Extruders can handle high levels of metal
American Leistritz Extruder Corp. has introduced twin-screw extruders for continuous mixing of high levels of metal fillers with polymer binders for use in metal injection molding.
The plastic binders can be nylon, acrylic or multiple-melt-point blends.
Leistritz of Somerville, N.J., said a typical system includes a co-rotating, intermeshing twin-screw extruder equipped with a side stuffer, feeders, hot-face pelletizer and vibratory cooling tower.
The polymer is fed into the main feed throat and melted and mixed, then a side stuffer pushes the metal powder into the machine. A flywheel cutter pelletizes the compounded material at the die face. The material is conveyed pneumatically to the vibratory tower, which conveys materials upward to cool and separate the pellets.
Leistritz said that separating plastication from the mixing step significantly reduces wear, since metal fillers are not present during melting.
The company's machines can produce metal injection molding compounds at a rate of 10-5,000 pounds an hour.
Tel. (908) 685-2333, fax (908) 685-0247.
RG42 rotary grinder boasts a quiet run
Re-Tech Industries of High Point, N.C., introduced the RG42 rotary grinder with a large in-feed hopper measuring 42 inches by 48 inches.
One key feature: high-torque grinding with low revolutions per minute, which means the RG42 runs quietly.
Tel. (336) 886-6070, fax (336) 886-4479.
Zed Industries touts HG thermoformer line
Vandalia, Ohio-based thermoforming machinery maker Zed Industries Inc. builds its new HG-Series heavy-gauge machines with forming areas of 25 inches by 30 inches to 144 inches by 144 inches, and draw depths of up to 36 inches.
The single-station HG machines handle sheet as thick as one-quarter inch.
Upper and lower steel platens move independently. On the larger machines, platens are gear-stabilized on all four corners.
Zed machines can feed heavy-gauge roll stock automatically into the clamp frame, according to each job.
Tel. (937) 667-8407, fax (937) 667-3340.
AEC robots probide three CNC servo axes
AE-Series servo-driven robots from AEC/Automation Engineering work on injection molding machines with clamping forces of 50-6,000 tons.
The robots have three fully programmable, computer numerically controlled, servo-driven axes for speed and precise stopping.
``These are the fastest robots, with the heaviest payload capacities, ever offered by AEC,'' said Ken Heyse, vice president and general manager of AEC/Automation Engineering in Windsor, Conn.
Tel. (860) 688-4739.
Rotary-knife cutters deliver new features
Pittsburgh-based Conair Group has introduced two families of rotary-knife cutters.
SCE cutters feature a velocity-controlled servo motor for general-purpose cutting. An on-board controller records the repeatability of positioning, which can be used to check the accuracy of the servo system and gauge how variations in belt-puller speed change the cut length.
SCX cutters, with a position-controlled servo motor, are designed for very accurate cuts to specific lengths and feature adjustable blade speed for rigid materials. The SCX can make 1,500 cuts per minute.
Tel. (412) 312-6000, fax (412) 312-6320.
Branson introduces newest welder model
Branson Ultrasonics Corp. of Danbury, Conn., introduced its 2000d ultrasonic welder and the FS-180 ultrasonic fabric-sealing system in May at the Medical Design & Manufacturing East show.
The 2000d, the newest addition to Branson's 2000-series welder, allows the user to ``weld by distance'' through a new system that operates in both absolute and collapse terms.
The fabric-sealing machine bonds, laminates and seals knitted, woven and nonwoven thermoplastic materials. The sealing anvil is positioned above the work area, so the operator easily can see the bond being created. Other features include a variable-speed drive, pneumatically activated sealing wheel arm, forward-angled head and a bigger throat and height for processing bulky materials.
Tel. (203) 796-0321, fax (203) 796-9838.
Static bar features ionization technology
Ion Systems of Windsor Locks, Conn., has developed a static- control technology for film unwinding and rewinding, called Virtual AC Intelligent Static Neutralizer.
Using patent-pending ionization technology, the device can deliver more ions at a great distance than traditional static bars, the company said. That allows the bar to be mounted on winders at a distance from the core that accommodates the roll's maximum diameter.
A compact design also allows mounting in restricted places.
Tel. (860) 292-6847.
RGA 212 T recycles 4,400 lbs. an hour
Erema North America Inc. said its RGA 212 T can reach recycling rates of 4,400 pounds an hour - Erema's highest volume yet.
The pellet-making machine is a scaled-up version of a typical Erema combination of cutter-compacter and extruder.
The RGA 212 T has a second extruder with its own drive system. That unit, mounted on a second frame, is connected to the first extruder, giving twice the output.
Erema is in Topsfield, Mass.
Tel. (978) 887-0040, fax (978) 887-9003.
Shredder reduces bulk in 1-shot pass
SSI Shredding Systems Inc. of Wilsonville, Ore., said its Model SR-375 Uni-shear uses single-rotor technology, adjustable speed and a pressure-sensing ram to reduce bulky material in a single pass.
Cutters can be replaced and are reversible. The shredder can accept 5 cubic yards of material. It runs at a slow speed, less than 120 revolutions per minute.
Tel. (503) 682-3633, fax (503) 682-1704.
Delta Computer offers RMC Ethernet module
Multimaterial parison control for blow molding is an application for Delta Computer Systems Inc.'s RMC Ethernet module, which works with its RMC100-SSI motion controller.
The motion module controls position and pressure during plastication, injection and decompression. For injection molding, the unit controls mold opening and closing.
The company is based in Vancouver, Wash.
Tel. (360) 254-8688.
A.W.T. screen printer supplies versatility
A Verse-Print screen printer from A.W.T World Trade Inc. of Chicago can print on flat objects, or shapes such as bottles, pails, containers and tubes.
A standard squeegee/flood bar chopper assembly requires no tools for settings. Other features include solid-state controls, sliding frame clamps for screen holders, foot-pedal operation and tooling that interchanges with other equipment.
Tel. (773) 777-7100, fax (773) 777-0909.
