CHICAGO (July 28, 4 p.m. EDT) — Dynisco Inc. made a series of new product introductions at NPE 2000.
"We´ve been in the heavy-investment stage" in bringing process improvements to the plastics industry, said Richard Paolino, president and chief executive officer.
"We are introducing new things from each of the operations as a direct result of the strategy we´ve been putting together for the last few years," said Paolino, who joined Dynisco in February 1997.
At the time, Dynisco began a strategic review, drawing together individuals from around the organization and "analyzing ourselves, the markets and the competition," he said. The review focused on ways to add value.
"This is the first chance we´ve had in three years to introduce it together in a common vehicle like the NPE," Paolino said. "The new things are the direct result of the strategies we put together in 1997."
Shortly after NPE, Dynisco´s parent company, Berwind Group of Philadelphia, informed Dynisco employees of another change at the company: a plan to sell three of Dynisco´s four divisions. Up for sale are the Dynisco Measurement and Control Group of companies — Dynisco Instruments of Sharon, Mass., which makes pressure transducers; Dynisco Extrusion, a manufacturer of gear pumps, screen changers and mixers in Hickory, N.C.; and Dynisco Polymer Test of Morgantown, Pa., a maker of rheometers, melt-flow indexers, on-line analyzers and other testing instruments.
Dynisco will retain its HotRunners unit, based in Gloucester, Mass.
Paolino cited Dynamic Feed, a new product from the hot-runner business, as an example of an item that is fully reaching the marketplace now.
Molders use the patented technology to control the flow of plastic independently to each cavity.
Dynisco "worked to put it together as a complete system, focused at targeted markets" for users of family molds, modular tooling, multicavity tools and single-cavity tools, Paolino said.
Dynisco HotRunners demonstrated Dynamic Feed at NPE on a Ferromatik Milacron open-frame Prowler 190 HydraColumn injection molding machine. Three beta sites tested the technology over six months including some use with production molds.
Dynisco is commercializing Dynamic Feed now and aiming to reach beyond its core automotive base in applications for the telecommunications, medical and electronics markets.
"Life cycles are very short (and) lead time to market is important," he said. "We feel we can help all of those things."
Another introduction was Dynisco Polymer Test´s VS1000 ViscoSensor inline polymer-melt viscosity sensor, which costs about $35,000. "We are offering it at a price that is significantly less than a conventional online product," he said.
The sensor is installed via a single M18 pressure transducer port, Paolino said. Dynisco sought to give more capability through this port, and the company believes the new senror, at 17 inches by 8 inches, "is the world´s smallest and most cost-effective return stream inline polymer-melt rheology instrument."
The firm is targeting the Asia-Pacific region for better representation, possibly through company employees, partnerships or representatives.
A newly formed strategic alliance with Seiki Corp. of Yonazawa, Japan, is a beginning, Paolino said, "and we are hoping that goes even further." Dynisco agreed to manage all sales and support efforts for Seiki Spear System products in North America. Henry Mora, formerly with Seiki, joined Dynisco´s Gloucester, Mass., hot-runner operation as a product manager.
Franklin, Mass.-based Dynisco does not disclose financial data, but Paolino forecast at least a 10 percent sales increase in 2000 vs. last year.
Dynisco had a strong NPE 2000 presence.
Operations of Milacron Inc., for example, used products from three Dynisco lines at its NPE exhibit.
Eleven other companies at NPE utilized Dynisco extrusion and polymer processing products in their exhibits, 15 businesses had Dynisco instruments in use and two incorporated Dynisco nozzle and cavity sensors as part of pressure-control systems.
Other Dynisco new products at the show included:
* The IPX II series of smart pressure transmitters for high-temperature applications requiring critical accuracy and stability. The transmitter self-corrects its pressure measurement for sensor and ambient temperature effects. Four companies will begin beta tests of the transmitter beginning in July. A unit costs $2,000-$4,000 depending on the application.
* In addition, a new Windows-based software package allows users of the IPX II series to setup, make adjustments to transmitter configuration and check sensor diagnostics from a control room or remote location. The Dynisco SmartLink software package costs about $325 or, including a modem, $625.
* Dynisco has extended its line of extraction and booster/transfer pumps. The gear pumps are used in difficult applications polymerizing resins such as polyester, nylon, PBT, polyethylene, polystyrene or acrylic.
* Dynisco HotRunners added its RCB nozzle for applications using molds with a high number of cavities. The nozzle comes in standard lengths of 36, 56 and 76 millimeters.
* Dynisco Extrusion and Polymer Processing introduced a line of continuous screen changers costing from $18,000-$32,000 depending on sizes, which range from 2.5-6 inches.
* Dynisco Polymer Test showed a hot tack heat sealer that costs about $35,000. In May, Dynisco signed an agreement with Hut Theller to acquire the technology from Theller Engineering Inc. of Petaluma, Calif.