Launchpad: Plastic Machinery
Launchpad is a dedicated space for new machinery and equipment launching into the plastic processing industry.
500 series rubber/silicone extrusion crosshead
Date: January 2023
What: the new 500 Series crosshead with MAGS gum space adjustment. The 500 Series is designed specifically for the flow characteristics and unique processing challenges of elastomeric compounds.
Who: Guill Tool & Engineering
Why: The machine is a drop-in replacement on most existing NRM lines.
The addition of a newly designed flow inlet channel reduces the shear and heat that is generated as the materials are being processed. The company claims this leads to lower head pressures allowing the material to move through the head in a much more balanced and even flow.
Features: One of the key features engineered by Guill on this new crosshead design is the mechanically assisted gum space (MAGS) adjustment system. This new method of gum space adjustment allows the operator to make adjustments from a single point using a common socket wrench. The visual indicator on the core tube allows the operator to see how far the gum space has been moved, making those adjustments much more accurate and repeatable.
The company claims only half of a rotation of the cam nut is required to loosen and automatically extract the deflector from the head body, which is another time saver. Also, with no undercuts on the deflector, there are no material hang-ups when extracting the deflector, allowing for faster and easier cleaning and changeover.
Another feature of this new rubber/silicone crosshead is a cast aluminium liquid-fed cooling sleeve that allows the user to switch out the cooling jacket in the event of a line obstruction, again reducing downtime compared to traditional integrated cooling systems.
Adaptix Vice Jaws
Date: 27 July 2022
What: The Norgren Adaptix Vice Jaws are designed to improve productivity and eliminate waste from machine shops and tool rooms. Described as a 'revolutionary' method of transforming the way a machinist holds and grips parts for milling. With sliding fingers, it can be adapted to any part geometry to provide the necessary clamping forces and can reduce the time and cost involved in the design and development of vice jaws or bespoke fixturing.
Who: Norgren; Leader Chuck International
Why: Launched during the GTMA’s Manufacturing Solutions event in June for any machining operation relying on profiled jaws. 'Time, material and set-up savings can be made,' according to Managing Director Mark Jones, 'resulting in an ROI that will be measured in a matter of a few weeks.'
Features: The centre fingers are locked and used to datum stop against the workpiece before the remaining fingers are simply positioned forward and locked in place with a side clamp. From a one-off part to a low-volume batch run, the Adaptix Vice Jaws can support any milling operation, with no need to store boxes full of machined jaw inventory.
Vector - 'The future of extensometry'
Date: 13 July 2022
What: The Vector Extensometer is capable of replacing multiple contacting and non-contacting sensors with a single, industry specific instrument. Integrating adaptive AI capabilities with optical hardware, Vector reduces test throughput times and complexity, automating the process of capturing strain, improving measurement accuracy, data consistency and operator safety.
It’s stereoscopic sensing detects machine or specimen misalignment and negates out-of-plane errors, with the on-board processing delivering seamless and simple integration and eliminating all external control platforms.
Who: Tinius Olsen
Why: Tinius Olsen describes the new Vector Extensometer as 'a real a step change in extensometer technology’. A fully automated, 'groundbreaking' solution, its stereoscopic sensing detects machine or specimen misalignment and negates out-of-plane errors, with the on-board processing delivering 'seamless and simple integration and eliminating all external control platforms'.
Features: Increased testing efficiency, even for highly fragile materials; improved test success rate by eliminating contact-point slippage; on-board AI enables a zero-touch operation.
Mobile sanitary IBC unloading-conveying system
Date: 24 June 2022
What: A new mobile Sanitary IBC unloading and conveying system that transfers contamination-sensitive bulk solid materials from Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs) to downstream processes in a dust-free method.
Who: Flexicon (Europe) Ltd.
Why: The conveyor handles a broad range of free- and non-free-flowing bulk solids ranging from pellets to sub-micron powders with no separation of blended products. The flexible screw is the only moving part in contact with the material and is driven by an electric motor positioned beyond the discharge point, preventing material contact with seals. The IBC frame is forklifted onto receiving cups, which position the IBC outlet onto the surge hopper inlet. Material flowing from the IBC into the charging adapter of a flexible screw conveyor is propelled at an incline, and discharged into elevated process equipment and storage vessels. The discharger frame is mounted on castors for in-plant mobility, while a hinged sub-frame supporting a surge hopper, flexible screw conveyor and support mast can pivot down for manoeuvring through doorways and low-headroom areas.
Features: Ready to plug in and run, the mobile unit can serve multiple functions throughout the plant. It can be rolled to a cleaning station where a lower clean-out cap on the conveyor tube can be removed to flush the smooth interior surfaces with steam, water or cleaning solutions, or to fully remove the flexible screw for cleaning and inspection.
Vastex Industrial launches latest high-capacity oven for composites curing
Date: 1 June 2022
What: The EconoRed ER-III-30 high-capacity oven for curing composites, thermoset plastics, adhesives, epoxies and related materials at high rates. The latest solution from Vastex Industrial has a smaller footprint and comes at lower cost than comparable ovens.
Who: Vastex Industrial
Why: The unit's Infrared Focusing System allows heater-to-conveyor height adjustments from 5-17cm as standard, with greater clearances available.
Features: Closely spaced coils that provide high-density, medium-wavelength infrared heat for maximum cure speed without cold spots or under-curing. Expandable design, modular heating chambers and conveyor belt extensions.
A 76x267cm Teflon-coated fibreglass belt equipped with low-friction belt aligner and belt speed controls to precisely set dwell times from 35 seconds up to four minutes. Optional stainless steel mesh belts satisfy high-heat and/or sanitary applications.
Davis-Standard introduces next-generation gear reducer
Date: 26 May 2022
What: A new gear reducer for various extrusion requirements
Who: Davis-Standard
Why: "Our next-generation reducer represents strategic engineering and the application of cumulative knowledge to deliver greater functionality without compromising performance.We’ve improved all major components and packaged them in a redesigned housing.” Gary Peacock, Director of Engineering.
The reducer fulfils a variety of extrusion requirements, including those with high and low torque, speeds and extrusion pressures. It can also accommodate the DS Activ-Check system, Davis-Standard’s Industry 4.0 platform for continuous monitoring, preventative maintenance and mobile alerts.
Features: Horizontal and vertical orientations, Cooling and lubrication, Gears and roller bearings, Radial shaft seals, Felt excluder, Housing design and Retrofitting to older machines. The new gear reducer is available in five different dimensions and capacities for extruders ranging from 2-6.5 inches (50-165mm).
ENGEL partnership brings more convenience for ancillary solutions
Date: 11 May 2022
What: OPC UA Interface for the integration of machines for mixing and dosing thermoplastic materials on injection moulding machines.
Who: ENGEL Austria and Werner Koch Maschinentechnik
Why: Dosing and mixing units by Koch can be integrated with the CC300 control unit of the ENGEL injection moulding machines via OPC UA and operated via the control panel on the machines. The dosing process is centrally controlled via the machine display, removing the need for the additional control unit. Alerts from the dosing and mixing unit are also output via the CC300 machine panel. As result, dosing becomes a more convenient experience for production employees, and the risk of input errors is reduced.
Target applications: Any application requiring thermoplastics for injection moulding.
Features: Standardised interfaces considerably simplify communication with the production cell independently of the manufacturer.Storing process data together also makes the production batch easier to trace.
New launch: Aqua Pro chiller range
Date: 13th April 2022
What: Aqua Pro, a new range of completely packaged chillers.
Who: Temperature control specialist, Aqua Cooling Ltd.
Why: Aqua Sales Director, Owen Hymers, explained: “We wanted to design a chiller that can stand up to the demands & challenges that the process market faces daily. Yet we also wanted to tackle, head on, the issues around energy consumption and the environment that are impacting us all. Low GWP R454B refrigerant comes as standard, as does completely integrated free cooling. R454B has a GWP rating over 75% lower than R410A, one of the most deployed refrigerants within our industry. The Aqua Pro achieves free cooling at higher ambient temperatures than any of its contemporaries. We have helped customers dramatically cut their energy costs by using free cooling – in some cases by 80%. It’s a real game changer, not just for customers but also the environment.”
Target applications: Process applications (e.g. plastic processing).
Features: The chillers cover cooling capacities from 1kW to MW+, working with process fluid temperatures from -25°C to +20°C. As well as a process specific design, incorporating acoaxial evaporator, the Aqua Pro demonstrates a real commitment to reducing energy costs and carbon impact. The Aqua Pro utilises a 0.7mm thick copper coaxial evaporator, with 8mm water pathways. The larger than normal pathways eliminate any risk of blockage and subsequent evaporator damage. The condenser within the Aqua Pro is 0.4mm thick copper construction, double the industry standard of 0.2mm.