
• Disposable catering straws
• Individually packed flexible straws
• Food-service and beverage-service applications
• Inline straw production and packing
• Secondary processing of straight plastic drinking straws

Machine Diagram

Technical Specifications

Production Workflow

A typical production workflow starts with straight drinking straws manufactured to the required diameter, length and wall thickness. The straws are loaded into the EX-300WG feeding area. The machine automatically feeds and positions each straw, performs corrugating and bending, counts the finished product and discharges it from the machine.

This workflow creates a practical division between primary straw production and secondary flexible forming. The upstream extrusion line can concentrate on stable straw dimensions, while the EX-300WG provides the dedicated mechanical forming stage. Such separation can make production planning more flexible because standard straight straws can be accumulated and processed according to customer orders or packing schedules.

Quality and Input Material Considerations

Consistent input straw quality is important for stable operation. The inner diameter, wall thickness, length and straightness of the incoming straw should remain within the specified range. Significant dimensional variation can influence feeding, positioning and forming consistency.

Manufacturers should also maintain clean production conditions. Dust, plastic fragments and foreign material can interfere with moving components or affect the appearance of finished straws. Regular inspection of feeding parts, forming components, drive elements and electrical systems should therefore be included in the production maintenance routine.

Installation and Factory Requirements

The EX-300WG has a stated machine dimension of approximately 1,200 × 1,800 × 1,600 mm. The installation area should provide adequate clearance around the machine for operator access, material loading, finished-product collection, cleaning and maintenance. The factory should also prepare the required electrical supply of 380 V, three phase, according to the final electrical specification confirmed before shipment.

Before commissioning, operators should verify machine level, electrical connections, safety devices, feeding adjustments and forming settings. Trial production with the actual straight straw specification is recommended before full-rate production. Final operating instructions and maintenance procedures supplied with the machine should always take precedence over general recommendations on this page.

EXTRUTEX Engineering and Manufacturing

The EX-300WG Straw Bending Machine is produced by EXTRUTEX with Austria design and engineering, while manufacturing is carried out in China at production facilities in Nanjing and Shanghai. This structure combines Austria-based design input with industrial manufacturing capabilities in China.

EXTRUTEX develops and supplies equipment for plastics processing, extrusion and downstream applications. In straw production, the focus is on practical machinery that can connect with existing extrusion workflows and provide repeatable secondary processing. The EX-300WG reflects this approach by combining automatic feeding, corrugating, forming, counting and discharge in a dedicated machine.

EX-300WG Compared with Higher-Speed Solutions

The EX-300WG is designed around a production range of approximately 200–280 pcs/min and provides three inner-diameter options. It is therefore a suitable choice when the factory needs standard flexible-straw production with a balanced combination of output, flexibility and automatic operation.

For substantially higher output requirements, the EX-900W/G high-speed straw bending machine should be evaluated. Machine selection should be based not only on speed but also on straw diameter, wall thickness, length, flexible-section dimensions, desired product design, available floor space, upstream capacity and downstream packing requirements.

Key Benefits

• Automatic conversion of straight drinking straws into flexible bendable straws.
• Integrated feeding, positioning, corrugating, forming, counting and discharge.
• Production speed of approximately 200–280 pcs/min.
• Supports 4.8 mm, 5.8 mm and 7.8 mm straw inner diameters.
• Supports straw lengths from 180 to 250 mm.
• Supports wall thicknesses from 0.16 to 0.20 mm.
• Flexible section length of approximately 30–50 mm.
• Folded flexible section length of approximately 8–11 mm.
• Frequency-controlled drive for adjustable operating speed.
• Automatic counting for convenient batch preparation and packing.
• Automatic stop protection when a jam or abnormal condition is detected.
• Suitable for standalone operation or integration into a wider straw production workflow.
• EXTRUTEX Austria design with manufacturing in Nanjing and Shanghai, China.

Conclusion

The EX-300WG Straw Bending Machine provides a dedicated automated solution for manufacturers producing standard flexible drinking straws. By integrating feeding, positioning, corrugating, forming, counting and discharge, the machine reduces repetitive manual work and creates a continuous production process from straight straw to finished flexible straw.

With support for 4.8 mm, 5.8 mm and 7.8 mm inner diameters, straw lengths of 180–250 mm, wall thicknesses of 0.16–0.20 mm and production speeds of approximately 200–280 pcs/min, the EX-300WG covers a practical range of commercial flexible-straw applications. Its adjustable flexible section and folded section dimensions provide additional flexibility when developing finished product formats.

For manufacturers that need a balanced automatic bending solution, the EX-300WG can be used as an independent secondary-processing machine or integrated with compatible straw extrusion and packing equipment. For substantially higher production requirements, EXTRUTEX can compare the EX-300WG with the EX-900W/G high-speed model and recommend a configuration based on the customer's actual straw specifications and production target.