US Extruders Inc., a maker of custom single-screw extruders in Westerly, R.I., is making its NPE debut this spring since forming as a company in August 2017.
The company's 15-person team includes several former American Kuhne Inc. employees such as President Bill Kramer. The built-to-spec extruder maker serves the North American market.
"Increased consolidation and other market trends have given us the opportunity to fill an underserved niche," spokesman Eric Adair said in an email interview. "We are a nimble company without corporate mandates, allowing us to provide the flexibility and commitment that our customers are longing for."
Adair added that the company saw a "steady stream of excitement" from customers in the fourth quarter of 2017.
"That excitement is growing in 2018, and we are looking forward to our growth in an expanding extrusion market," he said.
At booth S32133, the company will display a 2.5-inch extruder and a 3.5-inch extruder, both with a 24:1 L/D ratio, as well as a custom medical extruder.
"We design our extruders with the end user in mind, so many of our unique features make things easier for the operator," Adair said. "For example, our unique heater shroud design provides quick and easy access to each zone, and our C-clamp includes an easy-open, over-center level with a thumb release and safety lock."
The 2.5-inch extruder will be equipped with ProControl Deluxe, a comprehensive HMI system from ProSystems Integration LLC that controls the extrusion process, enabling production efficiency, recipe management and alarm analytics, among other features.
The 3.5-inch extruder will be equipped with ProControl DCR, a cost-effective HMI alternative to discrete controls that offers basic extruder control as well as recipe and alarm features.
The medical extruder, which has swappable barrels in 0.5-0.75- and 1-inch sizes, will be equipped with a medical version of the ProControl touch-screen control system.
"As technology continues to evolve, we are committed to meeting the current and future needs of our customers. Currently, ProControl Light and Deluxe versions of our controls provided by ProSystems Integration are 4.0 ready," Adair said.
US Extruders shares its Westerly facility with ProSystems Integration. The two companies will also share a booth at NPE2018.
