Münster, Germany-based Nordson BKG GmbH expanded its high-capacity melt pump portfolio to enhance process efficiency and product quality while reducing the cost of ownership compared with its previous large pumps.
Nordson's new BKG BlueFlow-brand melt pumps are available in five sizes with capacities ranging from 1,164 to 4,900 cubic centimeters (cc) per revolution, which describes the displacement capacity of a pump.
The new sizes are suitable for film, sheet, pipe, profile, fiber, compounding, recycling, polymerization and hot melt applications, according to Christian Schröder, Nordson's global product line manager.
The melt pumps are being used in the packaging, consumer goods, building and construction, electrical and electronics, automotive, transportation and textiles markets, Schröder said in an email.
"Equipment OEMs and plastics processors — initially OEMs — are the main users," he added.
The expanded product line represents a harmonization and optimization of previous pump designs developed separately by the melt pump business of Kreyenborg GmbH and by Xaloy Corp., which were acquired by Westlake, Ohio-based Nordson Corp. in 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Founded in 1954, Nordson offers a range of melt stream products from filtration systems, pumps and valves for extrusion dies and pelletizing systems.
Prior to harmonizing the new large-capacity melt pumps, Nordson had carried out a similar alignment of smaller melt pumps with capacities from 33 to 716 cubic centimeters per revolution. The company says these pump sizes have been successfully installed for extrusion, compounding and polymerization applications worldwide.
The new design reduces the cost of ownership in terms of improved quality, greater output, reduced down time and energy savings, according to a Nordson press release.
The quality of the end product is better because the newly designed pumps maintain constant pressure and adapt to process variations, a press release says. The ability to increase product consistency makes it possible to run thinner layers, for example, while staying within target tolerances, the release also says.
Nordson improved productivity by rheologically optimizing the core components and the polymer flow through the pump, the release adds.
Other pump features reduce downtime by speeding up installation, simplifying maintenance and streamlining the selection of spare parts.
As for energy savings, Nordson says an increase of 10 percent in the heat-exchange area has saved energy by reducing heating requirements for the fluid-heated pumps. All of the new sizes are equipped with a new multilayer heating arrangement as standard. The release says this enhances the processing of temperature- and shear-sensitive polymers.
"Like the smaller-sized new-generation melt pumps that we introduced earlier, the new high-capacity pumps repay their initial cost through improved productivity, enhanced product quality and energy efficiency," Schröder said. "Customers benefit from streamlined processes along with consistent global technical information and support services."
A wide range of pumping capacities or specific volumes is available, from 33 to 4,900 cubic centimeters per revolution, for throughputs up to 12,000 kilograms per hour or higher, depending on the application.
The melt pumps are for use with polymer viscosities from 5 to 15,000 Pas and at temperatures up to 626° F (330° C). Melt pump models that can handle nonstandard measures are available upon request.
In addition, because Nordson's harmonized BKG BlueFlow melt pumps are designed using a flexible modular system, the connections and heating method can be adapted to country-specific requirements.
Nordson also manufactures products and systems for dispensing of adhesives, coatings, sealants and biomaterials as well as fluid management, test and inspection and UV curing.