On-site Issue
September 2012
Volume 14 | Issue 07
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editorial
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editor david gray
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david.g@rapidnews.com publisher mark blezard
in this issue
production art samantha hamlyn production peter bartley production adrian price
advertising european sales manager caroline plant tel: +44 (0) 1829 770037
MACHINERY
pages 5–18
REGULARS: Latest news roundup New installations
5–18 16–17
SPOTLIGHT: BLOW MOULDING SPOTLIGHT: FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION SPOTLIGHT: TEMPERATURE CONTROL
10–11 12–13 14–15
fax: +44 (0) 1829 770047 caroline@rapidnews.com
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MATERIALS
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REGULARS: Latest news roundup
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19–20
Q&A: EPPM TALKS TPE SPOTLIGHT: MEDICAL GRADE POLYMERS
23–24
FAKUMA PREVIEW 2012
pages 25–31
THE GREEN ROOM SPOTLIGHT: BIOPLASTICS
Address changes should be made on the original carrier sheet (address label) that came with this issue and then faxed to the publisher at +44 (0)1829 770047. European Plastic Product Manufacturer is published by Plastics Multimedia Communications Ltd.
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CLASSIFIEDS
pages 34–35 EPPM 3
European Plastic Product Manufacturer is distributed in electronic and print formats to a combined readership of over 12,400 manufacturing professionals. Send address changes to European Plastic Product Manufacturer, Unit 2, Chowley Court, Chowley Oak Lane, Tattenhall, Cheshire, CH3 9GA, UK. © October 2012. While every attempt has been made to ensure that the information contained within European Plastic Product Manufacturer is accurate, the publisher accepts no liability for information published in error, or for views expressed. All rights for European Plastic Product Manufacturer are reserved, and reproduction in part or whole without written permission is strictly prohibited.
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Alex Collins, Director, Vannplastics Ltd.
John Ellis, Segment Manager Polycarbonate, Bayer MaterialScience
Clive Maier, Owner and Director, Econology Ltd.
Nigel Brown, Founding MD, Frontier Aerospace
Dr Martin Kay, Chief Consultant, Pira International
Jan Herring, Strategic Sourcing Leader, Nokia
Charmaine Bowers, Operations Manager, Polymer Training & Innovation Centre
Pipe Extrusion Recycling Micro Manufacturing Home Appliances
Automotives & Compounds
Mark Bonifacio, President, Bonifacio Consulting Services
Andy Bone, Sales Director, Formaplex
Andrew Smith, Head of Manufacturing, Numatic International
Wire & Cable
Aerospace Biopolymers
Andrew McArthur, Engineering Manager, IKO
Jonathon Short, MD, ECO Plastics Ltd.
Jon Herbert, Director, FS Cables
Biopolymers/Materials Science
Simon Chidgey, Director, M&H Plastics
General Industry Insight
Paul Maley, Senior Mechanical Engineer, Selex Elsag
James Goddard, Honorary Lifetime Member, Plastics Pipe Institute
Dr Terence A. Cooper, CEO, ARGO Group International
Ken Braney, 2010-2011 President, Society of Plastics Engineers
Advisor for the German & Scandinavian Speaking Countries
Film & Sheet Extrusion Recycling Mould Making
Martin Marron, MD, Biffa Polymers
Graeme Diston, Senior Injection Moulding Engineer, Bausch + Lomb
Sourcing & Manufacturing
Construction
Graham Pickwell, Technical Adviser, Polymer Training & Innovation Centre
Medical
Barry Assheton, Sales Director, CRDM
Packaging
John Bunker, Member, Worshipful Company of Horners
Medical
Rapid Prototyping
Omer Kutluoglu, CEO, 2K Manufacturing
Education in the UK & Ireland
David Gray, Editor
John Sturgess, Director, MG Stuma
Andrew Feilden, Principle Consultant, Smithers Rapra
Wood Plastic Composites
I’ve literally just landed back in the office after a day wellspent at the recent Mediplas show at the NEC, Birmingham, UK. Mediplas, a brand new event for the medical plastics sector, took place alongside TCT Live and MM Live, making it a truly diverse trip for visitors in the manufacturing sector. Now, normally at this point I’d give you some impressive statistics on visitor numbers, business deals agreed, and maybe some post-show quotes from satisfied exhibitors. However as I write this, the show is still going on, and we’re about to go to print with this issue very shortly, so forgive me if there aren’t as many interesting facts as normal! In essence, although I was expecting the show to be very materials-based (due to the inherent strict regulations in the medical sector that really define the way the whole industry operates) there was actually an excellent mix of machinery suppliers as well, all keen to promote their bespoke solutions for this cutting edge market, including KraussMaffei, Netstal, Sumitomo Demag and Engel. New names for me included Connect 2 Cleanrooms, a company specialised in the design and build of bespoke cleanrooms for manufacturers, and Carville, a specialist in machined engineering plastics. Ross Fraser of Carville presented an interesting piece during the seminar sessions called To Mould or to Machine – Which Process is Best for your Application? For any manufacturers in the medical sector, I thoroughly recommend contacting Carville, who can offer a detailed breakdown, not only of the best processes and advantages of machined plastics, but also the best material choices for the job. So that was my day at Mediplas! My next stop is Fakuma in Friedrichshafen — if you’re reading this there’s a good chance you’ll be there now, as this is the second of our onsite issues. I look forward to meeting you there!
Plastics for the Environment
Mediplas and more!
Blow Moulding
Recycling
Injection Moulding
from the editor
General Industry Insight
“
Our Editorial Advisory Board is compiled of a cross-section of the plastics industry, including processors, consultants, technicians and key industry figures.
Dr Gerd Schmaucks, Independent Consultant
MACHINERY
Safe, Quick and Easy Manual Clamping of Injection Moulds Stäubli, a specialist in mould connection and clamping systems, manufactures systems of each type making them uniquely able to provide advice on selection of the appropriate system for any application. Mechanical systems, where the mould is held in position by a manual bayonet locking mechanism offer a simple and low cost system that is easy to install and operate. All injection moulding machines up to 250 tonne capacity can be equipped with the Stäubli’s QMC 106 clamping system, which requires no electric or hydraulic connections. The system is suitable for moulds up to 2 tonnes and operating temperatures up to 200°C; it accepts all conventional moulds, and replacement of the standard centring ring with a Stäubli centring/locking ring is all the modification required. The bayonet system, lever operated by a removable handle, ensures secure mould clamping by simple and positive safety locking onto the centring ring. The complete working surface of the platens remains available for use making possible clamping of complex shaped moulds that require the entire platen area; the drilling pattern is to Euromap standard but other patterns
such as SPI or JIS can be supplied on request. An additional advantage is that mould changing requires access to only one side of the machine. Installation of the system is also quick and easy and requires no special training for the fitter. On the machine side the set of bayonet plates is a oneoff investment; eight standard sizes, as well as bespoke tailored solutions, are available to cover the machine platens. On the mould side only the register rings are required. It is still possible to fix non-adapted moulds in the conventional manner with bolts using the through holes provided, if necessary. Significant reductions in mould change times have been achieved. For example, Ricoh, in their Telford moulding shop, reduced mould change times from typically 45 minutes (or even 60 minutes) to just 15 minutes using the Stäubli QMC 106 system. The perfect alignment and elimination of incorrect clamping positioning were additional important benefits. The Stäubli QMC 106 manual clamping system provides a safe, simple and easy to use, cost effective, quick mould change system. Stäubli product specialists are able to provide advice on
all aspects of mould clamping (manual, hydraulic and magnetic), mould connections, mould loading and transfer as well as parts handling and processing. The Stäubli product range provides a single source of effective solutions for all these requirements,
ensuring that the most suitable system is selected for any application.
we can also cope with every customerspecific production requirement”, said Oswald. The use of large quantities of fillers is growing continuously as processors use them to produce the invisible profile core which is covered by a thin external layer of a colour–fast new material. In addition to dwindling recyclables, producers are increasingly utilising dry blends from materials with a low additive proportion, but a high filler proportion. The type of application, but also the available production space determine the extruder arrangement. Depending on the output of the individual layers, a coextruder from KraussMaffei Berstorff can be used both to process the core layer and the top layer. For example, the conical KMD 63 K/P coextruder in a KraussMaffei Berstorff coextrusion arrangement containing a parallel twin-screw extruder in core technology extrudes the invisible core; however, it can also be used in layer technology to produce the outer layer of the profile. The concept of parallel and conical twinscrew extruders from KraussMaffei
Berstorff ensures optimum melt homogeneity and permits processing of many different formulations with just one screw geometry. When designing the conical screws, KraussMaffei Berstorff paid close attention to the increased requirement relating to the pressure stability of the conical extruders. The screws in all series are molybdenumplated and provide, when combined with the deep-nitrided barrels, active wear resistance, especially during processing of recyclables and dry blends with high filler proportions. All models, both the parallel and conical twin-screw extruders, incorporate modularity, flexible processing technology and ease of handling. The conical coextruders are available as a stand-alone version; they can be easily moved and quickly shifted in all directions.
Stäubli (UK) Ltd. Tel: +44 1952 671918 Email: connectors.uk@staubli.com Web: www.staubli.com
Coextrusion Solutions for Efficient Production of Window Profiles KraussMaffei Berstorff says there is a trend towards the use of recycled materials and fillers in window profiles,
and as such is offering a range of flexible and space-saving coextrusion models. Systems from the company can reportedly help profile manufacturers to reduce their material costs. The KMD 53 K/P model, which was recently launched on the market, is an addition to the series of conical twin-screw extruders for the medium output range and extends the wide range of coextrusion solutions. “Our coextrusion models provide processors with a concept with which they can manufacture a premium quality end product using cost-effective raw materials”, explained Peter Oswald, Director of the Profile Extrusion Product Group at KraussMaffei Berstorff. “Our machine combinations are ideally suited for window profile production based on the standard market technologies, e.g. core technology, layer technology and combination technology. Thanks to our wide range of premium quality products,
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KraussMaffei Tel: +49 89 889 927 92 Email: annemarie.pabst@kraussmaffei.com Web: www.kraussmaffei.com
MACHINERY ROUNDUP Optimisation of Injection Moulding through “Design of Experiments” Approach The new Mouldex3D/DOE (design of experiments) module has been developed to enable optimum process parameters to be established rapidly and systematically — by means of DoE and without recourse to complex “trial and error” tests — from existing simulation results. It is a professional tool that helps users evaluate the appropriate settings of runner size, gate location and optimal process conditions for injection moulding part designs, according to SimpaTec, the re-seller of the software.
Manual data input by the user is kept to a minimum, claims SimpaTec. The module then performs independent, parallel iterations on the results using the Taguchi method. When finished, the program spits out statements about quality and response factors, and suggests an optimised process structure (Fig. 2). For example, an injection moulded part (Fig. 1) was found to undergo volumetric shrinkage of not more than 3.31%. In an attempt to reduce this, the mutual influence of several process parameters on each other was calculated, namely: filling time (3.0 to 3.2 seconds), melt temperature (230 to 245 ˚C), holding pressure time (5.0 to 5.5 seconds) and maximum pressure in the holding pressure phase (70 to 80%) Figure 2: Optimised process conditions suggested by Mouldex3D/DOE were iterated in
Figure 1: DoE-based enhancement of the process parameters enables the volumetric shrinkage to be minimized (left: before the analysis; right: afterwards
the specified range. Subsequent application of the DoEoptimised moulding parameters substantially reduced the level of volumetric shrinkage to a maximum value of 1.48%. The latest Mouldex3D R11 provides other enhancements, including a specially developed structuralmechanical tool (which is based on linear-elastic principles and incorporates relevant information such as weld lines and fibre orientation into the simulation); geometry changes without the need for external CAD programs; the use of tracer particles to depict mould filling; the simulation of the flow behaviour of the coolant within the injection moulding
simulation in true 3D by means of CFD analysis and to optimise it to requirements. Furthermore, crystallisation can now be visualised during filling, and in the holding pressure and cooling phases. R11 also supports a core shift analysis to simulate deflection of part inserts due to imbalances in filling pressure and so helps the injection moulding process to be optimised. SimpaTec GmbH Tel: +49 241 9367 15 00 Email: c.hinse@simpatec.com Web: www.simpatec.com
INDUSTRY NEWS
Barkley Plastics “Close to Zero Parts Per Million” in Defects by Monitoring Cavity Pressure
SPI Appoints NPE2015 Committee and Announces Exhibition Dates
Birmingham, UK-based Barkley Plastics produces 6.5 million injection moulded parts each month, making quality control an essential part of the business process. With many end user customers now demanding “zero parts per million defects”, just a few out of spec parts in a delivery can incur significant costs. This is a major problem, especially for export orders, when the parts are needed to keep a production line running. The only solution is for the end user to manually sort the consignment and bill the cost, which can be more than the value of the order, to the supplier. Like many injection moulders, Barkley has been using cavity pressure monitoring for several years to try to identify out of spec parts before they get into the delivery system. For the past 10 years, Barkley had been using a simple 2-channel peak cavity pressure monitoring system that was difficult to set-up and had become problematic. To protect its reputation and bottom line, two of the old systems have now been replaced with the latest 4channel CoMo Injection systems from Kistler Instruments. This new system cost about the same as the old system did 10 years ago. According to Barkley’s Business Development Manager, Matthew Powell, by monitoring all aspects of the cavity pressure curve during the moulding process, the CoMo system ensures that all out of spec parts are rejected quickly and reliably. “Because the CoMo system automatically provides perfect rejection of faulty parts,” said Powell, “it is possible to run the moulding machines in the dark with little or no supervision.” In addition to monitoring the process, the CoMo system can be used to balance the hot runners, which Matthew Powell described as a “massive bonus” that is essential to maintaining
The committee of industry executives that will work with the SPI to organise the NPE2015 international plastics exposition will be headed by chairman Jim Murphy, President of the Extrusion Systems business at Davis-Standard, LLC, and vice-chairman Glenn Anderson, Senior Vice President of Milacron, LLC. SPI, which founded and produces the triennial NPE, also disclosed the officially approved schedule for NPE2015. It will take place Monday-Friday, March 23-27, 2015, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. The NPE2015 Executive Committee headed by Murphy and Anderson will include chairpersons of three subcommittees. One of these, the Content Committee, is new and incorporates such key aspects of NPE2015 as new technology, educational programs, special events, and the 3rd International Plastics Design Competition. “The full membership of the NPE2015 Committee includes 39 individuals, all of them volunteering time from busy plastics industry careers with machinery, materials, processing, or consulting companies,” said William R. Carteaux, President and CEO of the SPI. “Their close involvement with the planning and development of the trade show and colocated events will ensure that NPE2015 is truly an exposition created by and for the plastics industry.” Glenn Anderson NPE2015 Tel: +39 06 540 25 20 Email: npe.italy@libero.it Web: www.npe.org
Jim Murphy
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consistently high quality parts. Kistler claims that this feature alone makes life much easier for setters and technicians, a benefit that is not always obvious. The availability of accurate data about the performance of the moulding machines allows communication between departments to be based on hard facts, rather than experience and intuition. Typically, mould design is part science and part knowledge and the precise data supplied by the CoMo system compliments the high quality tooling manufactured by Barkley Plastics in its in house toolroom and design facility. Powell continued: “Although the new system is much more sophisticated than our old system, it is actually easier to use. However, to get the best results in the shortest time demands expert training, which is what Kistler supplied. We have already minimised the number of rejects and can see the potential to eliminate rejects totally as we become more familiar with the CoMo Injection system”. The injection moulding industry is very competitive with quality and zero defects often being more important than price, especially when the economy is far from buoyant. A reputation for delivering a first class product will win new and retain existing customers more effectively than a low price according to Kistler. With production running at around 80 million parts per annum, minimising rejects can make a major contribution to Barkley Plastics’ reputation and profits, which is why the company is now planning to install more CoMo Injection systems from Kistler. Kistler Instruments Limited Tel: +44 1256 741550 Email: sales.uk@kistler.com Web: www.kistler.co.uk
MACHINERY ROUNDUP New Parallel Robot Increases Workspace Capabilities for HighSpeed Material Handling Adept Technology, Inc., a provider of intelligent vision-guided robotics and global robotics services, has introduced a new model of its high-speed parallel style robot, Adept Quattro. The Adept Quattro s800H provides an additional member of the Quattro product family, and expands high-throughput capabilities towards applications with larger work space requirements. The Adept Quattro s800H is a parallel robot specifically designed for high-speed applications in packaging, manufacturing, assembly, and material handling, boasting a 1600 mm work envelope. The newest member of the Quattro family offers the same advanced control algorithms and proven robust design that users have come to expect from Adept combined with a larger work envelope, making the s800H an ideal overhead-mount robot when smooth motion, high-throughput, and the ability to reach a large work space are critical for project success. The patented four-arm design contributes to reduction of the power consumption by 23% when compared to
alternate kinematic solutions. The Adept Quattro is powered by ultracompact controls and embedded amplifiers, which reduces cycle times and improves footprint efficiency. Visit Adept’s website for more information on the Adept Quattro s800H and other models of Quattro robots, including the Adept Quattro s650H robot and the USDA-Accepted Adept Quattro s650HS robot. Adept Technology Tel: +49 231 75 89 437 Email: info.de@adept.com Web: www.adept.com
Inline Non-Contact Thermal Imager Identifies Defects in Injection Moulded Parts By working closely with KunststoffZentrum SKZ KTT GmbH, precision sensor manufacturer Micro-Epsilon has developed an inline, noncontact temperature measurement solution for the quality control of injection moulding machines. Micro-Epsilon’s thermoIMAGER TIM thermal imaging camera is installed in the injection moulding machine in order to detect defective parts. The camera uses the thermal radiation from the workpiece to detect not only visual faults, but also hidden defects within the material itself. In addition to Micro-Epsilon’s operating software, SKZ also developed control software designed specifically for plastics processing, which visualises the workpiece and compares this to an infrared reference image. SKZ has integrated the thermal camera into the injection-moulding machine to enable users to control and automatically remove any defective parts. The system also ensures rapid, secure machine changeovers, as any newly produced parts are evaluated immediately after changing the mould tools. This continuous quality control is particularly useful to automotive suppliers, where the value of injection-moulded parts increases by several hundred percent as the parts are processed. Powered and operated via a USB 2.0 interface, the thermoIMAGER TIM 160 is an inline radiometric thermal imaging camera that provides temperature images and profiles of a target area. This plug-and-play unit comes with a full software package (included in the unit
price), that enables the user to configure all the parameters of the device, as well as enabling the real time capture and storage of images or video of an event for slow motion play back or snapshots at a later date — an important feature in much R&D and failure diagnostics work. Micro-Epsilon’s latest addition to the range is the thermoIMAGER TIM 400 and 450 inline infrared thermal imagers. These cameras capture and store thermal video and images with extremely high optical resolution (382 x 288 pixels) at a full frame rate of 80Hz. The cameras are equipped with new detectors, which provide excellent thermal sensitivities of 80mK and 40mK respectively. This enables the cameras to detect even smaller changes in temperature. The TIM400 is available for less than £5,000 and the TIM450 for less than £6,000 — significant price breakthroughs for infrared video capture cameras of this resolution and performance. Micro-Epsilon Tel: +44 151 355 6070 Email: info@micro-epsilon.co.uk Web: www.micro-epsilon.co.uk EPPM 7
MACHINERY ROUNDUP Engel Develops New Silicone Vulcanisation Process Engel Austria has opened the door to new opportunities in multi-component technology with a new process for silicone vulcanisation at low temperatures. In mid-June, UV vulcanisation was unveiled at the Engel Symposium 2012 in St. Valentin. Engel demonstrated its new UV vulcanisation process at the Symposium by producing wine bottle stoppers. “Enhancements to silicone rubbers in the past two years have opened the door to new applications in multi-component technology for this material class”, said Professor Georg Steinbichler, Head of Research and Development Technologies at Engel
Austria. Whereas conventional silicone rubbers require high temperatures for cross-linking, the new types vulcanise with exposure to light in the ultraviolet wavelength range at room temperature. This enables silicones to be combined with a wide range of thermoplastics via two-component and multi-component injection moulding. Even temperature-sensitive materials such as polypropylene can now be processed with silicone in a single step. Cavity inserts in the injection mould that are permeable to light are the prerequisite for UV vulcanisation. For this application, Engel partner firm
Elmet from Oftering in Austria utilises translucent plastic inserts for UV light and integrates UV lamps into the mould for irradiation. At the Symposium, Engel was demonstrating the UV vulcanisation process by producing wine bottle stoppers on an Engel victory 200/80 LIM injection moulding machine using an Elmet mould. In the process, polypropylenes are overmoulded with liquid silicone from Momentive Performance Materials. The irradiation time for the vulcanisation of the silicone components is around 20 seconds. “In the conventional hightemperature process, silicone parts with a similar wall thickness need more than a minute for cross-linking”, said Steinbichler. “UV vulcanisation not only facilitates new applications, therefore, but also reduces the cycle times and energy consumption associated with silicone processing.” Engel Austria GmbH Tel: +43 50 620 0 Email: sales@engel.at Web: www.engel.at
Plastic Finishing with Innovative Printing Systems
At the Fakuma show German company ESC will be featuring plastic finishing printing systems offering versatile application possibilities. The new ESC-Jetrix 1212FK is ESC’s answer to the constantly increasing demand for high-performance digital UV printers. This compact UV-flatbed system reportedly features high print quality at an attractive price/performance ratio. It is laid out to print in a format of 1220 x 1220 mm and, thanks to specially designed UV inks, it is suitable for both industrial applications and POS items. The UV inks have been targeted to be applied on many different plastics and are characterised by a very good outdoor resistance. Furthermore many plastics, even flexible material for example polypropylene, can be printed without using primer. The ESC-Jetrix 1212FK is achieving sharp, high-resolution images and is able to print two and three layers at a time. Other ESC printing systems for a wide variety of plastic finishing are the Mimaki UJF digital printer series as desktop models for small-format prints and the powerful ESC-COMEC pad printing machines as well as the ESC-AT screen printers for printing on flat, oval and round substrates. ESC Europa-SiebdruckmaschinenCentrum GmbH & Co. KG - Hall A1, Stand 1209 Tel: +49 52 22 8 090 Email: info@esc-online.de Web: www.esc-online.de EPPM 8
MACHINERY ROUNDUP Velox UK Offers Asaclean Purging Compound for Injection Moulding and Extrusion Applications
New Preblow Process Said to Reduce Cycle Times and Improve Quality Netstal has further developed its Calitec system, by introducing ‘Preblow’, a process that it claims can reduce cycle times and improve moulding quality. During the Preblow process, the preform is blown out in the base area directly after the injection moulding process. Netstal states this means that both the base contour and the surface area can be changed for the first time. By increasing the size of the base contour through the blowing process, a thinner wall in the critical base area is obtained. Netstal says consistency is guaranteed throughout the process, as well as improvements in wall thickness and
material build-up. During an initial test with one-litre juice bottles, a weight reduction of more than one gram was achieved. The wall thickness was also increased substantially. “Through the development of the Preblow process, Netstal has managed to achieve a first-rate innovative technology. The larger process window in the blowing process and the additionally reduced cycle time due to lower material build-up on the base
Before (top) and after (bottom). Two specific Asaclean purging grades have recently been launched to optimise production processes, especially in the automotive sector with applications in PMMA, PC and other polymers. These are now available in the UK via Velox. These competitive grades have been developed for the automotive market to offer high purging power combined with even higher cost-savings. They’re also well-suited for PMMA and PC applications in other sectors. Asaclean M is a PMMA-based grade that has been specifically developed for polymer changes to PMMA and for PMMA colour changes. It can be used in all corresponding applications in a temperature range from 180–320°C. Asaclean PT is a special grade for all polycarbonate applications, as it is based on PC. It is also effective in polymer changes to PC and PC colour changes. It can be used in a temperature range from 200–360°C. Asaclean PT also exhibits very good results when purging PET. Both grades are non-abrasive and noncorrosive. They are suitable for colour and material changes, sealing as well as for purging very complicated hot-runner systems. Using Asaclean is reported to be an easy and efficient way to have a powerful and quick cleaning of screws and barrels of injection moulding and extrusion machines. It is possible to save considerable time and costs due to reduced machine downtime, scrap and waste. Loss of expensive raw materials is reduced to a minimum. Adjusting temperatures, pre-drying and mixing are not necessary. Asaclean also has a very low residue formation; it is neither abrasive nor corrosive. Preventative maintenance e.g. over the weekends is also possible. This can prevent oxygen getting into the cylinder, reducing problems with black spots and degraded resins. Velox Tel: +44 1189 019091 Email: lambert@velox.com Web: www.velox.com EPPM 9
represent considerable advances in the production of PET bottles,” said Thomas Anderegg, Vice President Sales at Netstal. Netstal Tel: +41 55 618 61 11 Email: marketing@netstall.com Web: www.netstal.com
MACHINERY SPOTLIGHT eppm
BLOW MOULDING
When blow CHANGEOVERS moulders ON BLOW need to MOULDING change EQUIPMENT ARE colours or materials, FASTER AND using Purgex EASIER WITH commercial PURGEX purging compounds (CPC) accomplishes their goals faster and more effectively compared to using in-house resins or regrinds. Purgex CPC can be used for general purging as well as with accumulators on blow moulding machinery. Purgex is a chemical-mechanical formulation that will decrease downtime, cut scrap rates, and reduce the waste of otherwise usable resign needed to purge. This has the effect of lowering operating costs and increasing productivity for blow moulders. Purgex also removes inclusions and contaminants
(e.g. black specks), and is highly effective changing from a dark to light colour. All Purgex grades use ingredients that are non-toxic and USA-FDA approved for food, pharmaceutical and medical plastics use. There is a variety of grades available to clean filled or unfilled resins from machinery at processing temperatures ranging from 138°C to 316°C. A new grade, Purgex 602 Plus, is specifically designed for changing clear polycarbonate (PC) and polystyrene (PS). Purgex division of Neutrex, Inc. Tel: +1 281 807 9449 Email: global@purgexonline.com Web: www.purgexonline.com
S.T. Soffiaggio Tecnica of Monza, Italy, a company specialised in the design and build of blow moulding machines has delivered a suction blow moulding machine model ASPI 150 to E.I. du Pont de Nemours for its European Technical Centre, Geneva. DuPont is a leading supplier of materials for blow moulded automotive applications such as air ducts. Popular product ranges include Zytel, Hytrel and Crastin. Soffiaggio Tecnica recently delivered the ASPI 150 to DuPont, so that the company can better provide support to its customers, and continue to develop its range of reference materials. Suction blow technology is aimed towards the production of articles with complex 3D shapes, usually for the automotive industry. The ASPI 150 has both lower and upper size models. The tie-bar-less clamping unit has been designed to be free of any obstruction to facilitate faster mould mounting. Radial thickness control is achieved via two opposed moving cylinders which act to make the heating more homogeneous.
ITALIAN FIRM DELIVERS SUCTION BLOW MOULDING MACHINE TO DUPONT
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The suction system uses the patented Venturi technology which, when combined with a circuit with proportional valve, allows the setting of 500 points profile. The clamping force is 10 tonnes and the plasticising unit is equipped with a 65 mm screw controlled by Torque motor, which ensures fast loading times. The accumulation volume is 0.830 litres. ASPI 150 is able to process all the materials suitable for the automotive field
MACHINERY SPOTLIGHT
APPLICATION INNOVATIONS Blow Moulding Makes for Udderly Special Packaging
such as polyolefins (HDPE and PP, also loaded with glass fibre) and technical polymers (PA6, PA66, TPC-ET, PA and PPS ). These materials can be processed at a temperature of 350˚C. Additionally, the use of 3D technology helps minimise the scrap, with the added benefits of a lower cycle time and a better thickness distribution. The standard configuration of the machine includes a system of radial thickness control at 500 points which
Packaging equipment SACMI TO group Sacmi will exhibit a SHOWCASE NEW range of STRETCH-BLOW products for the beverage FORMING and bottling EQUIPMENT sector at Brau Beviale in Nuremberg, Europe’s biggest beverage industry fair, to be held from 13-15 November. The stand will dedicate space to the machines in the rotary SBF (stretchblow forming) range, which have from 6 to 24 stretchblowing stations. The machines reportedly offer output levels of over 64,000 bottles per hour in the standard half-litre format. Advantages on this line include the 1B=2b system, that is, the possibility of installing, on every machine in the range, a one-cavity mould for large bottles (up to 3 litres) or a 2-cavity mould for small bottles (up to 0.6 litres), thus ensuring a simple, fast switch from one format to another. Hourly output may therefore be as high as 2700 small bottles per station, making full use of the output capacity and potential of both the machine and any downstream filling line. This new range of stretch-blow formers
allows a uniform thickness, even in the most critical points of the piece. The blow moulding machine uses the latest generation software which allows connection, via internet, of up to five devices (machine, computer, camera etcetera) to ST’s customer service department. DuPont, DuPont Zytel, DuPont Hytrel and Crastin FreeFlow are trademarks or registered trademarks of E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company or its affiliates.
Plastic packaging specialist Gizeh has expanded its product portfolio of multi-coloured PET bottles. Starting immediately, Gizeh is offering a drinks bottle in the eye-catching “cow spot design”. The bottle is available in several shapes and sizes. The new PET bottle is based on multi-component preforms, which were developed by Gizeh’s partner Inotech Kunststoff GmbH based in Nabburg. In December 2011, Gizeh managed for the first time to produce multi-coloured PET bottles on a conventional two-stage stretch-blow moulding system with infrared heating. Following comprehensive tests, the technically highly complex cow spot design has now also been brought to maturity for series production. “As opposed to the previous designs, the cow spot pattern is neither vertically nor horizontally symmetrical,” explained Daniel Rüth, Head of Gizeh PET GmbH. “This places extremely high technical demands on the production process.” Due to its comprehensive testing experience, Gizeh is now able to produce all kinds of shapes and colour combinations of multi-coloured PET bottles. This also includes the recently released container forms, named “milk bottle” and “energy”. Both of these have a 38mm opening and a 3-start thread. They hold 275ml (nominal volume) and are available in a series of colour variations. In particular, combinations of colour and transparent are possible.
S.T. Soffiaggio Tecnica Tel: +39 039 2706234 Email: sales@st-blowmoulding.com Web: www.st-blowmoulding.com
Gizeh Tel: +49 2261 4010 Email: info@gizeh-pet.com Web: www.gizeh-pet.com
integrates perfectly with the latest offerings from Sacmi Filling, another key Sacmi beverage player that provides a complete range of mechanical and electronic fillers capable of satisfying even the most sophisticated production requirements, from water to carbonated soft drinks, from cold filling to hot filling, from glass to PET, all with ultra-clean systems that ensure perfect product integrity. Sacmi will also be making the most of Brau Beviale to illustrate the latest developments in its CCM (continuous
compression moulding) series; these ultra-performance compression presses, with output rates of up to 2,000 caps per minute, feature extremely short cycles (1.6 seconds) and very low energy consumption. Sacmi Tel: +39 0542 607111 Email: sacmi@sacmi.it Web: www.sacmi.com
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MACHINERY SPOTLIGHT eppm
FILM & SHEET EXTRUSION
ALADDIN TEMPRITE IMPROVES SHEET PROCESS WITH DAVISSTANDARD EXTRUDER
The addition of a DavisStandard extruder has strengthened production for leading healthcare food–service supplier Aladdin Temp-Rite. Aladdin recently upgraded an existing sheet line with a Davis-Standard 4 ½-inch (114mm) vented Thermatic extruder. Since the installation in September 2011, Aladdin has improved processing rates by 30 % and has noticed a marked difference in temperature and quality control. “This is our first Davis-Standard extruder. We chose Davis-Standard based on quality, price and reputation. They did an exceptional job of assimilating the extruder into our existing line and we’ve been very pleased with the results,” said Phil Scruggs, Aladdin’s Plant Manager. “From start to finish, the service has been very responsive. We would absolutely purchase more DavisStandard equipment in the future.” Aladdin is using the extruder to process impact polypropylene sheet with filler at 12 to 27 mm in thickness.
This sheet is used in all types of foodservice products including cups, bowls, lids and food trays. In addition to the extruder, Aladdin purchased a touchscreen Allen Bradley PLC controller from Davis-Standard. The new PLC was also integrated to work with the existing system. Since Aladdin is a turnkey supplier with 99 percent of its business in the North American healthcare market, it was important for the installation to go smoothly. The downtime was minimal and Aladdin’s production efficiencies have improved significantly since the upgrade. In addition to food—service packaging, Aladdin deals in meal delivery systems. This includes rethermalisation and convection systems, as well as induction technology. In 2004, Aladdin introduced the Heat On Demand On Tray, the first meal delivery system with the heat source built into the tray. Today this technology offers a variety of induction systems for room service applications, which is why Aladdin’s solutions are widely used at hospitals and medical facilities. Davis-Standard Tel: +1 860 599 1010 Email: achrisbacher@davisstandard.com Web: davis-standard.com
Reifenhäuser Kiefel Extrusion has added a new highperformance cooling system to the new Evolution blown film line generation. This advance will reportedly make it possible for film manufacturers to significantly increase output capacity. The new cooling design evenly cools from within and without, employing the same concept as the successful cooling system ECP (Enhanced Cooling Package) which has been used for years now in the production of heavy duty sacks. Reifenhäuser’s engineers have designed Evolution Ultra Cool with a height-adjustable cooling ring and an aircooled inner cooling system that optimises the air conduction inside the bubble, keeping the bubble stable even at high throughput. The system’s high cooling capacity permits a die factor well above two. This makes it possible for manufacturers to produce much more efficiently. Due to the high bubble stability, extremely low thickness and width tolerances are possible even at high throughputs. In addition, short startup times and job changeover times ensure that high-capacity production is efficient. Priorities in the development of the Evolution Ultra Cool were not only improved performance, but also the userfriendliness of the line. Optimised cooling elements and a height-adjustable cooling
NEW COOLING SYSTEM DEVELOPED FOR BLOWN FILM EXTRUSION
ring ensure that the line can be started up and operated during production as operators are accustomed to, the system is just as easy to operate as a conventional cooling system. Evolution Ultra Cool can be used for numerous film applications including general packaging film, collation shrink film, stretch hoods, hygienic packaging film, and stand-up pouches. The system has already found several buyers and is successfully in operation in many regions of the world. Reifenhäuser Kiefel Extrusion GmbH Tel: +49 6241 902 184 Email: eugen.friedel@reifenhauserkiefel.com Web: www.reifenhauser-kiefel.com
INDUSTRY NEWS Röchling Takes Over Sheet Extruder Maywo Kunststoff GmbH The Röchling Engineering Plastics Group has taken over the South German plastic processor Maywo Kunststoff GmbH in Bad Grönenbach-Thal effective from 1st September 2012. Maywo Kunststoff GmbH, which, with a workforce of 85 generates a turnover of about €27m manufactures single and multi-layer plastic sheets and films made of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) and polystyrene (PS) by extrusion for the thermoforming industry. Inclusion in the business unit Röchling High-Performance Plastics offers Maywo Kunststoff GmbH excellent perspectives in terms of the further development of materials and technologies, of the extension of the product range and the increased internationalisation of the sales markets. Furthermore, Röchling is planning on continuing to expand operations at its Bad Grönenbach-Thal location. Ludger Bartels, CEO of the Röchling Group, Mannheim, said: “With this strategic acquisition, we are strengthening our product range of semi-finished products made of thermoplastics for applications in thermoforming technology”. This field has been represented hitherto by the Swedish subsidiary company Röchling Formaterm and Röchling Rimito Plast, Finland, in Scandinavia within the High-Performance Plastics division. Two managers will be in charge of Maywo Kunststoff GmbH in future: assisting the General Manager Wolfgang Baumgärtner will be Florian Helmich, who was previously responsible as General Manager for Press Moulding at Röchling Engineering Plastics KG in Haren. Röchling Engineering Plastics KG Tel: +49 5934 7010 Email: info@roechling-plastics.com Web: www.roechling.com EPPM 12
MACHINERY SPOTLIGHT
INDUSTRY NEWS BRÜCKNER Today’s standard CONQUERS BOPP working FILM MARKET widths for BOPP WITH commodity COMMODITY film stretching STRETCH LINE lines are 8.2 or 8.7 metres, except for a couple of well-proven 10 m lines, which Brückner has been supplying exclusively since 1996. However, some years ago extrusion specialist Brückner anticipated a trend towards even broader lines – and gained considerable attention throughout the industry for its 10.x m concept for
high-quality commodity film. Recently increasing numbers of film producers have shown a specific interest in Brückner’s new generation of highly efficient BOPP lines with an unrivalled 10.4 m working width, 525 m/min speed and an annual output above 56,000 tonne. Such operating figures represent the highest productivity within the film stretching line industry. Several of these lines have already been sold, offering a number of advantages for the film producer: • Minimised operating costs per unit output • Considerable savings in site location development, factory building and peripheral equipment (auxiliary supply,
slitters, roll handling etc.) compared to alternative layouts within the same output range • Lower labour costs • Higher raw material yield • Reduced specific energy consumption • Optimised slitting costs A 10.4 m BOPP line provides quality films, considerably reduces BOPP film production costs and improves their overall profitability – an additional advantage for Brückner customers. Brückner Maschinenbau GmbH & Co. KG Tel: +49 8662 63 9510 Email: sales@brueckner.com Web: www.brueckner.com
Dolci Extrusion Teams Up with US Player for Film Winding Distribution in Europe Dolci Extrusion S.r.l. of BIassono, Italy has announced that it has reached a strategic distribution agreement with Gloucester Engineering Co., Inc. (GEC). Under this agreement the two companies will share winding technology and offer customers the choice of either GEC or Dolci winders for their specific cast stretch film applications. “Both companies see applications and opportunities where they will be able to better serve their customers by giving them an alternative winder choice,” said Riccardo Castello, President of Dolci Extrusion. Mark Steele, GEC Chief Executive Officer, said that GEC and Dolci’s products are complementary in application, costs and functionality, and there is a clear benefit to both companies to better serve customer needs in specific circumstances. Dolci Extrusion Tel: +39 039 57851 Email: ven@dolciextrusion.it Web: www.dolciextrusion.it
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MACHINERY SPOTLIGHT eppm
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
CASE STUDY
Advanced Temperature Control System Boosts Hot Runner Productivity
Precise control over hot runner temperatures was the key to ending a problem with burned parts that plagued a particular job being run by custom moulder American Plastic Molding Corporation (APM), enabling the company to increase output of saleable product by 10 to 15%. The part discolouration caused by burning stopped almost immediately after connecting an Ion Series temperature controller from Fast Heat Inc. to a 16-cavity hot runner system
that was producing 30% glass-filled nylon 6.6 parts for a Tier 1 supplier to the automotive industry, according to Alan Myers, APM plant manager. Within two hours after installing the controller, APM had fine-tuned the system to the point where temperatures were reduced by nearly 70˚F. “Before we installed the Fast Heat controller, we were unable to reduce the temperature without having gates freeze,” said Myers, “but within the first couple of hours, it became a question of
‘How low can the temperature go?’ We soon established a new temperature range of 430 to 440˚F. The lower temperatures increased our output of good parts by 10 to 15% and eliminated the labour involved in sorting out parts that were burned.” Fast Heat’s Ion Series controller has also
increased productivity in other ways, according to Myers. In startups it quickly tunes the system to the new set of moulding parameters. And in the event of a zone shutdown caused, for example, by a heater failure, the controller automatically slaves the affected cavity to another cavity, running two cavities from the thermocouple in the unaffected one. “In the past, when a zone shut down, we would end up producing from 15 cavities instead of 16, making that much less product during the typical three-day turnaround needed to replace the defective unit,” said Myers. Family-owned and operated since it was founded in 1971, APM is a full-service custom moulder that provides extensive engineering services and stages free quarterly seminars on design and engineering for customers and prospects. The company has 38 injection moulding machines, an assembly facility with lean manufacturing cells, an on-site mould shop, and a 5,575 m2 warehouse. It provides full engineering services and offers customers supply chain sourcing and management, warehousing, and distribution. Employing 120 people, APM serves customers in a wide range of end use industries. Fast Heat (UK) Tel: +44 1323 647375 Email: sales@fastheatuk.com Web: www.fastheatuk.com CORRECTION: EPPM would like to note that this article, previously printed in issue 14/6, incorrectly stated: “We soon established a new temperature range of 430 to 440˚C”. The temperature scale should have been in fahrenheit.
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MACHINERY SPOTLIGHT
Single Temperiertechnik GmbH of Germany is planning to debut its energyefficient Alternating Temperature Technology (ATT) at Composites Europe 2012. The company claims that the technology introduces more versatility to the production of composite parts. User-defined time setting for activating several valve modules per system and free selection of maximum or minimum temperatures per mould section are among the new features. These developments mean that energy consumption of the temperature alternation process can be optimised. The new functionality is the result of research Single conducted in cooperation with Steinbeis Innovationszentrum Kunststofftechnik of Aalen university into the development of temperaturedependent control of injection moulding processes. The patent is pending. The latest generation of ATT systems also offers a new data logging option: process parameters can be logged to a USB stick via an integrated USB interface. Single also says it has been looking at ways to help in optimising foam injection moulding processes, in boosting the productivity of twocomponent and three-component rotating moulds and in operating with vertical moulds. The ATT active alternating temperature control offers benefits for composite production cycles that require fast temperature changes. Reportedly within seconds, the system can switch between two circuits with cooling fluids at different temperatures, and actively heat or cool the mould. Single provides a wide variety of active alternating
SINGLE LAUNCHES NEW ALTERNATING TEMPERATURE TECHNOLOGY
temperature control systems for temperatures of up to 200°C. They allow temperature changes of more than 100°C in mould inserts used in critical areas or in complete small moulds. As an alternative, slow temperature changes in longer cycles can be achieved by standard temperature control systems: thanks to customised programming, these systems can change the temperature of the
circulating medium from one temperature level to the next. This way, moulds used for composite production can be kept cool during the filling phase and warm during the curing phase. Single Temperiertechnik GmbH Tel: +49 7153 30090 Email: info@single-temp.de Web: www.single-temp.de
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New Installations
Ferromatik Milacron Machine to be Used by Offenburg Engineering Students Ferromatik Milacron’s Elektra 50 allelectric injection moulding machine will be used at Offenburg University of Applied Sciences next semester in the new “Mechanical Engineering/Materials Engineering” course. More than 100 students every year will benefit from a program that makes use of the latest technology. “We are delighted to be able to support
the Offenburg University of Applied Sciences in their commitment to stateof-the-art and energy-efficient technologies. This is the best way to develop the next generation of professionals for the industry”, said Gerold Schley, Managing Director of Ferromatik Milacron & Vice President of China Operations. “The partnership between Offenburg University and
Ferromatik Milacron goes back many years, not least because of our close proximity. This research collaboration represents a continuation of that relationship”, explained Winfried Stöcklin, Director Operations at Ferromatik Milacron and himself a graduate of Offenburg University. All-electric machines are particularly environmentally-friendly, since they use From left: Winfried Stöcklin, Director Operations Ferromatik Milacron, Gerold Schley, Managing Director Ferromatik Milacron & Vice President China Operation, Prof. Alfred Isele, Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Process Engineering, Offenburg University of Applied Sciences, Katharina Fild, Ba. Eng. and Assistant at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Process Engineering, Offenburg University of Applied Sciences, Matthias Niederhofer, Dipl.-Ing. and Assistant at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Process Engineering, Offenburg University of Applied Sciences. 50-70% less power and water than conventional hydraulic machines. The Elektra 50 has a clamping force of 500 kN and can be used to produce small plastic parts for the medical, packaging or consumer goods industries, for example. At Offenburg University of Applied Sciences, students will be working with the Elektra 50 to learn how to set up and program a machine and also how to deploy newly-developed plastic granules with special additives and fillers that enhance the service properties of the finished part. The special feature of this type of education is that the injection moulding process can be set up directly on the machine, and the process parameters validated. In addition, it will be possible to verify new production technologies, such as the use of rapid prototyping for the production of mould inserts. The students will be able to work their way through the entire process chain in the development of an injection mould, from the design, via simulation and optimisation, right through to the finished end product. “On behalf of Offenburg University of Applied Sciences and our Faculty, I would like to thank Ferromatik Milacron for their support in our acquisition of the injection moulding machine”, said Professor Alfred Isele, Dean of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Process Engineering, on the occasion of the handover of the machine. “Giving students the opportunity to learn how to use the Elektra 50 is of immense importance for them and their subsequent professional life. The University will thus be able to offer its growing number of students an education of the highest caliber.” Ferromatik Milacron Tel: +49 76 44 78 0 Email: marketing@ferromatik.com Web: www.ferromatik.com
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New Installations
Wittmann Battenfeld Offers Ergonomically Bespoke Solution for Car Interior Manufacturer Production of car interiors with real wood veneer surfaces or carbon fabric with special surface finishes still requires a high degree of skilled craftsmanship. German company Novem Car Interior Design GmbH is a specialist in this area. For the production of these wood/plastic and/or carbon/plastic composite parts, Novem has decided to invest in the new MacroPower injection moulding machines from Wittmann Battenfeld, which have been designed with ergonomically optimised clamping units. Wood veneers and fabrics have been described as having “a life or their own” in spite of meticulous preparation. They can be stabilised by preparatory steps such as trimming, compression moulding and lamination with liners prior to being processed on an injection moulding machine, but their insertion into the cavity of the mould requires an experienced operator, because the veneer parts can change their form slightly, depending on the environmental conditions. Using robots here can be excessively costly, not to mention the programming and adaptation work required. Peter Ade, Head of Application Technology at Novem, said of the ergonomics required in the process: “For us, it is crucial to have compact machines. This applies above all to the
Decorative trim strips in real wood or carbon fabric with plastic support panels and PUR surface finish upgrade automotive interiors.
working environment around the mould. The reason is that the machine operator is required to enter the clamping unit during every production cycle. Our demand was that this should be possible on a level, horizontal plane and without contorted movements. There should be no obstructions to the insertion process, which is vital for product quality. In this connection, I would like to specially emphasise the excellent cooperation with the Battenfeld engineers and their creative contributions towards further optimising the machines’ ergonomic qualities, which were already outstanding to begin with.” Following an extensive selection process, Novem opted for Wittmann Battenfeld MacroPower 1100 / 3400
Example of a styling set with real wood veneer surfaces in the interior of a premium vehicle, consisting of a center console panel, dashboard inserts and door handle panels.
The compact dimensions of the Wittmann Battenfeld MacroPower 1100 contributed substantially to its top score in the selection process.
machines. With a 1,450 x 1,100 mm distance between tie-bars, the clamping unit of these machines provides the necessary space for insertion and movement. In contrast to the generously dimensioned clamping unit, the smaller 3,400 model with a 65 mm screw was selected for the injection unit — this was adequate for the light shot weights of the decorative parts. The machines also feature extremely short tie-bars. This is the result of integrating the four clamping devices into the structure of the moving platen, instead of placing them on the outside of the platen. By carrying out the full platen
stroke right down to the end position at the end of the machine frame, a free space opens up between the ends of the tie-bars and the machine platen. This space can be used for changing moulds with oversize platens from above as well as from the side. In this particular case, the free space between the tie-bars and the platen was extended to 1000 mm by a 400 mm lengthening of the machine frame.
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Wittmann Battenfeld GmbH Tel: +43 2252 4040 Email: info@wittmann-group.com Web: www.wittmann-group.com
MACHINERY ROUNDUP New FF Drawer Design Released by Bunting
S+S Flake Purifier Sorting System Now Detects Metal
Bunting Magnetics Co. has taken the prominent tested features of its FF series and HF series magnetic drawer filters, and combined them into a single design. The original Bunting FF Series Drawer Magnet was designed for equipment protection and product purity for plastic moulding equipment. Bunting says it is setting a new, higher separation standard for the plastics processing industry. Bunting’s NEO Self-Cleaning FF Drawer Magnet features easy cleaning with one smooth motion. Users do not need to remove any components for cleaning. This results in less good product loss. Bunting’s proven grommet style, found on the popular HF Series Drawer Magnets, has over 15 years of field testing with proven results. The Self-Cleaning FF Drawer Magnet comes standard with Temperature Compensated Rare Earth magnets with other magnetic loads available. Standard size will fit a 2” to 7” machine opening, other sizes available upon request. Welded Stainless Steel housing is also standard for easy cleaning and
Since the launch of its Flake-Purifier sorting system in 2008, the S+S Group says it has been working to improve performance and extend the range to cover more of the needs of the plastics recycling industry. From separating a range of food and non-food grade plastics, including PET, PLA and PVC, into pure fractions using NIR (Near Infra-Red) and CCD camera technologies, the FlakePurifier can now be fitted with metal detection sensors to remove metallic contaminants whilst sorting mixed plastics flakes by both colour and type. The new technology is reported to be so sensitive that a single combination of colour and plastic type, such as light blue PET, can be separated from a mixed material stream. In operation, a full range of wavelengths is evaluated to precisely identify and separate different plastics fractions across the complete working width whilst minimising the proportion of good material that is rejected. The
durability. A detachable tramp tray alleviates messy cleanups and spills. Other available options include NoSpill Slide Gate, Purge Hopper, Dump Tube, Liquid Ports, and Powder Seal Kit. Also available is a Pneumatic SelfCleaning model. This model will have the same footprint and overall drawer dimensions as the Self-Cleaning model. The Pneumatic Self-Cleaning model is ideal for those hard to reach places that are difficult for a maintenance person to get to for cleaning.
Bunting Magnetics Co. Tel: +1 800 835 2526 Email: bmc@buntingmagnetics.com Web: www.buntingmagnetics.com
Come and see us at Halle A6/Stand A6-6401
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working width may be divided to permit sorting and re-sorting on the same machine. The Flake-Purifier is very compact and consumes significantly less power than older designs; typical power consumption is approximately 1.5 kW, according to S+S. Using a modular mechanical construction allows equipment to be upgraded easily and economically to meet changing operational requirements and new technologies to be incorporated as they become available. S+S Inspection Limited Tel: +44 1489 553740 Email: info@sesotec.co.uk Web: www.sesotec.co.uk
MATERIALS
Fibre Reinforced Bio-Based Polyamides Offer High Performance Potential Evonik Industries has developed and launched a combination of bio-based high-performance polyamides and biobased high-performance fibres. Reinforcing fibres, particularly chopped fibreglass, are often mixed into a plastic to improve its mechanical properties. But in the case of bio-based polymers this means that the bio-content is lowered, reducing the ecological advantage. The use of natural fibres, on the other hand, has so far resulted in significant deterioration of reinforcing potential, and an unpleasant odour in the end product. Evonik’s new Vestamid Terra with rayon fibres reportedly retains the high bio-content — along with excellent reinforcing potential. Two polyamide grades of the Vestamid Terra product family form the polymer matrix: Terra HS and Terra DS. These polyamides are fully or partially obtained from the castor oil plant. Commercially available chopped rayon fibres form the reinforcing fibre substrate. Rayon is also known as manmade cellulose or technically as viscose fibres. These fibres are obtained entirely from wood residues (dissolving pulp), and are therefore also based on renewable raw materials. The overall bio-content is thus high, lying between 67 and 100%. Compared with fibreglass reinforced systems, the combination of viscose fibres and polymer matrix offers a significantly improved carbon balance. As an example, CO2 savings for a viscose fibre system of PA1010 with a fibre content of 30% are 57% higher than for a 30% glass fibre reinforced PA66. Additionally, viscose reinforcing fibres have a significantly lower density than mineral fibres: depending on fibre content, bio-polyamides reinforced with viscose fibres offer a weight reduction of up to 10%, for the same reinforcing performance. “With this product development, we want to further support the unrestricted expansion of bio-based products in technically demanding applications for our customers,” said Dr. Benjamin Brehmer, Business Manager Biopolymers at Evonik. Evonik offers Vestamid Terra grades of varying fibre content, to satisfy a wide range of mechanical demands.
Purging Solutions: Blacks Specs and Gels Prevention is the Best Cure CJP Sales Ltd, a leading UK materials distributor, has been working with customers to improve efficiency by using Dyna-Purge during the start up/shut down procedure. CJP says it has customers who have completely eradicated black specs by leaving DynaPurge in the barrel over the weekend or during shut-down periods. Dyna-Purge works by using a scrubbing granular with a polymer carrier giving a mechanical rather than abrasive or chemical purge. The issue of black specs in mouldings and extrusion has always been a problem for plastic processors. As with all carbonbased materials such as polymers, excessive heating or long term contact with hot metal surfaces which will cause degradation. This degradation may not be evident for some time until the ultimate problem arises — black specs — when the carbon build up starts breaking away. Dyna-Purge is also very effective when changing materials from a lower temperature to a higher temperature — Dyna-Purge acts to bridge the temperature gap. Dyna-Purge K ranges from 147˚C-287˚C, and Dyna-Purge M ranging from 175˚C- 310˚C. CJP is offering assistance and advice on
how to eradicate black specks to all plastic processors with a free of charge sample. Dyna-Purge is a registered and trademarked product of Shuman Plastics Inc.
Evonik Web: www.evonik.com
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CJP Sales Ltd. Tel: +44 1656 644907 Email: sales@cjpsales.co.uk Web: www.cjpsales.co.uk
MATERIALS ROUNDUP Tea anyone?
Secure Packaging for High-Value Items with Specialty Foams
Innovative housewares brand finum, known for its patented tea and coffee filters and pots, has launched its first multifunctional tumbler, Traveler Zita, for perfect leaf tea making while travelling. Riensch & Held GmbH & Co.KG selected Eastman Tritan copolyester for both the Tea Control Kit and the double-wall tumbler, due to its clarity, dishwasher proof durability and because it is Bisphenol A (BPA)free. “We needed a polymer material which resists the temperature changes that occur during tea brewing,” said Christian J. Justus, finum Managing Partner, Riensch & Held. “It also had to be unaffected by dishwashing, be taste-free, easy to clean, and tough enough to withstand rough usage and still look appealing. “We found that Eastman Tritan copolyester easily meets all these parameters. It’s also BPA-free, and has been evaluated and received food contact clearances from the European Commission and United States Food and Drug Administration. We have already used it for our popular series of tea makers Tea Control, so when we
BASF’s specialty foams are suitable for a broad range of packaging applications, including highvalue items, according to the company. Used for recyclable packaging and reusable transport containers, the closed-cell particle foam Neopolen is available on the market as Neopolen P (expanded polypropylene, EPP) and Neopolen E (expanded polyethylene, EPE). Neopolen E features a special degree of softness, and can therefore protect sensitive surfaces. This foam is provided in panel form with densities of 22, 32 and now 52 kilograms per cubic meter, and in white and black. Neopolen P is provided in particle form, and can be foamed into a wide variety of components using automated moulding systems. The density of these components can be adjusted, which offers design flexibility. Both foams possess high energy absorption levels and low weights as well as good resilience — which also provides a high degree of protection under repeated impact load. In addition, Neopolen absorbs very little water, is 100% recyclable, and is free of chemical blowing agents.
designed the Traveler Zita, it was an obvious choice for this tumbler too. The new finum Traveler Zita comprises a 0.3l double-wall tumbler and its Tea Control Kit, both made of Eastman Tritan copolyester. Available in three translucent colours, apple green, ruby red and anthracite, the lid resembles a tea cup for easy drinking while the tumbler is closed. The insulated walls of the tumbler make it suitable for hot and cold drinks and the new Corkmec seals the spout while on the move. Eastman Web: www.eastman.com
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BASF’s E-por is a development of EPS (expandable polystyrene) and is suitable for impact-resistant disposable packaging in high-value electronic devices. The sensitivity and weight of these devices determines the optimum packaging. In these cases, E-por can reportedly offer a cost-efficient solution. E-por is a complex formulation of different polymers which interact both with each other and with the blowing agent. BASF claims that this makes Epor the first tough-elastic foam that can be stored, processed, and recycled. In addition, it has both an appealing look and texture, and possesses very good solvent-resistance properties. BASF Tel: +49 621 60 42223 Email: evelyn.naudorf@basf.com Web: www.basf.com
Q&A
Smithers Rapra, the UK-based conference organiser with a long history in the plastics EPPM TALKS sector is making preparations for its 15th Annual TPE WITH Thermoplastic Elastomers conference, back in Berlin this year. We sat down with Alix Reeves, SMITHERS Senior Conference Producer, European Events at RAPRA Smithers Rapra to find out why European readers need to attend the conference this year.
First of all, what was the response and feedback from last year's conference
“
Our TPE conference has, over the last 15 years, attracted a loyal following. The 2011 event was no different in this respect and delegates as always praised the high level of technical content and the balance of papers that we attracted from industry and academia. Last year we took the event to Brussels which had a mixed response. This year, we’re heading back to Germany as a result of the feedback we received (my apologies to whoever suggested Barbados for the 2012 event!) and with the help of a new advisory programme committee have been able to develop a technical programme that we believe will meet the needs of today’s raw material suppliers, compounders, tier 1 and 2 fabricators and OEMs. So what's new on the agenda this year?
Input from end users on their requirements for new developments. We are delighted to have a keynote paper from Peter Seiler, Principal Materials Engineer at medical device manufacturer Medtronic Inc, who will be discussing their material requirements and the need for collaboration with suppliers to develop best practices for screening and qualifying new materials for the medical device industry. We also hope to confirm shortly a paper from a well-known automotive manufacturer on their current and future demand for TPE materials in the quest for lighter weight materials to improve fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions. We will reveal details on the event website as soon as we are able! We have included more application-based papers in the 2012 conference programme. In our experience these are the papers that appeal to all levels of the supply chain because they bring to the real world novel technologies and materials and help illustrate the wide range of advantages that TPEs have over other materials. As one would expect there will be a heavy emphasis on TPE materials for use in automotive applications such as new corner moulding TPV for automotive seals and TPU solutions for pneumatic tubing. However we’re covering a variety of applications – for example a new range of TPE based shoe insole materials with improved cushioning and damping properties; styrenic thermoplastic elastomers and their uses in food packaging and the medical and pharmaceutical industry. Feedback from the 2011 meeting has also given rise to a
The programme has been developed for all tiers of the supply chain and there needs to be multi-tier collaboration in order to influence the performance of the materials of the future.
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session at the 2012 event focussed on bio-based grades of TPE — new approaches regarding their development and their applications. There is a great deal of societal pressure for bio-products and cleaner processes and this is certainly felt in the TPE sector and the industries it serves. In this session we are including a presentation on ground breaking R&D into a multi-functional TPE made of more than 90% biobased content as well as the launch of the first TPE starch hybrid resins. There will also be developments in PPA based materials and bio-renewable TPU solutions for pneumatic tubing and other industrial markets. Obviously the conferences are designed to inform, but as a member of the plastics industry, what would you like to achieve with TPE 2012?
As with any conference, there has to be a balance. We know that people attend conferences for a variety of reasons – the technical content and material updates are important, yes, but the opportunities for networking, winning new business and putting themselves and their companies ‘out there’ are equally strong drivers. We hope that we have created an event that gives our delegates the chance to have all of these things. After all, many of the challenges our delegates are facing aren’t unique to their own businesses. The rising price and falling supply of feedstocks, the possibility of sliding back into a recession, the direction of end user markets – these are issues that can’t always be covered in a single presentation but can be discussed informally face to face. We have, as always, built into the agenda plenty of time for networking, including a conference dinner, and look forward to EPPM 21
noisy breaks, where our delegates will put the world to rights! In addition, in response to a general call for more ‘end users’ of TPE materials at the 2011 event we have in place a more targeted marketing campaign to reach out to OEMs- particularly those in the medical, automotive and footwear sectors covered in this year’s agenda. This has been effective and we are already seeing a take up from these industries. The programme has been developed for all tiers of the supply chain and there needs to be multi-tier collaboration in order to influence the performance of the materials of the future. Our aim is to create a forum that the industry finds useful and valuable - both a learning experience and a place to discuss future developments in the TPE business. Who should attend? Is this a conference for company directors, technicians and engineers, or all of the above? In short, all of the above, but we are aware that this is primarily a technical conference and the audience demographics are fairly reflective of this. That said, we can count company Presidents, VPs of Technology, Chief Technology Officers and R&D Directors among the delegates at this year’s conference and so there will be a good mix of managerial and technical representatives in Berlin. How much attention should people be paying towards trends in bio-TPEs? We continue to hear about strong growth in biorenewables. The TPE sector is certainly not immune to the need to adopt greener processes, technologies and materials. Raw material suppliers will of course be driven largely by their end customers, as will others in the supply chain, and will develop new materials that fit in with the mega trends in these markets. As we know the automotive sector is one of the largest users of TPE materials and trends such as downsizing, electrification and/or hybridisation of powertrains and lightweight technology are the things that already impact the industry and will further in the future. Developing biomaterials that meet these goals will of course be the objective of many material providers. TPE 2012 is open for registrations now. More information is available by visiting the website listed below.
Smithers Rapra Technology Ltd Tel: +44 1939 252460 Email: conferences@smithers.com Web: www.tpe-conference.com/home.aspx
MATERIALS SPOTLIGHT eppm
MEDICAL
Medical Polymers Present Opportunities for High Margins Innovation, performance, quality and price are important factors influencing the use of polymers in medical devices. Although polymer prices are set to increase gradually, they are, nevertheless, expected to replace other materials like glass and metals. Therefore, the ability to engineer and customise polymers according to varied application needs will create lucrative opportunities, according to new analysis from Frost & Sullivan. The new study, ‘Western European Market for Polymers in Medical Devices’, finds that the market earned revenues of €602 million in 2011 and estimates this to reach €1075.4 million in 2018, boosted by the increasing replacement of other materials by polymers in medical devices. The research covers a range of product segments, including polyvinyl chloride (PVC), silicone, styrene, thermoplastic elastomers and engineering and high performance polymers. “A rapidly greying population with its attendant healthcare needs will have a positive impact on the medical devices market and, by extension, on polymers used in such equipment,” noted Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst, Tridisha Goswami. “This will be reinforced by the uptake of increasingly sophisticated equipment by the healthcare industry and the growing importance of portable, impact-resistant medical devices that can be used in homecare settings.” Already, polymers with higher chemical and impact resistance, superior mechanical and thermal properties have become the material of choice for most medical applications like medical tubing, wound care, adhesives and lubricants. The healthcare industry is exhibiting increased interest in miniaturisation, homecare, and aesthetics for medical devices. Polymers that have exceptional durability, flexibility and strength, and can also be dyed in any colour, meet such demands. Polymers also fulfil the need for lightweight, portable, smaller-sized devices. In comparison to other verticals, such as automotive and construction, polymers in healthcare is a lowvolume market. However, it offers opportunities for higher margins and, moreover, is less tied to GDP growth. “It has to be noted though that governmental pressure to lower healthcare costs are likely to limit profit margins of polymer suppliers,” cautioned Goswami. “The market is highly regulated and product development is expensive and time consuming.” Despite low-volumes, the market is defined by high competition and innovation. Efforts to advance polymer
functionality and diversify the application base will help companies establish their presence in the market. “Competition is intense and market participants have to diversify their product lines and be a one-stop-solution for all healthcare material needs,” advised Goswami. Frost & Sullivan Tel: +44 20 7343 8383 Email: enquiries@frost.com Web: www.frost.com
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MATERIALS SPOTLIGHT eppm
MEDICAL
Trelleborg has announced TRELLEBORG investment in silicone INVESTS IN manufacturing for medical applications will be made at SILICONE its facility in Switzerland. MANUFACTURING Investment will be made at FOR MEDICAL Trelleborg’s Stein am Rhein facility acquired from APPLICATIONS Silcotech Group in April 2011, to triple the site's cleanroom and increase overall manufacturing capacity by 30 percent. “Life science is an important and growing market where our innovation, materials and manufacturing
expertise can provide real value to customers,” said General Manager, Matthias Jakob. “This investment is a further step to us increasing our global footprint in liquid silicone parts for medical and pharmaceutical applications.” In April 2011, Trelleborg acquired operations from within Silcotech Group that expanded the company's know-how in clean room manufacturing of silicone components and
Ixef polyarylamide (PARA) resin from Solvay Specialty Polymers is being used in new disposable surgical devices for minimally invasive cardiac surgery (MICS) procedures. The high-performance thermoplastic replaces stainless steel, allowing for more economical production of single-use surgical
THERMOPLASTIC RESIN REPLACES STAINLESS STEEL IN SURGERY INSTRUMENTS
instruments. Solvay states the material has been chosen by for its strength, rigidity, and mouldability in new disposable surgical devices. “Ixef PARA’s strength and rigidity is similar to stainless steel and it can also be moulded, allowing us to eliminate machining and realise a major cost reduction over stainless steel,” said Felipe Echeverri, Engineering Director for US-based Biorep Technologies, manufacturer of the new devices. The components of the devices which have had the stainless steel replaced include the tip and visor support bracket of a ‘knot pusher’, a device designed to secure suture knots in the heart during MICS
The battle to minimise the risk of cross infection in hospitals has taken another step forward with the launch of a new range of VacSax disposable suction liners — VacSax BactiClear – made with Biomaster Protection. This is the only antibacterial suction liner system in the UK (developed and manufactured by VacSax Ltd) with all external surfaces of the liner and canister having antibacterial properties. “VacSax are the market leader in disposable suction liners in the UK and now with BactiClear added to our product range we are confident of increasing our market share,” said Denise Ridall, Associate Director, Sales and Marketing, VacSax. “To date we have been in contact with over 50 percent of NHS hospitals and our product information has gone to every hospital trust in the UK.” Seen by 90 percent of hospital beds across the country, the BactiClear system has been proven to
in the production of silicone multi-component products for the pharmaceutical and medical technology industries. Silcotech's technology gives Trelleborg capabilities in automated processes to produce precision parts in high volumes and components with very tight tolerances in liquid silicone. Silicone is a premier material within elastomers with unique and advanced attributes. Specific to medical applications, its matchless bio-inertness makes it the most suitable elastomer when considering bacteria growth and alleviating contamination concerns. It is, perhaps, the most widely tested and proven material related to human compatibility. Additionally, silicone's mechanical properties prove to be an excellent fit in dynamic applications such as pump tubing where accuracy, consistency and longevity are important determining performance factors. Trelleborg Tel: +44 1954 230 250 Email: news@trelleborg.com Web: www.trelleborg.com
procedures, and the S blade of an ‘atrial lift system’ – an instrument used to retract the atrial wall during limited-access cardiac surgical procedures. The replacement parts are made of Ixef 1022, a 50% glass-filled PARA compound which combines high stiffness with an ultra-smooth finish. Solvay states the tensile and flexural strength of Ixef compounds are similar to many cast metals and alloys at ambient temperature. Biorep reportedly selected Ixef PARA over 30% glass-filled liquid crystal polymer (LCP) and 30% carbon-filled polyetheretherketone (PEEK) due to its higher rigidity and lower processing temperature (260°C). The high-flow resin is also said to readily fill walls as thin as 0.02 inch (0.5 mm), even with glass loadings as high as 60%. Solvay Specialty Polymers Web: www.solvayspecialtypolymers.com
ANTIMICROBIAL PLASTIC HELPS FIGHT AGAINST CROSS INFECTION
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reduce harmful bacteria such as MRSA and E-Coli by up to 99 percenr as independently tested to the ISO 22196:2011 standard. Addmaster Tel: +44 1785 225656 Email: info@addmaster.co.uk Web: www.addmaster.co.uk
FAKUMA PREVIEW 2012
Fakuma: at the Heart of European Plastic Processing Located on the border of South Germany, Fakuma has a reputation for being one of the best shows in the industry for attracting a broad demographic of international visitors. Thomas Behne of PR portfolio, who has a long affiliation with many of the show’s key exhibitors, speaking exclusively to EPPM said of the show: “Fakuma has contributed to a steady and proactive development of plastics. During the first trade fair in 1981 visitors found information and equipment, answers and production solutions at close hand. This fact has not changed; at Fakuma, trade visitors find exhibitors showing their latest technologies in the sectors injection moulding as well as extrusion, detailed discussions take place and – what is most important – purchase decisions are made spontaneously.
Fakuma represents an expert market place and provides a family atmosphere for the German speaking moulder. Nowadays, Fakuma also welcomes trade visitors and the media from all over European countries, as well as from overseas, because they have recognised this as a meeting place of companies offering know-how, they are able to find the specialists and experts to discuss state-of-the-art technologies.” In the coming pages, we will continue our look ahead at this important show for plastic processors.
Teknor Apex Introduces a ‘Broader And More Globalised’ Range of Engineering Thermoplastics to European Marketplace Teknor Apex Company, one of the world’s leading custom compounders, has restructured and expanded its portfolio of engineering thermoplastic (ETP) compounds for use by European processors, offering products ranging from general-purpose formulations to a wealth of specialty modified grades, and now including many polyamide (PA) compounds developed in the USA for automotive applications. The company will introduce its expanded ETP offering at Fakuma 2012 (Stand B4-4107). “At Fakuma, Teknor Apex will reintroduce itself as a leading compounder of ETP solutions,” said Neil Croucher, Sales and Marketing Director. “We now offer European customers a product range that is broader and more globalised than ever, providing customers with an unlimited choice of custom formulations based on PA, PET, and PBT, along with full technical backup, product development support, localised service, and worldwide availability for any compound required by companies that manufacture internationally.” ETP products offered throughout Europe by the Engineering Thermoplastics Division of Teknor Apex are available in reinforced, filled, lubricated, stabilised, flame retarded, and other modified formulations, including standard, custom, and color-matched compounds. The products now fall into two broad families: Beetle range of PA, PET, and PBT compounds includes products for automotive, electrical, consumer, industrial, construction, sport and leisure, and wire coating applications. A special series of “economy nylon” compounds called Beetle-E has been developed for generalpurpose applications and is available in non-reinforced and glass-filled versions and in black or natural colour. Chemlon PA compounds for automotive applications include dozens of formulations developed for powertrain, chassis, exterior, and interior components, with approvals from Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors. The latest example of a PA automotive compound available worldwide is the new Chemlon 800 Series of injection molding compounds. These are based on polyamide 6 /12 but provide comparable performance in the fuel-line components that comprise the major application for polyamide 12. The new compounds provide a practical alternative for processors amidst industry concerns about PA 12 supplies. Teknor Apex produces PA compounds in the UK, the U.S.A., and Singapore. The company’s ETP product range is supported throughout Europe by a network of distributors. Teknor Apex — Hall B4, Stand 4107 Tel: +44 121 665 2100 Email: etpsales@teknorapex.co.uk Web: www.teknorapex.com
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FAKUMA 2012 PREVIEW Gneuss to Show New Developments to MRS Extruder and Rotary Melt Filtration Systems In recent years, the Multi Rotation System extruder from German group Gneuss has been developed for the processing of rPET. More than 25 of these special extruders have been sold for sheet, fibre and repelletising applications worldwide. The main advantage of the MRS extruder is that it permits the processing of PET without pre-drying, instead using a simple water ring vacuum system to process the PET into a high quality product. This is achieved with the patented processing section. Based on a conventional single screw extruder, the Multi Rotation Section (MRS) is a drum containing eight satellite single screws, driven by a ring gear and pinion transmission. The barrels cut into the drum are approximately 30% open, providing optimum exposure of the melt. In addition to its good devolatilising performance, the MRS also offers excellent decontamination. A total of 4 LNOs (letters of non objection) have been received from the American Food
and Drug Administration (FDA) for the reprocessing of PET material for the food industry. The latest LNO allows producers to process up to 100% PET bottle flake into FDA approved end products (e.g. food containers). This is achieved without the need for any treatment of the material before or after it is processed on the extruder (resulting in no restrictions on the washing process, no drying, no crystallising etc.). Gneuss’s RSFgenius and SFXmagnus filtration systems have also had success across Europe, especially in the fields of foam sheet and foam packaging film, thermoforming sheet, non-woven fibers as well as in various recycling applications, e.g. PET bottle flake recycling. Gneuss’ Filtration Technology product group will present its rotary melt filtration systems at Fakuma with new design enhancements. Several new safety features have been added, as well as the option for an automatic purge ejector for the backflushing RSFgenius model. A global trend towards bigger lines and therefore bigger filtration systems can be seen, and Gneuss reports that the number of RSFgenius and SFXmagnus systems sold in sizes 200, 250, 330 and 400 has doubled in the last 12 months.
Additionally, since the last Fakuma, Gneuss’ Measurement Technology division has worked on several new developments. With Gneuss’ new multipoint calibration system a much more precise measurement of lower pressures is possible for large measuring ranges. For example an accuracy of 0.15% in an operating range of up to 100 bar can be achieved for a 0-1000 bar DAI pressure transmitter. Also, a new, harder membrane coating option for very abrasive materials is available. The
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coating is a special titan-aluminum-nitrite and is reported to be very successful in wood-plastic composite applications. Gneuss Kunststofftechnik GmbH — Hall A6, Stand 6501 Tel: +49 5731 5307 10 Email: gneuss@gneuss.com Web: www.gneuss.com
FAKUMA 2012 PREVIEW Ferromatik to Show New Modular F-Series and Second Generation of the Elektron Series Ferromatik Milacron will present three key exhibits at Fakuma. The company will present the first multi-component machine in the new modular F-Series. With a clamping force of 1,600 kN, the F 160-2F is configured as a hybrid machine. It offers tie-bar spacing of 570 x 570 mm and houses a 2+1-cavity mould by Udo Bodmer of Solution B. The machine is outfitted with both a main and a vertical injection unit. Both are Advanced Performance (APh) 45 injection units and are hydraulically driven. Both screws have a diameter of 40 mm. In the first stage, the vertical injection unit produces two separate parts which form the top of a container for six eggs. An inmould-label (IML) is also applied to these parts. Once the top of the container is injected, the bottom of the container is moulded by the main injection unit. In the mould the two top parts are arranged left and right from the bottom and are joined to the base of the container with hinges that allow each half of the top to be opened individually. This packaging solution is merchandised as chickPack and was developed by Udo Bodmer of Solution B. “The F-Series offers moulders a highperformance solution that can produce thin-walled, two-component parts at high speed without any issues,” said Dr. Thorsten Thümen, Director of Research & Development at Ferromatik Milacron. The F 270 CUBE with a clamping force of 2,700 kN is a new intermediate size in the modular F-Series. It is also the first cube moulding technology machine in the new line. “For 15 years Ferromatik Milacron
has offered hydraulic and hybrid machines with flexible stack-turning mould systems leading to the development of advanced cube and twincube moulding technologies,” said Gerold Schley, Managing Director of Ferromatik Milacron. “With the F 270 CUBE, Ferromatik Milacron now has an all-electric cube moulding machine on the market.” The machine has generous tie-bar spacing of 750 x 750 mm. Within the machine there is a rotating mechanism and an 8+8 cavity cube mould with four sides, both made by Foboha. The machine uses a General Performance (GPe) size 50 main injection unit as well as a GPe size 45 traversing injection unit, mounted over the clamping unit on the moving platen. Both injection units are electrically driven and have 45 mm diameter screws. On each parting line of the cube mould, eight pairs of parts — the top and the bottom of a twisting cap — are produced in parallel. Following a 90° turn of the cube mould, the two parts are assembled by automation on the operator and non-operator sides of the machine. This action takes place while the next set of parts is being injected. Two robots remove the twist tops and place them in an Air-Move-System from Trio-technik for removal. The total shot weight is 88 g, or 11 g for each twist top. The cycle time is 7.5 seconds. Part of this application is a tiny drink powder chamber in the upper piece, which is sealed shut after the two parts are assembled. The first time the twist top is opened, the chamber is unsealed, dropping the powder into the bottle. This closure can be used, for example, for isotonic drinks or medications that need to be freshly mixed before consumption. Fakuma will see the public unveiling of the second-generation all-electric Elektron series. The Elektron is a global machine series produced by Milacron and is available in nine sizes ranging from 500 to 4,500 kN with nine injection unit sizes from international size 55 to size 3,470.
The machine incorporates a new control panel, which was developed especially for the Elektron series and optimised for cost and performance. The new controls have a large 15” touch screen surrounded by clearly marked buttons. The buttons are spatially arranged according to the machine functions they control: machine functions on the left side of the machine are represented by buttons on the left side of the panel, and so on. “The controls are intuitive, so new users can get up and running right away,” said Hans-Peter Hüglin, Product Manager for the Elektron series at Ferromatik Milacron. Visitors to Fakuma will see an Elektron 50 with a clamping force of 500 kN specially set up to work with liquid silicone (LSR). The machine features an international size 55 injection unit including a special plasticising unit and a silicon screw with a diameter of 22 mm. “Because of its unique characteristics, LSR is a very versatile material for many applications,” said Sven Engelmann, Head of Applications & Systems at Ferromatik
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Milacron. “All of the injection moulding machines at Ferromatik Milacron can easily be set up for silicone moulding.” The liquid silicone consists of two components which are mixed 1:1 in an all-electric plasticising unit made by Reinhardt-Technik. The material is then fed into an LSR plasticizing unit temperature controlled to 12°C. From there it is injected into the 200°C heated mould. The mould was built by Emde Industrie-Technik. The heated mould vulcanises the previously cooled material and makes it irreversibly solid. At Fakuma, the Elektron 50 will produce two transparent baby pacifiers in a single shot, made entirely of silicone. The shot weight is 20 g. In contrast to conventional two-component pacifiers (ABS and LSR) all-silicone pacifiers are manufactured as a single part, reducing production costs. Ferromatik Milacron — Hall B3, Stand 3203 Tel: +49 76 44 78 0 Email: marketing@ferromatik.com Web: www.ferromatik.com
FAKUMA 2012 PREVIEW Hahn Automation to Focus on Saving Energy at Fakuma German group Hahn Automation, a manufacturer of linear robots, temperature control and automation equipment will present its handling and temperature control technology for the plastics processing industry with highperformance energy-saving features, as well as a newly developed tray server. The smallest device in Hahn’s robot offering is the sprue removal robot, which is offered as a pneumatically powered “Smart Picker” or “ProPicker” with servo motor drives. The latter offers parallel movements and the potential for cycle time reductions with lower energy consumption. For the Hahn ProLine linear robot series, an optional energy recovery system has been developed. It is a closed circulation system for
pneumatic force assistance of the Y-axis stroke. Its main component is an air reservoir, which is connected via lines to a pneumatic cylinder on the Y-axis. The piston rod is connected to the driving carriage of the Y-axis and is simultaneously driven by linear axis moves via a servomotor. During the downward stroke, air is pressed out of the cylinder into the memory and then the air pressure is increased in the system. On the up stroke, the pressure eases and acts as a driving force for the pneumatic cylinder, which relieves the motor. Comparative measurements with conventional devices reportedly confirm marked energy savings of up to 40%. Hahn Automation will also present a completely new series of tray servers, for the provision of inserts, as well as the acquisition of finished parts in transport trays used in injection or compression moulding. They can push through up to six 800 mm tall stacks on 600 x 400 mm trays (optional tray sizes are 100 x 200 mm and 300 x 400 mm). For separation, the tray servers have been fitted with their own multifunctional manipulation device. The time taken to change a tray is approximately 10 seconds.
Hahn Automation — Hall A7, Stand 7511 Tel: +49 6764 90220 Email: info@hahnautomation.com Web: www.hahnautomation.com
Tricool Thermal to Bring Leading Range of Temperature Control Equipment Tricool Thermal has 30 years of experience in process heating, in which it has worked with a variety of distributors across Europe and the rest of the world selling our market leading range of process heaters and thermoregulators. Located in hall A3, booth A3-3310, Tricool will be showcasing its new range of process heaters and thermoregulators which were launched earlier this year. This range of units is capable of serving various industry applications including; plastics extrusion, die casting and injection moulding together with food production, chemical and pharmaceutical industries. With units ranging from 9kW-48kW, oil heaters offering temperatures of up to 350oC and water heaters capable of achieving 140oC, the group can provide a temperature control solution for any heating requirement.
In addition to this the group will be showcasing the C7 advanced controller which has been developed for its thermoregulators to provide innovative technological temperature analysis. Design development has been re-evaluated in order to provide the customer with a more advanced system which is easy to navigate and can analyse processes in great detail; ensuring every aspect of the temperature and control is working to maximum productivity. Tricool says its solutions are pushing the boundaries of energy efficiency, flexibility, uptime and process productivity improvements – all
Weber Esslingen Releases Larger Turning System Mould and tooling specialist Weber Mehrkomponententechnik has now made available its larger DE824/DE825 turning system. The system will be on display at Weber’s stand at Fakuma. The new supplement means that Weber’s turning technology is now available for machine sizes with tiebar distances up to 1,020 mm. The group’s servo-hydraulic rotating systems are available for machines with tiebar distances from 270 mm. The DE 824 is designed for a maximum workload of 3,500 kg, and can rotate 180 degress in two seconds. Because of the servo-electric drive the rotation angle can range from zero to 360 degress. Turntable diameter is 1,160 mm with a dead load of the rotation unit of 3,000 kg. All Weber rotating systems can be used universally via conversion kits for transforming rotating systems to index and vice versa. Weber’s hydraulic systems turn as standard either around 180 degress or around 120 degrees on three levels. The electric rotation units reach two, three or four stages as standard, moving alternately or continously. Weber Esslingen — Hall A3, Stand 3302 Tel: +49 711 31 54 990 Email: info@weber-esslingen.de Web: www.weber-esslingen.de EPPM 28
contributing to enhanced on going operation and cost control for its customers. Tricool Thermal — Hall A3, Stand 3310 Tel: +44 800 774 7404 Email: info@icstemp.com Web: www.tricool.com
FAKUMA 2012 PREVIEW Gammaflux to Bring Smaller, Cheaper Temperature Control System Making its European début at Fakuma will be the new G24 temperature control system from Gammaflux. This highperformance control system unites the compact dimensions of Gammaflux’s LEC controllers with the performance attributes of the TTC models. The G24 controllers also use the Triangulated Control Technology developed by Gammaflux, a technology that in practical terms means: temperature sensing in 50 millisecond cycles, temperature evaluation with the selfadapting PID² control algorithm and actuation with phase angle firing control. The G24 is simpler than other models, as the operator can reportedly familiarise himself with the working and programming of the controller in just a few minutes; when set to automatic operation, the controller operates in accordance with best industrial practice. Gammaflux says the unit is also less expensive. This has been achieved by using fewer electronic components and optimum exploitation of the global supply chain for these components. Another big benefit is the size reduction — each control module is rated for 15 A and up to 24 zones can be accommodated in one single control block. By comparison with the TTC controller, a G24 controller with 128 zones takes up 48% less floor space. The industrial duty USB interface to the screen ensures an update rate of 0.1 seconds. The standard module is
equipped with two 15 A outputs which can be used for both hot runner tip and manifold zone control. Input/output (I/O) interfaces to the injection moulding machine ensure that no reject mouldings are produced and no serious damage can occur to the mould. Thanks to its screen input facility, the G24 software simplifies the interlock between the mould and the machine and also interlock simulation during machine set-up prior to commencement of production. The new control system also features the “Mold Doctor” functions for mould troubleshooting and for performance monitoring, the latter serving as a means of detecting leakages and faults in the hot runner system. Every G24 controller comes with a full 5-year Gammaflux warranty. Gammaflux Europe GmbH — Hall A7, Stand 7311 Tel: +49 6 119 73 430 Email: bkippes@gammaflux.de Web: www.gammaflux.de
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FAKUMA 2012 PREVIEW ProTec Polymer Processing to Make its Fakuma Debut Equipment provider ProTec Polymer Processing will present comprehensive solution concepts for flexible, efficient and economic material handling for plastics processing as well as plant engineering for PET recycling at Fakuma. The product range for material handling presented at the trade fair includes equipment and complete process engineering solutions for granulate and regrind drying, conveying, dosing and colouring. In addition, the show will be used to present a new gravimetric batch dosing system for up to four components, the D600 series
frame sizes of the new generation of stationary Somos material drying systems as well as a new, high-performance conveying machine controller. The initial presentation of the patented OHL process will also take place at the Fakuma trade fair. This process allows the treatment of used PET bottles into RPET that contains virgin material properties. Fakuma 2012 will be the company’s first trade fair appearance since the merger of Mann+Hummel ProTec and OHL Engineering, which was finalised on May 1, 2012 and resulted in the formation of ProTec Polymer Processing GmbH. The new dosing and mixing system Somos BB 150 batch dosing machine is designed for both supply to injection moulding machines as well as for extruders operating in overfeeding mode with multi-component mixtures. Currently, it is designed for a maximum of four free-flowing components and throughputs of up to approximately 150 kg/h. The system is mounted directly onto the material feeder of the processing machine (or a frame near the machine) and can be equipped with Somos suction conveyors for automatic filling of the material tank. The new batch dosing system Somos BB 150
offers high dosing precision at an attractive price-performance ratio. The conveyor system control MH 5, which can be used as either a one- or multiple-feed system, is also new. Since the machines can communicate with each other, up to 12 conveyor units can be flexibly linked together in a network without the need for a complex multiple feed control unit. With the MH 5 controller, one of the 12 conveying stations can assume these so-called master functions; the gradual expansion up to 12 stations is possible. With the integration of the former OHL Engineering, the entire range of services offered by ProTec Polymer Processing now also includes systems for the postcondensation of plastics as well as for PET recycling. At Fakuma, the OHL
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process for the recovery of PET granulate from PET bottle flakes will be presented. An important system component is the OHL tumble reactor, a rotation reactor that can be heated and evacuated. The reactor can be used for post-condensation (molecular weight increase) of plastic granulates such as polyamides and polyesters. Decontamination and post-condensation are significant process steps required in order to attain R-PET, which is approved for direct contact with foodstuffs, from the used PET bottles. ProTec Polymer Processing GmbH — Hall B3, Stand 3119 Tel: +49 6251 77061 Email: grit.feistkorn@sp-protec.com Web: www.sp-protec.com
THE GREEN ROOM
eppm
BIOPLASTICS
REPORT
Masterbatch Specialist Colloids on the Future of Bioplastics
Colloids, whose slogan “the Makers of Masterbatch” sums up the company’s activities pretty nicely, has over the years developed a range of additive products for bioplastics. Bob Thomas, Technical Director at Colloids offered us the following report on how bioplastics (and associated additives) are advancing into the future...
Bioplastics — derived from renewable biomass sources — are important. And I am proud of our own work in the field. This includes masterbatches based on polymers incorporating potato or corn starch, or using PLA (polylactic acid) — which can be derived from a variety of renewable resources — as the polymer carrier. Colloids has continued to expand its activity in the area of compostable and biopolymer based applications with additions to its well known D-K range of products. The D-K range comprises a wide variety of standard colour concentrates intended for use with biopolymers. The original D-K 200 series, which is based on a flexible starch derived polymer carrier, has been augmented by the D-K 300 series, which offers a similar wide range of colour options but based on a more rigid starch based system, and by the D-K 400 series which is aimed specifically at PLA products and includes a number of transparent colour possibilities as well as fully opaque materials.
But our industry, our customers and the public need to maintain clarity: – “bioplastic” does not in itself mean “biodegradable” per se; – Environmental sustainability is a much bigger topic and one that is subject to fierce ongoing debate to confirm the right mix of strategies and solutions going forward; – However great the progress, it is still early days, and we will see rapid advances ahead. To illustrate the last point, current production capacity of bioplastics worldwide is estimated at some 327,000 tonnes per annum. While this is predicted to rise to 2.1 million tonnes by 2013, it still contrasts starkly with, say, the global consumption of all flexible packaging which is estimated at around 12.3 million tonnes. Colloids has achieved the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System standard, and is committed to continually developing novel technologies in areas such as bioplastics, polymer recycling, energy recovery and responsible disposal. That commitment to the environment is already being tangibly witnessed by innovations in technology and production: the biodegradable golf tees and disposable razors sit alongside the carrier bags in my office.
The speakers and contributions of the 7th European Bioplastics Conference have now been confirmed. Certifying bodies, recyclers and brandowners – more than 30 experts covering the entire value chain of bioplastics - will share their knowledge with the participants. The 7th European Bioplastics Conference will take place at the Maritime proArte Hotel in Berlin (Germany) from 6 to 7 November 2012. With bioplastics ready for the mass market, the leading event in Europe will take up open questions and relevant trends in this significant phase of the industry‘s development. Well covered at this year‘s conference programme and a trend gaining strength
7th EUROPEAN BIOPLASTICS CONFERENCE: PROGRAMME 2012 OUT NOW
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Bob Thomas, Technical Director at Colloids
But it will be the current-and-next stage of market/commercial penetration that determines the way ahead. This is why we are partnering with clients on a long term basis to build the future — one of corporate responsibility and environmental sustainability. Colloids Limited Tel: +44 151 546 9222 Email: sales@colloids.co.uk Web: www.colloids.co.uk
is the recycling of bioplastics. Several contributions about the end-of-life session will tackle this important topic. Dr. Alfredo Aguilar Romanillos, European Commission, DG Research and Innovation will deliver one of the keynotes this year. Amongst others, Clemens Neumann (Federal Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection, Germany) and John Williams (NNFCC) will speak about investments, research projects, and new developed materials. There will be another highlight at the 7th European Bioplastics Conference when the Bioplastics Magazine will present its “Annual Global Bioplastics Award 2012”. European Bioplastics Conference Tel: +49 30 28482-358 Web: en.european-bioplastics.org
GREEN ROOM SPOTLIGHT eppm
BIOPLASTICS
Q&A EPPM TALKS PLA WITH PURAC
In the latest in a recent series of reports on this leading PLA supplier, EPPM talks to Purac about the next challenges for the company...
First of all, please could you tell me about the origins of Purac's venture into PLA? Purac, together with its parent company CSM, is fully committed to sustainable development as part of its Corporate Social Responsibility program, and doing business in a sustainable way is embedded within our long term strategy. Sustainable products are central to this strategy. Purac has 80 years of experience in Lactic Acid and its derivatives, and the pioneering move into PLA bioplastics some 30 years ago was a logical and strategically-aligned step towards our ultimate goal of contributing towards a more sustainable future. Our solutions for PLA bioplastics have been created to allow producers to develop the polymers that have the best performance for their particular application, while stimulating the growth of the bioplastics market and reducing our dependency on fossil fuels. What are some common misconceptions you come up against when marketing your product range? There are two aspects which we are currently tackling in our bioplastic marketing efforts: the sustainability and the performance level of PLA: • The term ‘bioplastics’ can refer to a number of different plastic-types, not all of which are as great for the environment as the ‘bio’ term implies. At Purac, we chose to restrict this definition of ‘bioplastic’ to those which are biobased (made from renewable resources) or biodegradable or both. However, excluded from our definition of bioplastics are those known as oxo-degradables: these are oil-based plastics that break down into tiny parts that – although we can’t see them with the naked eye — can pollute our environment and even contaminate our food-stream, potentially causing considerable problems for future generations and eventually doing more damage than good. Nonetheless, these oxodegradables are also referred to by some as ‘bioplastics’, due to their ability to break down into smaller components. As a result of this, it is no surprise that our customers find themselves confused or ill-informed about what their well intentioned ‘bioplastics’ choice is doing to our environment.
commercial availability, and PLA becomes a very attractive choice for current plastics producers looking to switch to a high performance, biobased alternative. What is Purac doing in terms of seeking out new sustainable feedstocks? At the moment, PLA is made from sugarcane and is one of the most bioefficient bioplastics on the market today. In fact, to make 1 kg of PLA requires just 1.6 kg of sugar, whereas other types of bioplastics can require significantly more natural resources to produce the same amount of end-product. As part of our sustainable sourcing initiative, Purac is a member of Bonsucro and SEDEX. Bonsucro is a global, multi-stakeholder, nonprofit initiative dedicated to reducing the environmental and social impacts of sugar cane production. We exclusively use “GMO-free” feedstocks to produce our PLA monomers. Purac is also actively involved in various fundamental research and development programs to develop cellulose-based, non-food raw materials into a sustainable feedstock for PLA. We are investigating some specific, currently available by-product streams that can be used as PLA feedstock. We are working towards having a pilot facility using these alternative feedstocks in the near future. High heat PLA - we've reported on Purac's developments in this area recently. I gather that typical applications are often packaging ones, but also automotive parts and electronic housings. Has the product been well received on the market thus far? We have seen that the packaging and food serviceware industries were the first to pick up on the benefits of biobased PLA, perhaps encouraged by the drop-in solutions and comparable processing times. The success in these industries is also strengthened even further by the ongoing trend in environmentally responsible purchasing behavior
• Secondly, our contacts and acquaintances are often surprised at the performance levels that can be reached by PLA based on PURALACT Lactides. We see that some people are still under the impression that bioplastics can only be used in low-temperature packaging or single-use disposable food cutlery and serviceware. But with our stereocomplex PLA technology (made possible through our high purity Lactides: the monomer used to make PLLA and PDLA homopolymers which form the building blocks for high performance PLA) we are reaching never before seen levels of impact resistance and temperature resistance. This places biobased PLA on the same playing field as traditional engineering plastics such as PP, PS and ABS. Combine this with the inherent sustainability benefits and current industrial scale
From carpets and toys, to bed linen and furniture: the items we are surrounded by in our daily lives could all be made from environmentally friendly, biobased PLA plastic in the future. amongst a growing group of consumers. What we see now is an increased interest for more high-end, durable applications that bring, of course, their own set of unique challenges. For example; automotive dashboard- or under-the-hood components, carpet fibers, laptop housing and helmet foam interiors, to mention a few. Heat resistance was one of the biggest issues with bioplastics, and you've tackled it. Can you tell me about any other common problems that Purac is working to overcome to make PLA a more commercial product? Heat resistance was indeed the main hurdle we needed to overcome in order for bioplastics to compete with traditional engineering plastics. However, based on current collaborations with partners on more specialized applications, we are currently working on maximizing the performance potential of PLA in the areas of impact resistance and durability. Initial trials are looking extremely promising and we are confident that PLA will continue to be the most capable high performance bioplastic in existence today.
François de Bie Marketing Director, Purac Bioplastics f.de.bie@purac.com +31 183 695 695 www.purac.com/bioplastics
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ADVERTISERS’ INDEX
EPPM CLASSIFIEDS PROCESSING EQUIPMENT
Company
Page
Abbey Masterbatch
13, 35
ACS/Cumberland
TWIN SCREW EXTRUSION SYSTEM
18
Albis UK
20
Bausano
34
Birmingham Granulators
34
Blow Moulding Machinery
34
Boussey Control Europe
34
CJP
7
Colloids
27
Dalesway
35
DB Automation
34
DME
11
Elasto
19
Engel
36
EPPM Online
15
Equipnet
35
Erema
10
Fakuma
30
Gabriel Chemie
8
HB Therm
14
Herbold
34
ICS Tricool
26
Koch-Technik
28
Krauss Maffei
29
Lanxess
9
Maguire
16
Maschinenhandel Borowski
35
Max-Robot
31
Mold Masters
30
Negri Bossi
1
Plastico Trading
34
Process Control
18
PTI-Europe
35
Purgex
24
Rapid WebSmart
2
Rawmec
35
Renmar
12, 34
Kentya K/TC 60-22 (30kw) Technoplast KT8000-1 Technoplast RZ30-SA-1 Technoplast RZ30-SA-1 Technoplast 8m
Extruder : Table: Haul-off: Saw: Tiptable:
Unused machinery – all offers considered View in storage in Frodsham, Cheshire Tel: 01928 734724 Email: sales@herbold.co.uk
RE-PROCESSING EQUIPMENT Cont’d
Granulators – Shredders – Pulverisers New and second hand systems bought and sold Spares for all machines blowers – cyclones – pipework – conveyors blades – screens Contact: Dick Monkhouse Tel: 01928 734724 Email: sales@herbold.cu.uk
Blow Moulding Machinery Ltd All makes in stock • • • •
Bekum Kautex Battenfeld Magic Automa Others 1/2 ltr - 1000 ltr P.E.T. Lines
STOCK LIST Many machines 1/2-1-2-3-ltr from £4000 Blow moulds 10ml-220ltr over 300 toy moulds Spares, Heads, Screws, Barrels FOR SERVICE - REBUILDS - BREAKDOWNS BD REPAIRS LTD TEL: +44 (0)1767 318910 • FAX: +44 (0)1767 600097 www.blowmachine.com CHILLERS - GRANULATORS - COMPRESSORS MANY INJECTION MACHINES
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ANCILLARIES, AUTOMATION & TESTING EQUIPMENT
For further information: T: +44 (0) 1789 206600 F: +44 (0) 1789 206651 E: sales@enquires.co.uk
Renmar Ltd Tel: +44 844 6933225 Email: info@renmarltd.com Web: www.renmarltd.com
Or scan the QR code below:
RE-PROCESSING EQUIPMENT www.tappex.co.uk
Granulators Shredders Pulverisers Blowers-cyclones All spares Contact: Dick Monkhouse Tel: 01928 734724 Email: sales@zerma.co.uk
Smithers Rapra
22
SPI Lasers
23
Stäubli
13
Summit
17, 34
Tappex
34
Timberline Machinery
35
Tinius Olsen
32
TransXL
35
Vinyl GB
35
Summit Recycling
Zerma
34
Tel: +44 1827 265 800 Email: webinfo@summitsystems.co.uk Web: www.summitsystems.co.uk
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www.timberlinemachinery.com
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OTHER
Injection Moulders Blow Moulders Extruders
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Call Ed Makepeace n Tel: 603-889-7233 (USA) n Fax: 603-889-7300 n tmi@timberlinemachinery.com n www.timberlinemachinery.com
PRINT EQUIPMENT
Maschinenhandel Borowski Used plastic processing machines Injection moulding, blow moulding and accessories Tel. 0049-2173-8950790 Fax 8950799 www.mhborowski.de info@mhborowski.de
Over 35 Years of Service
1650mm Kaufman super-2 Sheet Line. 1983. 120mm cascade extruder. 1650mm wide Edi die. 1650mm kaufman 3 roll stack. Pump group Haul off and guillotine.
1300mm wide Battenfeld coextrusion sheet line; 2 x 90mm single screw extruders. 1300mm x 600mm 3 roll polishing stack+ haul, 2 station winder, 1995
Tel: +44 (0) 1793 827666 Fax: +44 (0) 1793 823826
605mm x 540mm form size Kiefel KL2 SH pressure thermoformer, unwind, heaters, form, cut, stack. indramat index, 1988
90mm Welex single screw extruder. 5 zone vented fan cooled barrel. 200hp dc motor. 150 rpm max screw speed. 115mm hydraulic screen changer
SHEET LINES
Email: sales@transxl.co.uk Web: www.transxl.co.uk
45mm Kuhne single screw extruder model K45E 30D plugged vented. 20-204 rpm. 24kw dc motor.
1040mm wide Welex coextrusion sheet line, comprising 90mm and 63mm extruders, 1000mm wide die, 1040mm x 600mm stack, pumps, haul off, winder.
GRANULATORS
2000mm Omipa co-ex sheet line.
500mm Zerma model GSH-500/600
1650mm Welex Co-extrusion line
760mm Priory Skeletal Waste
1650mm Kaufman Sheet line
900mm Cumberland Model 4590
1500mm Bandera 3 roll stack 1450mm Welex/Repiquet sheet line
EXTRUDERS
1400mm Welex /Kaufman sheet line. 2000mm Omipa coex sheet line. 120mm extruder, gear pump, coex block, fastgap die, 2000mm Omipa 3 roll inclined stack, conveyor, haul off.
1300mm Battenfeld coextrusion sheet line. 1040mm Welex Coex sheet line. 1040mm Welex 3 roll stack
1850mm wide Battenfeld Gloenco PP PE Cast Film Line: 120mm+60mm extruders, feedblock. 1650mm Cloeren auto die, 1850mm Chill roll, haul off, winder r.1993
890mm Wide Welex World Standard sheet Line. 90mm Extruder. Gear Pump 900mm Die. 890mm Welex Stack winder. 1997
1000mm Esde 3 roll Stack 1000mm OMV co ex sheet line
THERMOFORMING
1040mm wide Welex sheet extrusion line: 90mm Welex extruder with gear pump, die head, 1040mm wide Welex 3 roll polishing stack, haul off and winder.
1650mm Cincinnati/ Welex Sheet line runs recycled PET sheet 200-800microns up to 500kg/hr; Dryer, 120mm Extruder,g/ pump,die, 3 roll stack hauloff winder 1991
1016mm (40”x 60”) Lyle thermoformer 605mm Kiefel KL2 SH Thermoformer, 540mm Kiefel KL2EH vacuum former 530mm Illig Rv53 former 500mm Illig RDM 50/3 Lid Thermoformer 6 colour Omso DM144 lid priner Van Dam 580 8 colour rectangular tub printer
500mm wide Illig RDM 50/3 lid thermoformer, Double heaters, Motor Indexing. Auto Rail Spreading, Counter/ Stacker, 1982 very good condition
120mm Union extruder. 120mm Kuafman Super 2 extruder 115mm Hartig Extruder, 30d 90mm Welex single screw extruder 90mm John Brown Egan single screw extruder 70mm Battenfeld-kuhne Extruder 60mm Alpha Cincinnati coextruder 50mm Welex co extruder. 25:1 l/d ratio. 45mm Kuhne model K45E 30D
1000mm Wide Omv Coextrusion Sheet Line. 120mm Omv Extruder, 60mm Coextruder, Melt Pump, 1000mm X 500mm Roll Stack, Haul Off, Winder
DIES 70mm Battenfeld-kuhne Extruder, Electrically Heated Air Cooled 5 Zone, Plug Vented Barrel. Screen Changer.
890mm Wide Coextrusion Welex World Standard sheet Line. 90mm Extruder. Circa 50mm Coextruder. Gear Pump 900mm Die. 890mm Welex Stack winder. 1998
1550mm Battenfeld Heidelberg PVC calender line. ZSE 170mm planetary extruder, 1550mm x 550mm 3 roll calender,haul off winder. 80-800 micron - 600kg/hr 1988
40”x 60” Lyle model 240 FM thermoformer, servo drive chain index. 1997
2700mm Simplas Heavy Duty Thick Sheet Die 500mm Masterflex flex lip cast film die 1987 980mm EDI model Ultraflex HR75 915mm EDI flex lip sheet die
6 Colour Omso DM 144 lid printer. UV curing. Up to 8000 lids per hour. In feed, and stacker. Maximum lid height - 25mm. 1997
Climaventa chiller model WRAT 1302/B. 331kw capacity, dual circuit. Was running 2 sheet extrusion lines.
900 X 450mm Cumberland Model 4590. Soundproofed Granulator, Nip Roll Infeed 1997.
TRANSXL INTERNATIONAL THORNHILL SOUTH MARSTON SWINDON WILTSHIRE SN3 4TA ENGLAND MORE MACHINERY, MORE PHOTOS ON THE WEB: www.transxl.co.uk
EPPM 35