CPM develops extrusion solutions for global demands

Orlando, Fla. — CPM Extrusion has been manufacturing twin-screw extrusion equipment and systems since 1988. With locations in Traverse City, Mich.; Lauffen, Germany; and Nanjing, China, the company has long been recognized as a global manufacturer.

At NPE2024 in Orlando, CPM reinforced its reputation by launching the Global eXtruder Technology (GXT) twin-screw extruder. Combining the know-how and experience from its global locations, CPM developed a standardized solution that can be shipped anywhere in the world with the same specifications, same design and same support.

CPM will manufacture the GXT in whichever of its three factories is closest to the customer and use its global engineering and service teams to set it up on-site.

"The big idea around the platform is to have a machine standardized on design, quality and support globally for our customers," said Karl-Heinz Tietz, global extrusion systems director at CPM. "The machine looks the same, has the same quality, has the same specifications, whether customers buy them in the U.S., South America, Europe, China — wherever they want them, we can build them. Big global companies that have different plans to run the same products, they can use the same machine with the same control systems that conforms to all local standards."

The GXT is available in standard centerline geometries, 13 newton meters per cubic centimeter of torque densities and anywhere from 40 to 48 lengths per diameter with screw speed options of 600, 900 and 1,200 revolutions per minute at maximized power output.

While the pre-engineered machine provides some flexibility on options, it also provides big savings on price — anything between 15 percent to 35 percent depending on the model — in comparison with CMT's more customizable CX series.

"Another focus on this platform is also that we as a company have been really in tune with cost of ownership," Sean Doran, vice president engineered materials, said. "Cost of ownership is not only long term but also the short-term capital equipment purchase. With the GXT, we are trying to become more competitive. But because cost of ownership is also long term, we've standardized the machine on that 1.55 geometry, which the twin-screw extrusion co-rotating machinery industry knows very well, because they're everywhere.

"The GXT hits on service, quality and price," Doran said, adding that CPM received "a lot of positive enquires" about the brand-new machine at NPE.

Also new at NPE and on display on the show floor was CPM's most recent side feeder for low bulk density fillers and materials.

The design focuses on applying vacuum on a microporous filter in-liner which can be frequently back flushed and installed into a standard side feed barrel. The filter avoids blocking of the vacuum unit by emerging powder or particles and can be manually backflushed by compressed air.

The system is available with screw diameters from 25 millimeters to 120mm. It adjusts vacuum level according to the bulk density of the material to achieve the most efficient conveying effect of the low bulk density material. The liner is divided into two vacuum sections that are controlled individually to allow continuous densifying during purging cycles.

"There are other technologies that are similar to this, but not as efficient," Tietz said. "We tried to figure out how to get more air out and more efficiency and surface area. Other technologies just use an insert, whereas we use a full liner and we create more surface area. We also have a dual chamber while others are only single chambers. That adds to the efficiency, because over time the filter starts clogging up with the powder and you got to get it out. With dual chambers, if you've got to purge one you can do it while the other still sucks vacuum," Tiez explained.

CPM customers around the globe have been asking the company for ways to improve their powder feed rate for years. With the new side feeder, CPM is seeing improvements from around 17 percent feed rate with up to 49 percent.

"That's with one sider feeder and a lot of customers operate two, so it's a tremendous improvement," Doran noted. "We're getting a lot of inquiries, a lot of requests, and a lot of customers coming to our booth asking us more about this unit."

Visitors at CPM's booth also had the chance to join audit sessions with Gregory Walter, senior extruder audit manager, where he thoroughly explained the company's process.

CPM's audits include full visual inspection, barrel mapping, bore measurements using capacitive sensor technology along with 4K imaging and video of the internal barrel bores.

Within the same day, customers are provided triple verified data of the audit, and within three to five days, customers receive a summary report with measurement data and wear analysis along with recommendations on how to proceed.