Mokon designs BFC for warmer climates
Mokon's BFC blown film air coolers series increases productivity of blown film lines, especially in warmer climates or in the summer months.
The BFC eliminates production variables involving the air ring, including air temperature, pressure and volume.
The BFC is designed for long life and accurate air-ring process control. Features include a powder-coated, heavy-gauge steel cabinet designed for 35-inch static pressure, noncorrosive wetted surfaces, a permanent cleanable filter, bolt-on adjustable legs and a condensate trap.
Mokon is based in Buffalo, N.Y.
Tel. 716-876-9951, fax 716-874-8048, e-mail [email protected] mokon .com.
ActiFlow replaces mechanical agitators
K-Tron International Inc. said its ActiFlow is an alternative way to do mechanical hopper agitation.
The ActiFlow smart bulk solids activator prevents bridging and rat-holing of cohesive bulk materials in stainless-steel hoppers, using a patent-pending vibratory drive. The unit is bolted to the outside of the extension hopper, above the feed screws.
ActiFlow eliminates the need for mechanical agitators, as well as flexible side-wall agitation devices or aeration pads. The self-tuning control module monitors the device and continuously adjusts the frequency and amplitude of the ActiFlow to maintain flow within the hopper.
K-Tron is based in Pitman, N.J.
Tel. 856-256-3265, fax 865-582-3937, e-mail [email protected] ktron.com.
StackTeck IML offers prototypes, pilot runs
StackTeck Systems Inc. offers a dedicated molding system for prototyping and pilot runs of in-mold-labeled products. It runs a single-cavity mold with automated handling of pre-cut labels, as well as demolding and automated stacking.
StackTeck's IML prototyping includes a Netstal SynErgy 3500 injection molding machine and a high-speed CBW robot. The cell also includes a multipurpose mold base.
StackTeck is based in Brampton, Ontario.
Tel. 416-749-0880, fax 416-749-9669, e-mail [email protected] teck.com.
New coupling station compact, expandable
Motan Inc. of Plainwell, Mich., said its Metrolink fully automatic coupling station supplies up to 15 processing machines with as many as 16 different material options.
A compact, modular design means Metrolink can be expanded easily and does not take up much space.
Motan built in operating safety and continuity of supply. Metrolink will continue to operate even if there is a malfunction within the system, and all machines will continue to be supplied with material.
Material changes can be done manually.
Tel. 269-685-1050, e-mail [email protected]
Precision AirConvey filters inhibit dust
Newark, Del.-based Precision AirConvey Corp. said its filter plenum dust collectors control light dust loads, at a lower cost than more-elaborate dust-collection systems such as bag houses and wet collectors.
The company said the filter plenum units are ideal for plastic film and sheet processors, paper and film converters and other types of operations where low cost is paramount. The filters inhibit dust accumulation on extruders, presses, slitters and other sensitive pieces of equipment.
A gauge monitors pressure levels across the filter media, showing employees when to do maintenance and cleaning.
Tel. 302-999-8000, fax 302-266-7559, e-mail [email protected] .com.
Donaldson introduces small dust collectors
Donaldson Co. Inc. of Minneapolis has launched its Torit PowerCore dust collectors, which are smaller than traditional bag-house units.
The dust collectors are available in stand-alone units, which are up to 50 percent smaller than bag houses; and in bin-vent configurations, which are up to 70 percent smaller than traditional technology.
The PowerCore filter pack measures just 7 inches tall, and replaces six traditional, 8-foot-long fabric filter bags. The filter packs are removed from the clean side of the collector with one hand, without the need for tools.
PowerCore filter packs combine Donaldson Torit's patented Ultra-Web surface-loading technology with a fluted-media design that allows more media in a small volume.
Tel. 800-365-1331, e-mail torit [email protected]
Trade group pushes for automation model
The Automation Federation, a U.S. trade group of associations engaged in manufacturing and process automation, is working with the Department of Labor to create something called an ``automation competency model.''
The model will be a federal document that defines automation, as a formally recognized model for careers in the field. It will be used by secondary education, colleges, career counselors and human resources departments in the government and industry.
The Automation Federation is based in Research Triangle Park, N.C.
Tel. 919-990-9287, e-mail jinfan [email protected]
Novatec streamlines load control system
Baltimore-based Novatec Inc. offers a new FlexBus controller area network-based vacuum loading system that uses a single cable to connect a vacuum pump with individually controlled receivers.
The basic components are a pump control, on-board controls for all receivers in the system, a CAN-bus cable, T connectors for each receiver wiring junction along the cable and a hand-held pendant.
The FlexBus network simplifies the installation, operation and expansion of a vacuum-loading system, compared with complex, wiring-intensive conventional systems, said Chuck Morgan, resin-handling business director.
``Because the network instantly recognizes and communicates with each added receiver, and because connections typically are plug-and-play, a processor can make an initial investment with the assurance that, down the road, the system can be easily modified or enlarged,'' Morgan said.
Tel. 410-789-4811, fax 410-789-4638, e-mail [email protected]
Spartanics cutters offer continuous feed
Spartanics Ltd. of Rolling Meadows, Ill., said its new Finecut sheet-fed laser cutting machine is the first continuous cutter of its kind.
Earlier generations of sheet-fed laser cutters only can feed sheets intermittently under the laser beam, according to Spartanics.
The Finecut picks up the sheets and feeds them so they are continuously moving to the proper position under the laser, with no stopping or starting between sheets.
Spartanics displayed the Finecut at several recent trade shows.
Tel. 847-394-5700, fax 847-394-0409, e-mail [email protected] .com.
ITW printers boasts multiple features
ITW Trans Tech said its Aero series of pad printers is small, but offers many features.
Programmable-logic-control print functions are easily managed through a soft-touch operator control panel. The PLC architecture makes it easy to interface with multiprinter systems.
All Aero printers are equipped with the SpaceFrameT and ExpressLinerT ink-cup systems for fast and easy color changes.
ITW Trans Tech is based in Carol Stream, Ill.
Tel. 630-909-5773, e-mail [email protected]
ACS controllers offer four axes of control
ACS Motion Control Inc. has developed a cost-efficient, stand-alone motion controller that provides four axes of motion control.
The SPiiPlus-LF can be extended to provide as many as 64 axes of control, using an CANopen network.
The company in Plymouth, Minn., also has created motion-control modules for robots.
Tel. 763-559-7669, e-mail evanr @acsmotioncontrol.com.