These briefs were gathered by Plastics News correspondents and staff reporters from NPE 2006, held June 19-23 in Chicago.
Rieter Corp. offering new centrifugal dryer
Rieter Corp. showed its new centrifugal resin dryer.
The Spartanburg, S.C., firm said its Duro 500 dries sensitive pellets such as glass-fiber-reinforced or highly filled materials. Rieter said the dryer can achieve residual moisture levels of less than 0.1 percent and generates less dust.
Rieter said Duro 500 has few moving parts and therefore is cost-efficient and uses less energy. Quick product changes and easy cleaning cut downtime. The machine can be retrofitted into systems such as Rieter's Sphero 70 underwater pelletizer.
Facts Inc. introduces profile gauge control
Facts Inc. debuted two process control technologies.
The Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, firm said its new Universal Scanner Interface is a cost-effective way to control gauge in extruded profiles. USI sends linear scan data to a Facts console where the web profile is displayed to allow corrections via closed-loop and auto-die bolt control.
Director of marketing and sales Al Hodge said USI is ideal for retrofitting since it leaves major parts of the control system in place. Facts works with several gauge suppliers to ensure its system meshes with existing lines.
``Electronics are what get obsolete,'' he said. ``We can do a whole upgrade in a day.''
Also introduced in conjunction with X-Rite Inc. was the VeriColor Spectro system of noncontact color measurement in extrusion. Unlike conventional color systems requiring samples sent to a laboratory, the new technology is online, said Hodge, and provides absolute color measurements and color identification from a spectrophotometer.
Gusmer/Decker has entry-level RimCell
The Gusmer/Decker business unit of Graco Inc. displayed an entry-level RimCell LT metering and dispensing unit for high- or low-pressure applications. The unit is designed for molding smaller products such as toys, thermalware and sporting equipment.
The unit features an open design for simplified maintenance and a self-cleaning mix head. A Rexroth pump delivers precise metering accuracy, and a variable-frequency drive-ratio control allows operating flexibility, according to Graco of Minneapolis.
Incoe demonstrates improved hot runner
Incoe Corp. launched its Gold series of hot runners, touting two heating circuits for a built-in backup, new tip designs for increased gating flexibility, a color seal to improve color changes and ceramic manifold insulation to improve thermal consistency and reduce energy consumption.
Troy, Mich.-based Incoe also said it has selected SISE of Oyonnax, France, as its exclusive supplier of computer-based hot-runner controls.
Other new products include:
* A multipin valve gate that accommodates four pins in one cylinder, allowing mold makers to build smaller molds.
* Back-to-back valve gates for stack molds.
* A micro multitip nozzle for close nozzle placement. The nozzles can accommodate six injection points in a 12-millimeter gate circle.
PlastiComp shows Pushtrusion method
PlastiComp LLC of Winona, Minn., showed its direct in-line Pushtrusion compounding process on a new Engel press and a retrofitted MGS machine.
PlastiComp makes long-fiber-reinforced Complet-brand pellets, licenses use of the high-volume Pushtrusion process and performs technical assessments for other companies.
PlastiComp has nonexclusive licenses with Engel on new equipment and MGS in the retrofit market, said PlastiComp President Steve Bowen. Pushtrusion is available for integration on new Engel presses, each costing a total of $400,000-$500,000.
Stapla touts process for bonding thin film
Stapla Ultrasonics Corp. of Wilmington, Mass., showed a newly patented process for bonding thermoplastic films with thicknesses of less than 0.006 inch.
With ultrasonic seam welding, Stapla aims to supplant processes such as splicing rolls of material to feed a continuous manufacturing line and forming thermo- plastic tubes from thin film.
Twin Speedryer touts twice the throughput
Canam Manufactured Products Inc. of Surrey, British Columbia, introduced a twin Speedryer thermodynamic hopper dryer.
A Y feed-throat mount links two compact Speedryer units, each with 50-pound throughput per hour. A user attaches boxes for the controls and Y mount to one of the Speedryer units.
A Speedryer enables a user to change materials in 30 minutes or less, the company said.
Thermal Care chiller offers energy savings
Thermal Care Inc. of Niles, Ill., rolled out an air-cooled version of its energy-saving TC central chiller line with an oil-free compressor.
``When you have a refrigeration circuit without oil, you can run the condenser temperature very low in winter when it gets cold,'' said Tom Benson, vice president of sales and marketing.
``By having no oil, maintenance is dramatically reduced,'' he said.