Krones blow molder sniffs contaminates
Krones Inc. of Franklin, Wis., introduced a new blow molder for hot-fill PET bottles, a testing device that ``sniffs'' out contamination in returnable water bottles and a conveyor that floats PET containers on a cushion of air.
Krones displayed the machinery during Pack Expo, held in October at Chicago's McCormick Place.
The Contiform H machine uses compressed air to quickly cool bottles from the inside. The increased crystallinity gives superior performance for hot-filling applications, Krones said.
The Aircontronic AquaLinear can detect foreign substances in returnable, 5-gallon plastic water containers before they reach the bottle washer. A ``sniffer'' takes a sample of air from the container and analyzes it for nitrogen compounds, volatile organic compounds and hydrocarbons and petrochemicals.
Krones also announced its AirCo air conveyor, which uses specialized radial blowers to create a cushion of air to move PET bottles, reducing wear and tear.
Tel. (414) 409-4000, fax (414) 409-4100, e-mail [email protected]
Process Control presents analyzer
Atlanta-based Process Control Corp. developed Trend Manager, a data collection and charting instrument that analyzes performance of a blender and/or the company's Gravitrol system.
Trend Manager can track the accuracy of blend percentages, layer distribution ratios and overall line stability, among other things.
The processor can make sure the blend percentages are accurate and consistent.
Trend Manager uses a Windows-based personal computer and the remote communication capabilities of Process Control's equipment.
Tel. (770) 449-8810, fax (770) 449-5445.
Mold-Masters debuts hot-runner products
Mold-Masters Ltd. of Georgetown, Ontario, made several product announcements at the Fakuma show in Germany.
Mold-Masters showed the Flex-Dura line of hot runners for automotive parts, mold decoration and large parts; and its Temp-Master TMMZ multiple-zone temperature controller.
A new filter nozzle substantially reduces pressure drop during decompression. Another new product, a valveless melt transfer nozzle for stack molds, eliminates drooling and stringing as it manages a complete, self-sealing shut-off with minimum pressure drop, the company claims.
Mold-Masters also debuted a miniature nozzle called Femto Lite, for hard-to-reach inside-gated applications in medical and cosmetic parts. The nozzle's body diameter is just 10 millimeters in diameter, for a bore nozzle well of 11.3mm.
In other news, Mold-Masters said it developed a hot-runner system used to make an unusual injection molded PVC spindle part for an architectural railing system, replacing milled wood. The customer is Atlas Precision Inc. of Arden, N.C.
Mold-Masters, which claims it made the first PVC hot-runner system in 1978, designed and built the large, complex hot-runner system. PVC can burn easily if overheated, or if kept too long at the processing temperature.
Tel. (905) 877-0185, fax (905) 873-2818, e-mail [email protected] masters.com.
Priamus mold sensor capabilities enhanced
Priamus System Technologies AG of Schaffhausen, Switzerland, said its new cavity-pressure sensor is more than twice as sensitive as competing versions.
The small sensor has a front diameter of only 2.5 millimeters. Even very small mold cavities can be monitored. Another feature automatically detects the sensitivity of the amplifier, and sets up the right measuring range.
Tel. +41 (52) 632-2600.
Dynisco introduces longer-lasting coating
Dynisco LLC of Franklin, Mass., introduced a proprietary coating for its melt pressure transducer diaphragms, called DyMax.
DyMax replaces the current industry-standard coating material, Armoloy, the company said. From now on, Dynisco will use DyMax.
Dynisco said its testing shows that transducers coated with the new material last up to three times longer than any other transducer. The coating adds abrasion resistance but does not limit performance or add to the thickness of the transducer.
Tel. (508) 541-9458, e-mail [email protected]
RPT unveils routers, cutters, vacuum
Robotic Production Technology, which makes routers and robots to deflash plastic parts, water-jet cutting equipment, laser trimmers and welding equipment, introduced several products at the Composites 2002 show in Atlanta in September.
RPT developed JetWare software for creating and adjusting water paths on its jet cutting machines. The software includes menu-driven development of geometric shapes by teaching one to three points, instead of the typical six to 15 points.
The RoboTrim is a pre-engineered router for trimming composite parts. RPT said a customer, Jason International Inc. of Little Rock, Ark., increased throughout by 200 percent by using RoboTrim routers to make its hot tub, and improved quality. The company had used hand-finishing to make the hot tubs.
A new Accu-Cut WJ-44 robot, a water-jet cutter, sports a large work area. The RW-12 JetTool water cutting system is designed for batch processing, since it can be adapted quickly to trim new parts.
The JetVac is a new vacuum system that holds parts down during water-jet cutting, and removes waste particles and water from the work area.
RTP is based in Auburn Hills, Mich.
Tel. (248) 829-2800, fax (248) 829-2750, e-mail [email protected]
Clamping-force sizes added to Magna V
Milacron Inc. has added two new clamping-force sizes, 130 tons and 280 tons, to its Magna V vertical-clamp injection molding presses.
The Magna V line tops out at 280 tons. On that size press, the Magna C-frame design produces a machine that is less than half the size of comparable vertical presses with tie bars. A three-sided design gives large access to the mold, so processors can use larger tooling and streamline mold handling.
Tel. (888) 645-2276, fax (800) 282-8082.
Process gives parts stonelike surface
Crossarm Inc. has developed a rotational molding process that gives a polyethylene part surface a stonelike appearance and texture.
The Houston-based company said the finish develops during the rotational molding process and is not a post-process treatment.
Colors and textures of cultured and simulated stone make the technology promising for planters, skirting, walls and other products that can combine the light weight of plastic with a stonelike surface.
Crossarm has patents pending on the technology. Its Stonehenge wall system, based on the process, recently won the 2002 innovation award from the Association of Rotational Molders.
Tel (281) 807-5720, fax (281) 807-5716, e-mail [email protected]