Tarrytown, N.Y.-based Ampacet Corp. says it is introducing the first gravimetric feeder that enables accurate dosing down to one pellet for the micromolding segment of the medical, automotive and electronics markets.
The patented feeder uses a single vibrational, protected inner channel to eliminate exterior vibration and consistently deliver an accurate dose, which Ampacet says more efficiently produces smaller parts and reduces material costs for extruded parts.
Called the LIAD Smart ColorSave-Micro, the equipment handles low feed rates and is ideal for applications requiring precise continuous delivery of very small quantities of additives or colors in injection molding, extrusion and extrusion blow molding processes, according to Ampacet.
ColorSave-Micro can accurately dispense materials with dosing rates, also known as let down rates (LDRs), as low as 0.1 percent to 0.3 percent, the press release says.
The feeder, which can be used for nearly all types of additives, including flowable, non-dusty powders or granules and micro pellets, is suitable for use in research, testing and prototyping facilities, according to company officials.
The ColorSave-Micro boosts productivity dramatically, said Doug Brownfield, commercial director of CISystems Color Integration, an Ampacet business unit based on patented technology developed by the recently-acquired LIAD Weighing and Control Systems.
Brownfield said in the release that the feeder “eliminates manual mixing, makes calibration easy and turns product rejects into a thing of the past.”
“Our customers love that they can use expensive colors and additives at the lowest possible LDR, enabling them to run at the low end of the tolerance specification to save on masterbatch costs,” Brownfield added.
The micro molding market is a fast-growing industry segment, Ampacet officials note, pointing to Grandview Research that says it will exceed $1.5 billion by 2025 with North America projected to occupy the largest share of nearly 40 percent.
Ampacet has 25 manufacturing sites located in 18 countries and employs more than 2,000 people.