ORLANDO, FLA. (May 23, 4:15 p.m. ET) — Universal Dynamics Inc. trotted out new additions to its dryer lines, as well as a new loading module, new controller and dual fuel power pack, among auxiliary equipment offerings at its NPE exhibit booth. The company is expanding equipment lines and plans to expand its plant soon as well.
Universal, also known as Una-Dyn, is planning to expand its Woodbridge, Va., plant by about 30,000 square feet by the end of 2013. The facility currently consists of two buildings that total 70,000 square feet and Una-Dyn President Bill Goldfarb said the firm is drawing up plans to build an addition at the same site.
“We are building for present demand with future expansion in mind for new products and existing productions,” Goldfarb said in an interview at NPE2012, held April 1-5 in Orlando.
He said the new building will be designed and set up with lean manufacturing principles as a guiding force.
The firm was established in 1957 to manufacture dehumidifying equipment for the U.S. government and broadened into other areas over the years. In 2008, it was purchased by Italian equipment maker Piovan SpA and that, according to Goldfarb, has allowed it to expand its lines even more.
He said the deal gives Una-Dyn access to the Piovan line and the firm can incorporate Piovan ideas into its new designs.
Una-Dyn’s patented pulse cooling technology or PCT line is designed to produce tighter temperature and dewpoint control for constant, stable temperatures throughout the drying cycle. It has a closed-loop design, insulated desiccant beds and material saver features. The PCT3 was on display at NPE.
“With all the things you do in a dryer, you want a flat line for temperature and dewpoint and these designs have accomplished that,” Goldfarb said.
The new PCT3 series can handle a throughput range of 100-6,000 pounds an hour. Its top features include energy optimization to match material requirements, regeneration management to recycle heat, and optimization of process cooling.
The company also has a GS3 series dryer for low throughput that incorporates a Focus controller to keep the dewpoint and temperature stable. It has a small footprint and can handle throughput of 30-150 pounds an hour.
Goldfarb said that many older style twin tower dryers are still operating and Una-Dyn can retrofit them to current PCT technology.
The remote loading module system is a self-contained multiple-machine-cell loading module designed for small injection molding cells. It can be configured to load single or multiple stations.
“You get all the essential elements that comprise a conveying system, but once you roll it into the plant it can be used with the most minimal of wiring needs and ready to run,” he said.
Una-Dyn also brought out the DFE series dual fuel power pack designed to run on gas or electric heaters. The series has a small footprint and simple setup.
Also, Una-Dyn introduced its new Focus series resin drying and crystallizing controllers with full graphics and touch screen controls. The controllers can interface with entire lines and communicate with a factory acquisition control system, according to Goldfarb.
