Neon Lights expands Acrilex sheet lineup
Acrilex Inc. has expanded its acrylic sheet line with its Neon Lights series of bright, glowing colors.
The Jersey City, N.J., firm said the sheets, targeted for point-of-purchase displays, lighting, lettering, sign and related applications, can be used in conjunction with conventional acrylics to make signage stand out.
Tel. 800-222-4680, fax 201-333-1237, e-mail [email protected].
RPT Inc. introduces high-pressure nozzle
Robotic Production Technology Inc. introduced a six-axis robot, the AccuTrim WJ-110, with an abrasive water jet for trimming a stainless-steel part, during the International Manufacturing Technology Show, held Sept. 6-13 in Chicago.
The high-pressure nozzle can produce up to 60,000 pounds per square inch of water pressure.
RPT of Auburn Hills, Mich., said the abrasive water trimming will bring water-jet technology to composites and metal trimming.
In other news, RPT has rolled out the Flacs RT C-Series flexible laser cutting system, with the second-generation RoboCut A600 laser robot. The firm said the laser cutter is designed for companies that make plastic automotive interior components, decorative specialty film components and other plastic products, plus woven and nonwoven materials.
Tel. 248-829-2800, fax 248-829-2750.
Herbold says debaler keeps bottles intact
A debaler from Herbold Meckesheim GmbH breaks up compressed bales in recycling.
Using a forklift or a bale gripper, the material is placed on a horizontal feed belt. The belt can hold several bales at once.
The bale moves forward, then is broken up and separated by two rollers, each driven separately and each with replaceable teeth. Individual pieces fall onto an outlet belt, which moves the material to the next process stage.
Herbold said the debaler carefully breaks up bales, so it avoids breaking off the tops of PET bottles, and prevents bottles from sticking to each other. The equipment also works well with highly compressed bales, which tend to ``bounce'' on top of the shaft in conventional worm-gear debalers, the company said.
In the United States, Herbold is represented by its subsidiary, Resource Recycling Systems Inc. of Smithfield, R.I.
Tel. 401-232-3354, fax 401-232-5425, e-mail [email protected].
Hasco's valve gate keeps cycles short
Hasco America Inc. calls it operation Dart Tip - a multiple-cavity valve gate with an electromagnetic drive for hot runners.
The needle drive is positioned behind precision-guided, round ejector plates, each operating four valve pins. An adjustment mechanism on the back of the magnetic needle valve allows exact adjustment of the needle position at operating temperatures.
Proximity of cooling channels ensure short cycle times, according to the Arden, N.C., company.
Tel. 828-650-2600, fax 828-684-7960, e-mail [email protected].
Grieve Corp. touts belt conveyor oven
Grieve Corp. said its conveyor oven, dubbed No. 972, is used to cure a coating onto plastic sheets at a customer's plant.
The oven is a two-zone belt conveyor, electrically heated to 250° F. The oven measures 48 inches wide by 50 inches deep by 15 inches high. Incoloy-sheathed tubular elements heat the oven. Two recirculating blower motors move air down to the part.
Grieve is in Round Lake, Ill.
Tel. 847-546-8225, fax 847-546-9210, e-mail [email protected].
New Watlow product combines controllers
Watlow Electric Manufacturing Co. of St. Louis said its EHG SL10 combines a process controller and safety limit, a temperature controller and heater in a single, compact product.
Watlow developed the product to answer the need for a set point that could be adjusted in the field for industries such as packaging, semiconductors, food service and life sciences.
The EHG SL10 includes a temperature controller, two thermocouple sensors, a power switching device and lights to alert the operator when the temperature is reached or goes out of range.
Tel. 314-878-4600, fax 877-893-1005, e-mail [email protected].
Compound designed for HVAC applications
IDI Composites International has developed a sheet molding compound for heating, ventilation and air-conditioning components.
The Noblesville, Ind., firm said SMC E5V-204 has excellent corrosion resistance, making it well-suited to replace galvanized steel in air-conditioner pans. The product also resists flame, boasting an Underwriters Laboratory 94 5V certification, and its high glass content helps it maintain structural integrity at high temperatures.
Tel. 317-773-1766, fax 317-773-3877, e-mail [email protected].
Ultraflex says vinyl degrades in landfills
Ultraflex Systems Inc. claims it has patented a biodegradable vinyl formula.
The Randolph, N.J., company said vinyl based on the formula will degrade under landfill conditions. Conventional vinyl usually degrades into higher-molecular-weight polymer chains, the Randolph, N.J., firm said.
The Ultraflex formula controls degradation so that the vinyl chains break into smaller molecules under conditions of high moisture, and low oxygen and microbe levels.
Tel. 973-627-8608, fax 973-627-8506, [email protected].
Shelves stay stuck sans suction, clasps
An alloyed blend of soft thermoplastic elastomers keeps shelving systems in place without the use of fasteners or suction.
The Corner Shelf developed by Shelfworks Technologies Inc. of Englewood, N.J., relies on Versaflex TPE supplied by GLS Corp. The TPE is overmolded onto a polypropylene pad incorporated into a shelf unit.
The TPE-covered pad is pushed against a wall when a consumer pushes a knob on the shelf. Friction created by pressing the TPE against the wall holds the shelf in place. Turning the knob to unlock it frees the shelf and makes removal easy, Shelfworks said.
GLS of McHenry, Ill., had to meet several requirements for a TPE blend to work. Besides easy processing, the TPE has to cool flat after overmolding. The elastomer must adhere well to a range of materials, including glass and painted drywall, without damaging the substrate when removed.
Consistency and colorability are also demanded, the firm noted.
Tel. 800-457-8777 or 815-385-8500, fax 815-385-8533, e-mail [email protected].
Lower-gloss acetal made for exteriors
Ticona has introduced a low-gloss, black acetal copolymer for exterior uses in automotive and other markets.
Hostaform WR140LG has up to 80 percent less gloss than standard ultraviolet-light-stabilized acetals, according to the Florence, Ky., firm. As well, it retains its look longer because it resists surface chalking.
The new grade complements Ticona's low-gloss acetals for automotive interiors, allowing designers to capitalize on acetal's durability, creep resistance and chemical resistance. Trim elements, wiper components and antenna mounts are potential uses.
Tel. 800-833-4882 or 859-372-3244, fax 859-525-4770, e-mail [email protected].