Link/Page Citation
Extrusion Systems
PRODUCT LINES REVIEWED
ADDEX, INC.
Blown film extruders, dies, air rings, air shrouds, IBC systems, oscillating hauloffs, feedscrews and complete film lines. Products include laminar-flow air ring and noncontact internal bubble-cooling system. The latter employs up to eight external ultrasonic sensors, controls layflats to 1/10 in., and enables dialing in width changes on-the-fly. System is retrofittable. New Internal Gauge Control (IGC) uses air from the IBC to correct film-thickness variations.
AFEX INTERNATIONAL INC.
Winding equipment and single-screw extruders from Afex AG of Switzerland. Standard line includes air-cooled, bimetallic-barreled extruders with screw diam. of 60, 90 and 120 mm. Single winders for cast or calendered film, non-wovens, and adhesive-coated webs. Double winders for blown film. Winders have working widths to 140 in., operating speeds to 2000 fpm, roll diam. to 60 in., analog or digital drive control, 3- and 6-in. shafts (8-in. and over optional), and optional auto-shaft handling and recording. Center drive, surface winding, pressure-control winding, gap winding, or optional reverse wind.
A.I.M. INTERNATIONAL INC.
Unicor corrugators produce tubing from 0.33- to 31.50-in. diam. of PVC, PE, PP, PFA, nylon, etc. Spiral-winding system patented by A.G. Petzetakis in Greece produces large-bore pipe up to 120-in. diam.
Complete line of machinery and equipment for multilayer foam-core pipe from 2- through 8-in. diam.
AKRON EXTRUDERS, INC.
Single-screw extruders from 3/4 in. through 8 in. diam. include heavy-duty models for rigid PVC with a variety of options in hp, L/D, drives, and heat-zone configurations. Also 1-in. and 1 1/2-in. models for lab use, small runs, and medical applications. Pedestal-mounted models for coextrusion.
Replacement screws and barrels for almost every make of extruder. Screws can be custom designed. Rebuilds all makes of extruder screws and barrels. Various screw coatings can be applied to minimize abrasion and/or corrosion. Services include in-house preventive maintenance programs, implant extruder alignment and measuring of screws and barrels, and use of company's extensive screw and barrel library of over 4000 drawings. (See ad p. 144.)
AL-BE INDUSTRIES, INC.
Standard line of single-screw extruders (3/4- to 2 1/2-in. diam.) and custom-designed units up to 8 in. All have bimetallic-lined barrels with up to 32:1 L/D. High-capacity thrust housings provide long bearing life. Auxiliary equipment includes vacuum sizers and cooling tanks (the latter with optional built-in refrigeration units), hauloffs, cutoff saws, coilers, and dies for pipe, tubing, pelletizing, and custom profiles.
ALPHA MARATHON MFG. INC.
Single-screw extruders from 1- to 6-in. diam., specializing in blown film applications. Extruders have air or water cooling; double-reduction, helical gear reducers; integral heavy-duty thrust beatings; and bimetallic barrels.
Polycrunch film-reclaim systems include extruder with large conical feed section and grooved throat. Scrap film can be fed loose directly into feed section without the need for granulating. Pelletizing system includes underwater die plate with variable-speed face cutter, closed-loop water system, and pellet dryer. Three models have outputs of 500 to 1500 lb/hr.
Top nip, secondary nip assemblies, and surface film winders range up to 164 in. wide. Nip-assembly options include collapsing frames and gusset assemblies. Surface and turret film winders from in simple, economical models to fully automatic versions. Line speeds from 250 to 500 fpm.
ALPINE AMERICAN DIV. HOSOKAWA MICRON INT'L
Complete blown film systems for single-layer HDPE and LLDPE, and for coextrusion of HDPE with LDPE, LLDPE, EVA, EVOH, PP, and ionomer. Screw diam. from 1.5 to 4.7 in., dies and air rings from 3 to 28 in. Takeoffs and winders to 120 in. wide and 60 in. diam. with max. line speeds over 850 fpm. Grooved-feed barrels with solid tungsten-carbide inserts standard. Also stationary or rotating extruders and winders, oscillating nips, upward or downward extrusion, 12-spiral dies, automatic gauge control with segmented air rings, high-intensity cavity-mixing sections, gauge measurement systems, and automatic bubble-diameter control. Max. cooling capacity with HMW-HDPE is 30 lb/in. of die circumference. Bag machines include three-and four-track t-shirt models, processing up to 80-in. webs.
AMERICAN BARMAG CORP.
Blown film systems for single-ply and multilayer film (to seven layers) with extruder sizes from 1.8- to 6-in. diam.; tape extrusion lines, including winders from 16 to 71 in. wide; monofilament lines for polyolefins, nylon and PET; flat film and sheet lines for monolayer and coextrusion; single-screw extruders up to 14-in. diam.; and melt filters for continuous and discontinuous production to 8800 lb/hr. Also gear metering pumps, extrusion discharge pumps, and turnkey gear-pump systems, polymer filtration systems, and polymer valves.
AMERICAN JET STREAM, INC.
From Plastimac of Italy: complete blown film extrusion systems for HDPE, LLDPE, and LDPE. Multiline bag-making machines for T-shirts, patch-handle bags, and conventional bags with in-line or off-line printing up to six colors.
Also cast stretch-film lines and co-extruded blown film with or without IBC, and Maris corotating variable twin-screw extruders for compounding.
AMERICAN LEISTRITZ EXTRUDER CORP.
Twin-screw extruders in both corotating and counterrotating intermeshing and nonintermeshing modes, with screw diam. from 18 to 135 mm, for compounding and scrap reprocessing. (See Compounding, Mixing, Blending Systems.) Auxiliary equipment offered for complete production lines.
Universal laboratory extruder has attachments for three twin-screw modes and single-screw operation. Auxiliary equipment includes blown film, sheet, and profile attachments. Also hot-face pelletizing systems with capacities up to 5000 lb/hr. (See ad p. 228.)
AMERICAN MAPLAN CORP.
Twin-screw extrusion systems for rigid PVC pipe and siding include two conical and three parallel twin-screw extruders. DSK-52 and -62 are low-output, high-pressure machines, and TS 80, 100, and 130 have 24:1 L/D. Diameters range from 1/2 in. to 36 in., and outputs from 250 to 2400 lb/hr. Oil cooling standard. Also tooling for PVC pipe and profile, replacement barrels and screws, and calibrating systems.
AMUT S.P.A.
See Carl G. Brimmekamp & Co.
APV CHEMICAL MACHINERY, INC.
See Compounding, Mixing, Blending Systems.
ASHLAND TAYLOR INC.
Complete extrusion lines for corrugated pipe with patented corrugators and dual-wall tooling systems; blown film systems with in-line bag-making and converting equipment coupled with automatic packaging; and scrap reclaim and pelletizing systems. Custom-designed tooling and extruders from 3/4- to 18-in. diam. with patented screw designs.
BATTENFELD BLOWMOLDING MACHINES, HARTIG EXTRUSION DIV.
Custom single-screw extruders from 3/4- to 15-in. diam. in L/Ds of 24:1 to 48:1, air- or water- cooled versions, vented or nonvented. Feedscrews designed for specific material and process.
Also reprocessing extruders in single- and dual-diam. configurations for handling materials from bulk densities as low as 0.5 lb/[ft.sup.3] to hot melts. (See ad p. 120)
BATTENFELD EXTRUSIONSTECHNIK
See Battenfeld Gloucester Engineering.
BATTENFELD GLOUCESTER ENGINEERING CO., INC.
Monolayer and multilayer HDPE and LDPE blown film extrusion systems for packaging, thick/thin or stretch film and bagmaking for in-line and off-line operation; Also complete single- and multilayer systems for sheet, cast film, foam, and extrusion coating. Also line of winders and downstream equipment, reclaim extrusion systems, and pelletizers. All extrusion systems available with Extrol 6000 series microprocessor controls.
BAUSANO
See Tex America, Inc.
BERSTORFF CORP.
Corotating, twin-screw mixing extruders and pelletizing systems; twin-screw compounding with direct in-line sheeting of filled and reinforced plastics; and single-screw profile extrusion from commingled reclaim. (See Compounding, Mixing, Blending.) (See ad p. 230.)
BETOL-FRANCIS SHAW
Complete high-output precision extrusion lines. Single-screw extruders from 18 to 75 mm diam. offered with all associated downstream equipment including vacuum calibration baths, water-cooling baths, haul-offs, rotary cutters, three-roll stacks, film casting units, and film towers. Complete lines or single items of equipment available. Typical applications include medical tubing (single and multilumen); reinforced hoses; multilayer sheet and film; solid, hollow, and foamed profiles; and fine wire or fiber-optic sheathing. Lines can be built to specific requirements such as specialized coextrusion.
Supplies, installs and commissions package deals from a single line to a complete factory for processes including compounding, wire and cable insulation and sheathing, sheet extrusion, production of floor tiles and coverings, profiles, and seals.
BLACK CLAWSON CONVERTING MACHINERY CORP.
Complete processing lines for flat or embossed cast film, stretch wrap, extrusion coating and lamination; oriented film, and oriented-tape and fiber. Single-screw extruders from 2 1/2-to 12-in. diam., with standard L/Ds of 24:1 and 30:1. Accessories include film and coating dies, primer coaters and dryers, film winders, unwinds, slitter/rewinders, and coextrusion systems for cast film and extrusion coating. Supervisory control system available. All systems available with microprocessor controls.
Pre-engineered products include Excel extrusion coating and laminating line and universal cast film lines. Suited to quick installation and start-up.
Custom-built, single-screw compounding/pelletizing extruders in melt-feed, cold-feed, and batch-feed designs; diam. to 20 in.; and output rates to over 60,000 lb/hr. (See Compounding, Mixing, Blending Systems.)
BLACK, CLAWSON-SANO INC.
Complete lines and retrofit components for film extrusion. Products include monolayer and coextrusion film systems for blown film, cast film, and cast/embossed film. Standard line widths for blown film from 34 to 144 in. and cast film widths from 34 to 164 in.
Retrofits and enhancements for blown film lines include monolayer and coextrusion dies - both oscillating and stationary - for one to seven layers; dual-lip air rings; and internal bubble cooling systems, all from 4 to 48 in. diam. Also various types of collapsing systems, stationary and oscillating nips, treater systems, and both surface and center winders.
Retrofit components for cast and cast/embossed systems include casting units, MD orienting units, treater stations, and high-speed winder systems.
Services and parts include single- and multilayer die and oscillator rebuilds and winder repairs. In-stock repair and parts kits for oscillators, dies, and air rings deliverable within 48 hr.
STEWART BOLLING
See Kobelco Stewart Bolling, Inc.
BOSTON MATTHEWS INC.
Complete lines of downstream equipment include Linchpin twin-belt takeoff machine; new range of vacuum calibration baths from 6 to 20 ft long and 4 to 8 in. wide. Six models of rotary cutters produce up to 750 cut pieces per min with consistent, adjustment-free accuracy. Three recently introduced models of AS automatic in-line saws handle products up to 6 7/8-in. diam. at 65 ft/min. Calini pipe, tube, and extrusion coiling machines and ancillary equipment.
THE BOULIGNY CO.
Complete slit-tape and monofilament extrusion systems based on single-screw extruders. Slit tape can be produced at 2000 lb/hr or more and monofilament at 800 lb/hr and up. Auxiliary equipment includes ovens, quench tanks, chill rolls, slitters, takeaways, fibrillators, winders, and spoolers.
C.W. BRABENDER INSTRUMENTS INC.
Laboratory and pilot-plant single-screw extruders come in 3/4- and 1 1/4-in. diam. with L/Ds of 10:1 to 30:1. When attached to the company's Plasti-Corder drive, units become miniature process-sensing elements that chart the extrusion cycle. Also custom-designed tooling and interchangeable dies and screws for capillary flow, blown film, wire coating, sheet, and profiles. Hoppers, feeders, and takeoff units for sheet, blown film and wire.
Independent Table-Top Extruder is a 3/4-in., compact, self-contained system driven by 1-hp motor and worm gear reducer.
Counterrotating, intermeshing twin-screw extruders for laboratory or pilot-plant work include a parallel-screw, 1.65-in. model for high-shear continuous mixing of rigid PVC and polyolefins at rates to 10 lb/hr; a parallel 1.4-in. model designed mainly for profile extrusion at rates to 45 lb/hr; and a conical design for extrusion/mixing of heat-sensitive or highly lubricated materials at rates to 35 lb/hr - supplied also in a corotating design.
BRAMPTON ENGINEERING INC.
Single-screw extruders for blown film, pipe, profile, foam, sheet, compounding, and wire/cable with 1- to 6-in. diam. and L/D to 40:1.
Complete blown film lines with coextrusion and single-layer dies to 84-in. diam. and up to 8 or more layers in rotating, oscillating, or stationary configurations. Also dies for pipe coating, wire coating, hose and pipe; and both center and surface winders in widths to 120 in.
CARL G. BRIMMEKAMP & CO., INC.
Single- and twin-screw extruders from Amut S.p.A. to 6 1/3-in. diam. Complete systems for pipe, profile, and blown film (up to five layers); plain and corrugated sheet extrusion (up to six layers). Reclaim and pelletizing systems. Laboratory extruders from Dr. Collin GmbH of Germany for pipe, profile, blown and cast film in sizes from 3/4 in. to 1 3/4 in. Collin laboratory twin-screw compounder operates in either corotating or counterrotating mode. (See Compounding, Mixing, Blending Systems.)
BROWN PLASTICS ENGINEERING CO.
Small extrusion systems up to 1 1/2 in. for lab, school, R&D and production uses. Used machinery, screen changers, pelletizing, wire and cable, fiber, and filament systems. Services include screw and barrel repairs and machinery rebuilding.
BUSS AMERICA, INC.
Buss-Kneader is a reciprocating single-screw extruder for compounding thermoplastics and thermosets. (See Compounding, Mixing, Blending Systems.)
CINCINNATI MILACRON/PLASTICS EXTRUSION SYSTEMS BUSINESS
Conical twin-screw extruders process heat-sensitive materials such as flexible or rigid PVC. Five basic models: CMT-35, CM-55, CM-65, CM-80, and CM-92. Downstream equipment includes vacuum calibration tables, pullers, saws, collection tables, spray baths, dry-face cutters, and pneumatic cooling systems. Output rates of rigid PVC from 10 to 2500 lb/hr. Complete systems produce pipe, siding, sheet, window profile, and pellets. Also replacement screws and barrels for parallel and coni- cal twin screws of Cincinnati Milacron or competitors' makes.
Single-screw extruders in 1 1/2 to 8 in. diam. with standard L/Ds of 25:1 and 30:1 and air or water barrel cooling. Heavy-duty components and versatile drives in right-hand, left-hand, or tuck-under configurations. Can be configured to accept competitive screw shanks. Compact EXc microprocessor control panel optional. Downstream equipment for sheet, compounding, film, pipe, and profile.
Sheet extrusion systems based on single-screw extruders and three-roll cooling/polishing stacks. Vertical, horizontal or reconfigurable roll orientations. Silent-chain, open-gear or individually driven roll-drive assemblies. Pneumatic and hydraulic nip actuation.
Process-control options include discrete instruments, Cincinnati Milacron EXc microprocessor system, or fully integrated line control with color touch-screen, SQC charting, and supervisory-level process analysis. (See ads pp. 10, 58-59, 126-127, 142, 146; data sheets pp. 91-97, 138-139, 159-160.)
CLAY GROUP, INC.
Single-screw extruders from 3/4- to 15-in. diam. and all L/D ratios; filters and screen changers, including slideplate, continuous and automatic types; strand dies, water baths, air strippers and pelletizers; underwater pelletizing systems to 6000 lb/hr; melt gear pumps; and other sheet, film and winding equipment.
Single-screw recycling extrusion systems consist of granulators, vertical screw feeders, 50:1 barrels, dual-venting systems, slide-plate screen changers and/or continuous filters, and strand and underwater pelletizers. Production rates from 100 to 10,000 lb/hr.
CONAIR GATTO THE CONAIR GROUP, INC.
Specializes in downstream equipment for extruded pipe, rod, tubing, and profiles. Offers complete turnkey extrusion systems, as well as individual line components, which include die-head and sizing tooling, high-technology and precision vacuum-sizing/cooling tanks, belted or cleated pullers, on-demand or continuous rotary cutters, up-cut and traveling saws, automatic and conventional coilers, dump tables and takeaway conveyors.
Exclusive U.S. distributor of Speedex pipe and profile production equipment for window profiles and pipe diam. up to 78 in. Vacuum sizing and cooling tanks, take-off equipment, straight-cut and planetary saws, dump tables, printers, coilers, and drilling or slotting machinery.
CONVERTING SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL
Blown film systems manufactured by M.A.M. Srl of Italy. Extruders for HDPE and LLDPE (45 to 80 mm) and winding systems for widths to 72 in. Fully rotating die heads. Tungsten-carbide barrel liners and screws for long wear. Winders include single, double over-and-under, and double back-to-back types for reel diam. to 50 in. All are electronically controlled and d-c driven with fully automatic roll changeovers.
CORMA INC.
Corrugated pipe or tubing systems include seven standard models for 1/8-in. to 60-in. I.D. pipe. Systems produce single-wall (1/8- to 60-in I.D.), dual-wall (3/4-to 60-in I.D.), and ribbed (1 1/4- to 36-in I.D.) pipe for electrical conduit, drainage, sewers, culverts. Also large-diam. spiral-wound pipe systems from 15- to over 60-in. I.D., as well as aftercoolers, perforators, slitters, cut-offs and high-speed winders for small-diam. tubing. Offers extruders with corrugating lines. Also in-line cuff systems for single-wall and double-wall corrugators.
CUSTOM SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS
Laboratory and pilot-plant mixing extruders. A screwless extruder uses the elastic-energy storage characteristics of polymer melts for mixing and extrusion. Typical applications include compounding, polymer blending, fiber melt spinning, and pelletizing. (See Compounding, Mixing, Blending Systems.)
DAVIS-STANDARD CORP.
Customized extruders, feed screws, drives and controls for wire and cable, pipe, profile, medical tubing, sheet, blown and cast film, blow molding, elastomers, compounding, reclaim/recycle, and fiber. Also systems for high-voltage wire and cable, melt-blown nonwovens, and high-throughput BOPP, OPS, and PET film.
Complete systems include single-screw extruders to 12-in. diam. including grooved-barrel, vented-barrel, tiltable, and tandem machines and vertical extruders to 3-in. diam. Downstream equipment for blown and cast film, sheet, laminations, pipe, profile, fibers, and compounding. Underwater pelletizing lines. Feedblocks and other coextrusion equipment for sheet and blown film. Screen changers, dies, and custom-designed equipment.
Also multilayer barrier film and sheet coextrusion systems and custom-designed recycling extruders to handle low-bulk-density scrap. Blown film dies, rotators, and winders range from one to five layers in sizes up to 86-in. diam.
For rigid PVC profiles, conical and parallel twin-screw Gemini machines are reportedly rugged and easy to operate and maintain.
Flexible PVC medical tubing systems provide outputs to 400 fpm; ultra-precise I.D./O.D. ovality; screw designs for high product clarity; continuous ultra-low-tension coiling; and 1-, 1 1/4-, and 1 1/2-in. floor-model extruders.
Process line controls for CIM: System 401 incorporates patented dual-sensor, anticipatory temperature controls; and PLC-based Epic II control incorporates dual-thermocouple control and responsive closed-loop line control. Graphical user-friendly interface features pictorial control screens, trending, complete line documentation, data acquisition, and SPC.
Specialized technical services, modernization of machinery and controls, and rebuilding of all makes of extruders with custom packages to improve output and performance. (See also Compounding, Mixing, Blending Systems.) (See ad p. 152.)
DELTAPLAST MACHINERY LTD.
Delta single-screw extruders from 1- to 6-in. diam. are liquid- or air-cooled and have Deltatherm heating/cooling systems, heat-failure alarm systems, in-stream hopper metal traps, open-frame construction, and unitization.
Caster-mounted and column-mounted coextruders, as well as dies, profile sizers, cooling tanks, and custom-engineered screws. Also rebuilds equipment.
DR. COLLIN GMBH
See Carl G. Brimmekamp & Co.
DROSSBACH N.A., INC.
Extruders and complete extrusion lines, specializing in corrugating equipment for pipe and tubing.
DURHAM INTERNATIONAL CORP.
Complete services for manufacturing outdoor building products, especially PVC windows, siding and doors. Complete extrusion lines with either single- or twin-screw extruders, all necessary take-off equipment, dies and calibrators, plus complete engineering designs for windows and doors.
EGAN DAVIS-STANDARD CORP.
High-capacity extrusion lines for blown or cast film, sheet, foam, extrusion coating, compounding, and reclaim. Cast film lines produce trim widths to 160 in. at up to 2000 ft/min. Johnson sheet dies include Flex Lip dies to 160 in. wide for monolayer and coextruded film and sheet. Lines for foam sheet to 1500 lb/hr; high-speed coating and laminating lines; compounding lines with underwater pelletizers; and reclaim systems for reprocessing a broad range of low-bulk-density material. Standardized Powerflight single-screw extruders to 6-in. diam., and custom extruders to 18 in. CMR microprocessor control systems for single or multiple line control on new systems or as retrofits.
"Standard" single-screw extruders and sheet systems 20-66 in. wide complement traditional customized offerings at cost savings of 10-20%, and delivery times four to six weeks shorter than for custom units.
Twin-screw compounding extruders are corotating with segmented screws. (See Compounding, Mixing, Blending Systems.) (See ad p. 152.)
ENTWISTLE CO.
Single-screw extruders in three sizes from 3/4 in. to 6 in. include heavy-duty Thermoflite machines in 2- to 6-in. diam. and 15:1 to 30:1 L/D; lighter-duty extruders in diam. of 3/4 to 2 in. and up to 30:1 L/D; and vertical extruders for coextrusion, tubing and small profiles, from 3/4-to 2 1/2-in. diam. and up to 30:1 L/D.
Also complete single- and multilayer sheet lines with rolls 15 to 42 in. and wider.
ESI-EXTRUSlON SERVICES, INC.
Automated downstream extrusion equipment for profile, tubing, and small pipe. Systems for in-line processing, cutting and fabrication, as well as turnkey services with complete extrusion line layout, setup, run-in, and operator training. Custom design capabilities for special requirements, along with total process control.
On-demand or continuous air- or servo-actuated flycutters, fixed and traveling saws, on-line fabrication presses, smooth and cleated belt pullers, conveyors, vacuum-sizing and temperature-controlled annealing and calibration tanks, cooling tanks, letoffs, and windups.
PLCs for all machine control. Optional automated length-control systems on all curing and fabrication units provide cut-length accuracy down to [+ or -]0.0025 in., and 100% automated length inspection and reporting.
FARREL CORP.
Custom-designed, heavy-duty single-screw extruders for densification, hom*ogenizing, and extruding in strip, strand or pelletized form. Specializes in larger machines, up to 26-in. diam., for production rates as high as 50,000 lb/hr. Hot-melt extruders, cold-feed extruders, and machines for receiving the discharge from batch or continuous mixers. Underwater pelletizers and retrofits for LDPE extruders with vents for devolatilization.
FTX corotating twin-screw compounding extruder is available in outputs from 88 to 3960 lb/hr. (See Compounding, Mixing, Blending Systems.) (See ad p. 224.)
FILMASTER INC.
Complete blown film lines for monolayer extrusion and coextrusion include single-screw extruders with smooth-bore or grooved-feed throats, manual screen changers, die assemblies (1 to 90 in.), air rings, take-offs, slitters, and automatic high-speed winders (turret, surface, and specialty types). Also cast film systems, narrow-tubing blown film lines, double-bubble lines, and custom-designed extruders.
Auxiliary items such as the post-air-ring cooling chamber, air-flotation bubble-collapsing A-frame, and ultrasonic layflat-width control, are easily retrofittable to existing lines for productivity enhancement.
FUTURE DESIGN INC.
Complete blown film lines for LDPE and HDPE include modular parts such as screws, screen changers, oscillators, low-pressure dies, top-nip assemblies, winders, bubble-sizing equipment, dual-sided treater stations, extruders, and control panels. Saturn dual-lip, low-pressure air rings for 1/2-in. to 100-in. dies.
Provides engineering, planning and servicing. Also Investment Recovery Program for selling used equipment, rebuilding equipment, and servicing.
GENCA
Thermoplastic and thermoset extrusion crossheads for single-, dual-, triple- and multilayer extrusions with striping capability for wire and cable, medical tubing, hose, pipe and profiles.
Standard and custom-designed single-screw extruders for thermoplastics and fluoropolymers. Single-column vertical extruders from 3/4 to 1 1/2 in. with 24:1 L/D. Heavy-duty, dual-column units with motorized height adjustment in 1 1/2-and 2-in sizes. Also horizontal extruders from 3/4 to 4 1/2 in. with 24:1 L/D.
Benchtop horizontal extruders on a heavy-duty, castered base in screw sizes from 3/4 to 2 in.
A 1/2-in., 24:1 L/D extruder can be operated in either horizontal or vertical plane.
Complete extrusion systems with discrete or microprocessor control for medical tubing and wire and cable. Coextrusion systems for three-to five-layer tubing.
G.F. GOODMAN & SON, INC.
Downstream machinery for pipe, tubing, and profiles from 0.010 to 7 in. O.D. Included are pinch-roll systems and caterpillar pullers with a-c vector, brushless d-c or servo drives using gearbox or Synchro-Pull timing-belt drive. Also traveling saws; flywheel and rotary on-demand cutters, including electromagnetic, pneumatic, hydraulic, servo-driven, and Vac-U-Torq vacuum-clutch/brake types.
Also cuff-detection systems for cutting corrugated tubing in-line. Cutters built to standard or custom designs. Discharge conveyors with or without air ejection or mechanical sweep of cut parts. Electronic cut-length measuring system sorts and calculates SPC data on all cut lengths in-line.
Bondabelt replacement caterpillar belts for all makes and models of pullers. (See ad p. 150.)
ROBERT GREGORY ASSOCIATES
Custom-designed single-screw extruders, screws for single and twin extruders, dies, and engineering and consulting services. Process technology for compounding, blown and cast film, foam, and sheet production.
HAAKE INC.
Rheomex laboratory single-screw extruders in 3/4- and 1-in. diam. with L/Ds from 10:1 to 30:1 serve for sample preparation or as sophisticated measuring systems providing process parameters for research, product development, q-c, and scale-up. Extruders can be attached to a simple drive motor or Rheocord 9000 torque rheometer.
Rheomex TW-100 conical twin-screw extruder is for evaluating new compounding formulations, additives, or economics of continuous vs. batch mixing. TW-100 also can serve as a small-scale production line.
Complete line of segmented or clam-shell parallel twin-screw compounders.
Line of take-up and downstream extrusion components can be used with all types of extrusion or compounding equipment.
HARREL, INC.
Small to medium-size single-screw extruders (to 2 1/2 in.) feature rugged construction, digital drives (accurate to 0.001%), and Digipanel microprocessor controls. Geartruders are a combination of extruder, high-precision gear pump, digital drive, and Digipanel microprocessor controller, which coordinates extruder and gear pump operation.
Instrumentation includes Digipanel microprocessor controllers, nuclear thickness gauges, and laser gauging systems. Other accessories include melt pumps, weigh feeders, and a unique Rollerpuller. Elements integrated into complete, prepackaged extrusion systems for tubing or profile. Patented Tubetrol system controls both O.D. and I.D. of tubing or pipe of any size.
HPM CORP.
Complete single-screw extrusion systems for sheet, pipe, profiles, compounding, recycle, and scrap reclaim. Four styles of extruders, four styles of sheet lines, and a variety of auxiliary components, including patented Doublewave screw.
Custom equipment for demanding applications includes very wide sheet, very thick sheet, coextruded sheet to nine layers, and high-throughput and high-speed sheet extrusion.
High rates can be achieved with the Doublewave screw on HPM's heavy-duty, high-torque, high-speed compounding lines in 2.5- to 10-in. sizes and lengths to 50:1.
Prodex profile extruder can be supplied for all profile sizes with or without a downstream system. Turnkey profile lines include wet vacuum, dry vacuum, or air calibration, plus material handling.
Recycle and reclaim of industrial and post-consumer waste can be handled from feeding of ground scrap to bagging or boxing repelletized resin. (See ads pp. 38-39.)
HUTCHEON MACHINERY, INC.
Used and rebuilt extrusion systems and all accessories for compounding and pelletizing, pipe and profile, cast and blown film, wire and cable, and sheet. Extruders range from 1/2- to 12-in. diam.
IKEGAI AMERICA CORP.
PCM series of intermeshing, high-speed twin-screw extruders utilize segmented screws. Barrel uses a building-block system so that L/D ratio is easily adjustable. Screws are either corotating or counterrotating. Screw diam. from 29 to 125 mm. (See Compounding, Mixing, Blending Systems.)
INSTAMELT SYSTEMS
Unique "screwless" extruder has a smooth rotor housed in a short, eccentrically bored barrel. Material passes around the circumference of the rotor and then exits the barrel into a gear pump and then a die. Units process a wide range of virgin and reground thermoplastics at 300 to 2000 lb/hr. The same unit can run materials of a wide melt-flow range. Short residence time and energy savings relative to a standard single-screw extruder are claimed.
ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION
Information and catalogues on Italian extrusion and coextrusion lines for tubes, pipe, profiles, film, sheet, filament, strapping, tape, pelletizing, and cable coating. Single- or twin-screw extruders are made by about 30 Italian companies in sizes from 1- to 10-in. diam. and L/D from 12:1 to 30:1.
JSW PLASTICS MACHINERY INC.
Two types of twin-rotor, continuous fluxing mixers for high-intensity compounding. One is a counterrotating twin-rotor type, similar in basic concept to the Farrel Continuous Mixer; the other is a corotating twin-screw compounding extruder built under license from Krauss-Maffei. (See Compounding, Mixing, Blending Systems.) (See data sheets pp. 105-107.)
K INC.
Blown film extrusion and converting equipment includes extruders, screws, dies, towers, winders, air rings, gear pumps, and screen changers. Also equipment for film sealing and punching, resin blending, film-scrap recycling, and flexographic printing.
KIEFEL INC.
Blown film extrusion systems for up to five-layer structures of HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, EVA, ionomer, PP, nylon, EVOH and PET. Company specializes in complete systems for thin-gauge, single-or multilayer HMW-HDPE film at high outputs with excellent film strength and uniform film thickness or roll quality.
Extruders can be stationary, oscillating or rotating with either grooved-feed barrel and decompression screw or smooth barrel and compression screw. Grooved-feed extruders from 40- to 100-mm diam.; smooth bore extruders from 30- to 60-mm diam.
Die sizes from 20- to 500-mm diam. Air rings with single or dual lip. Internal bubble cooling available on dies of 110-500 mm. Take-offs either stationary or oscillating; surface winders can be stationary, oscillating, or rotating and semi-automatic or fully automatic. Take-offs with max. layflat widths of 500-3000 mm. Winders with max. layflat widths of 500-2500 mm.
Accessories include blenders, vacuum loaders, air chillers, treaters, web guides, gravimetric extrusion-control systems, automatic transverse-direction gauge-profile control system, and layflat-width control systems.
KILLION EXTRUDERS, INC. DAVIS-STANDARD CORP.
Recently acquired by Davis-Standard, Killion supplies single-screw extruders in sizes from 3/4- to 3-in. diam. and L/Ds up to 36:1. Broad range of downstream equipment includes tubing and profile cutters formerly made by Versa Machinery. Complete extrusion systems for tubing, wire coating, blown film, pipe, sheet, profiles, filament, coextrusion, pelletizing, and lab setups.
Builds custom extrusion equipment with emphasis on coextrusion and medical tubing systems. Wide range of extrusion-related services, including process laboratory facilities and training programs. (See Compounding, Mixing, Blending Systems.) (See ad p. 152.)
KLOCKNER ER-WE-PA USA, INC.
Components and complete lines for extrusion coating, cast film, sheet, and coating/laminating. Experience and process knowledge in extrusion, priming, drying, treating, coating, laminating, and web handling of light- to heavy-gauge materials. Lines supplied for wet and dry lamination, coextrusion barrier coating, extrusion coating and laminating, printing, and siliconization.
Coextrusion uses proprietary feedblock prior to a single-slot extrusion die or a multislot extrusion die having individual feed channels. Skin-layer coextrusion uses a feedblock. Dies can have automatic die-gap adjustments and integrated thickness measurement and control.
KOBELCO STEWART BOLLING, INC.
Represents Kobe Steel and offers heavy-duty, single-screw, hot-melt and compounding extruders in screw sizes from 3 1/2- to 20-in. diam. and L/D ratios to 30:1. Extruders can be heated electrically or with steam or oil, and can be cooled by air or water. Full range of dies and tooling. (See Compounding, Mixing, Blending Systems.)
KRAUSS-MAFFEI CORP. PLASTICS MACHINERY DIV.
Counterrotating twin-screw extruders in double-conical and parallel-screw configurations for PVC extrusion of pipe, window lineals, siding, and custom profiles. High-inventory pipe tooling and coextrusion blocks for siding with cap-stock. Special version of the double-conical extruder serves as a satellite extruder.
Controls can include autotuned, microprocessor-based temperature controller with PLC instead of relay functions, or complete, integrated microprocessor control.
Company has teamed up with tooling and downstream suppliers to offer complete systems for PVC windows.
KUHNE GMBH
See O/K International.
LCI CORP.
Specialized processing machines and systems, gear pumps, microprocessor controls, motionless mixers, and systems for continuous processing of highly viscous polymers.
Positive-displacement gear pumps and complete pumping systems handle viscous materials to 30 million cp. Specialized extrusion gear pumps improve dimensional control of product, increase capacity of new or existing lines, regulate extrudate to prevent surges, and reduce energy consumption.
Motionless mixers blend high-viscosity materials and improve thermal hom*ogenization. Also microprocessor systems for complete gravimetric extrusion control, pump and temperature control.
Agitated thin-film evaporation/reaction systems for concentrating and devolatilizing, polymerization and polycondensation, demonomerizing and finishing, and recovery of solvent and polymer from waste streams. Turba-Film and Roto-Vak processors accommodate final viscosities from 10,000 to 50,000 cp. For product viscosities of 50,000 to 15 million cp, Vistran processor provides positive transport of product. Complete pilot-plant facilities and process services. (See data sheets 161-162.)
LEISTRITZ AG
See American Leistritz Extruder.
MACRO ENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY
Complete blown film systems for LDPE, LLDPE, and HDPE include single-screw extruders, material-blending and scrap-recovery systems, secondary cooling systems, PTFE-coated collapsing frames, winders, and other downstream equipment for packaging. Custom equipment for new or difficult-to-process resins.
M.A.M. SRL
See Converting Systems Int'l.
MEGA MACHINERY INC.
MegaTech single-screw extruders for sheet, film, profile and reprocessing. Sizes from 1- to 8-in. diam., L/D ratios to 44:1, and drives from 2 to 100 hp.
Specializes in sheet: Megatron cooling and polishing units ensure smooth transmission of power to chrome polishing rolls for glazing quality. Quick Switch roll-change system minimizes downtime, as does Plus 1 system that optimizes heating and cooling. MegaCool cooling conveyor helps increase production rates. MegaTronix complete process-control system available.
MERRITT DAVIS CORP.
(Formerly Merritt Extruder Corp.) Standard and customized single-screw extruders from 1 in. to 8 in. with L/D ratios of 24:1 to 36:1, as well as metric sizes from 40 to 200 mm. MX series extruders feature high-capacity liquid cooling systems; Super Cooled series has ultra-high-capacity air cooling; and Air Cooled series has standard blower systems.
Complete systems for single- and multilayer blown film with dies to 72-in. diam., single and multilayer sheet extrusion to 144 in. wide, compounding with or without side-arm feeders, reclaim/recycling, wire and cable, medical tubing, pipe and profile.
High-performance screws include Merrexx barrier (variable-pitch, variable-depth) type with high specific output rate and reportedly outstanding pressure stability.
MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES AMERICA, INC.
Monolayer and multilayer cast film and biaxial orientation lines have die widths to 4500 mm. Standard single-screw extruders in 65- to 250-mm diam.; special single-screw mixing extruders (with hexagonal-barrel mixing section) of 50-135 mm. Also tandem extruders from 90/115 to 250/300 mm; counterrotating, conical twin-screw extruders for PVC in 50 and 60 mm; and corotating twin-screw compounders of 45-125 mm. (See also Compounding, Mixing, Blending.) (See ad p. 69.)
MPM POLYMER SYSTEMS, INC.
Custom-designed and standard extruders and downstream equipment for film (mono- and biaxially oriented), sheet, profile, and fiber. Extruders from lab scale up to 8-in. diam. with all accessories, plus computer-designed single- and multilayer flat and blown film dies. In-house engineering and machine shop.
Fully warranted, reconditioned machinery, plus installation, plant design, and start-up services. Post-consumer scrap recycling systems include installation and start-up.
NEW CASTLE INDUSTRIES, INC.
Add-on coextruders from 1 to 3 1/2 in. in almost any L/D. Electric or hydraulic drive. Custom features emphasized, such as designs for restricted spaces, multi-axis movement, special controls, and high-performance screws.
Custom reclaim extruders to 8-in. diam. use dual-diam. extruders and/or hopper crammers, depending on feed material.
Custom single-screw compounding extruders to 8-in. diam. provide for multiple venting, downstream addition, abrasive or corrosive additives, and crammers.
NOKIA-MAILLEFER, INC.
Manual and microprocessor-controlled wire and cable, fiber-optic, and tubing extrusion systems include dual-flyer payoffs, payoff stands, NM series single-screw extruders, fixed and manual centering crossheads, entry/exit caterpillars and capstans, multipass cooling troughs, vacuum-calibration troughs, dual automatic coilers, single and dual automatic take-ups, take-up stands, and cabling machinery. Options include diameter, capacitance, temperature, elongation and synchronization control systems.
MPL 32 system is for pipe and tubing for automotive and other engineering applications involving monolayer, multilayer, and shrinkable materials. Produces tubing from 0.16- to 1.26-in. diam. at 20 to 394 ft/min.
MPL 10 line produces medical and specialty tubing from 0.04- to 0.4-in. diam. of PVC, urethane, nylon block copolymers, and PE. Outputs from 98 to 984 ft/min.
NORMAG CORP.
See Synex Inc.
NRM EXTRUSION DAVIS-STANDARD CORP.
Recently acquired by Davis-Standard, this division supplies complete extrusion systems for foam, solid and coextruded sheet, cast film, pipe, profile, and reclaim.
Pacemaker IV single-screw extruders come in 2 1/2- and 3 1/2-in. diam. with standard L/D ratios of 24:1, 30:1 and 32:1. Microprocessor-based controls provide centralized, totally integrated control and monitoring of all product and process parameters.
Pacemaker III extruders available in 3 1/2-, 4 1/2-, 6- and 8-in. diam. with standard L/D ratios of 24:1 and 32:1. PLC controller with alarm and diagnostic functions, individual zone circuit breakers, and d-c scr drives with compact power unit. All components mounted on a single base and completely wired, requiring only utility connections.
Acculayer 2000 is a versatile sheet line designed for brpad range of materials and processes. Standard PLC-based alarm system, computer-compatible instrumentation, quick roll change, four-speed transmission, and convenience outlets. Has 3-in. conveyor rolls, 300 pli nip pressure (800 pli optional), and 36-144 in. finished sheet widths.
Also complete turnkey extrusion systems with extruder and downstream equipment, as well as total microprocessor control systems, including sheet and film gauging systems. Total reclaim systems, spare parts, feed screws, screw design, and extruder remanufacturing services. (See also Total Machine Control Systems.) (See ad p. 152.)
OEM INC.
Broad line of downstream extrusion equipment for pipe, window profiles, and plastic fencing. For PE and PVC pipe: vacuum-sizing tanks, extension cooling tanks, water-recirculation systems, pullers, saws, dump tables, hydrostatic testing equipment, bellers for both solvent-weld and gasket belling.
For window profiles and fencing: vacuum-calibration tables, cooling tanks, pullers, saws, puller/saw combinations, and dump tables.
Remanufacturing of all downstream equipment.
O/K INTERNATIONAL CORP.
Complete extrusion lines for blown film, sheet, and cable from Kuhne GmbH of Germany. Single-screw extruders to 5 in. provide outputs to 800 lb/hr. Complete downstream equipment includes dies, air rings, high-speed winders, towers, cutters, cooling rolls, and corona treaters.
HDPE blown film lines have 24:1 L/D and optional Turbo Cool IBC System. Turbo Cool has an externally adjustable internal stabilizer, which allows size changes without interrupting production.
Sheet lines produce flat films and sheet of PE, soft PVC, ABS, acrylic, TPU, and filled materials. (See also Recycling Systems.)
OLYMPIA TOOL AND MACHINE CO.
Custom-designed single-screw extruders, especially for medical tubing, wire insulation, profiles, high-temperature and fluoropolymer extrusion. Sizes from 3/4- to 6-in. diam. with L/Ds of 20:1 to 30:1. Control panel can be floor-standing (HXTA) or tucked under extruder barrel (CP). Manual or automatic air-cooled frictional controls, gear transmissions with oversized thrust bearings, choice of instruments and drive, and control panels meeting JIC-type standards. Optional water troughs, payoffs, takeups, conveyors, crossheads, straight-delivery heads, heated Clamps, casters, leveling jacks, bimetallic barrels with or without Inconel facing, and flame-hardened Hastalloy or Stellite-tipped screws. Barrier, two-stage FEP, and other custom screw designs available.
OMIPA EXTRUSION MACHINERY
Italian manufacturer offers complete extrusion and coextrusion lines for sheet, film and hollow profiles.
Extrusion lines for standard sheet (ABS, PS, HIPS, PP) in 1- to 15-mm thickness and width to 3 meters. Also lines for high-optical quality sheet (PMMA, PC, PS) in 1- to 15-mm thickness and width to 3 meters; Lines for thin sheet or film wound on reels (ABS, HIPS, PS, PET, PP) in 0.1- to 3-mm thickness and width to 3 meters. Lines for hollow profiles to 3 meters wide and 2 to 40 mm thick (PP, HDPE, PC, PMMA, HIPMMA). For foamed PVC sheet and panels (free foaming or Celuka process) from 2 to 30 mm thick and up to 1.6 meter wide.
Coextrusion lines for sheet and film in up to 7+ layers, 0.15 to 15 mm thick and up to 3 meters wide; and for hollow profiles to three layers. High-throughput lines for embossed cast film (diapers, hygienic and sanitary applications) in thicknesses from 18 to 800 microns thick and up to 3 meters wide.
Also special extrusion lines, polymer gear pumps, and automatic coiler for tubes.
PARKER HANNIFIN CORP. ZENITH PUMPS DIV.
PEP-II series gear pumps serve as a pressure booster/stabilizer on the discharge end of an extruder and for precise additive injection into the extruder barrel. Constructed of through-hardened, high-speed tool steels or 400-series stainless for corrosion and wear resistance.
PEP-II gear technology utilizes low-aspect-ratio "crowned-root" gears. With L/D ratio of 0.75 vs. industry standard of 1.0 for helical gears, PEP-II ensures polymers have less distance to travel, thereby reducing tooth pulsations. Crowned roots are parabolic-shaped undercuts, which offer less resistance to tooth evacuation flow and further tooth-pulse reduction. Company reports that the combination of crowned root and low-aspect ratio gearing provides superior extrusion performance, superior mechanical integrity, and greater efficiency than conventional designs. (See data sheet p. 165.)
PHILLIPS SCIENTIFIC CO., INC.
Custom hydraulic or pneumatic-powered ram extruders in vertical or horizontal format to extrude presintered, granular PTFE, UHMW-PE, and thermosets. Machines can supply 24-hr continuous, unsupervised manufacturing of rod, bar, tubing, custom profiles and T-seals, and are designed for turnkey start-up and easy maintenance. Multiple-cavity extrusion die technology available.
PTFE paste extruder for micro-capillary tubing with 0.002-in. to 0.006-in. wall and max. O.D. of 0.5 in., uses interchangeable barrel sizes.
PLACO MACHINERY INC.
Blown film extrusion equipment includes complete lines with coextrusion and single-layer dies. Dies with air rings from 1 to 80 in., oscillating or stationary. Extruder sizes from 1.5 to 6 in. with smooth or grooved-feed barrels. Internal bubble cooling and oscillation on entire machine or first pinch section. Take-offs and winders to 600 mm for agricultural film. Wide selection of auxiliary equipment.
PLASTICS EQUIPMENT MARKETING SERVICES
Production and laboratory scale extrusion systems for blown film, sheet, profiles, pipe, and compounding. Extruders in 1/2-in. to 6-in. diam., and complete downstream peripherals.
POLYTYPE AMERICA CORP.
Extrusion systems include coextrusion cast film lines and specialty equipment for biaxially oriented single- and multilayer films.
POMINI, INC.
Single-screw compounding extruders for hot- and cold-feed from mixer or reactor.
Hot-feed extruder receives material from reactors and delivers it in pelletized form. Range is 12 to 16 in. with max. throughput of 30,000 lb/hr.
Cold-feed extruder, generally cube-or pellet-fed, ranges from 6 to 15 in. with max. throughput of 10,000 lb/hr.
Mixer-fed extruder, located under the continuous mixer or internal mixer, creates pressure to pump material through a pelletizing die. Range is 2 to 20 in. with max. throughput of 50,000 lb/hr, with or without venting.
All extruders can be equipped with pelletizers in four versions: underwater, water-ring, dry-face, or strand-head.
LCM-AX, a combination of continuous mixer and twin-screw extruder technology, is a single-stage, axial-discharge machine consisting of two corotating and intermeshing screws with the central section featuring the typical rotor blade profile of company's LCM (long continuous mixer). Downstream of the rotor section is a "throttling valve" to control dwell time and specific energy input. Suitable for compounding a wider range of engineering thermoplastics without the need to reconfigure screw geometry. Allows easier inclusion of fiber reinforcements. Barrel and screw profile are modular (5 D each), allowing for three main machine configurations: 25:1 L/D with single hopper 35:1 L/D with double hopper, and 45:1 with triple hopper and two mixing zones. Turnkey, custom-designed extrusion lines with full automation can be provided. (See ad p. 232.)
PROCESSING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Custom processing machinery includes single-screw extruders (3 1/2 to 12 in.), complete sheet and film lines, compounding lines, biaxial sheet lines, reclaim lines and pelletizing lines.
Also polymer gear-pump systems, heavy-duty crammer feeders, sheet and film takeoff systems, pelletizers, MD and TD orientators, coating systems, winding systems, slitting systems, control systems, heating and temperature-control systems, screen changers, and other ancillary products.
Remanufactured equipment includes single- and twin-screw extruders, sheet and film takeoff systems, reclaim lines, pelletizers, and winders.
RANDCASTLE EXTRUSION SYSTEMS
Two lines of small single-screw extruders:
* Microtruder - For benchtop (20 x 24 in. base) research applications, polymer synthesis, quality control and low-output production. Interchangeable 1/4-, 1/2-, and 5/8-in. barrels on the same transmission and using the same control panel offer typical outputs of 10-168, 82-1435, and 168-2040 g/hr respectively. Proprietary design allows feeding of low-bulk-density powders or pellets. Screw design offers good scale-up and mixing. Complete systems available for film, fiber, sheet, devolatilization, compounding/pelletizing and seven-layer coextrusion. Lab services available.
* Flextruder from 0.75- to 1.250-in. diam. - Typical max. outputs are 2 to 56 lb/hr. Grooved feed sections for feeding difficult feedstocks including powders, granulates, and lubricious materials. Complete systems include seven-layer coextrusion of film and sheet, feedblocks, and compounding/pelletizing. Lab services available.
R.D.N. MANUFACTURING CO.
Post-extrusion equipment for pipe, tubing and profile, as well as complete turnkey lines with die development and operator training. Individual components include dies, vacuum sizers, water baths, air tables, belt pullers, wheel pullers, embossers, traveling saws, fly-knife cutters, on-demand cutters, and dump tables.
REIFENHAUSER INC.
Complete extrusion systems for blown film production from one to five layers. Extruders from 35 to 250 mm. Oscillating or stationary dies from 50- to 2200-mm diam. with or without IBC. Sizing cages from 125- to 5100-mm diam. Takeoffs in stationary and oscillating design with adjustable height and multiple collapsing options. Series of surface winders, and takeoff/winder combinations, including reverse-wind capability in widths from 600 to 4500 mm. Designs range from simple tubing winders to short-cycle, automatic C&A winders, and high-quality computer-controlled sheeting winders.
Complete line automation (Reicofol) or factory control (Reicofac) available, as well as automatic gauge control (Reicoflow segmented air ring), which improves gauge variation up to 50%.
Single- and twin-screw extruders; complete systems for cast film and sheet, both mono and coex, plus monofilament, pipe, tube and coating lines. Single-screw extruders in sizes from 12.5 to 250 mm, twin-screws from 29 to 142 mm. Conical and parallel counterrotating and parallel corotating types. Standard temperature-controlled feed throats. Fluted feed throat available for single-screws. All machines feature easy access to gears and thrust bearings.
REOS INC.
Single-screw laboratory extruders for thermosets and thermoplastics, as well as extrusion dies, coextrusion dies and haul-off equipment. Applications are for color matching, specialty compounds for lab evaluation, and coextrusion of tubular film, pipe, and profiles.
ROLLEPAAL USA
Counterrotating parallel twin-screw extruders for pipe from 73 to 132 mm with capacities from 400 to 2500 lb/hr. Features include quick start-up, parallel screw design, high torque, high back-pressure (9000 psi), and hydrostatic thrust bearings. Downstream equipment includes tooling, vacuum and spray tanks, pullers, cutters and process control systems.
ROYLE SYSTEMS GROUP
Wide range of systems for wire and cable: telecommunications cable, power cable, automotive wire, fiber optics, and other specialty cable. Product line includes payoffs, accumulators, extruders, cooling troughs, capstans, takeups, computer-control systems, fiber-optic stranding, and fiber-optic coloring machine.
SAKAS, INC.
Downstream equipment for sheet, profile and pipe includes wheel pullers, embosser stands, pipe perforators, in-line hot-foil indent printers, profile saws, and sheet saws for up to 84-in.-wide sheet, including trimming and slitting heads. Coilers for 1/2- through 3-in. pipe range.
SENCORP SYSTEMS, INC.
Single- and tandem-foam extrusion systems for high output. Heat-exchanger system combines precise controls and efficient cooling with compact size, optimizing floor-space utilization. Single-screw extruders in 1- to 8-in. diam. with center-fed single or dual extrusion dies, and special high-performance dies. Various-size pull rolls, cooling mandrels and winders. Metering systems in single- or dual-gas models. Dual system combines C[O.sub.2] with a blowing agent, reducing the amount of blowing agent required. Also miniature laboratory lines.
SUPERIOR PLASTICS MACHINERY
Single-screw extruders in 1 1/2- through 8-in. diam. Complete systems for cast and blown film, sheet, coating, profile, compounding and film and sheet orienting machine direction and bi-axial. High-boy and low-boy mountings and custom designs. Complete lines and components including hoppers, stuffers, screen changers, film and sheet dies, air rings, oscillating nips, winders, unwinds, cutters and pullers.
SYNEX INC.
(New firm formed by merger of Normag Corp. and Extek.) Gear pumps and complete systems including drives, controls, stands, and adaptors. Gear-pump applications include sheet, cast film, profile, pipe, tubing, wire and cable, medical compounding, coatings, fiber, and rubber. Outputs from 0.13 to 41,100 lb/hr.
Also supplies screen changers and integrated gear-pump/screen-changer systems, which reduce equipment length and melt residence time.
TECHLINE EXTRUSION SYSTEMS
Complete extrusion systems for blown film (widths of 10 to 160 in.) for LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE and up to five-layer coextrusion. Custom-engineered components include single-screw extruders (for blown film, cast film, and profile extrusion) in diam. of 2 to 4 1/2 in.; manual screen changers; screws; single-layer and multilayer spiral blown-film die assemblies with diam. up to 60 in.; internal-bubble-cooling systems and high-output dual-lip air rings; rotators; take-off nip assemblies; high-speed automatic surface and turret winding systems with in-line slitting, web widths to 160 in., and roll diam. to 60 in.; fixed or adjustable towers; control panels; film treaters; post-gusseters; and any additional auxiliary equipment/replacement parts. Also provides custom engineering, updating, and planning services.
TELEDYNE READCO
See Compounding, Mixing, Blending Systems.
TEX AMERICA, INC.
Represents Bausano of Italy, which supplies parallel twin-screw extruders and complete systems for extruding "Polywood" sheet of thermoplastic mixed with fillers such as sawdust, rice hulls and paper.
Also represents A.R.T. of Belgium, which supplies a patented adiabatic extruder to produce plastic molded products from curbside or post-industrial waste. Systems include ET process to form single-piece lumber in up to twelve different profiles in one production pass and MT process to form large molded products such as pallets in up to seven different profiles in one production pass.
THERMOPLASTICS ENGINEERING CORP.
Extrusion and coextrusion machinery for wire and cable, fiber optics, profiles, industrial/medical tubing and compounding/pelletizing.
Extruders range from 3/4- to 2 1/2-in. vertical and 3/4- to 8-in. horizontal. Cast feed sections designed for large cooling rates and easy feeding of pellets or powders. Feed screws are custom designed. Thrust bearings rated for over 10 years of working life. Special L/Ds and high-temperature machines available.
Upstream equipment includes payoffs with 16- to 110-in. reel capacity, dancer/accumulators, concentric tape dispensers and fiber binding heads. Downstream equipment includes water troughs for heating/cooling, capstans (wet and dry), takeups (dual or single reel), coilers, water strippers, pelletizers, strand dies and pinch rollers. Also off-line components such as respoolers, single- and double-twist cablers, quadders, stripers and rotating takeups.
Can design and set up full production lines such as fiber-optic buffing lines, cablers and pelletizing lines.
THEYSOHN CORP. See Compounding, Mixing, Blending Systems.
TOMI MACHINERY MFG. CO., LTD.
Blown film systems with extruders of 40- to 125-mm diam. and die diam. of 20-1200 min. Conventional upward-extruding versions with rotating dies and air rings, and downward-extruding water-bath systems, optional coextrusion capability, automatic roll changing, computer controls, printers, slit-sealers, corona treaters, and bag makers. Extrusion laminating systems also available.
TOSHIBA MACHINE CO., AMERICA
Corotating twin screws for compounding, devolatilizing and reactive extrusion in sizes from 50 to 160 mm, all with segmented screw and barrel. Likewise equipped are counterrotating twin-screw compounders of 75 and 95 mm. Also a 55-mm conical twin-screw for PVC and single-screw extruders of 65- to 300-mm diam. and 25-36:1 L/D; complete downstream systems for cast film, biaxially-oriented flat film, sheet (including coextruded and embossed types), PS foam sheet, integrated sheet extrusion and thermoforming, pipe, and pelletizing. Automatic die control for flat webs available. (See also Compounding, Mixing, Blending Systems.)
VERSA MACHINERY CO.
See Killion Extruders, Inc.
VIDEX MACHINERY CORP.
Rebuilt and guaranteed extrusion systems for pipe/profile, sheet, blown/cast film, compounding/scrap reclaim, and wire and cable. Sizes from 3/4 to 12 in. Equipment can be test-run for final inspection and acceptance. Accessory equipment includes screen changers, vacuum pumps, screws, and materials-handling equipment.
VULCAN MACHINERY GROUP
Extrusion lines for profile and sheet consist of coilers, pullers, servo saws and cutters, cooling and vacuum tanks, conveyors, small sheet lines, winders and stackers. Tubing coilers and sheet winders offer automatic cut and transfer. Also provides turnkey systems. (See data sheet p. 163.)
WARNER SALES ASSOCIATES, INC.
Complete blown film extrusion lines with 45- to 120-mm extruders for LLDPE, LDPE, HDPE and coextrusion. Weigh blenders, color feeders, trim feedback, grinders, repelletizers, film-sealing machines for post-gusseting and slit-sealing, sideweld, bottom-seal, twin-seal, sine-wave, and "T-shirt" bags.
WAYNE MACHINE & DIE CO.
Yellow Jacket line of custom-built single-screw extruders ranges from 3/8 to 4 1/2 in. with L/Ds up to 36:1. U.S.-built 25-mm, 36:1 corotating intermeshing twin-screw extruders supplied for laboratory and production applications. Horizontal, vertical, floor-mounted, table-top, and coextrusion models. Complete systems for tubing, sheet, compounding, rod, wire, blown film and cast film, with optional microprocessor control. Complete coextrusion systems for all process types. Sheet take-offs are 8 to 24 in. wide, and pelletizers 2- to 6-in. wide. Lab and production blown-film towers. Custom new and rebuilt screws and barrels from 1/4 in. to 6 in. for all models of extruders. Specializes in high-temperature, corrosion-resistant fluoropolymer extruders and screw/barrel retrofits for existing extruders to run engineering thermoplastics.
High-torque vertical and table-top production-rated extruders feature double-reduction helical gearboxes with shaved, ground and hardened gears instead of worm or enveloping worm gearboxes. Helical box is said to be more efficient than the worm type, resulting in better power transfer to the screw, less wasted energy converted into heat from friction, and less abrasive gear wear than with worm drives. Table-top units from 1/2 to 1 1/4 in.; vertical single-post units in 1/2 to 1 1/2. in.; vertical double-post units in 2 and 2 1/2 in.
Custom-built downstream equipment includes servo and d-c pullers and cutters. Vacuum tanks, water troughs, air strippers, and dies for blown film, strand, tubing and other applications custom made. (See also Compounding, Mixing, Blending Systems.)
WELDING ENGINEERS, INC.
Counterrotating, nonintermeshing and corotating, intermeshing twin-screw extruders for compounding, reactive extrusion, devolatilization, latex conversion, and rubber dewatering and drying. (See also Compounding, Mixing, Blending Systems.)
WELEX INCORPORATED
For sheet, compounding, medical tubing, and most other applications, high-performance single-screw extruders from 1 1/4- to 8-in. diam. and L/D ratios from 24:1 to 40:1. Fixed ratio or change gear reducers, high-capacity air or closed-loop liquid cooling, and standard or microprocessor control systems. Sub-assembled extruders available.
Specializes in complete sheet extrusion systems and offers roll stack configurations to suit all sheet applications. Take-offs include silent chain drive, individual roll drive, all gear drive, and the new Unistack multiposition roll stack.
Coextruders supplied with modular feed blocks for new and existing extruders.
Gear pumps, when supplied with new extruders, have all controls integrated in the extruder panel. Also retrofit gear pump systems with free-standing control panels for all brands of extruders.
Options include screen changers, dies, air knives, antistatic baths, shears and winders.
Maintains a comprehensive spare parts inventory. Field service team assists customer requirements.
WERNER & PFLEIDERER CORP.
ZSK twin-screw, corotating, intermeshing extruders for compounding, filling, reinforcing and finishing of polymers in 25- to 380-mm diam. with L/D ratios to 48:1. Machines also used for processing reclaim, reaction, devolatilization and laboratory procedures.
Engineered systems for compounding plants, from engineering studies and design, to equipment specification, construction, installation and start-up.
Process assistance and pilot lab for process development and testing. (See also Compounding, Mixing, Blending Systems.) (See ad p. 222.)
WILMINGTON MACHINERY INC.
Single-screw extruders and extrusion systems designed for special applications including coextrusion. Bore diam. from 1 1/4 through 12 in. L/D ratios from 20:1 to 48:1.
Computer controls have tailored software, equipment and process diagnostics, SPC and auxiliary-equipment control. Special bases for multiple extruders or special heights and mounts also available.
WlNDMOELLER & HOELSCHER CORP.
Monolayer, three-, and five-layer blown film lines for LDPE, LLDPE, HDPE and blends with extruders from 2.5 to 6 in. Varex line includes internal bubble cooling, grooved-feed throats, oscillating haul-off, and precision winders.
Besides standard dies from 4.7- to 49-in. diam., company offers its Optifil P2 automatic blown film die in diam. from 6 to 35 in. for monolayer films, 6 to 35 in. for three-layer films, and 16 to 20 in. for five-layer films. Optifil P2 die controls transverse-direction gauge variation automatically, producing transverse-direction tolerances approaching those in the machine direction. Optifil P2 automatic die can help reduce start-up times and raw-material consumption, while manufacturing high-quality films with increased flatness and minimal curvature.
To complement Optifil P2 automatic die, Optifil Plus process-control system regulates and monitors all product-related extrusion parameters. Available with varying degrees of automation.
W.M.D. MACHINERY CO.
Prandi "Double-Bubble" systems for extrusion and coextrusion of blown bi-oriented films of PP, PET, nylon, as well as barrier, heat shrinkable and other films in up to seven layers.
Also Prandi systems for extrusion and coextrusion of cast nonoriented and mono-oriented films of PP, PE, nylon and others.
Omicron extrusion and coextrusion systems produce blown, nonoriented films of LDPE, HDPE, PE, EVA, PC and others in two to five layers.
XTRUTEC ENGINEERING
Company specializes in complete extrusion lines, providing consulting, installation and alignment for cast film, blown film, coating, laminating, tubing, fiber optics, pipe and profiles. Single-and twin-screw extruders; high-speed winders with a cutting mechanism to prevent fold-over; automatic microprocessor-based controls; temperature and pressure controls; digital d-c drives; laser and nuclear gauges; central consoles for monitoring remote operations from a single location; blown-film dies and low-pressure air rings; low-friction blown-film collapsing frames; manual and hydraulic screen changers; gear pumps and "Geartruders"; static mixers for improving melt-stream uniformity; double-shell, spirally baffled cooling and heating rolls; and optical web-inspection systems to detect flaws such as specks, pinholes and printing defects.
ZENITH PUMPS DIV.
See Parker Hannifin Corp.
Pelletizers and Dicers
PRODUCT LINES REVIEWED
ACCRAPAK SYSTEMS LTD.
See Lange Associates Inc.
AMERICAN LEISTRITZ EXTRUDER CORP.
Complete hot-face pelletizing lines for compounding, reacting, devolatilizing, and scrap reprocessing from under 50 lb/hr to 5000 lb/hr. (See ad p. 228.)
ANDRITZ SPROUT-BAUER, INC.
Vertical-ring-die pellet mill has v-belt or gear drive from 25 to 700 hp. Simple design of power train features two rugged bearings, main shaft, and die housing. Dies available in varying thicknesses and hole diameters, with drive-speed variations to pelletize a wide range of plastics.
BERINGER DIV. JOHN BROWN PLASTICS MACHINERY
WRP water-ring pelletizing systems feature a hot-cut, water-ring die-face pelletizing system that minimizes sensitivity to process conditions. Dry die-face cut and water-ring pellet quench do not freeze or slow the flow of polymer through the die. Easy start-up and low energy consumption are achieved because the knife assembly cuts molten polymer in air instead of cuffing a semi-molten extrudate underwater or a hardened strand.
Each cutting blade individually flexes and adjusts to the die-plate surface, eliminating sensitive blade adjustments. Centrifugal dryer removes surface water from pellets. Fast and simple cleanout. Throughput rates from 500 to 5000 lb/hr.
Cumberland strand pelletizers use a conventional strand die and water-bath cooling system. Utilizer 4[inches] is a lab-duty machine with a max. throughput rate of 300 lb/hr. An 80-dbA sound enclosure is optional for eight models of Quietizer strand pelletizers, which have throughputs from 300 to 12,000 lb/hr. Marathon series features long-running, wear-resistant components to pelletize abrasive filled thermoplastics; slant-cut rotor with 48 wedge-held knife inserts in tool-steel or carbide materials; throughputs from 500 to 6500 lb/hr.
BERSTORFF CORP.
Water-ring pelletizers from 50 to 16,000 lb/hr are said to be easy to start and operate and energy-efficient. Standard model and low-residence-time model for moisture-sensitive materials such as nylon.
Also underwater pelletizers from 6600 to 55,000 lb/hr and hot die-face and water-spray pelletizers for PVC to 8800 lb/hr. (See ad p. 230.)
BLACK CLAWSON CONVERTING MACHINERY CORP.
Six underwater models and three water-ring pelletizer models handle rates from 100 to 60,000 lb/hr. Small systems for reclaim, product development, and testing. Ultra-high concentrations of pigments and very high melt indexes can be handled.
Accessories include heated and non-heated die plates, cleanable pellet dryers, temperature-control panels, water-recirculation systems, and pellet heating. Modular construction for rapid disassembly and simple maintenance.
STEWART BOLLING
See Kobelco Stewart Bolling, Inc.
C.W. BRABENDER INSTRUMENTS INC.
Laboratory pelletizer cuts 1/8-in. or 1/16-in. pellets from one to four strands. Mobile stand, anodized-steel cutting chamber, hardened cutting blades, electrical safety, and optional 5-ft water trough.
CARL G. BRIMMEKAMP & CO., INC.
Pelletizing systems for up to 1400 lb/hr include underwater and dry-face pelletizers, and eccentric die-face pelletizers, as well as laboratory strand-type units. Washing systems can be provided for extremely dirty reclaimed materials.
BROWN PLASTICS ENGINEERING CO.
Strand pelletizers for small production, laboratory, or school use have a 2-in. face with driven pull rolls coordinated with a driven rotor. Plain or stainless steel. Also rebuilds pelletizers.
CALIFORNIA PELLET MILL CO.
Pellet mills from 2 to 500 hp for repelletizing scrap thermoplastics. Units operate by compressing fluff between two rotating steel rollers and a multiple-hole die. Frictional heat softens material so it coheres. Pellets are cut to length by means of adjustable knives. Bulk density of original fluff increases four to eight times. Pellets are 1/4 in. diam. and 1/2 to 3/4 in. long. Capacities from 500 to 18,000 lb/hr.
CLAY GROUP, INC.
Strand pelletizers with capacities up to 5000 lb/hr and underwater pelletizers with accompanying cooling and dewatering devices.
CONAIR JETRO THE CONAIR GROUP, INC.
Full line of pelletizers from economical laboratory units to high-capacity water-slide systems.
Strand pelletizers with rotor diam. from 6 to 12 in. and widths from 2 to 32 in. deliver outputs from 180 to 15,000 lb/hr. T-Series pelletizers feature easy-access cutting chamber for simplified maintenance and cleaning. Metric series is built with European drives and performance standards.
Waterslide pelletizing systems use an inclined water conveyor to condition soft strands prior to dry or wet cutting by a strand pelletizer. Systems improve cut quality and minimize dust and fines. Units include a self-threading feature to ensure fast start-up and minimize waste and strand breakage. Especially recommended for low-viscosity materials with poor melt strength. Wide selection of pellet dryers, classifiers, and transfer systems can be supplied with these systems.
Underwater and water-ring pelletizers offer cost-effective pelletizing of nonabrasive polymers at the die face. Wide variety of screen changers, either slideplate or rotary-continuous.
CONVERTING SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL
Complete die-face pelletizing systems include die, cutter, and air- or water-cooling systems. Easy maintenance and output from 100 to 3800 lb/hr. Die design and patented water-cooling system are said to produce pellets free of strings, agglomerates, and fines.
D&S MANUFACTURING CO., INC.
A 9-in. dicer produces octahedral or cubical pellets from continuous plastic strips 1/8 in. or 3/32 in. thick x 9 in. wide. Simple guide-rail adjustment allows use of a 3-in. minimum strip width. Output can exceed 7000 lb/hr. Rotary cutter and bed knife may be changed in 30 min. Main base is a heavy-duty steel weldment to prevent vibration.
DAVIS-STANDARD CORP.
Underwater pelletizer systems from 500 to 20,000 lb/hr. Melt flow is directed downward through a horizontal die plate with cutting blades rotating in a horizontal plane. Blades are driven by d-c scr drive. Drive shaft, passing through the flow diverter, is aligned to maintain the blades squarely against the die-plate surface. Blades are easily removed for sharpening or replacement. When reassembled, precise alignment of the blades against the cutting face is said to be preserved. Complete assembly includes pelletizer and drive, spin dryer, water filtering and tempering system, and, if necessary, hot-oil system for the die plates. (See ad p. 152.)
EGAN DAVIS-STANDARD CORP.
Underwater pelletizing system is suitable for all polyolefins, ABS, and polystyrene. Horizontal unit features steam- or oil-heated die plate, hydraulic or d-c drive, easy-access water chamber, rigid-head and flex-head knife mounting, and micro-adjustment of knife position. Complete package includes water-tempering system. Machine parts in contact with melt are of stainless steel. Capacities from 2000 to 45,000 lb/hr. Pelletizer is carriage-mounted and easily adjusted for extruder alignment. (See ad p. 152.)
FARREL CORP.
Underwater pelletizers from 1000 to 80,000 lb/hr process LDPE, HDPE, PP and PS. Options include standard, heat-channel, and heat-exchanger pellet plates with steam or oil heating. Electric or hydraulic cutter motor.
Dry-face pelletizer for very temperature-sensitive materials or polymers where water contact is to be avoided. Also air-ring and jet-ring (water-ring) pelletizers. (See ad p. 224.)
GALA INDUSTRIES, INC.
Underwater pelletizers for 20 to 6000 lb/hr. Pelletizing systems include dryer, tempered-water system, control panel, and power panel. Competitively priced relative to comparable strand lines.
Centrifugal dryers sold as part of the system and separately can dry 20 to 100,000 lb/hr. Options include polymer diverter valves and quick-opening clamps. (See ad this page.)
HAAKE INC.
Laboratory pelletizer is supported by a movable, welded frame on which motor control is positioned for accessibility. Bottom steel feed roll is serrated for positive grip of extrudate strands, and top rubber feed roll is adjustable by a gap-adjustment knob. Cutting mechanism consists of one bed knife and four cutting blades on rotor. Has 3:1 variable-speed drive motor with d-c scr motor controller mounted on adjustable slide base.
HENION INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Line of 9- and 18-in. dicers, dicer cutters, bed knives, and adapters. Knife resharpening, repair, and machine rebuilding services. Pelletizer solid rotors and underwater pelletizer knives also available. Resharpening, repair, and Stellite welding services for solid rotors.
HUTCHEON MACHINERY, INC.
Used and rebuilt pelletizers and dicers, including strand, underwater, water-ring, and dry-face types. Sizes from single-strand lab units to 5000 lb/hr.
HYDRECLAIM CORP.
FF Series dual-diameter repelletizing systems for polyethylene film scrap use hot-face die cutting and air cooling to provide consistent pellet sizes at 1000 lb/hr. (See ad p. 340.)
JSW PLASTICS MACHINERY INC.
Underwater, hot-face, and strand pelletizers. Underwater pelletizer has die lined with abrasion-resistant material. Hot-face pelletizer capacities to 8800 lb/hr. Strand pelletizers throughputs to 7700 lb/hr. Strand dies incorporate polymer flow-control device. Also offers centrifugal pellet dryer. (See data sheets pp. 105-107.)
KILLION EXTRUDERS, INC. DAVIS-STANDARD CORP.
Strand pelletizers for lab or small-scale production in bench and floor models. Feed throats from 2 to 4 in., variable-speed drive, and heavy-duty design. (See ad p. 152.)
KOBELCO STEWART BOLLING, INC.
Underwater and dry-face pelletizing systems and custom-designed strand and strip dicing lines complement company's line of compounding extruders.
Underwater pelletizers and screen changers in capacities to 90,000 lb/hr. Patented water-cooled tie-rod design eliminates thermal influence on knife/die-face alignment. Smooth slurry flow eliminates fines accumulating on pellets due to stagnation. Die plates employ latest alloys and patented bonding techniques for maximal abrasion and corrosion resistance. Die plates with heat channels and heat-exchanger pipe maximize heating efficiency and minimize pressure loss. Die plates retrofit to any manufacturer's pelletizer. Bucket-type strainer gives large filtration area with minimum pressure drop.
LANGE ASSOCIATES INC.
Represents Accrapak Systems of Great Britain, which builds strand pelletizers for production and laboratory use. Feed widths to 32 in.
Latest 900 series production pelletizers feature overhung-rotor design for easy access to cutting rotor, feed rolls, and bed knife. Feed rolls are power-driven for consistently sized pellets.
Pelletizers for laboratory and sample batch processing available as bench-mounted, free-standing, or mobile units with feed widths to 3 in. Compact model has 5/8-in. feed width and variable-speed drive.
Integral strand cooling/pelletizing systems have strand cooling bath, strand dryer, and pelletizer on caster-mounted base supplied for lab use.
LCI CORP.
Pelletizer for converting recycled flake into free-flowing pellets with low heat history. Special features for recycling include gravity-feed inlet and positive roller drive. (See data sheets pp. 161-162.)
LEISTRITZ AG
See American Leistritz Extruder.
LITTLEFORD DAY, INC.
See Taylor-Stiles Div.
PLASTICS EQUIPMENT MARKETING SERVICES
Production and laboratory pelletizers of 2 in. and larger.
POMINI, INC.
Three types of pelletizing heads for use with extruders or gear pumps:
* Underwater pelletizer with outputs from 1000 to 50,000 lb/hr for polyolefins and PS. Options include heat exchanger and heat-channel pellet plates for steam or oil heating.
* Water-ring pelletizer from 1000 to 10,000 lb/hr for any grade of polyolefins.
* Dry-face pelletizer from 1000 to 8000 lb/hr for thermally sensitive materials such as cable compounds, PVC, and other non-water-compatible polymers.
Hydraulically actuated slide-plate screen changers available for any type of pelletizer or die. Turnkey, custom-designed strand or other pelletizing lines with full automation can be provided. (See ad p. 232.)
RANDCASTLE EXTRUSION SYSTEMS
Strand pelletizers include micro-pelletizer line, which makes pellets 0.02 x 0.02 in. and 0.06 x 0.06 in. for feeding small extruders in the 1/4- to 1/2-in. range. Pelletizer converts to a two-roll puller or torque winder. Cantilever design permits ready access to working components for cleaning and maintenance.
Also larger (2-in.-wide) two-function pelletizer. Both nip rolls have pneumatically adjustable pressure and are mechanically driven for pulling irregular or slippery strands. Quick-change components for fast cleaning or service. Quick-change parts also convert unit to a two-roll puller with both nip rolls driven for pulling rod, strips, tubing and profiles.
REIFENHAUSER INC.
PVC hot-face pelletizing systems include twin-screw extruder, die, hot-face cutter, transport blower, and pellet cooler. Production rates to 3300 lb/hr.
RIETER CORP. PELLETIZING MACHINERY GROUP
Strand pelletizers have capacities from 200 to 14,000 lb/hr. USG 150, 300, and 600 series of underwater strand pelletizers in horizontal or vertical configurations. Units lead the polymer strands into a cutter with 5-15 [degrees] inclination from horizontal or vertical. Strands are self-starting, and cooling time can be adjusted for hard-to-cool polymers. Horizontal pelletizer comes with fully automatic start-up system that allows die cleaning without stopping polymer flow.
For automatic dry-strand pelletizing, ATG 150, 300 and 600 series with water separator and air knife ensure that polymer strands enter the pelletizer water-free, eliminating downstream pellet dryer.
ASG series of strand pelletizers reportedly offer maintenance advantages, as well as long lifetime. Machines come in six widths from 50 mm (2-in.) to 640 mm (25-in.), available with mechanical speed variator and inverter drive.
Rotor resharpening, spare parts, and field service available. Custom materials of construction available for pelletizing special materials. Also casting heads, cooling baths, air knives, and preconveyors.
SANDVIK PROCESS SYSTEMS, INC.
Rotoform Process continuously forms melts at up to 600 F into small drops, which solidify on a steel-belt cooler into uniform, round pastilles in sizes from 0.8 mm to 50 mm. Process offers:
* No contact between product and cooling water, eliminating need for energy to dry pellets.
* Cooling water is not contaminated.
* No cutters are needed, lowering energy consumption and maintenance.
* Dust-free process.
Process can be used for products with melt viscosities up to 80,000 cp at temperatures under 600 F. Fast change-over between different products.
STERLING DAVIS-STANDARD
See Davis-Standard Corp.
TAYLOR-STILES DIV. LITTLEFORD DAY, INC.
Pelletizers in various widths designed for processing rod stock. Cutter head has up to 72 blades - either detachable straight knives or fixed helix blades.
Dicers and slitters for one-stage diced/pelletized particles from extrusions, slabs, or sheet stock. Rugged, double-mandrel rotary slitter produces strips; can be equipped with a rotary cross-cutter to become a dicer. Dicing cutters from 6 to 96 in. with up to 24 rotor fly knives.
VIDEX MACHINERY CORP.
Rebuilt and guaranteed pelletizers and dicers from lab size to 24 in. wide available with solid helical cutters for lower noise levels, or with conventional bolt-on knives. Dicers can make "octapellets" or cubes. Motors for pelletizers and dicers can be mechanical variable-speed, d-c/scr variable-speed, or a-c single-speed.
WAYNE MACHINE & DIE CO.
Yellow-Jacket heavy-duty strand pelletizers for laboratory and production applications in 2- to 6-in. models. The 2-and 3-in. models have eight-tooth steel rotor, and 4- and 6-in. models a 12-tooth rotor with resharpenable D-2 steel blades. All models feature a four-sided bed knife, which can be turned four times before requiring replacement. Other features are d-c drives from 1 1/2 to 5 hp, gear drive on rubber and knurled rollers for positive strand movement, easy clean-out, locking casters on stand, and 45 [degrees] dump chute.
WELDING ENGINEERS, INC.
Exclusive distributor for Gamma Meccanica's Italian-built water-ring pelletizing systems and side-mounting system for pelletizing in air or into water. Hot die-face cutting makes processing insensitive to polymer flow interruptions, while water-ring cooling chamber provides immediate quenching of pellets without agglomeration. Throughput rates of 100 to 14,000 lb/hr.
WERNER & PFLEIDERER CORP.
Variety of pelletizing equipment includes units that can be integrated with company's twin-screw compounders and systems adaptable to any reactor, autoclave, or extruder. Die-face units include high-volume underwater pelletizing system with integrated diverter valve, die, and screen-pack changer; and a water-ring pelletizer with die plate and cutter assembly.
Scheer strand pelletizing system, a self-stranding, forced-conveyance model, sandwiches strands between two belts for positive conveyance through the water bath, which reportedly eliminates problems of strand breakage and intermixing of strands.
Manually fed SGS-E line with capacities from 5 to 15,000 lb/hr is said to offer lower noise level, ease of maintenance, improved cleaning capability, quicker product changeover, and increased durability. (See ad p. 222.)
Urethane Processing Systems
ADMIRAL EQUIPMENT CO.
See Gusmer.
ADM-NORTH AMERICA
Continuous foam casting systems for PUR-foam pipe insulation, pipe elbows, and blocks come from ADM in Germany. Highly filled system is flame resistant. Pipe insulation is cast in 1-meter lengths. Blocks can be up to 3 meters long. In-situ foaming is applicable to central heating and air-conditioning systems, caps, and valves. Foam outputs of 1.1 to 44 lb/min at 3.1-61.8 lb/cu ft.
ADVANCED PROCESS TECHNOLOGY
Meter/mix/dispense equipment for two-, three-, and four-component elastomers and foams. "Flying Wedge" features variable ratio, digital-readout temperature control to 300 F, vacuum degassing, positive-displacement metering, and output rates from 50 g to 50 lb/min.
ASHBY CROSS CO., INC.
Meter/mix/dispense equipment for two-component reactive materials. Piston-metering units for encapsulating/potting, gasketing, molding, and sealing provide precise ratio control, using rotary flow-control valves for accuracy. Single- and double-acting systems feature no-purge static mixing or disposable dynamic mixing, which eliminates solvent flushing.
Gear-metering systems for PUR casting and RTM provide flow and ratio control using two independently controlled drive systems with ratio-control feedback loop.
Rapid prototype molding using resin injection with the Ashby Cross RTM system provides prototype shops with a flexible, accurate metering system that includes vacuum degassing, variable ratio and flow rate, and solvent-free dynamic mixing.
AUTOMATIC PROCESS CONTROL INC.
Multicomponent metering/mixing dispensers for casting PUR, epoxy, polyester, and silicone. Systems for low-volume batch applications to high-volume automated production. Positive-displacement metering systems for filled/unfilled materials, vacuum or atmospheric casting, preset shot or continuous pouring. Materials kept under vacuum and agitation for heating and outgassing. Dynamic or static mixers. Color and purge systems.
BASF CORP.
Meter/mix/dispense units for rigid and semi-rigid foams in densities from 0.35 to 10 pcf at 3 to 60 lb/min. Systems include dispensing gun and chemicals packaged in pressurized tanks. Autofroth system produces rigid froth foams for building insulation, refrigeration, and flotation. Autopak system produces foam-in-place, semi-rigid foams for industrial packaging.
BAYER CORP., HENNECKE MACHINERY
Broad line of standard and custom-designed PUR machinery includes bulk-handling facilities, blending systems, temperature-control and metering equipment, and laydown systems. Double-belt laminators produce up to 150 ft/min of rigid foam board. Stationary fixtures for refrigerator applications. Turntable and conveyor lines for flexible foam molding and other applications.
RIM and RRIM metering units and mold clamps to 250 tons. Metering equipment from 1 1/2 lb/min to 600 lb/min or more can include several proprietary impingement mix-head types such as the self-cleaning MQ head.
BINKS MANUFACTURING CO.
Complete systems and components for PUR, epoxy, or hybrid materials. Fixed- and variable-ratio proportioning systems deliver volumes from microshots to 60 lb/min; air- or hydraulic-powered. Manual or automatic spray systems use high-volume/low-pressure, airless, air-assisted airless, or conventional air atomization.
Foam systems offer high-volume spray, pour, or frothing, as well as microshots to fill voids. Standard packages or custom designs for low-volume special applications.
CANNON USA INC.
Broad line of standard and custom PUR equipment and turnkey systems. Several models of metering units; clamps from 2 to 800 tons. Turnkey systems include Capsotec for window encapsulation, Insotec for sound absorption, Stratotec for headliners, Compotec for SRIM, Rotoflex for flexible foam, Rimmodule for RRIM and polyurea, and Zero-Time Change for appliance cabinets. Also laminators and drum units.
CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY DIV. INVESTMENT HOLDINGS GROUP
Represents Mondomix Holland multi-component metering equipment with various types of systems for different viscosity characteristics, accuracy requirements, and overall process demands. Throughput capacities from 10 to more than 10,000 lb/hr. Materials in contact with resin components are all stainless steel. Metering-ratio accuracy is controlled by mass-flow meters with computer-monitored interlock responsive to the instantaneous demand of the production line. Temperature control available for all reactive components, including mixer rotor and stator.
Special mix-head design permits mechanical encapsulation of gases (in lieu of chemical blowing agents) for foam cell-size control down to submicron range. This mechanically encapsulated gas blend emerges preexpanded to final density, unlike conventional frothing equipment. Submicron-sized gas cells reportedly make up for poorer insulation properties of CFC substitutes.
DECKER INDUSTRIES, INC.
Low-pressure and high-pressure metering/mixing/dispensing machines for PUR foams and elastomers, including RIM. Low-pressure equipment has patented Pulse-Surge air/solvent purge timer that reduces purge solvent usage up to 70%. Output from 50 g/min to 240 lb/min. Mix ratios infinitely variable from 5:1 to 1:5. Process temperatures from 65 to 100 F, controlled within [+ or -]1 [degrees] F. Pressure, temperature, and throughput digitally displayed. Operating data can be interfaced with a PC.
RIM equipment features patented acute-angle, high-pressure impingement. Right-angle and straight mix heads have mechanical self-cleaning, fast hydraulic operation, and interchangeable/adjustable impingement ports.
Metering outputs from 8 to 120 lb/min and variable mix ratios from 5:1 to 1:5 by positive-displacement, axial piston pumps with static wet lube for polyol pump seals and recirculating wet lube for isocyanate pump seals. Variable-speed a-c motors have inverter drives. Closed-loop flow control has digital indication in g/sec. Heating and cooling for both components from 60 to 120 F. Heavy-duty hydraulic power package. Allen-Bradley microprocessor controls machine functions and multiple dispensing-time programs. Options include three-port, right-angle mix heads; SPC communications; dual-head switching station; ring lines; larger day tanks; automatic tank-refill systems; remote dispensing controls; and custom engineering.
EDGE-SWEETS CO.
Range of equipment for metering/dispensing plural-component urethane systems. Low-pressure equipment from 0.3 to 1000 lb/min. Patented valving system handles two to 20 metered streams.
RIM equipment for outputs of 50 to 800 lb/min. Economical sleeved mixing head comes in straight-head or "free-pour" design to allow impingement mixing into open molds without splashing. Custom equipment available.
Elastomer metering/dispensing capability includes continuous degassing.
Batching of materials systems and in-line feeding of metered dry fillers available on foam and elastomer systems.
ELASTOGRAN
See Linden Industries, Inc..
FLEXIBLE PRODUCTS CO.
Delta-Therm Eliminator dispensing equipment for rigid PUR foams is supplied together with custom and proprietary chemical systems. System dispenses under nitrogen pressure, instead of using pumps. Impingement-mixing cartridge is solventless and flushless. Chemical throughput controlled by fixed-rate flow controllers, which are pressure compensated to allow for changes in viscosity. Multishot timer allows user to preprogram up to 20 shot times in desired sequence. Total Time Accumulator determines total amount of foam dispensed to ensure better inventory control and planning. Optional digital ratio-monitoring system tracks component flow ratio and alerts operator to potential off-ratio condition by sounding an alarm and shutting down the system.
Delta-Therm nonrated and Class I rigid foam systems and Flexipol pour and spray foam systems are for applications such as reach-in coolers and freezers, display cases, flotation, ice machines, construction panels, refrigerated trucks, and picnic coolers. Other systems include Ureflex flexible foam and elastomer systems for molding, gaskets, seating, medical products, cushioning, sports equipment, footwear, encapsulants, and o-rings; Woodthane systems for decorative molding and simulated wood applications; and Ceilthane systems for industrial and specialty applications such as consolidation and structural enhancement.
FOAM ENTERPRISES
Custom formulates rigid, flexible, semi-rigid and elastomer urethane systems and distributes full line of low- and high-pressure dispensing equipment for pour, spray, and RIM. Complete turnkey systems include chemicals, equipment, and services.
GLAS-CRAFT INC.
Urethane spray, pour, packaging, and frothing equipment. Probler gun has patented automatic air purge, air-assisted trigger, and material shutoff valves, and fits all company's proportioners. Round or flat spray patterns. T-series units have outputs up to 30 lb/min and separate solid-core primary heaters with solid-state controls. Optional automatic temperature-controlled hoses allow up to 400-ft extension. Timing and fluorocarbon injection available on all models. Also variable-ratio proportioners (1:1 to 10:1) for 4 to 30 lb/min.
GRACO INC.
Foam spray systems with outputs to 30 lb/min incorporate Foam Cat proportioning pump, heaters, heated hose to 208 ft, and low-maintenance spray gun with mechanical or solvent purge. Selection of feed pumps for handling raw materials directly from original containers.
Froth systems in standard models to 60 lb/min; custom systems can go up to 300 lb/min, such as for barge filling.
Installs complete turnkey systems and custom designs plural-component systems for special requirements.
GS MANUFACTURING CO.
Two-component metering/dispensing system for 1:1 ratio materials such as urethane foams. Compact pumping unit for spraying, pouring or RTM. Little Willie gun is used either as external-mix airless sprayer or with internal-mix head attachment. Options include in-line heaters, heated hoses and digital timing systems. FSF-20-1-50 foam-spray gun comes complete with heated hose, external-mix spray gun, and drum pump.
Pack-and-Foam pour equipment for foam packaging features air-purge gun, 20-ft heated hoses, and direct pumping from drums.
GUSMER, DIV. OF PMC INC.
Integrated line of plural-component meter/mix/dispense equipment for spraying or pouring from 2 to 240 lb/min. Also high-pressure RIM metering units, mix heads, clamps, turntables, and multistation conveyors. Designs and builds turnkey operations and bulk-storage systems for chemicals.
RimCell series includes three models with outputs of 50, 100, and 240 lb/min and operating pressures to 3000 psi. Proportioner utilizes super-charged, high-pressure axial piston pumps for processing unfilled, nonabrasive, non-corrosive materials.
DeltaRim series includes four models with outputs of 40, 80, 120 and 240 lb/min and operating pressures to 3000 psi. Specifically designed to dispense higher viscosity filled and abrasive materials, polyurea, polyurethane, elastomers, SRIM, and other RIM systems.
H-2000 sprays or pours at pressures to 2000 psi and outputs to 30 lb/min. Variable ratio available.
FF-1600 air-driven, compact, lightweight unit is capable of up to 16 lb/min and pressures to 1600 psi.
H-3500 for both pour and spray dispenses at pressures to 3500 psi and to 20 lb/min.
Complete urethane processing lines may include:
* Bulk storage and blending, including fiber or filler.
* Mold carriers, including clamps, turntables, and conveyor systems.
* Auxiliary robotics, ovens, hydraulics, and materials-handling equipment.
* SRIM preforming systems. (See ad p. 201.)
H&G INDUSTRIES
Precision meter/mix/dispense and cartridge-filling equipment. The 527-A Mini Lab unit mixes and meters two-component, low- to high-viscosity materials. Air-operated with working pressure of 300 psi. Comes with model 100-A dispensing gun and manually operated static mixer.
HENNECKE MACHINERY
See Bayer Corp.
HI-TECH ENGINEERING, INC.
RIM equipment includes cylinder and pump metering machines, bulk-storage systems, mold clamps and complete production lines.
Sure Shot two-component cylinder-metering system has solvent-free operation, patented seal-access area, programmable controller, jacketed day tanks, hydraulic power system, temperature-control unit. It fits a variety of shot-type applications with outputs from 10 to 200 lb/min. Can accept fillers.
Precision Flow pump-type continuous-metering series has high-pressure pumps mounted in day tanks for cavitation-free performance; eliminates pump shaft-seal leakage and allows cooler and quieter pump operation. Mix-head boom doubles as a hoist to assist in pump maintenance.
Specialty equipment includes Accu-Flow low-flow-rate, continuous cylinder-metering RIM machine; Micro Shot laboratory series; Compu Shot series with closed-loop accuracy and integrated computer controls; Ultra Flow Rexroth-type metering machine; and rugged, cost-effective Tech Clamp series of self-contained, hydraulic RIM mold clamps.
North American licensee of MBMecanique (Romans, France) for low-pressure elastomer processing equipment. Processes two to five components at outputs of 0.4 to 150 lb/min. Stainless-steel construction, dynamic mixing head, multi-color capability, and Allen-Bradley PLC. (See ad p. 203.)
IFTA CANADA, INC.
Individual machines and turnkey systems from Impianti OMS S.p.A. of Italy include series 2001-C low-pressure foam pouring systems with computer controls, recycling mix heads, rotary mechanical mixers (6000 rpm), and outputs from 3 g/sec to 11 lb/sec. Standard models handle up to six components.
Series VHP high-pressure metering systems for foams, elastomers, and RIM have self-cleaning mix heads and axial piston pumps. Special version capable of rapid, automatic ratio changes for dual-hardness auto seating. The 2LC models with plunger-type metering cylinders permit use of fillers/reinforcements on both polyol and isocyanate sides. The most sophisticated models are hydraulic. Special models offered for nylon RIM.
Series EL elastomer pouring machines work at temperatures to 265 F, provide high-vacuum degassing and outputs to 100 g/sec at 1:1 ratio. Mechanically driven mixheads and self-balancing ratio and output control.
Rotary mold carousels and mold-support presses include tilting and other RIM-type presses. Continuous-pouring lines for flexible and rigid buns and blocks produce 220-1100 lb/min. Patented "Top Foam" lines produce blocks with square sections. Foam-core sandwich-panel lines include special versions for phenolic foams. Also Turnkey refrigeration foaming systems.
IMPIANTI OMS S.p.A.
See IFTA Canada, Inc.
INSTA-FOAM PRODUCTS INC.
Self-contained, factory-pressurized, disposable and refillable systems for pouring and spraying foams in a variety of densities. Applications include cryogenic, cold-storage, packaging, caulking/sealing, void-filling, flotation, and insulating irregular surfaces.
ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION
Information on a large range of Italian equipment for flexible and rigid foams, including low-pressure machines, high-pressure pouring, RIM and RRIM systems, and complete turnkey plants.
IVEK CORP.
Liquid mixing/metering/dispensing systems for urethanes, epoxies, additives, and other liquids. Complete systems with static mixers for low-flow applications. Solid-state electronics, stepping-motor drives, and maintenance-free operation.
KFD SALES & SERVICE, INC.
Klockner Desma RGE metering series with self-cleaning, low-pressure mix head requires no solvent flush. Meters up to six colorant streams and two or three reactant streams directly into mix chamber. Designs available for open pouring or injection into closed molds. High mixing quality even with wide differences in ratio and viscosities of components. High-production units can be interfaced with a range of turntable clamping systems.
KORNYLAK CORP.
Complete production lines and components for urethane and phenolic foams include continuous foam slab, bun, and log systems of 2-96 in. x 30-60 in. that operate at 5-60 ft/min; continuous foam-core and honeycomb-core panel systems 2 to 12 ft wide that produce 1/8- to 6-in.-thick panels at 2 to 200 ft/min; continuous scrap-foam rebonding lines; rigid and flexible foam molding fines; three- or four-component phenolic foam machines that meter, mix and pour or spray phenolics in viscosities from 5000 to 100,000 cp; and line of high-production cutters for rigid and flexible foams.
Turnkey packages include operator training, start-up, and assistance in chemical formulation and selection.
KRAUSS-MAFFEI CORP.
RIM and RRIM machinery for molding flexible, semi-rigid, and rigid urethane foam parts, as well as elastomeric and solid parts.
Rim Star machines range from 10 to 1600 lb/min. Lance-piston RIM and RRIM metering machines (type KK) give shot weights to 80 lb. Standard equipment includes color-metering units and blowing-agent blending/metering systems. Also filler blending equipment.
RIM and RRIM machines have patented self-cleaning impingement mix heads, which recirculate through injection nozzles to eliminate lead-lag problems. Two mix-head styles available: linear for closed molds, and UL for splash-free dispensing into open molds. All machines can be operated with multiple mix heads.
Also mold carriers, racetrack conveyors, turntables, mix-head manipulators, and robots. Machines and equipment controlled by PLCs and computer systems.
KYMOFOAM CO.
Low-pressure dispensing equipment for rigid, semi-rigid and flexible PUR foams (pour and froth systems), elastomers, epoxies and silicones. Standard and custom-built machines handle up to eight components with varying viscosity ranges and dispensing capacities from 1/2 to 800 lb/min. Low and high production of molded parts, flexible/rigid foam slabs, and boardstock insulation.
Metering systems with adjustable ratio from 1:1 to 100:1 have gear pumps with closed-loop recirculation, lightweight mix head with electrically or hydraulically driven mixer, and unique calibration design. Also one-shot, non-recirculating piston-metering systems.
LINDEN INDUSTRIES, INC.
Proprietary equipment designs and also licensed to manufacture Elastogran line of Puromat standard and custom plural-component systems. Specializes in:
* Turnkey automotive and non-automotive process lines, including stationary fixtures for refrigeration applications.
* Large RRIM lance-cylinder metering machines with high-pressure impingement and closed-loop control. Outputs to 25 lb/sec with 50% filler content.
* Nucleation and in-line density measurement.
* Flexible and rigid foam metering machines with outputs to 850 lb/min.
* Low-output, continuous-delivery machines for spraying or pouring, with hand-held, self-cleaning, light-weight guns.
* Specialized low-pressure metering equipment.
* Lab-scale metering machinery and data-acquisition software.
* RIM recycling equipment.
* RIM, RRIM, RTM, SRIM molding, booking and tilting presses.
* Controls and SPC packages.
LIQUID CONTROL CORP.
Twinflo PUR dispensing machine meters two or three components with Posiload volumetric piston pumps. Accurately repeats shots of 1 cc and up at speeds from less than 1 lb/min to 100 lb/min and dispenses viscosities from water-thin to heavily filled pastes. Ratios from 1:1 to 200:1. Standard and custom-designed units for filling open molds or injecting materials under constant pressure into closed cavities.
LME-BEAMECH, INC.
PUR foam dispensing systems have 300-800 lb/min capacity. Injector block has 16 ports, including a 2-in. resin port. All functions controlled and programmed from a single center. Systems supplied for flexible and rigid foam slab, foam boardstock, and sandwich-panel laminators.
Complete PU foam pour conveyor systems, automatic cut-off saws, and trimmer saws also supplied.
Rigid PUR foam laminator conveyors produce continuous foam board to 48 in. wide x 6 in. high on a double-metal-slat conveyor with top and/or bottom paper or other substrates. Laminators from 30 to 100 ft long and up to 20-psi operating pressure. Custom-built units available.
Edge-trim saws and cut-off units synchronized to conveyor speed for accurate cut. Foam-slab storage and multi-tier automatic handling systems cut foam to length using a belt and aluminum slat design. Other systems include automotive seat-pad routers, seat-pad dust-removal units, continuous-pattern routers for rolled material, and handling equipment.
MARCHEM CORP.
Mistafroth gun for froth foams and Mistamixer for pour-in-place and packaging foams. Mistamixer requires no purging solvent and handles packaging foam, pour-in-place foam or froth foam. It meters, mixes and dispenses foam at 5 to 15 lb/min. Mistafroth gun, for use with pressurized tanks, requires no electricity and has few moving parts. Also a line of rigid and flexible foam chemicals.
MAX MACHINERY INC.
Liquid mixing/metering systems for two or more components heat materials to desired process temperature, degas, meter with accuracy of [+ or -]0.5% of desired flow rate, mix, and dispense. Suitable for PUR, silicones, epoxies, and other liquids. Systems designed around user requirements using standard subassemblies.
METER-MIX, INC. SUB. OF ACCUMETRIC, INC.
Volumetric dispensing and mixing machines employ unique cylinders designed so that seals are not subject to metering-stroke pressure. Static or dynamic mix heads have valving systems that eliminate lead/lag problems. Also equipment utilizing positive-displacement gear and rotary piston pumps driven by d-c motors with digital control for precise ratio and metering accuracy. These machines can process up to five chemical components. Optional temperature control of chemical components.
MONDOMIX HOLLAND
See Construction Technology.
PRECISION CRAFT CORP.
Low-pressure PUR foam dispensing systems from Transtecnica of Brazil. Series of machines has boom-mounted mechanical mixing head. Shoe-sole systems with multimold carousel available.
QUIK-FOAM, INC.
Equipment for pouring industrial foam-in-place packaging and spraying insulation. Small portable unit uses nitrogen propellant and has two 10-gal refillable tanks. Larger unit pumps directly from 55-gal drums. All equipment has separate preheat and hose-heat controls, separate pressure controls for each side, and patented self-cleaning gun. PUR chemical systems include semi-flexible, flexible, and rigid foams.
RYNEL
Meter/mix/dispense systems for variable-ratio processing of plural-component liquid systems such as PUR, epoxies, polyesters, and silicones. Components or complete production systems created for a specific purpose. Indexing and fixtured equipment can be supplied as part of a system. Lab and pilot-plant to full-scale production capability. Equipment incorporates up to 80% solid fillers in urethane foams.
SEALANT EQUIPMENT & ENGINEERING, INC.
Variable- and fixed-ratio meter/mix/dispense equipment with volumetric or timed shots, or operator-controlled volume and flow rates to 20 lb/min. Can be supplied with heated pressure tanks and gravity, pump or positive-displacement feed. Used with adhesives, sealants, and other reactive resin systems from water-thin to high-viscosity.
SEALED AIR CORP.
Several models of Instapak foam-in-place dispensing systems include semi-automated systems that handle rigid, semi-rigid and flexible foams. Also offers family of Instapak PUR packaging foam chemicals.
URETHANE SERVICE, INC.
Equipment for processing multicomponent, thermoset materials such as PUR, polyesters, silicones, and polysulfides. Elastomers in a wide range of hardness and also syntactic or chemically blown foams over a wide range of densities. Filled and unfilled materials in viscosities from 30 to 2000 cp. With special techniques, materials in excess of 1 million cp can be processed easily. From dispensing less than 0.1 g of material up to large void-filling equipment that puts out over 400 lb/min.
Also equipment for pouring, casting, bead laying, frothing, potting, spraying, RIM, and RTM.
Self-cleaning impingement mix heads use no solvent purge. Disposable static mixers also eliminate solvent usage. Dynamic mixing heads furnished when required.
Reinforced Plastics Equipment
ACCURATE MACHINE TOOL
New Acc-u-wind filament winder has 60-in. carriage travel, traverse speeds up to 110 ft/min, spindle speed to 250 rpm, and 110 in.-lb of torque. Carriage rides on hardened ways and is driven by a ball screw, which offers position accuracy better than 0.003 in. Controls based on 486 PC. Options include addition of third and fourth axes to the basic two-axis configuration, resin baths, bulk delivery systems, and NEMA-12 enclosures for computer controls.
ADM-NORTH AMERICA
Representing ADM of Germany, company supplies continuous casting machines for polymer concrete, cultured marble, and epoxy electrical insulators. Logo line of machines includes four standard models for outputs of 4.4 to 44 lb/min. Resin, catalyst, and accelerator are metered by separate electrically driven pumps. Units have PLC controls and fast cleanout system said to consume little solvent. Options include lifting/turning system to feed molds, multi-color feeding, heating for filler and resins, and a densifier with continuous air evacuation for solid-surface countertops and the like.
Also supplies spray-up systems for gelcoat and chop.
ADVANCED MATERIALS INC. (AMI)
Prestovac vacuum-only RTM process uses vacuum rather than positive-pressure pumping to distribute resin throughout the mold. Process places precut glass mat in one mold half, pours a premeasured amount of resin onto the mat, puts the other mold half in place, and pulls a vacuum. Vacuum holds mold shut without need for clamps, evacuates air, and pulls resin throughout the mold without any glass "washing." Low-cost vacuum pump runs off shop compressed air and has no moving parts. Using only vacuum allows much lighter, less costly molds to be used. Even large molds can be lifted manually.
ADVANCED PROCESS TECHNOLOGY
Wide range of manual and fully automatic meter/mix/dispense equipment for plural-component RTM and RIM nylon, PUR, epoxy and polyester. "Flying Wedge" features variable ratio, temperature control to 300 F, vacuum degassing, positive-displacement metering, and output rates from 5 g/min to 70 lb/min. Systems process heavily filled (up to 75%), abrasive materials and untilled formulations for open casting, pressure injection into closed molds, high-vacuum potting, and filament winding.
ALTEK PREFORMER CORP.
Custom-designed, manual and robotic directed-fiber preform machines. Computer control can provide variable speed and direction of screen rotation, variable pressure drop, variable glass and binder delivery rates, and adjustable cure times and temperatures.
AUTOMATION DYNAMICS
Filament winding machines up to 12-ft diam. x 40 ft long, either mechanically synchronized or with full computer control. Mechanical machines are generally limited to three axes for high-speed winding in medium-to-long production runs. Computer-controlled machines have up to six axes, extreme flexibility, and ability for rapid product changeover. Also low-cost, lab-scale, full-featured, three-axis, computer-controlled winder.
Prepreg-tape production lines. Modular design allows choice of exact features needed. On-line or off-line hot-melt coaters can be incorporated.
Fiber delivery creels supplied for filament winding or prepreg-tape lines.
New line of three- and five-axis tape-placement machines can be built to handle thermoset or thermoplastic impregnated tow and tape.
BARON AUTOCLAVE CORP.
Prewired and pretested autoclaves for bonding and curing composites. Breech-lock, quick-opening door requires 60 sec to open or close. Features include heavy-duty door hinge, internally mounted blower motor, and custom control panels. Optional computerized process control.
BEDFORD REINFORCED PLASTICS, INC.
This pultrusion processor builds its own pultrusion machinery and supplies systems to other processors overseas and to U.S. firms only for captive production. System includes roving racks and mat creels, resin bath with resin recirculation, and die station with hydraulic lift table that provides die/puller alignment at the touch of a button. Tractor puller has variable speed from 5 to 48 in./min, 12,000-lb pulling force, variable clamping pressure, adjustable-position pulling cleats, and pneumatic raise/lower function on upper track system. Traveling saw table has pneumatic clamping.
Model 240 has 24 x 8 in. envelope; model 360 has 36 x 8 in. envelope; and model 480 has 48 x 8 in. envelope. Tooling and prototype production testing also offered.
BINKS MANUFACTURING CO.
Internal- or external-mix, high-transfer-efficiency guns for spraying resins, gel coat or chop; RTM systems; roller impregnators; and hand-held resin rollers.
Catalyst slave-pump or pressure-tank feed systems can be combined with various of air- and hydraulic-powered pumps.
Mat impregnators include an economical model with a hand crank to dispense mat from a roll between two impregnating rollers and onto a take-up roll. Resin is hand poured from a bucket into the adjustable gap between impregnating rolls. A more elaborate model can have an air motor and foot pedal in place of hand crank. Allows automatic pumping of continuously catalyzed resin through a perforated metal pipe mounted over the gap. Automatic flushing can be provided.
BINKS MANUFACTURING CO. POLY-CRAFT SYSTEMS DIV.
Spray-up systems for reinforced polyester and gelcoat, as well as custom-made equipment. High-volume, low-pressure (HVLP), airless and air-assisted/airless spray systems use lightweight guns designed for simplicity and easy maintenance. All spray guns have two catalyst orifices, allowing use of undiluted catalyst. Systems feature Unison precision catalyst slave pump or optional C-400-N catalyzer. Both are infinitely variable and totally linear in delivery, with no lead or lag.
Basic Gelcoater has pump with only three reciprocating parts; can support up to 0.031-in. fluid-tip orifice with no "winking" or pulsing.
Modular gel-coat system sprays up to 12 colors; mounted on 7-ft-long wheeled chassis, which is easily moved and eliminates costly in-house plumbing. Components include the HVLP G-755 air-assisted/airless gun and C-400-N catalyzer. External-mix gun requires no flushing after use. Supplied for each color is model P-15 pancake 15:1 pump with individual high-pressure filter, air controls, material pick-up assemblies, and quick-disconnect fluid hoses. Central silencer eliminates pump exhaust noise. Each station built as a closed loop with recirculating mode to prevent settling. System uses shop air and can be modified to allow spraying different colors at the same time.
For granite effect, model 205-1000 Grani-Tec gelcoat system can handle up to 60% solids. High filler loadings permitted by automatic recirculation mode, which eliminates clogging of spray nozzles and hoses.
THE BONNOT CO.
Preform extrusion machines for reinforced molding compounds.
I.G. BRENNER CO.
Fiberglass roving cutters in a variety of sizes and lengths to cut fibers 1/8 to 2 in. long. Most popular unit is model 800A with 4 1/2-in. and 7-in.-long cutter rolls.
Preforming machines, either single-station or rotary, with turntables of 24-100 in. diam. Directed-fiber or automatic plenum-chamber versions.
SMC machines 24 to 60 in. wide. Wetout by reverse wrapping over a series of drums with ribbed kneading rolls and hot-water recirculating system. Two, spindle windups and automatic resin feed to doctor knives are standard. Calender rolls are used for heavier materials. In-line resin mixers have two proportioning pumps and a rotary mixing head. Made for rapid disassembly and cleaning.
Corrugated-sheet equipment in sizes and capacities to customer requirements.
Filament winders in a range of lengths and diameters. Floor-mounted or overhead traverse rails. Simple chain-drive traverse recommended. Windings from circumferential to polar, with quick interchange from one to another.
Pultrusion machines with electrical platens and caterpillar pulling in various sizes and capacities.
CALIFORNIA GRAPHITE MACHINES
Unidirectional prepreg machines for aerospace composites in 12-, 24-, 48-, and 60-in. wide webs. One-meter wide models for sporting goods and other commercial uses. Resin filming machines of all sizes for precision film weights. Total prepreg plant equipment includes resin mixing vessels, data recorders, heating and chilling equipment, resin milling, impact mills, prepreg plant layout assistance, and field service.
CANNON USA INC.
Compotec RTM and SRIM turnkey system, designed to customer's specifications. It includes:
* High-production automatic pre-former requires no manpower except to unload. Makes parts from 40 x 32 in. to 112 x 80 in. Cycle times of 45-90 sec, including very fast transfer from heating to clamping station.
* High-speed press with shuttle bed handles large molds. Single- or double-shuttle design, total access to all platens, fast cycle time, control of position, variable tonnage to help control injection pressures, and large clamp forces.
* Variable-output closed-loop metering unit rapidly fills large parts to permit fast cure times. Closed-loop control of variable output for rapid filling of parts while controlling injection pressures. Can inject simultaneously with two mix heads from one metering unit. SPC data collection and analysis of all parameters.
CINCINNATI MILACRON AEROSPACE PRODUCTS DIV.
Composite tape layers for thermosets and thermoplastics are automated systems for measuring, cutting, and laying down courses of prepreg tape on flat or contoured surfaces. Multi-axis tape laydown head mounted on a beam that travels on overhead rails. "Natural path" software allows off-line programming and analysis of lay-up on a contoured surface.
Acramatic 975C control system offers 10 axes of coordinated control with individual acceleration and deceleration rate, and "Look Ahead" software to prevent laying down defective tape.
Viper Fiber Placement System (FPS), is a seven-axis machine that can place fiber tows along paths not achievable by manual lay-up or automated tape-laying systems. Fiber-placement head on a robotic arm heats tows until they are tacky, and compaction roller on a heavy-duty ram-type arm allows work on concave surfaces with minimal secondary debulking. Lays up to 24 individual, 1/8-in.-wide tows, and can cut and restart tows individually. Can lay up contoured ply shapes, follow serpentine ply paths, construct tapered shapes without material buildup, and create localized buildups if necessary.
Head of thermoplastic tape layer has three heating and two cooling compaction shoes. Heating shoes are cartridge-heated up to 1000 F. Capable of end cuts from +45 [degrees] to -45 [degrees]. Lays only flat panels, which can then be formed. (See ads pp. 10, 58-59, 126-127, 142, 146; data sheets pp. 91-97, 138-139, 159-160.)
COMPOSITE PROCESS EQUIPMENT
Pultrusion machines and FRP panel production machines with pulling capacities from 4 to 50 tons. Hydraulic units are said to be user-friendly and ruggedly built for low maintenance. Automatic flying cutoff saw and Computrac computer control with color CRT display. Records temperature, clamp pressure, pulling speed, run time, purge cycle, length of cut, length of pull, winding speed (optional), and resin formulas. Allen-Bradley control system regulates pulling speed to within 0.1 in./min. and temperature to 0.1 [degrees] F.
CONAIR GATTO THE CONAIR GROUP, INC.
Heavy-duty Cat-A-Puller takeoff, cutoff saw, and pneumatic dump table for pultrusion. Handles part envelope to 0.5.ft high x 1-ft wide. Continuous pulling forces up to 10,000 lb. Traveling saw available with abrasive or diamond blade for wet or dry cutting. Controls include d-c drives with optional all-digital drive. Load-cell force gauge available to display pulling force.
DESIGN EVOLUTION 4, INC.
RTM equipment includes custom-designed pneumatic presses, molds, mold shuttle systems, patterns, prototype, production, R&D programs, training, and consulting.
With high-speed ARTM manufacturing process, male and female tools are compressed in a pneumatic press. Male mold is permanently mounted to the top of pneumatic press. Two female molds equipped with V-grooved wheels exactly mate and align the tool sets, and are shuttled in and out of the press on guide tracks, which are permanently affixed to the press. Shuffle system reportedly increases production by 50%.
J. DIEFFENBACHER GMBH & CO.
See Girard Associates, Inc.
DURA WOUND, INC.
Model 10-C filament winder makes 2-to 48-in. pipe from 1/16-in. to 1-in. thick. Winding is controlled automatically, and can be run by one operator.
Model 20 tank winder for diam. up to 16 ft can wind helical patterns with up to 40 glass strands. Automatically fed resin dip bath. Digital control optional.
Cobra Model 11-A winder handles carbon, aramid, etc., for rocket motors and igniters.
New Cobra table-top digital-controlled filament winder can be equipped with an E-glass or graphite fiber-delivery system with heated saturation bath. Upgrades for computer control available.
Golf-shaft winder includes, mandrel and necessary attachments for winding multiple-angle graphite shaft.
EDGAR INDUSTRIES
Directed-fiber preforming equipment in a wide range of sizes and production capabilities.
ELECTROSTATIC TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Equipment to make prepregs via dry-powder application. Process eliminates solvents; speeds are reportedly faster and use less energy.
[EMC.sup.2] INC.
SMC impregnating machines, press loaders and unloaders, in-mold coating systems, and complete lines with cooling, automatic deflashing, drilling, milling and adhesive bonding. Also RTM metering equipment and complete automated turnkey systems. Trim presses up to 200 tons.
FINN AND FRAM, INC.
SMC machines feature wide cutters and dual-wire-mesh-belt wetout system for high glass content or heavy sheet. Machine is modular with several possible configurations. Dual fixed-spindle winders, bulk packagers (festooners), and combination winder/packagers available in several sizes. Open and closed dynamic in-line mixers and doctor-blade supply system.
Glass-roving cutters, 4 in. long to extra-wide, cut lengths 1/16 in. and up. Expendable razor blades and replaceable cot sleeves. Options include laminating equipment for circuit-board manufacture, and SMC charge cutters (slitter/blankers) that slit, trim, and cut to length with programmable controls.
Computer-controlled, continuous FRP panel lines produce flat, corrugated, or embossed panels. Sand or pebble surface can be added.
Single-station, directed-fiber, and semi-automatic preform machines for applications such as RTM.
GIRARD ASSOCIATES, INC.
Represents Dieffenbacher GmbH of Germany, which builds hydraulic high-speed presses and press-system auxiliaries. Presses from 300 to 5000 tons with bed sizes from 40 x 40 in. to 200 x 160 in. High-precision presses available with parallelism control.
Auxiliary components include automatic GMT conveyor ovens, CNC loaders for GMT or SMC charges (max. 6 axes), proprietary gripper technology (needle, suction or mechanical type) for GMT and SMC charge and parts handling, cooling stations for GMT and SMC parts, and quick-mold-change systems. Also cell controls with strategic emergency programs, master control systems interlinking several production cells via an intelligent network, product and process data-acquisition systems, and SPC and process data-analysis systems.
GLAS-CRAFT INC.
FRP spray-up equipment includes internal- and external-mix spray systems for gelcoat, spray-up and wet-out. Complete line of airless, air-atomized and air-assist/airless systems. LPA-II-AAC air-assist/airless spray gun with exclusive Air Assist Containment and SP-85 catalyst slave pump reportedly provides excellent transfer efficiency and extremely low emission levels.
"Soft Spray Applicator" (SSA) is a "sprinkler-type" coarse atomization nozzle.
RTM dispensing equipment includes LPI (Low-Pressure Injection) system with 4:1 pump, standard slave-pump catalyst proportioner, and capacity of 2.5 gal/min. Gun has one-button on/off control, cleanout ports on both catalyst and resin sides, pump-stroke counter, and reset switch. Low-pressure recirculation of catalyst and resin keeps fillers in suspension. Solvent and air flushing. Transparent window for observing material in static-mixing nozzle.
GRACO INC.
Plural-component equipment systems for metering, mixing, spraying or casting PUR, epoxy, polysulfide or filled polyester. Pumping units with mix ratios from 1:1 to 18:1 draw materials from catalyst and resin storage tanks, and deliver components to a static-mixing head where a transfer hose can be used to deliver mix to spray guns or dispensing valves.
GS MANUFACTURING CO.
Airless chopper, wet-out and gel-coat spray systems feature "no-flush" external mixing. They are said to offer simple operation, built-in safety factors, and fast, efficient production. Gun is lightweight (3 lb, 7 oz) with a single-finger, air-assist trigger control. Can be converted from chopper gun to gelcoster with removal of one bolt and change of tip. Chopper-gun mount has a swivel for instant alignment of glass and material spray pattern.
Does not need solvent flushing. Because of low pressures, gun can be operated within 6-8 in. of the mold and delivers 3 to 23 lb/min. Catalyst is safely used directly from shipping container, and is pumped through a reportedly easy-to-maintain pumping system. Systems can be stationary or portable.
'"True" airless or airless/air-assist MEKP systems. Compact Little Willie gelcoat unit with lightweight gun mounts on 5-gal pail. RC42 Rascal chopper system features lightweight gun, high-speed/high-torque chopper motor, and spring boom that has 5-ft vertical movement with adjustable tension.
Also high-volume wet-out systems, Multi Color Block for up to eight gelcoat colors, and Big Bertha high-volume chopper gun that can dispense up to 35 lb/min of laminate and handle six strands of glass.
Gemini variable-ratio urethane/polyester hybrid spray system features internal-mix Rascal hybrid spray gun with chopper, transfer pumps, variable-ratio proportioning system, in-line heaters, heated hoses, and portable cart with 12-ft boom.
RTM system is based on Little Willie gun with a static-mixing extension, 5:1 air-motor pump, and catalyst slave system. Mounts on 5-gal pail or wall; can be used with saturator or resin-roller attachments.
GUSMER, DIV. OF PMC INC.
Variable-ratio DeltaRim impingement-mixing RIM machinery for RTM and SRIM dispensing at 40 to 240 lb/min. Double-acting Continuous Delivery Cylinder (CDC) pump system provides uniform flow and unlimited shot sizes. (See ad p. 201.)
HI-TECH ENGINEERING, INC.
High- and low-pressure RTM metering/mixing equipment and clamps, RIM and large LD-SRIM systems.
High-pressure RTM series has hydraulic cylinders with component metering capacities from 500 to 20,000 cc each, typically paired in a 4:1 or greater size ratio. Process controls for all machine functions, with optional full computer interface and SPC package. High-pressure impingement mix head has external recirculation and can be modified for high-temperature applications to 400 F.
Silenzer series RTM meter/mix/dispense equipment has precise variable-ratio control. All fittings attach through the lid of the tank system, so a standard 5-gal pail can be set inside the tank for ease of material changeover. Metering accuracy assured by precision gear pumps slaved together for control of ratio and in-mold delivery pressure. Various sizes of gear pumps allow ratio selection from 1:1 to 100:1. Pumps available in mild steel and stainless steel.
Duraflow cylinder-type RTM machine processes polyesters, vinyl esters, epoxies, and urethanes. Large-volume resin cylinder mechanically linked to low-volume catalyst cylinder. Quick-change linkage varies ratio in four discrete increments from 20:1 to 200:1. All-pneumatic operation, material recirculation, special cylinder design with equal flow in both directions, and large free-flow material path. (See ad p. 203.)
INGERSOLL MILLING MACHINE CO.
Special machinery for automated fabrication of composites. In conjunction with Hercules Corp., Ingersoll provides a full range of processes, from hand lay-up auxiliaries to custom-built pultrusion equipment, automatic tape layers, and advanced fiber-placement systems.
ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION
Information on equipment for reinforced plastics spraying, spiral winding, pultrusion, and hand lay-up available from Italian companies.
JAECO PUMP CO.
Plunger and diaphragm-type metering pumps for RTM or other systems. Electronic and pneumatic controllers.
C.A. LAWTON CO.
CompForm automated preforming process for RTM and SRIM applies binder resin to precut mats, reacts binder without heating the reinforcement or mold, molds the preform, and attaches structural components such as ribs or cores. It uses a "directed-energy" technique of curing the preform binder with either microwave or uv energy. Curing energy is applied right in the forming tool, which has a plastic skin that is transparent to both forms of energy.
LINCOLN INDUSTRIAL, A PENTAIR CO.
Air-operated pumps for transfer and spray-up of FRP fluid materials from 55-gal drums, 5-gal pails, or bulk tanks. Pumps operate inside or outside containers to move product to mixer or spray head. Pump accessories include primers, pressure primers, hose, control valves, measuring valves, mixing and metering equipment.
LINDEN INDUSTRIES, INC.
Plural-component metering/dispensing systems, mold-carriers, and clamps for SRIM and RTM. (See Urethane Processing Systems.)
LIQUID CONTROL CORP.
Polyester resin/catalyst metering system for continuous or intermittent feed of catalyzed mix in RTM or filament winding. Variable-ratio control of 0.6 to 4%, outputs to 100 lb/min, filler loading to 70%, and use of most common catalysts. Multiflow series machines proportion, mix, and inject epoxy and PUR into closed molds. Can be used to meter, mix and dispense SMC paste.
Computer-controlled model with dual lance-piston cylinders driven by electric servo motors provides highly uniform, pulsation-free mold filling. Remote monitoring and quality documentation available.
LITTLEFORD DAY, INC.
SMC and BMC mixing components and complete compound production systems supplied through association with RP/C Corp.
C.A. LITZLER CO., INC.
Prepreg fabric saturation systems for fiberglass, graphite, and aramid. Complete systems include letoffs, splice presses, precision metering rolls, curing ovens, compaction rolls, and windups. Pollution-control incinerators and d-c drives and instrumentation included.
MAGNUM INDUSTRIES
Spray-up equipment includes an airless/air-assist chopper gun. Trigger reduces operator fatigue and eliminates lead/lag between catalyst and resin.
ATG-3500 gelcoat/wet-out gun also incorporates patented airless/air-assist technique and reportedly gives superior pattern control on gelcoat without tails. Air trigger allows feathering into tight recesses without flooding and eliminates possibility of spraying catalyst without gelcoat. Both guns are light and balanced for easy maneuvering.
Putty dispensing machine handles any type of marine putty at viscosities to 3,000,000 cp. Slave arm meters catalyst in 0.1% increments. Putty and catalyst mixed and dispensed through a mixing block and chamber.
Self-balancing, internal-mix chopper system automatically balances catalyst pressure when spray pressures or outputs are changed. Self-balancing, internal-mix gelcoat system operates in much the same way as the chopper, resulting in reportedly superior mixing.
Three-component, internal-mix foaming polyester system meters both catalyst and blowing agent, which are mixed with resin at the gun.
Internal-mix resin-roller impregnator mixes resin and catalyst at the roller and introduces catalyzed resin inside the perforated roller, where it is evenly distributed.
MASS MACHINERY, INC.
Autoclaves for curing composites can be supplied with data loggers and instrumentation for manual, semi-automatic, or fully automatic operation using microprocessor or host computer.
OEM INC.
Heavy-duty pullers for pultrusion.
PATENTECH CORP.
Specially designed spray-up system, including a mixer for resin and filler, is expressly designed for handling high filler loads to enable maximum resin extension. Rotational casting equipment also available.
Low-cost McD mixer/catalyzer/dispenser system for highly filled thermoset resins pumps 5 gal/min at 19,500 cp.
POLY-CRAFT SYSTEMS
See Binks Mfg. Co.
PRECISION CRAFT CORP.
Equipment from Transtecnica of Brazil includes RTM systems with pump that mounts directly on the resin pail, slave-arm catalyst pump, and injection gun with static mixer.
Spray-up system for gelcoat and chop includes reciprocating pump and HVLP (high-volume/low-pressure) gun with airless/air-assist atomization and external mixing.
Wheeled vacuum-pump cart for vacuum bagging can draw vacuum from up to 10 inlets simultaneously. Vacuum to 28 in. (710 mm) Hg. Pump output of 4 to 50 cfm. Quick-release shutoff valves.
P.S.H. INDUSTRIES, INC.
R-2 spray gun for polyester and epoxy gelcoats and laminating resins is said to eliminate air bubbles and holes in mold making. Gun dispenses from paper or plastic cups, which can be discarded to avoid time-consuming clean-up.
PULTREX LTD.
Pultrusion machines range from 1-ton pulling load and 7 x 2 in. product envelope to 12-ton, 40 x 14 in. All models have electronic PLC control and include automatic flying cut-off saws. Automatic data logging and computer process control optional.
Filament winding machines for general and special purposes available with mechanical drive or up to six axes of CNC control. (Nonaxis symmetrical program generation software also available.) Machines are modularly designed in sizes to 14-ft diam. x 40 ft long. Tension and resin systems, and full data logging and process monitoring available.
PULTRUSlON TECHNOLOGY DIV. MMFG
Pulstar automated, modular pultrusion systems with product envelopes of 8 x 4 in. to 30 x 8 in. are hydraulically powered and microprocessor controlled. Sequencing with PLCs. Input or output modules can be added and simple software changes made with a hand-held programmer.
Resin impregnation station has powered, vertically adjustable table for fast setup. Die station is electrically heated, has powered top platen to provide easy access for in-process maintenance or start-up, and powered bottom platens to provide centerline control over product to reduce warpage. A 34-in.-long platen with two heating zones handles dies up to 36 in. Optional 56-in.-long platen system with three heating zones. All platens have a pregel cooling zone at the entrance to permit temporary shutdown without gelling the profile.
Reciprocating clamp-puller system has adjustable pressure. Automatic flying cut-off saw mounted below table is orbitally operated and has a manually adjustable envelope.
Gelstar thermal analyzer can monitor cure conditions on-line inside the die. Off-line, it can perform automatic SPI gel and cure tests and print out results.
Also auxiliary equipment and tooling for a complete pultrusion operation, plus technical assistance, product design, composite design, prototyping, and manufacturing technology.
RADIO FREQUENCY CO. LAROSE RF SYSTEMS DIV.
RF preheaters and bonders for thermosets include model 671, which increases speeds on pultrusion lines; model L-200, which reduces press cycle times and improves surface characteristics in SMC molding (Charges to 80 lb can be preheated in 45 sec.); and model L-230 preform preheaters for phenolic and epoxy preforms in compression/transfer molding.
Model 5100 thermoset bonders for SMC automotive body panels join parts in seconds.
Complete stock of spare parts for thermal preheaters.
RETEK CORP.
Standard and custom-designed filament winders include overhead- and rear-carriage types programmed via IBM-compatible PCs. Winders use PAC-5 programmable controller from Automation Systems Inc., along with Retek filament-winding control software. Standard mandrel diam. are 16 and 24 in. for overhead-carriage machines and 16 to 48 in. for rear-carriage machines. Custom-built creels also supplied.
RP/C CORP.
Represents a group of companies that provide equipment for all phases of SMC, GMT, or RTM manufacturing from individual components to integrated manufacturing cells. Group can provide design specifications for equipment needed and total turnkey installation and performance responsibility. Components and suppliers include:
* Mixing equipment, metering systems, and self-contained meter/mix cells for SMC sheet production from Littleford Day.
* Energy-efficient, short-stroke presses for SMC/GMT in sizes from 500 to 5000 tons. Special presses for RTM have booking platens and large bed size, combined with lower tonnage.
* Hydraulic press rebuilding, and hydraulic and control upgrading from Mohawk Industries.
* In-mold coating systems from [EMC.sup.2].
* Composite molds from Hi-Tech Mold & Engineering.
* Quick-mold-change systems for compression presses from Orchid Automation.
* Infrared charge-heating ovens for GMT from Blasdel Enterprises.
* Automatic press loaders and unloaders, large gantry robots for parts transfer, and self-contained robotic cells from ISI Robotics. End-of-arm tooling and an "intelligent vacuum-management system" from ISI Automation Products Group.
* Compliant automation devices for abrasive deflashing from Robotics and Automation Corp.
* CNC routers from Accu-Router; 37 x 61 in. three-axis model up to 6 x 12 ft five-axis version. Repeatability within 0.002 in.
* Hot-air and RF bonding equipment and tooling from Nemeth Engineering.
* Robotic adhesive dispensing systems from [EMC.sup.2].
* Secondary tooling and fixtures from D&F Corp.
* Automated, high-speed RTM systems from [EMC.sup.2].
* Parts washing and painting systems from Blasdel Enterprises.
* High-speed, noncontact laser dimension-checking systems from Perceptron.
* Size-reduction equipment for reclaiming thermoset parts from Hi-Torque Shredder Co.
RTM SYSTEMS, INC.
RTM equipment includes low-pressure injection machinery for internal mix (Megaject and LPI) or premix (Hypaject) injection of polyester, vinyl ester, phonolic, epoxy, hybrid, etc. Newly introduced low-cost epoxy injection unit.
Full line of mold building supplies and accessories: in-mold heater cloth and heater power packs, high-temperature core materials, vacuum generators, in-mold sensors, clamps, seals, sprues, and spree plugs.
Conducts training courses in composite RTM tooling technology.
SANDVlK PROCESS SYSTEMS, INC.
Double-belt presses convey resins and reinforcements through a controlled time/temperature/pressure cycle to produce continuous sheet products (fiberglass-reinforced thermoplastic and thermoset laminates, composites, and foams). Products can be up to 56 in. wide. Cure times to 10 min., cure temperatures to 500 F, and line speeds to 90 ft/min. Auxiliary equipment includes loaders, cutting devices, take-up and let-off rolls.
SEALANT EQUIPMENT & ENGINEERING, INC.
Low- to high-pressure meter/mix/dispense equipment for epoxy, PUR, silicone, or polyester. From economical, air-powered bench-top unit to Program-a-Bead III units that interface with robots. RTM is a major application.
SIEMPELKAMP CORP.
Hydraulic presses (single- and multiple-opening) and complete plants (automatic layup, conveying, pressing, trimming, inspection and packaging lines) for high-pressure laminates (decorative, industrial-grade, and copper-clad laminates for printed circuits).
SS SPECIALTIES, INC.
JX-AA-2QT polyester gelcoat system is a lightweight, airless/air-assisted gun with 8:1 ratio pump suitable for tooling gelcoat and for multiple colors. In 2-qt or 2-gal sizes.
Also fiberglass spray-up systems and RTM and polyester putty machines.
STOUGHTON COMPOSITES, INC.
This pultrusion processor (a joint venture of Stoughton Trailers, Inc. and Alcoa) maintains small Pultrusion Machine Manufacturing Div., based on assets and technology derived from the former Goldsworthy Engineering company. Stoughton Composites builds pultrusion machines for its own use and sells them to others on a limited basis. As in late-model Goldsworthy machines, these systems have microprocessor control, closed-loop speed control, precision cutoff, and reciprocating puller/grippers in double, triple, or quadruple configurations. Type I machine has 8 x 24 in. envelope and 10,000-lb pulling force. Type II has 24 x 36 in. envelope and 40,000-lb pull force. Type III has 8 x 48 in. envelope and 20,000-lb pull force.
TENNEY ENGINEERING, INC.
Autoclaves from compact lab models to large production units with instrumentation to control temperature to 850 F, pressure to 800 psig, vacuum, etc. Hydraulically operated door with locking ring and remotely located instrument panel standard. Blower motor mounted in a water-cooled, encapsulated "bubble" enclosure on exterior wall eliminates need for shaft seals.
THERMAL EQUIPMENT CORP.
Turnkey autoclave systems monitor part vacuum throughout cure cycle. Computer control system has cycle editor with more than 24 controllable parameters, including part-heat rate, guaranteed soak, exotherm detection, pressure rate, vacuum levels, and alarms.
UNITED MCGILL PPD CORP.
Autoclave systems operate at up to 1200 F and 2000 psi with electric heaters and inert-gas pressurizing medium. Vessels can have patented door assemblies, hydraulically operated cylinders, fans, electric heaters, cooling-coil heat exchangers, and internal track. Other components include preassembled and piped vacuum supply platforms for quick field installation, control panels for temperature and pressure cure cycles, process-variable recorders with graphic display, and vacuum-monitoring and recording panels to ensure part quality.
Mini-Bonder is a lab-sized autoclave for R&D and limited production.
URETHANE SERVICE, INC.
Plural-component machines for pouring, casting, bead laying, frothing, potting, RIM and RTM. (See Urethane Processing Systems.)
VEKTRONICS, INC.
Prepreg tape-laying equipment. Composite Processing Cell precuts prepreg tape for specific part geometries and stores it in a cartridge in an off-line tape processor. Cartridges supply an existing tape machine or company's low-profile, gantry-style tape layer or "split-axis" rotary table. Software package defines course geometry from part-definition input by operator or downloaded from a database. Ultrasonic bed cutter can be stand-alone or integrated with CPC-610 tape layer.
VENUS-GUSMER, DIV. OF PMC, INC.
Engineered systems for polyester and fiberglass open-mold and closed-mold processes range from individual machines to complete turnkey plants. Patented H.I.S. (hydraulic injection system) uses internal, airless, low-pressure mixing and is incorporated into an extensive line of reinforced thermoset plastic systems:
* Hand-held spray-up units such as chopper guns, saturators and gelcoaters with a variety of accessories and support equipment. Pro Line includes the Pro Gun Chopper and Pro Series Gelcoater.
* Resin injection and RTM units for low-pressure filling of closed molds include economical H.I.S.-based Hydrajectors, EPO1, EPO2 and EPO3 meter/mix series, and hydraulic-pump powered RAM for advanced composites. PC-based process monitors available for Hydrajector and EPO series, and specially designed computer monitor for the RAM. Pneumatic and hydraulic RTM presses available with shuttle action if required.
* Casting units for open molds or cavity filling.
* Automated reciprocators for high-volume production of FRP sheet products and contoured shapes.
* Impregnators for mechanized wet-out of woven roving and lay-up into large molds. Four-roll and seven-roll models in numerous configurations, including an 18-in. portable bridge crane and gantry for taping boat stringers and bulkheads.
* Filament winders for automated production of large-diam. tanks and pipe. Optional computer monitoring and controls.
* Panel machines for automated, high-volume production of flat, embossed and corrugated panels.
* Abraders that prepare the surface of panels to hold a secure bond.
* Laminating rollers with "thin-fin" design for rolling out saturated woven roving.
* Cultured-marble machines include Precision Cast for mechanized production of polyester marble matrix.
* Resin concrete machines for mixing coarse aggregate with polyester.
* Solvent recovery system for distilling solvents.
* Polyester foam units for low-fume spraying of polyester foam.
* Filled resin systems for mixing and dispensing with fillers.
* Composite specimen preparation system (router and bridge saw) for producing samples of various shapes and sizes for numerous standard testing procedures. (See data sheet p. 221.)
VERMONT INSTRUMENT CO.
Bench-type laboratory filament winders have mandrels up to 12-in. diam. and 48 in. long. Change gears for helical winding, variable-speed drive for circumferential winding, capability for NOL ring winding, preset counter, and electronic speed control.
NOL ring winder has controllable overlap and speed and fixtures for NOL ring testing. Available with console, including pump and recording manometer.
Bench-type laboratory pultruders can make 1/8- to 1/4-in.-diam. rod. Torsion-test equipment measures properties of rod for quality-control monitoring of resin, cure temperature, and reinforcement surface treatment. Heated-die, infrared, ultraviolet, and microwave curing systems.
Compounding, Mixing, Blending Systems
AARON EQUIPMENT CO. DIV. OF ARECO, INC.
Ribbon and double-cone blenders in stainless and carbon steel for mixing resins and powders or colors. Double-sigma blade mixer in carbon steel available with extruder discharge.
A 300-gal double-arm mixer/extruder with roller bearings and split packing glands can be directly connected to a gear reducer of up to 200 hp. Front blade speed is 30 rpm; rear blade speed is 17 rpm. The 13-in.-diam. screw is located in the bottom between the tangent point of the two half cylinders that form the bowl and is directly connected to a reversible hydraulic motor. Screw can run at up to 30 rpm in either direction while maintaining full torque. Unit has a 75-hp motor, pump, reservoir, and heat exchanger. Bowl and extruder housing are jacketed for steam, water, or oil heating to 100 psi at 300 F.
PAUL O. ABBE, INC.
Mixers include Rota-Cone tumble blender, ribbon and paddle blenders, Forberg-II mixer, and sigma-blade mixers for pastes and high-viscosity mixing. Specializes in custom mixing equipment with ancillary equipment such as load cells, bag dump, and dust control.
Also ball mills for production and laboratory applications.
ACRISON, INC.
Model 350 multipurpose blender for continuous mixing of dry materials features two concentrically mounted augers that operate at different speeds. Blender can coat pelletized products with lubricant or release agent, blend dry powders into masterbatches, and add lubricants or colors. Output range is 1.2 to 5100 cu ft/hr. Quick-disconnect and sanitary models available.
ADMIRAL EQUIPMENT CO.
See Gusmer.
ADVANCED PROCESS TECHNOLOGY
Electrically heated, agitated vacuum/pressure tanks for batch heating, degassing, and mixing in sizes from 2 to 75 gal.
AEC/WHITLOCK
Blending systems for free-flowing materials include volumetric, gravimetric, batch-weigh and loss-in-weight systems. SMA, WVB and LMA volumetric blenders continuously blend up to six materials at rates up to 5000 lb/hr/ingredient. Can be machine-mounted or floor-mounted.
For more precise blending, WWB series batch-weigh blenders and WLB series weight-loss blenders have microprocessor-based controls to deliver accuracies better than 0.5 to 1%.
Blenders can be integrated into complete handling systems, including pneumatic conveying, drying, and storage equipment. (See ad p. 328.)
AMERICAN BARMAG CORP.
Distributes Mixaco mixing equipment, from universal mixers to container mixers and high-speed heating/cooling mixers.
AMERICAN LEISTRITZ EXTRUDER CORP.
Corotating and counterrotating twin-screw extruders and complete hot-face pelletizing lines for compounding and scrap reprocessing. Screw diam. from 18 to 135 mm for outputs from under 11 lb/hr to 8000 lb/hr. Machines are modular and have segmented screws.
Universal laboratory extruder has attachments for single-screw and three twin-screw modes of operation. Convertible 18- and 27-mm twin-screw extruders for lab and medical applications have throughputs of 1 to 15 lb/hr and 10 to 100 lb/hr, respectively. Operate in corotating intermeshing and counterrotating intermeshing modes. Segmented barrels are electrically heated and internally cooled by air or liquid. Machine is self-contained on a roll-around flame. (See ad p. 228.)
ANDREWS PRODUCTS INC.
Add*Too line of intensive nonfluxing blenders mount on processing equipment. An arm or paddle integrates liquid color into pellet or powder flow. Units operate at up to 450 F and capacities to 2000 lb/hr.
ANDRITZ SPROUT-BAUER, INC.
Solids mixers for granules or powders permit limited liquid addition of additives such as plasticizers and colorants.
Ribbon mixer for heavy-duty mixing has counterflow action for thorough mixing in a short time. Available with heating/cooling jacket.
Counterrotating twin-agitator system gives intensive action for blending viscous liquids with granular or powdered raw materials.
Vertical screw mixer blends regrind scrap with virgin pellets.
APV CHEMICAL MACHINERY, INC.
Corotating, self-wiping, twin-screw extruders with rates to 10,000 lb/hr. CP-1000 series low-torque extruder is suitable for low- to medium-viscosity materials in applications requiring temperature control. MP-2000 series for medium- to high-viscosity materials in applications requiring high free volume for higher filler loadings. HP-4000 series high-torque extruder used primarily for high-molecular-weight, high-viscosity thermoplastics.
Have segmented agitators for varying configuration, and segmented barrels for up to 48:1 L/D. Barrel sections can be equipped with side feeders, venting systems, liquid injection ports, and barrel-valve assemblies. Process temperatures can be controlled by liquid heating and cooling media on CP-1000 units, and by electric heating and liquid cooling on MP-2000 and HP-4000. Relay-logic or microprocessor control of compounding lines, plus host-computer supervisory package.
Ancillary components include pre-blender, feeder systems, vacuum systems, strand or underwater pelletizers, and classifying and drying systems.
APV GAULIN, INC.
Supplies hom*ogenizers and reciprocating high-pressure pumps.
BALL & JEWELL DIV., STERLING, INC.
Tumble Master dual-drum tumbler is constructed of heavy-gauge steel. Mixing capacity to 300 lb/drum. A 1-hp drive is standard. Timer package is offered to control mixing cycle. (See data sheets pp. 322-323.)
LOUIS P. BATSON INC.
Colormax equipment includes floor-mounted blenders and on-machine blenders for mixing up to five materials on top of the hopper. Mini Multi Flow blender, a compact hopper-mounted unit, blends three materials without separation.
Gravimetric Multi Weigh blender augments standard range of volumetric Multi Flow blenders. Utilizes up to eight metering modules supported on individual load cells for simultaneous loss-in-weight control.
BEPEX CORP.
High-speed, high-shear continuous mixer blends solids with solids, liquids, or gases. Six sizes from 8- to 30-in. diam. Adjustable shear and impact action. May be jacketed for heating and cooling. Paddles are adjustable to vary retention time.
Nonintensive ribbon blenders for dry and dry/liquid blending have capacities of 2 to 680 cu ft and are used for mixing additives and pigments into powders and pellets. Agitator assembly with inner and outer ribbons provides gentle mixing action, recommended especially for mixing small amounts of critical ingredients with large amounts of matrix material. Batch or continuous operation.
Also supplies a unit for mixing and extruding paste and plastic materials. Continuous mixing and kneading action on materials discharging through an orifice plate that provides size and mixing control. Jacketed for heating or cooling.
BERSTORFF CORP.
Twin-screw corotating, intermeshing extruders from 1 to 12 in. for compounding, reinforcing, filling and masterbatch production. Specialty designs for melt-fed compounding, devolatilizing, and reactive extrusion.
Single-screw extruders up to 24-in. come in melt- and pellet-fed hom*ogenizing, devolatilizing, straining, pelletizing, and specialty designs.
Single-screw, vertical/horizontal tandem extruders up to 14 in./16 in. combination mix highly filled PVC and polyolefins. Also specialty designs for scrap reclaim of commingled plastics.
Planetary-gear extruders for rigid and flexible PVC compounding and calender feeding reportedly provide excellent temperature control.
Multiple-screw (10 and more) extruders for high-surface-area devolatilization and reactions. (See ad p. 230.)
BLACK CLAWSON CONVERTING MACHINERY CORP.
Pelletizers and single-screw extruders, hom*ogenizers, devolatilizers, and compounders in standard sizes from 2 1/2 to 20 in.
STEWART BOLLING
See Kobelco Stewart Bolling, Inc.
C.W. BRABENDER INSTRUMENTS INC.
Prep Mixer is a high-shear, fluxing, intensive mixer for lab or pilot-plant mixing. Mixing capacity approx. 1/2 lb. Liquid or electrical heating.
Two-roll Prep Mill with 4-in. diam x 8-in. work area is also for lab use. Roll gap adjustable from 5 to 195 mils; drive speed adjustable to 30 rpm.
Twin-screw continuous mixer for high-shear mixing at up to 10 lb/hr has counterrotating, intermeshing 1.65-in.-diam. (42mm) screws.
BRAN & LUEBBE, INC.
Pumps for liquid metering/proportioning and systems for in-line blending of two or more liquids. Units handle pressures up to 50,000 psi and viscosities to 100,000 cp at outputs to 23,000 gal/hr.
CARL G. BRIMMEKAMP & CO., INC.
Distributes Collin 7K-50 laboratory twin-screw extruder from Dr. Collin GmbH of Germany. Operates counter- or corotating with a single gear change. Segmented screws and barrels. Closed, vented, and feed-port barrels in numerous configurations. Screw diam. is 50 mm, processing lengths from 9:1 to 18:1 L/D, and max. output is 50 lb/hr. Optional measuring equipment and microprocessor controls.
BUSS AMERICA, INC.
Buss-Kneader continuous, reciprocating single-screw compounders mix and disperse thermoplastics and thermosets. Uses special profiled screw flights and rows of kneading teeth in the barrel section, plus a reciprocating screw action to provide intensive kneading. Primary applications include rigid and plasticized PVC, polyolefins, engineering plastics, masterbatching, and blending reinforced plastics.
Buss-Kneader continuous calender-feed systems have capacities from 40 to 15,000 lb/hr. Axial and radial mixing are said to offer exceptional plasticating, dispersing, and hom*ogenizing of polymer with additives. Systems process plasticized and nonplasticized PVC.
CHEM-MIXX TECHNOLOGY DIV. TRA-CON INC.
Metering, mixing, and dispensing equipment for epoxies, polyesters, and urethanes includes static mixers of stainless-steel and/or disposable construction.
CHEMINEER-KENICS
Motionless mixing elements include Thermogenizer for extrusion. It delivers hom*ogenized melt streams to the die and has mixing capacity independent of extruder output. Heat exchangers (multitube and jacketed pipe) use Kenics elements to enhance heat transfer to polymer melt and foam. All units are compact, heavy-duty, have no moving parts, and provide economical and efficient continuous heating and cooling.
CLEVELAND-EASTERN MIXERS EMI INC.
Static mixers reportedly achieve uniform, controlled degree of shear and flow. Unique element shape reportedly provides lower-cost mixing than competitive formats.
COLORMAX
See Louis P. Batson Inc.
CONAIR FRANKLIN THE CONAIR GROUP, INC.
Eighteen models of AutoWeigh gravimetric blenders precisely weigh and blend up to eight different materials in batch sizes of 2.2 to 39.6 lb. Blend from 10 to 5000 lb/hr. Mount directly on the machine or can be used as floor-mounted, central blenders. Blending in 2.2-, 4.4-, 8.8-, or 19.8-lb batches with 0.1% accuracy. Controls provide self-compensating, batch-to-batch metering adjustments to ensure accuracy.
Gravicon loss-in-weight blenders offer a lower-cost method of gravimetric blending up to four materials at up to 5000 lb/hr with 0.5% accuracy.
Autocolor Plus performs on-machine, self-loading, volumetric batch metering and blending. Fixed quantities of virgin material and regrind are mixed with up to two metered amounts of colorants or additives. Microprocessor-controlled models have 600-lb/hr or 1200-lb/hr throughput.
Conomix Plus continuous, high-throughput, volumetric blenders. Two to four ingredients blended at 600 to 2700 lb/hr per metering auger with accuracy of [+ or -]1% or better.
CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY DIV. INVESTMENT HOLDINGS GROUP LTD.
Distributes Plas Mec (Italian) line of Turbomixers and auxiliary components for temperature regulation and vacuum mixing in capacities from 176 to 1760 lb/loading. Capacities from 200 to 2000 liters.
Horizontal ribbon blenders for cold mixing of temperature-sensitive materials and special systems for heating/cooling with mixing. Also lab systems and automatic systems for charging mixers and for "containerizing" finished blends.
CORNELL MACHINE CO.
Versator solid/liquid blender can mix, blend and defoam two or more components. Recommended for coatings and pastes, it disperses one or more finely divided solids into liquids and will simultaneously deaerate. Disc in vacuum chamber revolves at 900 to 6000 rpm. Handles broad viscosity range.
CUSTOM SCIENTIFIC INSTRUMENTS
Laboratory and pilot-plant mixing extruders. Screwless extruder uses elastic-energy storage characteristics of polymer melts for mixing and extrusion. Residence time is said to be short (typically 20-31 sec), and amount of shear applied to the melt can be varied.
Two models available: one with 2-in.-diam. rotor and 1/4-in. die, and the other with 3/4-in.-diam. rotor and 1/8-in. die. Temperature controls for rotor and die and water-cooling channels on feed hopper. Handles pellet, powder, flake or crumb.
DAVIS-STANDARD CORP.
D-tex twin-screw corotating and counterrotating intermeshing extruders come in 30 to 128 mm with outputs from 50 to 8000 lb/hr and lengths to 56:1 L/D. Three rotation modes: both counter and corotating without gearbox modifications, standard corotating, or standard counterrotating. Barrel ports for downstream solids addition or devolatilization.
Sterling single-screw compounding extruders handle cold- or hot-feed additive blending. Hard-to-feed material can be introduced either by ram stuffer or screw auger to force-feed materials at the extruder throat, or through a sidearm addition where the material is metered into the molten polymer stream beyond the extruder's melting section. Applications include color concentrates, filled systems, alloying, and scrap reclamation.
Cavity Transfer Mixer for continuous blending in sizes 25 to 450 mm (built under license from Rapra of the U.K.). Rotor with spherical cavities is attached to the end of the extruder screw; its stationary housing 75 mounted between extruder barrel and die. Resulting circulating and cutting motion provides distributive mixing. Material flow has little restriction because unit has no pins, dams, or other obstructions. Reduction of material distortion through the die and residual stress is achieved because the unit establishes even heat distribution. Mixer has no "dead spaces," resulting in quick changeover of polymers.
Papenmeier high-intensity mixers for PVC and ABS are manufactured by Repiquet in France (recently acquired by Davis-Standard). Sizes from laboratory models to full production machines for over 8000 lb/hr. Mixer/cooler combinations have increased cooling area for reduced cycle times. (See ad p. 152.)
DRAISWERKE, INC.
Drais Perl ball mills finely disperse and hom*ogenize high-, medium-, and low-viscosity materials and stiff pastes. Units include perforated or pinned-disc agitator and chamber 80-90% filled with small grinding beads from 0.25- to 2-mm diam. Large number of beads results in very fine grinding and dispersing and is said to increase output by 30-50%. Chamber capacities from 1 to 1500 liters.
Drais turbulent mixer/reactors for high-speed mixing, kneading, and reaction processes have interchangeable mixing elements for powders, pastes, and reaction processes. Knife mills, pinned discs, and main-shaft-mounted serrated discs can be built into the reactor chamber. Batch and continuous designs with capacities from 2.5 to 40,000 liters.
Drais Gelimat high-intensity mixer with 1 to 250 liters capacity uses friction energy to heat product for mixing and melting and completes a cycle in 15-25 sec. Mixer can process PVC, PP, PE, UHMW-PE, ABS, and PVDC. Material can be directly discharged into an extruder, mold, or roller mill and pelletized. Batch and continuous models.
DUPLEX MILL & MFG. CO.
SIX types of Kelly Duplex mixers:
* Vertical spiral mixers in 100 to 1500-cu-ft sizes blend free-flowing granular or fine materials.
* Horizontal paddle mixers in 2- to 360-cu-ft batch sizes for fast blending of regrinds, slurries, and powders. Said to be particularly effective for mixing PE and color pigments for rotomolding. Units provide positive discharge and are said to be easy to clean. Air-purged shaft seals help prevent contamination.
* Fluid-bed mixers for unusually heavy or pasty materials in 2- to 200-cu-ft batch sizes.
* Horizontal ribbon mixers for mixing flow-resistant materials up to 580 cu ft per batch.
* Continuous twin-ribbon mixing conveyor with capacity from 50 to 12,000 cu ft/hr combines mixing and conveying of bulk materials.
* Continuous twin-rotor paddle mixers blend solids with solids or liquids at rates from 100 to 3000 cu ft/hr.
Kelly Duplex batching and mixing package allows material to be automatically batched, mixed, and stored, then fed directly to extrusion machinery.
ECLIPSE SYSTEMS DIV. TECHNOLOGY GENERAL CORP.
Air-motor and electric-powered agitators/mixers from 1/6 to 5 hp (direct drive or gear-reduction unit) accommodate all mixing viscosities. Models for use in 1- to 5000-gal vessels (open, closed, pressure, or vacuum type). Stainless-steel couplings, shafts, and propellers standard. ANSI and Tri-clover flange mixers configured for top, side, or bottom entry. Air-driven models are explosion and shock proof, and immune to burnout. Electric models available with explosion-proof motors and inverters for speed control.
EGAN DAVIS-STANDARD CORP.
Single- and twin-screw compounding extruders offered with microprocessor controls and strand, underwater, or water-ring pelletizing systems. Complete test and demonstration capabilities at technical center in Somerville, N.J. Twin-screw corotating, intermeshing compounders have capacities of 100 to 2500 lb/hr and segmented barrel and screw elements. Special adaptations of Egan's CMR computer system control product consistency, create reports, and offer management information. Controller can interface with feeders and extruder, as well as downstream operations. (See ad p. 152.)
ERIE MILL & PRESS CO.
Laboratory and production two-roll mixing and warm-up mills have working faces from 6 x 13 in. to 26 x 84 in. and up to 120 in. long. Can be furnished with standard sleeve bearings or roller bearings, as well as chrome-plated and drilled rolls, motorized adjusting screws, air-operated scraper knives, and tilting stock guides. Drives are constant-speed a-c or variable-speed d-c. Rolls can be drilled for cooling and heating.
FARREL CORP.
Twin-rotor continuous mixer is used for polyolefin color masterbatching and hom*ogenization and compounding of engineering resins, reinforced or rubber-modified polymers, and rigid and flexible PVC. Units range from 25 to 85,000 lb/hr and feature variable work-input levels to permit adjustment of discharge temperature. Nonintermeshing short-rotor design provides fast product changeover and easy cleaning. Farrel CP (Compact Processor) combines the continuous mixer with a hot-fed extruder to provide a versatile, space-saving system.
Also manufactures Banbury twin-rotor intensive batch mixer and FTX corotating twin-screw extruder. The latter has patented polygon-shaped mixing elements. Because there is no intermeshing of mixing elements, FTX line reduces high shear stress and localized high temperatures common to kneading-disk machines. Design of mixing section ensures a longer residence time for complete and thorough mixing. Line is available in output from 88 to 3960 lb/hr. (See Compounding, Mixing, Blending Systems.) (See ad p. 224.)
FINN AND FRAM, INC.
In-line mixing system for polyester SMC. (See also Reinforced Plastics Equipment)
FOREMOST MACHINE BUILDERS INC.
Machine-mounted or free-standing volumetric and gravimetric blenders.
Upright Duplex volumetric blenders blend up to 6000 lb/hr of virgin resin, regrind, colorants, and additives in pellet, powder, or flake form. Units include holding bins, metering augers or vibrators, and cascading chute or mixer.
Mini- and machine-mounted blenders for the same range of materials as the Duplex series are designed for direct mounting on process-machine throat. Continuous mixers are optional.
Gravimetric blenders include LWB and BWB series for either loss-in-weight or batch-weight continuous blending. Floor or on-machine mounting. Microprocessor controls provide accuracy to [+ or -]0.05% by weight. Continuous inventory monitoring of all ingredient throughputs is standard. Feed and control options include plantwide data acquisition and material-usage control with central microcomputer. Custom and proprietary systems include options such as liquid feed by weight.
Also pellet and powder feeders, both volumetric and gravimetric, for mixing and feeding additives. (See ad p. 329.)
FRANKLIN MILLER, INC.
Hurricane propeller mixer in capacities from 25 to over 10,000 gal will mix any viscosity in a short time. Larger units with 2-ft and longer shafts. Propellers available in either turbine, flat, curved, paddle, ribbon, or anchor types. Carbon steel, Iconel, Monel, or other construction.
Direct gear-drive or belt-reduction drive. Propellers are top-entering with. 1/2- to 25-hp gear motors and prop sizes from 6 in. to 10 ft diam. Special units have variable-pitch props and variable speeds, variable shaft lengths, and electric, air, or hydraulic motors, including submersible types.
GENERAL MACHINE CO. OF N.J., INC.
Tumble blenders, dryers, and formulators for powders. Semi-continuous Porta-Hopper combines speed of continuous blending with versatility of batch operations. Formulator combines multiple steps in materials handling and blending to reduce time, labor, and worker exposure. Full laboratory for process development and product testing.
GUSMER DIV. OF PMC INC.
Blending systems for reinforced and nonreinforced liquid systems such as urethanes. Components include storage tanks, valves and piping, weighing and blending stations, control circuitry, and material-conditioning units for liquid chemicals and fillers. Tank sizes up to 30,000 gal in both mild and stainless steel. Optional electronic packages permit central monitoring and control. (See ad p. 201.)
HAAKE INC.
Rheomix 600 intensive mixers for a wide range of applications generate data on shear, temperature, and torque. Capacities from 70 to 100 cc. Also available in Rheomix 610 liquid-heated version.
Rheomix 3000 closed, high-intensity mixer provides up to 300-cc mixing capacity for viscosity and stability tests.
HAMILTON AVTEC INC.
Modular gravimetric blending system automatically weighs as it loads itself with one or more pellet or powder materials and weighs minor ingredients (pellets, powders, or liquids) as they are metered into a scale hopper. Blending is done in either a supplied dynamic mixer or a separate ribbon or high-intensity mixer. These larger systems deliver 400 to 8000 lb/hr of blended materials.
Model 1200 D weigh blender is used as an individual machine blender or small central blender for up to 1200 lb/hr. Up to six different materials can be blended. Programmed weights of each material are metered in sequence to a weighing chamber. A complete batch is then discharged into a mixing chamber.
All weigh blenders have [+ or -]0.5% accuracy. Larger models come standard with DX electronic controls, including CRT screen and custom keyboard for recipe entry and storage. Displays include totalization, setpoint recipe, stored recipe, and alarm signals. Optional printers can be supplied, and controls can be interfaced with factory computers.
THE HAMPEL CO., INC.
Distributes meter-mix blenders built by Har/Noy Metal Fabricators of Olathe, Kans. Units blend virgin, regrind, color concentrate, and other granular materials at 3000 lb/hr and more. Hampel also distributes machine-mounted proportioning equipment from Plastore and Labotek for mixing colorants, regrind, and other additives.
HAYES & STOLZ INDUSTRIAL MFG. CO.
TR Counterpoise mixers are a new type of ribbon mixer with two independently driven, nonintermeshing ribbon assemblies that are said to provide faster but still gentle mixing. Adaptable to fill levels of 10-75%. Energy savings of 40-60% over single-shaft mixers are claimed. Sizes of 16 to 252 cu ft with drop-bottom or slide-gate discharge option.
Also paddle mixers, stainless-steel models, and other types.
HENDERSON INDUSTRIES
Supplies complete compounding systems include scales, feeders, and controls. Designs powder scales, liquid scales, conveyors, and minor-ingredient systems. Custom systems use industry-standard components.
HENSCHEL MIXERS AMERICA, INC.
High-intensity mixers and coolers for PVC dryblending, manufacture of color masterbatches, and various powder mixing processes. Mixers come in bowl capacities from 9 to 2000 liters. Coolers come in 20 to 8000 liters and vertical or horizontal construction. Cooling cones in center of vertical bowl supplement the cooling jacket and offer increased surface area for heat transfer. Horizontal coolers have clamshell lids for easy cleaning.
Henschel Universal mixer is a bowl-type mixer with high-speed choppers in the wall and bottom mixing tool. It produces a vortex flow pattern to ensure short cycle time and hom*ogeneous blend. For easy cleaning, the mixing tool is keyed on the shaft but not bolted down. Mixer blends dry ingredients and makes color masterbatches using less energy than a high-intensity mixer. Capacities vary from 25 to 2800 liters. (See ad p. 227.)
HOCKMEYER EQUIPMENT CORP.
Concentric shaft mixer with a high-intensity and slow-speed mixing blade blends dry materials into viscous liquids.
High-speed mixers with high-shear mixing blades handle low- to medium-viscosity range.
Horizontal mixer has mixing blade designed for low-intensity mixing of highly viscous products. This design lends itself to efficient batch unloading. Positive-displacement pump can be supplied already mounted on the machine.
HOSOKAWA MICRON DIV.
See Micron Powder Systems.
S. HOWES CO.
Horizontal ribbon mixers in 5 to 220 cu ft capacities with a variety of ribbon configurations, and vertical mixers from 12 to 1500 cu ft in mild and stainless steel.
Horizontal ribbon mixer has relatively gentle mixing action, utilizes folding action of outer and inner ribbons mounted on a common shaft. Outer ribbon transports product one way while inner ribbon reverses flow pattern. Mixers are used to blend pellets, powdered resins, pigments, and reclaim. Liquid-spray nozzles and heating/cooling jackets can be used when plasticizers are added to a dry mix.
Low-intensity vertical mixers for compounding and pellet mixing have a central vertical screw that transports product from the lower portion of the mixer cone up through the product mass and discharges at the top. Mixer uses centrifugal force, flingers on the screw-conveyor outlet, and internal baffles for mixing.
HTC CORP.
Static-mixer components for injection nozzles.
HUTCHEON MACHINERY, INC.
Used and rebuilt extrusion compounding systems and all accessories such as high-, medium- and low-intensity mixers; ribbon blenders; drum tumblers; twin-shell and continuous mixers.
HYDRECLAIM CORP.
Hydracolor color-concentrate and dry-colorant metering units and blenders are controlled by solid-state digital counters to maintain ratio between virgin and color. Also Large central blenders to 15,000 lb/hr.
RWIMB ratio-weigh blenders feature weighed virgin and regrind metering/conveying. When a preset weighed batch is dumped into the mixer, correct amount of additives is precisely metered at the same time. Menu-driven microprocessor control and RS485 serial port for communications available.
The 400 series accumulative weigh blenders have menu-driven computer controls. Several of these units can interface with each other for total plant inventory control. Model 402B batching loss-in-weight blender available with powder feeders.
Patent-pending 470 Ulti-Meter eliminates need for mixers. Materials are weight-loss metered continuously at the same rate as the extruder consumes them. Design provides "first-in/first-out" (FIFO) feeding to the extruder and eliminates segregation of virgin pellets and additives. Controls allow color changes on-the-fly by initiating 100% virgin feed while hoppers and auger assemblies are changed over to another material. Unit can then switch over to the new recipe without halting production. Because material in residence is very small, color change is effected within minutes. Microprocessor controls auger speeds to within one rpm. Hand-held remote-control keypad can be located conveniently by the operator station. (See ad p. 340.)
IKEGAI AMERICA CORP.
PCM intermeshing, self-wiping twin-screw extruders utilize segmented screws and barrels so that L/D ratio and working of materials are easily adjustable. Screws are driven in either corotating or counterrotating direction. Screw diam. from 29 to 125 mm.
IMS CO.
Heavy-duty drum tumblers feature 20 [degrees] tilt and criss-cross action. A 1/3-hp mini-tumbler accepts 5-gal pails and up to 36 lb per holder. Larger twin-drum tumblers with 1 1/2-hp motors handle 30- or 55-gal drums and up to 280 lb per holder. Also offers space-saving, single-drum corner unit. Most units available with low-cost chain drive or longer-lasting, maintenance-free belt drive.
For high-volume, high-speed blending, Hurricane large-capacity mixers mix 350 or 850 lb in 15 min. Platforms, bag breakers, and air takeoff available. (See ads pp. 22, 315.)
INCOE CORP.
Two models of motionless mixing nozzles for injection machines: one is solely a motionless mixer, and the second is a combination mixer/melt filter to remove contaminating particles from resin. Basic mixing element is a tubular chamber filled with loosely packed, grooved balls; melt flows through the grooves and around the balls. These intersections force melt in a gentle action to promote thermal hom*ogenization and mixing.
Mix Pac filter is similar in construction, except melt must first pass through a tubular filter before passing through the mixing balls to the mold. (See ad p. 245.)
INDCO, INC.
Portable liquid mixing equipment includes laboratory stirrers, high-speed lab dispersers, 5-gal mixers, and drum mixers (direct- and gear-drive) to handle materials from 55 to 5000 gal. Also mixing propellers, paddles, blades, and pail openers.
HD series of heavy-duty bung mixers handles 55-gal batches of heavy materials that are beyond the range of direct-drive mixers. Electric, pneumatic, totally enclosed, and explosion-proof motors available. Standard electric motors are 420 rpm; standard air units range 70 to 700 rpm. Folding propellers collapse for entry through 2-in. bung and open to 8-in. diam. for mixing. Propellers are adjustable on the mixing shaft.
INTERNATIONAL MATERIAL CONTROL SYSTEMS INC.
Vertical blender for batch mixing pellets, flakes, and regrind with dry colorants and additives can be loaded with an auger, flow-through bin, or vacuum loader. Up to 30 cu ft can be mixed in about 15 min.
ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION
Information supplied on complete systems from 30 Italian manufacturers that offer blenders, turbomixers, roll mixers, and internal mixers.
IVEK CORP.
Biox proportional fluid blending system provides two-component flow and mixing control accurate to 0.1% at all flow rates. Rates are digitally selected from 0.001 to 999 cc/min. Mix proportion of A to B is selectable in 0.1% increments. Parameter changes are accomplished via digital thumbwheel switches without stopping the unit. Constant volumetric flow rates are maintained even when liquid proportions are changed. Solid-state electronics, stepping-motor drives, and valveless ceramic pumps reportedly provide accuracy, reliability, and long life.
JAECO PUMP CO.
Propeller-type liquid mixers in side-entering and top-entering models with single or dual propellers. Portable Jaecomix units have up to 3-hp motors. Square, three-bladed, and steep-pitch propellers in steel, stainless-steel, and plastic construction. Shafts and propellers can have rubber or plastic coatings.
JAYGO, INC.
Conical-screw blenders for pellets, powders, and pastes in mild or stainless steel have conical hopper chamber with internal screw mixer that helps discharge product through bottom of the cone. Jacketed units for heating, cooling, and vacuum operations available.
Coaxial twin-rotor mixers for PVC plastisols have capacities from 200 to 2500 gal and drives from 15 to 250 hp. Mixing bowl contains low-speed outer wiper blade and coaxial but independently driven high-speed dispersion blade.
Planetary mixers have 1- to 500-gal capacity, side scraper arms, and central high-speed disperser.
Extrumix sigma-blade, double-arm batch mixers discharge product horizontally with an extruder screw. Size range is 1 to 1000 gal. Handle highly viscous materials up to 10 million cp.
Also supplies ribbon blenders.
JIFFY MIXER CO.
Jiffy all-purpose, heavy-duty mixers with vertical and horizontal blades do more than just stir. Two vertical blades confine mixing action within the mixing head while the horizontal opposing blades force material from the upper and lower areas of the container inside the head. Leading edge of lower horizontal blade scrapes bottom of the container to bring all settled particles into the head. The ring prevents damage to the blades and puncturing of container walls.
Mixers operate with both electric and air-driven chucked power tools and fit all 1/4- to 3/4-in. tools.
JSW PLASTICS MACHINERY INC.
CMP-X series of corotating twin-rotor continuous mixers with gear pumps is based on the company's CIM (continuous intensive mixer) technology. Standard models range from 65- to 340-mm rotor diam. Largest model has max. rotor speed of 206 rpm, 8000-hp drive, and throughput to about 70,000 lb/hr. Clearance between screws and barrel wall can be adjusted by a slot-control mechanism.
Tex twin-screw counter- or corotating extruder has change lever at the side of the gear box, segmented screw, and block cylinder. Sizes to 305-mm diam. Largest unit, Tex 305, has 8000-hp gear box and output of 44,000 lb/hr. (See data sheets pp. 105-107.)
K-TRON COLORTRONIC K-TRON NORTH AMERICA
K-Tron Colortronic gravimetric and volumetric blenders for injection molding, blow molding, and extrusion. Synchronous feeding with continuous blending does away with mechanical mixing and potential for material segregation.
Gravimetric units provide continuous, high-accuracy, in-line weigh blending of up to eight ingredients. Pellets and powders fed at total throughput of over 5000 lb/hr. Stable, high-resolution digital weighing of each ingredient. Stainless-steel ingredient modules provide easy sampling and fast cleanout. Special feeder modules for regrind and fluff. Full-featured, microprocessor controls provide RS485 serial communications link to host computer or to data recorder. Extrusion control packages also available: weight/length control for profile and wire/cable coating, or weight/area control for blown film, cast film, and sheet.
Volumetric continuous blenders automatically meter and mix pellets, granules, powders, and liquids directly on injection and blow molding equipment. Units incorporate discs instead of augers and disassemble for quick clean-out. Synchronous feeder design permits continuous blending without use of mechanical mixers. Models for 250 to over 2000 lb/hr. Optional microprocessor control provides recipe storage, "auto calibrate" mode, totalizer functions, and interface capability.
K-TRON SODER K-TRON NORTH AMERICA
K-Tron Soder volumetric and gravimetric feeders and controls for compounding include patented Smart Force transducer weigh modules, which provide weigh-feeder resolution of 1:1 million. Feeder controls easily interfaced with user's PLC/DCS and may be configured for continuous or batch processes.
Full line of weigh-belt and loss-in-weight feeders. K2-Modular feeders feature Powersphere feeder module for fast cleanout, good mass flow, and consistent screw fill. Powershift feeder-drive system permits widest range of feed rates - to 500:1 turndown.
K2-Volumetric feeders offer same Powersphere and Powershift features as K2-Modular loss-in-weight feeders and may be upgraded to loss-in-weight units. All volumetric feeders come with DigiDrive all-digital control, an easy-to-use microprocessor control that includes "no-flow" alarms.
New compact loss-in-weight feeders for low feed rates, laboratories, and installations where headroom is a problem. Available in single-screw, twin-screw, and vibratory models with interchangeable scales. Designed for feeding powder colorants at rates as low as 0.001 [ft.sup.3]/hr. Also new Smart Flow Meter for metering dry bulk materials at high flow rates (to 220,000 lb/hr) with accuracy of 1%.
KILLION EXTRUDERS, INC. DAVIS-STANDARD CORP.
Single-screw compounding extruders in screw diam. from 0.75 to 3.0 in. with 36:1 L/D and vent for devolatilization. Second stage of two-stage screw has mixing elements for laminar, dispersive, and distributive mixing. These include multiflighted sections, mixing pins, gear-type mixers, and fluted mixing sections.
Additional features include injection ports along the barrel for downstream feeding of additives, and separate control panel for easy access to machine during maintenance and clean-up. Strand and die-face pelletizing systems available. Machines may be interfaced with downstream equipment to compound in-line with extrusion. (See ad p. 152.)
KOBELCO STEWART BOLLING, INC.
Represents Kobe Steel and offers continuous and batch compounding and mixing equipment.
NEX-T and Mixtrumat continuous two-stage, twin-rotor mixers with transverse-discharge extruder screw are used for polyolefin masterbatching, hom*ogenization, compounding rigid and flexible PVC, engineering resins, and reinforced or rubber-modified polymers.
NCM continuous mixer has three-bladed segmented rotors for quick reconfiguration. Long-L/D rotors provide intense mixing for difficult compounds. Also LCM continuous mixer with 10:1 L/D rotors and two-stage mixing, vent, and gate control; and LCM-G system with gear pump and pelletizer for high-capacity, post-reactor mixing, hom*ogenizing, and pelletizing.
Hyper KTX deeply intermeshing, co-rotating twin-screw extruder for high-torque, high-performance compounding. BB Mixtron twin-rotor, batch-type intensive mixer has patented rotor design and high-performance, low-lubrication dust stops.
Economix twin-rotor batch dispersion mixer/kneader is a low-profile, self-contained, floor-mounted unit that eliminates need for platforms or mezzanines. Mixing chamber flits 140 [degrees] for fast, easy discharge and cleanout.
Also custom-designed two-roll mixing mills; MP-100 batch-mixer computer-control system for precise automatic mixing control; complete turnkey compounding lines; pilot plant/lab for evaluation and testing; and remanufacturing and rebuilding services.
KOCH ENGINEERING CO.
Motionless mixers improve mixing in injection machines and extruders. Combination static mixer/heat exchanger is designed for cooling high-viscosity materials, isothermal control of exothermic/endothermic reactions in plug flow, rapid preheating for flash devolatilization, and heating of thermally sensitive materials. Various configurations include SMX jacketed monotube design for heating and cooling; SMXL multichannel shell-and-tube design for rapid heating; and SMR tubular design with large heat-transfer surface in a single flow channel.
KOMAX SYSTEMS, INC.
Complete mixing systems control addition of colors, lubricants, uv stabilizers, and other liquid additives after the extruder. AddMaster 1200 provides the reservoir, pump, and special heaters to supply additive to the injection point while profiling the additive temperature to end up close to that of the polymer melt stream.
Equalizer modular motionless mixer ensures complete mixing of additives in melt stream. It consists of stackable modules, which are assembled into their own barrel. Together with an Equalizer, the SIDD (Special Injection and Distribution Device) allows additives, usually of much lower viscosity and flow rate than the main flow, to be introduced into the melt stream.
TEDD (Temperature Equalization and Distribution Device) is used in blown film dies to enhance gauge control. Two- or four-module assemblies are installed in the throat of the blown film die or die adapter.
KRAMER INDUSTRIES, INC.
Drum tumbler for dry-color blending uses end-over-end tumbling motion for mixing. Material is held in removable bins.
LABOTEK INC.
Resin/additive blenders provide 0.1% to 1.0% metering accuracy of color concentrate and additives. Mini-Master-batcher (MMB) and MMB Mixer with Con-Evator vacuum hopper loader and Ratio-Selector provide automatic loading, metering, and mixing of resin, regrind, color concentrate, and a second additive if required.
Conti-Master compact machine with two to five metering stations feeding into an inclined screw mixer offers same accuracy as the MMB with capacities of 500-6000 lb/hr. Automatic loading of stations is provided by three-phase vacuum motor/blower units mounted in the remote-control unit.
Mini-Conti-Master microprocessor-controlled metering/mixing unit for virgin plastics, regrind, and additives in granular form has up to five dosing stations, high dosing accuracy by means of stepper motors, and max. capacity of 180 liters/hr (approx. 240 lb/hr). Unit has built-in microprocessor. Data on material bulk densities and desired mixing percentages is entered; proportions are calculated automatically; and machine is adjusted accordingly. Detachable keyboard can be removed and the Mini-Contimaster will remember programmed data so the same keyboard can be used to program other units. Automatic conveying by means of a single vacuum blower.
LASITS-ROHLINE SERVICE, INC. L-R SYSTEMS
Line of auger-feed, vibratory-feed, weigh-scale, and loss-in-weight blenders for two to eight materials have capacities to 20,000 lb/hr. Also additive feeders and proportioning loaders.
LCI CORP.
Thermoprofiler motionless mixer for extrusion and compounding blends low- to high-viscosity materials and color additives without streaking and reduces temperature differentials downstream to less than 3.5 [degrees] F.
Smartblend gravimetric, cumulative weigh blender for multi-ingredient blending provides blend ratios with accuracies by weight of 0.25% or better. (See data sheets pp. 161-162.)
LEISTRITZ AG
See American Leistritz Extruder.
LIGHTNIN A UNIT OF GENERAL SIGNAL
Series 50 in-line motionless blender in standard 2- to 6-in. pipe sizes blends liquid additives into high-viscosity materials. Also does liquid/liquid solvent blending. Blender elements can be indexed in 12 1/2 [degrees] increments for optimum results.
LINCOLN INDUSTRIAL, A PENTAIR CO.
Air-operated proportioning pump (1:1) mixes fluid compounds of plastic materials and discharges them into molds or containers.
LINDEN INDUSTRIES, INC.
RRIM filler blending systems blend "B" component (polyol) of urethane, polyurea or polyester RRIM systems with fillers, internal mold release, and carbon black. Applications include automotive fascias, doors, fenders, and side moldings, as well as bathtubs, sinks, and other molded parts. Mixer sizes from 25-gal lab unit to 980-gal system.
Capacities for blending slurries up to 4500 lb/hr. Automatic filler unloading from gaylords prevents material loss and ensures clean, dust-free environment. Liquid components received from bulk-storage tanks or drums. Weight-metered components ensure accurate and consistent ratios. Orbital-arm, conical-screw mixer provides efficient mixing. Slurry is automatically transferred to temperature-controlled holding tank. Recirculation/transfer pump and pipe loop conveys slurry to RRIM stations. Load cells interfaced with a programmable controller ensure accurate control. Process is displayed graphically on a CRT with SPC capability.
Custom-designed, modular polyol in-line blending system can blend three to six components. Controls (486 PC plus Allen-Bradley PLC) are menu-driven. Sensors continually monitor ratio precision.
LIQUID CONTROL CORP.
In-line motionless mixers blend multi-component liquid streams in sizes from 3/16 to 2 in. Posimixers are available in 3/16-, 1/4- and 3/8-in. and 13mm I.D. with various numbers of elements in disposable assemblies. Also in 5/8-in. O.D. stainless-steel tube mixers with plastic elements or in 1-in. pipe mixers with plastic elements. Other motionless mixers have removable or welded elements and stainless-steel tube or pipe construction.
LITTLEFORD DAY, INC.
FKM medium-intensity batch mixer and KM medium-intensity continuous mixer use gentle, mechanically fluidized mixing action developed with plow-shaped mixing elements. Rotating in a horizontal cylindrical vessel, mixing elements force the product into a 3-D motion, which individually exposes each particle's surface area for mixing, coating, lubrication, coloring, and absorption.
In applications where heat transfer is critical, jacketed Littleford mixers combine particle-surface exposure and constant movement, which produce intimate contact of all particles with heat-transfer surfaces. Supplementing the gentle mixing action of the plows are integrally mounted, but individually powered, high-speed choppers. By providing intermediate shear action, choppers, when activated, disperse pigments and plasticizers, and deagglomerate or create uniform suspensions of fine powders in viscous liquids. Widely used for plastisols, flexible PVC compounding, color concentrates, SMC and BMC mixing. Capacities from 3 to 619 cu ft.
Littleford W series high-intensity mixer delivers rapid and hom*ogeneous mix. Mixing action by two impellers mounted on a single shaft in a dust-tight vertical mixing cylinder. Imparts high shear and uniform vertical flow. Balancing of high shear with product movement develops intense particle-to-particle friction without localized overheating.
Two-part mixing-impeller system achieves high-intensity whirlpool mixing action. Movement in this action is both vertical and horizontal for complete mixing and a uniform batch. Impellers are wear-edged for long life and held in place by a fast-acting lock nut, which makes them easy to remove. Widely used in rigid and flexible PVC compounding and color concentrates. Capacities from 4 to 44 cu ft.
MAGUIRE PRODUCTS INC.
Color and additive metering equipment includes auger feeders for pelletized color and regrind, pumps for liquid color, weigh-scale blenders, premixers for color and natural material, resin and color loaders, magnet drawers, and other related accessories. (See ad p. 236.)
MARION MIXERS, INC.
Paddle- or ribbon-type nonintensive mixers provide batch or continuous mixing of dry materials (such as pellets with powders or fiberglass), liquids with solids, and slurries or pastes. Close clearance between agitator and tank ensures complete discharge. Drop-bottom mixers also available.
Optional fillet-weld sanitary construction for thorough color cleanout. Mixers made from carbon steel or stainless steel with optional heating or cooling jackets in lab sizes up to large production units.
High-speed Marion mixer with choppers is an intensive, nonfluxing mixer that fluffs compacted synthetic fibers used in molding compounds, disperses pigments into plastic powder, and heats and disperses plasticizers into PVC. Available U-shaped or semi-cylindrical.
MATCON USA INC.
Matcon-Buls tumble blender gives gentle, hom*ogeneous blend of materials with no degradation of product. Blender accommodates Matcon-Buls Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBCs), in which product can be transported, blended, and subsequently stored. Blender is an electrically powered cage into which the filled container is loaded. Offset axis of rotation causes a complex pattern of particle movement within the container.
Batches can be blended in 2 to 20 min. Because the system discharges material on a first-in/first-out basis, there is no separation of product after mixing or during discharge. Blenders are ruggedly built to ensure safety and can be made fully automatic under the control of a PLC. Available in a range of sizes and supplied in mild-steel or stainless construction.
MAX MACHINERY, INC.
Liquid blending systems for two or more components heat materials to desired process temperature, degas them, meter with accuracy of [+ or -]0.5% of desired flow rate, mix, and dispense. Suited for blending of urethanes, silicones, epoxies, and other liquids. Systems are custom designed using standard subassemblies to construct "roll-in-place" turnkey units.
McNEIL & NRM, INC.
See Davis-Standard Corp.
MICRON POWDER SYSTEMS
Conical mixing vessels have orbiting arm and rotating screw element that follows the cone wall. Reported advantages include reduced mixing times, high mixing accuracy, and reduced power consumption. Nauta mixers for dry solids, pastes, and viscous liquids come in a variety of materials and finishes.
MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES AMERICA, INC.
Single-screw mixing extruders have hexagonal-barrel mixing section of 50 to 135 mm. Corotating twin-screw extruders range from 45 to 125 mm. (See also Extrusion Systems.) (See ad p. 69.)
MOREHOUSE-COWLES, INC.
High-shear, single-shaft dissolvers; multishaft mixers for high-viscosity products; vapor-recovery units; and laboratory development mixers. Rental units available. Specializes in custom-designed mixers and reactors.
MORIYAMA CORP.
See Skinner Engine Co.
MORSE MANUFACTURING CO.
Drum rotators and tumblers agitate up to 1000 lb of material in ordinary closed drums or other cylindrical containers. Applications include remixing settled material and blending liquids, solids, or solid/liquid mixtures. Some models use rolling action and others end-over-end tumbling. Some have self-loading capability. Portable and stationary models use fixed- or variable-speed drives and various electric or air motors.
MOULD-TEK INDUSTRIES, INC.
VBL-300 pellet blenders mix up to four pelletized ingredients or free-flowing regrind, come with low-level alarms in each compartment, and have throughputs to 1500 lb/hr. Normally manufactured with a vacuum take-off box; also available with gaylord clearance and machine-mount bases.
Xactablend continuous gravimetric blender has computer control for metering by weight loss. System is menu-driven with all variables such as process rate and individual ingredient volume entered through a simple function-key terminal. Memory for 25 different recipes makes repeat setups simple. Messages and instructions displayed on easy-to-read backlit LCD. Continuous analog weight-loss signals from each material hopper mounted on an individual load cell are received by a computer, allowing precise blends by weight regardless of bulk-density variations. Process rate is accurately matched by constant monitoring of the mixing chamber's high-level proximity sensor. When mixing chamber initiates a demand signal, the computer runs all ingredient feeders at required rates until satisfied.
Xactabatch weigh-scale batch blender is for two to six ingredients. Microprocessor control uses two load cells mounted on a single weigh-scale hopper, weighs each ingredient dispensed, and deposits the total batch into a mixing chamber. PLC is standard.
MTI-AMERICA
Distributes vertical high-intensity mixers from MTI Mischtechnik of Germany. Lab mixers range from 1.5 to 35 liters and production models from 75 to 2080 liters. Uses include PVC dryblending; densification and sintering of ABS, PE and PP; and color masterbatching. Also offers MTI's line of horizontal mixers from 100 to 8000 liters.
MUNSON MACHINERY CO., INC.
Rotary mixers and ribbon blenders with volumes from 1 to 500 cu ft in carbon or stainless steel. Low energy consumption plus low-intensity mix action to help maintain batch uniformity. Special intensifying attachments reduce mixing time.
High-intensity continuous mixers continuously blend, coat, agglomerate, and hom*ogenize powders, solid/liquid mixes, slurries, and sticky materials. Three basic sizes include Model 83 (84-in. diam., 36-in. long), Model 124 (12-in. diam., 48-in. long), and Model 165 (16-in. diam., 60-in. long). Internal agitator can use paddles for mixing and better clean-out; pins for increased residence time and mixing intensity; or combinations of both. Drives have multiple v-belt drive for high-speed applications, and gear reducer for low-speed applications. Variable-frequency controllers available. Options include internal liquid addition port or spray outlet, special sizes or configurations, and replaceable wear liners or modifications for abrasive materials.
NATIONAL BULK EQUIPMENT
Portable solids mixer with 8-in.-diam. vertical auger mixes a batch in as little as 10 min. Seven models have 14-gauge steel construction, two-way entry, hinged covers, 8-in.-diam. slide-gate discharge, safety lock, and 60-min timer.
Horizontal screw blender with output capacity from 4000 to 12,000 lb/hr is for precision metering and blending of virgin materials and regrinds. Has positive a-c drives, automatic shut-off, adjustable regrind ratio, optional color-concentrate bin, and loading by blower, vacuum, or gravity. Materials-handling systems designed to fit specific applications.
O.A. NEWTON & SON CO.
Plastics Div. custom designs complete bulk-storage and materials-handling systems for compounding. Lines can include conveying equipment, roll mills, tumblers, blenders, dicers, granulators, and pelletizers.
NOVATEC INC.
Gravimetric blending systems include an inexpensive gain-in-weight batch blender, a loss-in-weight batch blender, and a continuous loss-in-weight blending system. All incorporate a maintenance-free suspension that eliminates need for error-inducing mechanical devices such as flexes, tie rods, and check links. Repeatable weighing accuracies from [+ or -]0.1% for hatching blenders to [+ or -]0.5% of full-scale capacity for continuous loss-in-weight system. Each system can blend two to eight or more materials without degradation or stratification. Modular construction provides easy access to all blender parts and speeds cleanout and changeover. Micro, processor controls standard. Continuous loss-in-weight system available with 12-color CRT display.
AFCB (auger-feeder cascading blender) reportedly can satisfy 99% of pellet-blending requirements without an expensive weigh feeder. Up to four materials are proportionally fed ([+ or -]196) into cascading section of the blender. After falling through a series of pyramids, resultant blend is completely hom*ogeneous. No further blending is required in the catch hopper. Energy costs are low because there are no moving agitator parts. Cleanout is simple because the static cascading section is removable. Throughput capacities up to 3960 lb/hr at a bulk density of 45 lb/cu ft. Standard features include surge bin with a 100-lb capacity, floor stand, level controls, two, position take-off box, control panel, and bottom slide gate on feeder for easy calibration. Warning lights, extra-large surge bins, vacuum loaders, regenerative blowers, and probe box optional. (See ad p. 326.)
E.T. OAKES CORP.
Custom-built continuous and batch mixers reportedly offer increased production, greater yield and uniform quality for applications including emulsification, aeration, dispersion, dissolution, and reactions. Flow rates from 0.1 gpm to 100 gpm and pressures up to 1000 psi. Materials of construction include 303 SST, 316 SST, Hastelloy and Carpenter 20. Microprocessor controls maintain constant flow rates, formula ratios, and final product density. Lab test facilities and mixer loans available at nominal charges.
PACIFIC ENGINEERING SYSTEMS
Weigh Master gravimetric blending systems handle powders, granules and pigments, in addition to nonfree-flowing materials such as talc, calcium carbonate, and regrind. Combines up to eight ingredients with accuracies on both major and minor ingredients of 0.25%. Accuracy is provided through standard or custom software packages, which can be interfaced to CIM protocol. All systems are completely SPC and SQC compatible, and can access production data; they come equipped with automatic material cleanout, changeover systems, and ability to store up to 99 recipes.
Conceptual, electrical and mechanical engineering for turnkey resin conveying and blending systems, installation, start-up, and training.
PATTERSON-KELLEY DIV. HARSCO CORP.
Twin-Shell blender makes hom*ogeneous mixes of liquids with solids and micro-ingredients with carriers. Mixer has a v-shaped design and gently blends the complete load, regardless of particle size or density, while optional intensifier bar is used for intimate dispersion and low-energy-input agitation. Working capacity from 1 to 2000 cu ft.
Zig-Zag continuous blender can handle the same mixing applications as Twin-Shell and, in many cases, surpasses it in batch-blending accuracy. Working capacity from 20 to 5000 cu ft/hr.
PLAS MEC CO.
See Sonic Corp.
PLASTIC PROCESS EQUIPMENT INC.
Heavy-duty drum tumblers mix resins and additives such as dry colorants and lubricants. Three models feature heavy-duty gear drive for smooth, continuous drum rotation without the jerking action and premature wear common to chain- or belt-drive tumblers. Models from 2-hp Double Drum Tumbler with 300-lb capacity to 1/3-hp Mini-Double Drum Tumbler with 50-lb capacity. Optional control panel. (See ad p. 337.)
PLASTICS EQUIPMENT MARKETING SERVICES
Blending, mixing, and materials-handling equipment for extruders, blow molders, and injection molders can handle powders, flakes, regrinds, and pellets. Also high-intensity mixers and coolers for compounding and color preparation.
PLASTORE, INC.
Plasticolor on-machine proportioning unit mixes color concentrate, regrind, or other free-flowing, nonbridging materials with the main material. Unit is mounted on the production machine under the main supply hopper and can also be combined into mixing stations for up to eight materials. Mixing station is mounted on machine throat, making batches of material independent of the production machine. Controls regulate speed of the auger. Four sizes of feeders offer capacities from 2.4 oz to 4500 lb/feeder/hr.
POLYNETICS, INC.
Volumetric and gravimetric blenders for extrusion and in-line film-scrap recycling systems.
POMINI, INC.
Intensive, twin-rotor batch mixers and LCM long continuous mixers precisely control mix quality in processing operations such as densifying, direct color compounding, pigment master-batching, polymer alloying, and compounding with fillers, plasticizers, and foaming agents. Resembling a twin-screw extruder, LCM is a continuous mixer with two nonintermeshing counterrotating, wing-type rotors. The 10:1 L/D mixing chamber has two distinct mixing zones with independent temperature control. Transport of material, dispersion of ingredients, and preheating take place in first zone. Melting, mixing, hom*ogenizing, and discharging of the compound, once it has reached a predetermined temperature, are carried out in second zone.
LCM-AX is an in-line combination of long continuous mixer and twin-screw extruder in one machine barrel. It is designed for process flexibility. Screws are corotating and intermeshing, and have a mixing zone with the rotor-blade profile of the LCM. Downstream from the mixing zone is a hydraulic throttle valve, which controls dwell time and specific energy input. With this control flexibility, a wide range of polymers and engineering plastics can be compounded on the same machine without the need to reconfigure screw geometry. With a secondary feed zone downstream from the rotor section, glass fibers and other delicate reinforcements can be safely added and uniformly distributed without breaking the fibers.
Turnkey, custom-engineered batch or continuous compounding lines can be provided complete with upstream and downstream support equipment and customized automation. (Se ad p. 232.)
PREMIER MILL CORP.
Specializes in wet-process technology utilizing mills and mixers: horizontal/vertical media mills, colloid mills, in-line mixers/dispensers, single- and multiple-shaft mixers (vacuum/pressure/jacketed capabilities), and double planetary vacuum mixers. All available from lab scale to full production units. Company's engineering arm, Integrated Process Systems, can provide any level of process control/automation up to fully automated turnkey systems. Lab facility available for testing.
PRESSURE PRODUCTS INDUSTRIES
Dyna/Mag magnetic-drive mixer is suited for leak-tight and noncontaminating mixing, stirring, or blending. Magnetic drive transmits torque through a corrosion-resistant pressure housing to an inner stirring shaft without need for mechanical seals or packing. Torque is transmitted through use of two magnet sets. The driven magnet set is totally encapsulated in the mixer shaft. The driver magnet set is located in a rotating outer housing containing a ball-bearing assembly.
Magnetic-drive mixers provided from stock in 316 stainless steel, Hastelloy C-276, or other materials. Magnetic drives in three sizes with operating pressure of 6000 psi at 650 F.
PROCESS CONTROL CORP.
Continuous, low-intensity mixers/blenders feature gravimetric blending for improved accuracy.
BG series continuous gravimetric blenders blend up to eight ingredients at up to 5000 lb/hr. Operator enters desired blend ratio by weight or selects one of 400 stored recipes. Blender meters ingredients from weighed hoppers (using loss-in-weight control) through a proprietary cascade mixing chamber where hom*ogenization occurs without any moving parts. Blended mixture then flows as a "plug" through a tube directly above the extruder throat, eliminating chance of demixing. Features include increased computer speed and memory, factory-wired weigh and drive systems, SPI standard interface, easy access for machine cleanout, integral loading platform, and clear plastic doors on each hopper.
BC series offers similar features in a central blender; BE series includes all features of BG blenders plus gravimetric extrusion control; XB series combines compact size with high accuracy for low-throughput applications; and AutoBatch provides gravimetric blend accuracy in a batch blender for off-line applications. (See also Metering & Feeding) (See ad p. 342; data sheets pp. 379-384.)
PROCESSALL, INC.
Horizontal, fluidized-bed mixers with plow-shaped agitators process BMC, SMC, plastisols, organosols, and other dispersions. Sizes from 4 to 25,000 liters. Minor ingredients can be premixed and agglomerated for easier handling and minimal environmental exposure. System preheats and mixes product, and a liquid binder is added to bind particles together. A cooling step follows to seal particles and enhance flowability.
High-intensity vertical mixers with matching horizontal coolers compound PVC and other resins. Sizes from 130/300 to 600/1800 liters. Horizontal/horizontal combinations to 8000 liters.
Also refurbishes high-intensity mixer blades and medium-intensity horizontal-cooler mixing elements. Maintains staffed technical center.
P.S.H. INDUSTRIES, INC.
Gyro Plastic Mixers in several sizes mix liquid resin compounds of any viscosity in batches from one pint to 16 gal. Said to be highly effective for resin pastes. Low-cost vacuum chamber and pump remove air bubbles. Chamber accommodates up to 5-gal containers and comes with mixing buckets, mixers, and rubber gasket. To ensure high vacuum of 27-29 in., unit is available with 1/3- and 1/2-hp pumps; larger pumps available for special applications.
PURNELL, INC.
New company offers high-intensity mixers for PVC dryblends and other uses, from lab size (3 liters, 3.3-lb batch) to 1680 liters and 2075-lb batch capacity. All U.S.-built, with variable-speed a-c or d-c motors and standard swing gate for easy cleanout.
Also offers vertical and horizontal cooler/mixers built by Reliance Industries, Missouri City, Texas. Horizontal models from 28.3 liters (137-lb batch) to 5601.3 liters (6923-lb batch). Vertical models from 4.6 liters (6.6-lb batch) to 1300 liters (1430-lb batch).
Also ribbon blenders and mixer refurbishing.
QUADRO, INC.
Quadro Comil conical screen mill is said to be especially suited to heat-sensitive materials and to dispersing wet and dry materials before extrusion or other processing steps in order to reduce preblending time and improve final blends.
Mill features low rpm, centrifugal acceleration, vortex flow pattern, and 360 [degrees] discharging screen. It reportedly eliminates overworked material and heat by friction. Fines, dust, heat, and noise are said to be reduced.
Five sizes and 14 configurations with capacities from 250 to 50,000 lb/hr and relatively low-hp motors.
REGENCY SALES, INC.
Laboratory two-roll mills and intensive, high-speed mixers. Electrically heated models operate to 570 F. Optional water-cooled models or oil- and steam-heated models. Mixer LMX-5 with 5-liter capacity and model LMX-10 with 10-liter capacity are easy to clean, have two-speed motors, and can be optionally equipped with water-cooling chambers.
RELIABLE RUBBER & PLASTICS MACHINERY CO.
Two-roll laboratory mills in 3 x 8 in. to 8 x 18 in. sizes have fixed or variable-speed drives and other options. All parts are standard and readily available.
Lab-size intensive mixers hold approx. 2 1/2- to 5-lb batches, with 25-hp, four-speed or d-c drives.
Also offers rebuilt equipment: two-roll mills, Banbury mixers, ribbon blenders, and sigma-blade mixers.
REOS INC.
"Mighty Mixer" intensive powder mixers have capacities from 8 to 200 liters. Units have easily removable mixing bowls and mixing tools, are easy to clean and capable of short cycles. Productivity is typically three times that of fixed-bowl mixers. Tip speeds are infinitely variable and equivalent to shaft speeds up to 3000 rpm.
CHARLES ROSS & SON CO.
Double Planetary Mixer is a heavy-duty, intensive, nonfluxing mixer for polyester premixes, plastisols, and pigments. Two stirrers in the tank rotate individually on a common axis. Most viscous materials can be handled. Jacketing available.
Kneader Extruder batch mixer combines mixing and extruding, operates with higher hp, and provides more mastication action. High-hp motor permits polymer dispersion at low temperature, minimizing degradation. Capacities from 1 to 1000 gal. Applications include polyester premix and color concentrates. Jacketing available.
Shear Roll Compactor, a new continuous two-roll mill, is used for high-intensity dispersion of difficult-to-handle materials. Models available for up to 5000 lb/hr.
Three types of motionless mixers improve hom*ogeneity of the melt stream in injection molding machines and extruders: LPD for lower viscosities where pigments are added, ISG for high viscosities, and Blendex-modified ISG for batch or continuous solids/solids blending.
SCOTT TURBON MIXER, INC.
High-shear and low-shear, batch or continuous centrifugal mixers/dispersers for liquid/solid systems are based on proprietary mixing elements on a rotating shaft. Units are custom built for applications such as SMC paste mixing and PVC plastisols. Versions can be floor-mounted, cart-mounted, top-mounted, C-clamp mounted, horizontally or vertically oriented. Vacuum deaeration available.
SEALANT EQUIPMENT & ENGINEERING, INC.
Dynamic and motionless-mixer systems blend plural-component epoxy, silicone, urethane, and polysulfide-type materials while dispensing. Disposable mix chambers available for use where cleaning solvents are prohibited.
SEMCO, INC.
Bulk pneumatic conveying systems include in-tank blenders and powder blenders.
SKINNER ENGINE CO.
Batch-type intensive twin-rotor mixers with capacities to 1000 lb for color masterbatching and compounding. Features include two- and four-wing rotors (intensive or Shaw/Skinner Intermix, tangential or intermeshing types), self-purging dust stops, drilled or cored sides, slide or drop door, and special internal surfacing for wear resistance. New or rebuilt machines, chambers, sides, and replacement parts available. From Moriyama double-bladed batch dispersion mixers with floating pressure lids that mix all types of elastomers. Mixers feature tilting mixing chamber for easy cleaning and color change. Common bed plate allows simple, space-saving, low-cost installation. Units range from 0.5-liter lab size to 300 liters and include motor, operator panel, and recorder for mixing temperature and amps. Lab model twin-rotor batch mixer has variable-speed drive and heating capacity to about 450 F.
SONIC CORP.
Sonolator in-line hom*ogenizer, used in custom-designed systems to emulsify or disperse liquids, converts kinetic energy of a high-velocity liquid stream into intense mixing energy. Dual-feed systems instantaneously convert two independent liquid streams into one fully hom*ogenized product. This process can reduce batch mixing.
Colloid mills mix, mill and hom*ogenize in a single pass. Undispersed material is forced into a cavity formed between a spinning rotor and fixed stator; centrifugal force propels material to the outside of the rotor, causing intense hydraulic shearing and grinding of undispersed phase. Three different angles on the rotor ensure maximum disruption of the material as it moves through the mill.
Also portable propeller mixers from 1/4- to 10-hp.
Sonic now sells and services intensive mixers and coolers for PVC dryblends from Plas Mec Co. of Italy. Plas Mec's TRM Turbomixers have temperature control and automated timing. Units from 300 to 3000 liters can blend up to eight batches/hr. HEC horizontal coolers and RFO vertical coolers handle up to eight batches/hr and range from 800 to 4500 liters. Sonic stocks commonly replaced spare parts.
Plas Mec also manufactures DGL gravimetric dosing units, CRS resin-feeding units, and bag-weighing scales.
SPROUT-BAUER
See Andritz Sprout-Bauer, Inc.
STERLING, INC.
See Ball & Jewell Div.
STRANCO
PolyBlend blending system measures, blends, and feeds dry, liquid, or emulsion polymers. It can be programmed for dosing and dilution rates, dwell time, energy amount, and energy distribution over time. Automation of system is said to eliminate costly and messy batching.
TAH INDUSTRIES, INC.
"Apple Core" spiral motionless mixers mix thermosets such as epoxies, urethanes, or polyesters. Mixer features a series of left- and right-hand spiral elements with knife edges. This patented-feature is said to ensure longer life and 30% greater flow rate. Available in 1/8 to 2 in. diam., in plastic for low-pressure applications and metal for high pressure.
Low-cost Stata-Tube motionless mixers are made from tough, solvent-resistant plastic in sizes from 1/8 to 2 in.
TELEDYNE SPECIALTY EQUIPMENT READCO PRODUCTS
Continuous processor/compounder uses twin-screw, corotating, self-cleaning element to continuously mix high-viscosity, pasty materials. Also can handle low-bulk-density materials from 2 to 20,000 lb/hr.
High-intensity internal mixers with corotating, self-wiping blades are capable of intense dispersion. Capacities to 800 lb/hr with fill factors as low as 50%.
Containerized batch mixers blend powders to achieve ingredient distribution, pigment extension, and particle-size reduction via impeller-forced processing. Batch sizes from 1 lb to 9000 lb.
Agglomeration systems for environmental and chemical pelletizing and briquetting. Lab facilities for compounding, blending and agglomeration testing to develop process solutions.
THEYSOHN CORP.
Corotating, intermeshing twin-screw compounding extruders have screw diam. of 30 to 140 mm. Drives from 20 to 2000 hp provide torque of 150 to 35,400 lb-ft.
Segmented screws and barrels (hinged clamshell opening on some sizes) offer flexibility of configuration. Standard controls mounted in free-standing cabinet or on machine base for smaller models include multichannel temperature controllers with digital display of set and actual values. Optional microprocessor controller offers color CRT, graphic displays of measured data, automatic start-up routines, master/slave control of main and auxiliary systems, storage of production data, and interface to higher-level factory-control systems.
THORESON-McCOSH INC.
Acra-Color solids blender blends virgin or regrind with color concentrates or powdered additives. Capacities from 100 to 10,000 lb/hr. Can be machine- or floor-mounted. Floor-mounted models may be arranged to blend materials for several molding machines or extruders.
Also Intelli-color computerized gravimetric blending system for applications to 1000 lb/hr. (See ad p. 332.)
THYSSEN HENSCHEL
See Henschel Mixers America, Inc.
TOSHIBA MACHINE CO., AMERICA
Corotating twin-screw extruders for compounding, devolatilizing, and reactive processing in sizes from 50 to 160 mm with segmented screws and barrels. Similarly equipped counterrotating twin-screws of 75 and 95 mm also available. (See also Extrusion Systems.)
TRA-CON INC.
Offers a hand mixer for use with company's premeasured packages of plural-component epoxy resin, acrylic, urethane, and silicone systems.
TRI-CLOVER INC.
Tri-Blender stainless-steel blenders combine liquids with other liquid, dry, or gaseous ingredients. Dry ingredients dispensed through inlet hopper at up to 350 lb/min; liquid is simultaneously pumped into outer tangential diffuser at up to 150 gal/min. Vacuum created by the blender draws ingredients into eye of the impeller. Dry ingredients are kept separate from liquids until both reach the impeller. Advantages are said to include minimum foaming and lumping.
UNIVERSAL DYNAMICS INC.
Volumetric metering and blending equipment for granular, pellet, or liquid materials. Solids-metering units include patented dispersion chambers and mount on processing equipment. Off-machine units available for central blending have digital count, pneumatic transfer systems, and outputs from 0.25 to 10,000 lb/hr. For centralized control and monitoring, optional microprocessor controls integrate into company's Plastics Machinery CIM Network.
WB series gravimetric batch blender mixes pelletized additives such as virgin, color and regrind, delivering accuracy better than 0.25%. Up to 5000 lb/ hr throughput with two to four hoppers. Material change is almost immediate, making short runs more profitable. Microprocessor control stores up to 100 recipes, totalizes material, and displays take-away rate. (See ad p. 345.)
U.S. STONEWARE CORP.
Grinding, mixing, and blending equipment includes mills in capacities from 0.1 gal through 210 gal. Tumblers and rollers for different sizes of drums and containers can use material suppliers' containers, eliminating the need to load, unload, and clean a fixed container.
VENUS-GUSMER, DIV. OF PMC, INC.
Liquid resin mixers include:
* Temperature-controlled, semi-automatic high-shear mixer with integral, 235-gal vat able to handle over a ton of material.
* High-shear mixer for corrosion-barrier additives, abrasion-resistant fillers, and highly thixotropic resins.
* Collapsible-blade mixer with blades that fold up to fit through a 2-in. bung, then open up to provide complete mixing of fillers and additives while still in the original drum.
* Bung-hole mixers for mixing additives into polyester resin while still in 55-gal drums.
* Five-gallon pail mixer for mixing medium-viscosity materials such as polyester resin. Supported by bracket so mixer may be left in place.
* Hand-held pail mixer for mixing high-viscosity materials such as gel coat. Allows reaching into corners of pail for complete mixing.
* Filler mixing vat mixes heavy fillers with resin for use in pouring, casting, or resin injection.
* Double-stage filler mixing vat for heavy production allows continuous addition of fillers and resin to premix vat without stopping production. (See data sheet p. 221.)
VIBRA SCREW, INC.
Vibra-Blender continuous blender for dry bulk materials uses controlled vibration supplied by patented gyrator to fluidize material as it enters the mixing trough. Rotating paddle in trough tumbles the mix and folds it back on itself. Operates at speeds to 600 cu ft/hr.
VIDEX MACHINERY CORP.
Rebuilt and guaranteed high-intensity mixers; horizontal and bowl coolers; ribbon, double and twin-shell blenders. Complete extrusion compounding systems also available.
WALTON-STOUT, INC.
Proportional blenders for virgin, regrind, and color concentrates and pneumatic conveying systems for pellets or powder. Also weighing equipment and batching control systems.
WAYNE MACHINE & DIE CO.
Yellow Jacket table-top and horizontal floor-model single-screw compounding extruders with optional microprocessor controls in sizes from 1/2 to 4 1/2 in. and throughputs of 0.5 to 800 lb/hr.
American-built corotating twin-screw extruders for production and lab applications. Screws suitable for polymer alloys, coloring, filling and reinforcing, devolatilization, liquid addition, and pelletizing. Extruders feature segmented, reconfigurable, intermeshing screws. Barrels in top-vent, side-feed, glass-feed, and liquid-injection configurations. Ancillaries include side feeders, gravimetric feeders, and dies. Control systems with PID discrete controls or full microprocessor systems with PLC integration.
Special extruders for high-speed compounding with screw speeds to 350 rpm for single screw and 500 rpm for twin screws. Single or double vents for devolatilization. Pelletizers from 2- to 6-in. wide.
Builds turnkey lines and manufactures high- and low-shear mixing single screws for any make of machine.
WEAN INDUSTRIES
Twin-rotor intensive batch mixers compound PVC, PS, PE, and ABS masterbatches, among others. Interlocking rotors continuously knead the batch between the rotors instead of smearing it against the chamber wall. Unit has increased wetted area to improve heating and cooling efficiency. Large feed hopper provides access for feed systems. Dust seals prevent contamination.
WELDING ENGINEERS, INC.
Corotating and counterrotating, intermeshing and nonintermeshing extruders for compounding and reactive processing in high- and low-speed models. Segmented screws and barrels offer flexibility of configuration. Standard controls in free-standing cabinet include multichannel temperature controllers with digital display of set and actual values. Optional microprocessor controller offers color CRT, graphic displays of measured data, automatic start-up program, master/slave control of main and auxiliary systems, storage of production data, and interface to factory control systems. Supplies integrated systems with feeders, pelletizers, drives and controls.
WERNER & PFLEIDERER CORP.
Complete twin-screw compounding systems designed for specific material or processing requirements. Also PK shear-cone mixer for plasticized PVC, KP two-stage compounder (twin-screw and single-screw) for heat- and shear-sensitive materials, universal-type internal mixers with or without discharge screw, and intensive internal batch mixers of both tangential and intermeshing rotor designs.
Engineered systems for compounding plants, from engineering studies and design to equipment specification, construction, installation and start-up. Process assistance and pilot lab for process development and testing. (See also Extrusion Systems.) (See ad p. 222.)
WHITLOCK
See AEC/Whitlock.
THE YOUNG INDUSTRIES, INC.
Horizontal ribbon mixers from lab size to 1500 cu ft capacity blend free-flowing solid/solid or liquid/solid mixes. Standard units have double ribbon-type agitators. Paddle and trowel agitators optional. Jacketing also available.
Twin-shaft mixers for continuous blending feature twin agitators with adjustable paddles. Options include jacketing, vacuum or pressure troughs, and variety of construction materials.
Gravity blenders handle 15 to 7500 cu ft of powders, pellets, etc. Ingredients are dropped through multiple ports to blend.
ZEPCO
Disposable motionless-mixing tube blends multicomponent reactive liquids. It can be used with company's metering/dispensing equipment or other conventional machinery.
Injection Molds
PRODUCT LINES REVIEWED
A-1 TOOL DIV. LOVEJOY INDUSTRIES, INC.
Molds for thermoplastics, structural foam and thermosets, from very small to 15-ton blocks. Specializes in larger molds for appliances, housewares and automotive. NC machining and CAD/CAM.
ABA MOLDMAKING DIV. ABA-PGT INC.
Specializes in high-precision, fully hardened injection molds, especially for fine-pitch gears, and also for medical components, cosmetics, cams, drums and pulleys. Services include product consultation and design, from fast turn-around prototyping to high volume, multicavity production.
ACCURATE MOULD CO.
EDM facilities, engraving and duplicating. Conventional edge gate, hot-runner molds, and mold design. Jig boring, gun-drilling, and surface grinding.
ACRO TOOL CO., INC.
Designs and builds injection molds. General machining of mold accessories, fixtures and jigs. Precision CNC lathe, engraving, milling, grinding and model-making facilities.
ADVANCE MOLD & MFG., INC.
Precision production molds designed on CAD. Most components premanufactured for faster deliveries.
ADVANCED TOOL TECHNOLOGY, INC.
High-quality injection molds built with 3-D CAD engineering, CNC EDM equipment and CNC milling machinery. Thorough testing of mold design and production process.
AGGRESSIVE TOOL & DIE, INC.
Molds for thermoplastics in all shapes, configurations, and sizes, including very large molds.
AKROMOLD, INC.
Specializes in medium to large molds for injection and other processes. Serves waste-management, housewares, business-equipment, appliances, building-materials, aircraft, and automotive industries.
Offers 2-D CAD, 3-D CAD/CAM, large CNC machining, grinding, polishing, small and large EDM, large CNC EDM, sawing, gun drilling, CMM inspection, and mold tryout. Can lift up to 34 tons.
ALLCRAFT MOLD
Designs, builds, and repairs precision injection molds for thermoplastics and thermosets, using CNC machining. Also automatic molds and short-run tooling.
ALLIED PLASTIC MOLD, INC.
Builds molds with automatic unscrewing, cam action, hot runners, and insulated hot probes. Also high-production multicavity tooling. Applications from cosmetics and pharmaceutical packaging to household items, cassette cases, watch boxes, and toys. Complete in-house design and CNC machining.
ALLMAND ENTERPRISES
Design and construction of prototype and low-volume zinc-alloy tooling for injection molding and structural foam. Industries served include automotive OEM and aftermarket, computers, heavy trucks, marine, and recreational vehicles.
ALPHA MOLD INC.
General-purpose custom manufacturer of thermoplastic and thermoset injection molds, including short-run and prototype tools. CAD/CAM and CNC machining. Stereolithography, product development, mold design, and repair services. In-house injection molding capacity up to 500 tons for limited runs.
AMERI-PORT MOLD REPAIR, INC.
Specializes in repair and rebuilding of foreign and domestic molds. Builds prototype and production molds in aluminum or steel, and aids in product development, utilizing CAD/CAM.
AMERICAN PLASTIC EQUIPMENT
Injection molds for thermoplastic toys and housewares.
ANSON MANUFACTURING, INC.
Designs and builds injection molds primarily for thermoplastics. Also structural foam tools. Industries served include electronics, housewares, automotive, and dairy. Engraving, duplicating, polishing and repair services.
APAC INDUSTRIAL CO. LTD.
Molds from Hong Kong reportedly save tooling cost and time. Mold manufacturing, design services, q-c, and mold testing. Engineering drawings and progress reports can be provided. Molds are sampled in Hong Kong and shipments are made when buyer approves sampled parts.
ARE-KAY TOOL INC.
Designs and manufactures high-precision and high-production steel injection molds. Insert, automatic unscrewing, and encapsulating molds. Experienced in medical and automotive industries.
ARLEN TOOL CO. LTD.
Injection molds for automotive, audiovisual, and high-technology industries. Tooling for 200- to 2000-ton presses.
ARTAG INC.
Designs and builds prototype, pilot-run, and production molds for thermoplastics. Samples molds for up to 400-ton machines.
ASHEBORO MOLD & DESIGN INC.
Designs and manufactures thermoplastic injection molds for machines of 28 to 300 tons. Single-cavity prototype to multicavity production. Specializes in ECNs and repairs of existing tooling.
ATCO PLASTICS, INC.
Precision injection molds built with in-house CAD/CAM, CNC machining, and CNC EDM. Engineering assistance for part design, and complete molding capability, specializing in engineering thermoplastics.
ATOLS TOOL & MOLD CORP.
Complete mold design and construction, including full CAD/CAM capability. Mold sizes from 50 lb to 75 tons.
AUTOMATIC MOLDED PLASTICS, INC.
Precision molds for all thermoplastics. Hot-runner, subgated, three-plate, automatic unscrewing, and collapsible-core molds. Full service from engineering design to molded samples. Molds for 28- to 1500-ton injection machines.
AVEDON ENGINEERING, INC.
Injection molds weighing up to 10 tons. Also molds for small machines. Five-axis CNC EDM, CNC machining centers, and duplicating equipment, including mirror-image capability. Full design services plus finishing and assembly for business-machine, medical, and other high-technology industries.
AZTEC TOOL CO., INC.
Designs and manufactures precision multicavity molds using CAD/CAM and CNC EDM. Product development, prototype tooling, high-output production molds, and mold testing. Molds for cosmetic packaging, medical, and precision products.
B&B MOLD & ENGINEERING, INC.
Production and prototype tools for thermoplastic and thermoset injection molding. Mold repair and design, and product development services.
BAUMBACH ENGINEERING CO., INC.
Custom injection molds for thermoplastics. Also product development, mold design, repair and tryout.
GLENN BEALL ENGINEERING, INC.
Detailed engineering of piece-part drawings using Pro E Cad, low-cost preproduction, mold design and construction, and short-run molding of parts.
BERMER TOOL & DIE, INC.
Specializes in design and building of optical-quality lens molds as well as insulated hot-runner and three-plate molds. Wire EDM, CNC machining centers, Moore Jig grinding, and optical polishing. Mold tryout prior to shipping (40- to 400-ton capacity).
BEVERLY PATTERN INC.
Thermoplastic and thermoset molds for injection molding and structural foam. Short-run tooling available. Product engineering, mold design and repair, model making, cavity casting, hobbing, engraving, and duplicating.
HARRY L. BRAUN CO.
Complex-action, close-tolerance molds to 4000 lb for electronics, medical, aerosol, gears, communications, instruments, and valves. Mold design, CAD/CAM, sampling, first-article inspection, and mold repair.
BROADWAY COMPANIES, INC.
Specializes in close-tolerance molds for high-volume production. Mold engineering, construction, repair, prototype development, model making and CAD. Markets served include soft-drink packaging (PET preforms and base cups), fine ceramics, automotive electrical parts, connectors, small motor components, and circuit breakers.
BUILD-A-MOLD LTD.
Full service for medium-size to large tooling weighing up to 50 tons. Design and development using CAD/CAM. Also prototyping, full-service model shop, molding tryout on presses to 1000 tons, and full quality inspections. Specialties include lost-core and gas-injection technologies.
BURBAK COMPANIES
Prototype and production injection molds.
BURGER ENGINEERING INC.
Small- to medium-sized injection molds, utilizing CAD/CAM. Hot and insulated runners, thin-wall, automatic unscrewing, and multimaterial molds. Part design and prototyping services, and prototype or production tools of steel, aluminum, or cast epoxy.
CAC MOLD CORP.
Builds and designs injection molds for presses to 1500 tons. All types of standard and hot-runner molds, including stack, two-color, shuttle, collapsible-core, thin-wall container, and unscrewing molds. Three-station CAD/CAM system drives four CNC vertical machining centers, CNC lathe, and CNC EDM. Also grinding equipment, conventional smaller milling machines, boring mills, lathes, and pantograph. Four conventional EDM machines produce a variety of core and cavity configurations.
CACOOSING INDUSTRIES, INC.
Custom thermoplastic moldmaking services: 1) aluminum tooling for prototype and small production runs; 2) basic Class 3+ tooling for 10,000 to 100,000 pieces/year; and 3) advanced Class 1 and 2 tooling for large volumes, using CNC and EDM machining.
CACO-PACIFIC CORP.
Precision, multicavity molds for injection and injection blow molding, especially hot-runner and stack molds. Multimold programs a specialty. Molds fully engineered and built to close tolerances for dimensional accuracy, parts interchangeability, mold longevity, and ease of maintenance. Molds tested and debugged in test facilities with machines of 100-500 tons. CAD/CAM mold design, complete mold-base department, CNC programming and machining, EDM, ID/OD and jig grinding. Separate mold-repair department. Markets include medical, magnetic media, homecare products, food and beverage packaging (including closures), camera accessories, writing instruments, personal-care products, automotive, electronics, and quality packaging.
CANAM TOOLS LTD.
Designs and builds small to large injection molds and structural foam molds to 15 tons, using CAD/CAM. Serves automotive, appliances, and housewares. Specializes in hot-runner and valve-gated molds for prototype or production.
CANAMATIC MOULD CO. LTD.
Thermoplastic and thermoset molds. In-house capabilities include CAD/CAM and NC - EDM. Markets serviced include communications components, business-machine casings, dot-matrix ribbon cartridges, electronic enclosures, pool and spa accessories, and automotive components.
CAPTIVE PLASTICS, INC.
Specializes in building molds for unscrewing closures and other packaging components. Three tool shops and complete design facilities. Automatic cavity duplication, 2-D tracer lathes, EDM, precision-forming grinders, tape-controlled lathes, jig-boring machines and pantograph engraving units.
CARSON TOOL & MOLD, INC.
Designs and builds precision injection molds. CAD/CAM design and programming coupled with CNC machining centers and EDM. In-house mold sampling to 450 tons. Specializes in molds for appliances, housewares, electronics, textiles, packaging, and automotive. Runnerless and hot-runner molds, automatic unscrewing, cam-action, and insert molds.
CATALINA TOOL & MOLD, INC.
Specializes in close-tolerance, high-production, multicavity molds for thermoplastic injection molding, including automatic unscrewing and hot-manifold molds. Utilizes CAD/CAM (Pro/Engineer) to help meet quick deliveries. Mold design, sampling and qualification, tryout, and short-run molding.
CAVAFORM, INC.
Custom-made, cold-formed mold cavities in 420 stainless steel and other tool steels. Also cold-formed Cavaclad cavities and core pins. The latter are bimetal, one-piece formed cavities or cores, using beryllium copper or Ampcoloy materials for superior external or internal cooling, but with tool-steel molding and wear surfaces.
Applications include medical products, cosmetics, writing instruments, and caps or closures. Tolerances to 0.0002 in. and surface finishes of 4 to 6 micro-in.
CHICAGO MOLD ENGINEERING CO.
Thermoplastic and thermoset injection molds for recreational, automotive, appliance, agricultural, medical and telecommunications industries. Molds from smallest "MUD" unit up to 60 x 120 in. and weighing over 75,000 lb. Computervision CAD/CAM system uses CADDS-5 software with solid modeling as well as conventional surfacing from wire-frame database.
Complete mold-repair services. Machining services include NC machining, gun drilling, and jig grinding.
CLARICH MOLD CORP.
Molds for thermoplastic and thermoset injection molding. Mold design and repair, engraving, and duplicating.
COLONIAL MACHINE CO.
Injection molds primarily for housewares, appliances, business machines, and materials handling. One of the largest suppliers of molds for plastic pipe fittings and electrical fittings. Specializes in automatic unscrewing molds. In-house engineering department with CAD/CAM design and programming, coupled with CNC machining centers.
COLUMBIA PRODUCTS, INC.
Line of standard injection mold bases, cavity-retainer sets, and mold-plate items. Also custom mold bases. Special machining capabilities include blind and through bores and pockets (finished or rough), gun-drilled holes, and guided ejector assemblies.
COMET DIE & ENGRAVING CO.
Injection molds for thermoplastics and thermosets. Hobbing, texturing, engraving, and duplicating. CAD/CAM, design facilities, and pattern shop to make models for duplicating.
COMET TOOL CO., INC.
High-precision, close-tolerance injection molds for thermoplastics. Serves consumer and healthcare markets, including cosmetics, food and beverage packaging, and pharmaceutical and medical components. Molds designed and fabricated in-house using CAD/CAM and complete CNC programming and machining. Custom-designed mold construction tracking system manages scheduling and monitors job progress.
Specializes in high-volume, multicavity automatic unscrewing molds for closures - dispensing, tamper-evident and child resistant. Also manufactures stack, thin-wall container, runnerless, and cam-action molds. Complete refurbishment services for molds to 10,000 lb.
Production molding up to 350-ton capacity. Fully computerized, climate-controlled ASQI metrology lab helps to maintain quality and accuracy. Company is working toward fulfillment of ISO standards.
CONDOR TOOL & MFG., INC.
Injection molds for thermoplastics and thermosets. Two CNC mills can handle 24 x 48 in. mold bases. Most programming and some design are aided by CAD/CAM. Multiple cavities and finishes with a minimum of carbon manufacturing is standard, as well as unscrewing molds, custom sleeves, and soft and hard core pins.
COURTESY CORP.
Mold & Tool Div. designs and builds high-speed injection molds and complete turnkey systems. Specialties are multicavity, hot-runner, stack, and automatic unscrewing molds. Five-axis EDM and CAD/CAM-compatible CNC machining centers are utilized. Engineering staff offers complete part and product development assistance from prototype through production. Services are backed by two injection molding plants, which contain 90 presses from 55 to 550 tons.
CREST MOLD TECHNOLOGY INC.
Designs and builds precision molds, especially for small parts. Design done at five stations using Cadkey software. Surface and cutter paths generated using Autosurf, Automill, and Master CAM. Four-axis CNC EDM and CNC milling accommodate close tolerances required in company's specialty of multicavity hardened and ground, high-production molds.
CRISCI TOOL & DIE, INC.
Complete design and mold building, utilizing CAD/CAM, CNC machining centers, and CNC vertical and wire EDM. Serves all industries, including medical, automotive, and high-technology. All molds sampled and debugged prior to shipment.
CSD INTERNATIONAL INC.
Represents Machines Boucherie of Izegem, Belgium - offering high-precision injection molds and hot-runner systems. Specializes in bi-component molds.
DAMEN TOOL & ENGINEERING CO.
Specializes in designing and building high-production, long-running tooling. CAD used to design products and molds. CAD/CAM system, three-axis CNC EDM, three-axis CNC mills, NC lathe, jig grinding, and a full complement of manual machines. Mold sampling up to 500 tons.
Also line of quick-mold-change systems with manual and hydraulic clamping systems. Systems custom-designed to fit machine and loading requirements.
DECAL MOLD CORP.
Contract moldmaker specializing in CNC machining. Mold design and repair and product engineering services.
DELTA TECH MOLD, INC.
Designs and builds precision, high-quality injection molds, including cold-runner, hot-runner, and stack molds for high-volume programs. Max. size is 30 x 40 in. Multicavity tooling with interchangeable cavities and cores. CAD/CAM and CNC machine centers and mold-filling analysis completed in-house, along with sampling on presses from 75 to 400 tons for mold debugging. Industries served include closure, electronics, medical, pharmaceutical, packaging, automotive, and consumer.
DEL-TOOL CO., INC.
Designs and builds all types of high-precision molds, including two-color for thermoplastic molding. Can produce molds weighing 5000 lb. Complete design services. CNC machining and CAD/CAM, CNC sinker and wire EDM, and hole-shooting EDM.
DELUXE DIE MOLD INC.
Designs and builds medium- to large-size molds up to 40,000 lb using CAD/CAM and CNC machining at Elmhurst, Ill., facility. Plant at Clintonville, Wis., designs and builds small precision molds. Custom molding available at both locations.
DEM-CAV TOOL AND MOULD INC.
Conventional edge-gate, hot-runner, insulated-runner, rotating, and thermoset injection molds. Also prototype molds. CNC machining and CAD/CAM. Specializes in automotive and housewares.
DENBY MOLD CO.
Designs and builds injection molds up to 15 tons. CAD/CAM facilities.
DIAMOND TOOL & DIE CO.
Molds to 10,000 lb for appliances, business machines, and automotive. Camming and lifter molds requiring fully automatic operation. Complete mold-design, CAD/CAM with Unigraphics software, CNC machines, and mold tryout.
DIE-MOLD TOOL LTD.
Specializes in automatic tooling for all types of thermoplastic pipe fittings. Custom CNC machining, product development, and mold design.
DIETOOLING CORP.
CAD designs, builds, and repairs small- to medium-size molds. EDM, duplicating, welding, CNC milling, and close-tolerance CNC contour turning to Rc 60. Mold component and first-article inspection on CMM. Refurbishes or upgrades existing molds.
D-M-E CO.
Over 10,000 combinations of standard mold bases and a variety of mold plates, retainer sets, and cavity-insert blocks and rounds. Pre-engineered ejector pins, runnerless and sprueless molding systems, mold-heater temperature- and process-control systems. (See ads Cover II, p. 262.)
DOLLINS TOOL, INC.
Designs and manufactures precision, multicavity molds for high-volume parts. Specializes in thin-wall containers, lids, cups, and mugs. Complete repairs, overhauls, and mold testing.
DUERR TOOL & DIE CO., INC.
Designs and builds precision injection molds for thermoplastics. In-house injection molding from 3-oz, 75-ton machines to 165-oz, 700-ton.
DURAMOULD LTD.
Injection molds up to 500-ton capacity. Uses CAD/CAM and handles electronic files. Insert molding, encapsulation, two-shot, and unscrewing molds. Complete testing and dimensioned part submission on all tools up to 300-ton capacity.
DYNAMIC ENGINEERING, INC.
Molds from miniature to 6000 lb for applications that include medical and electronics. Services include prototyping, production, and pretesting.
ECHO MOLDING, INC.
Designs and builds steel, beryllium-copper, and aluminum injection molds for machines up to 400 tons. Tooling, EDM, and repair services.
ELECTRA FORM, INC.
Designs and manufactures precision injection molds. PET preform molds for beverage and food packaging, and custom molds for automotive, medical, electronic, and consumer goods. Technical service, mold repair, and mold refurbishing for worn molds and components.
ELECTROMOLD/GRIFFITH ENTERPRISES
Makes cavities using a special electroforming process said to result in very precise detail and high accuracy. Can repair or modify steel mold parts. In-house design, internal/external grinding, and EDM.
ELECTRONIC DEVELOPMENT LABS, INC.
Designs, manufactures, and rebuilds hot-runner, insulated-runner, cam, unscrewing, and beryllium molds. Full 3-D CAD/CAM for design and development of parts and molds. Toolroom can manufacture or rebuild molds to 30 x 30 in. and is equipped with forklifts, overhead 5-ton trolley, conventional EDMs, CNC EDM, CNC mills and lathes, grinders, etc. Injection molding capability to 450 tons.
E.T.M. TOOL & MOLD INC.
Designs, engineers, and manufactures tooling from prototype through production, utilizing CAD/CAM. CAD systems use Tool Chest and Cadkey software and run on Apollo DN3500 workstations. Systems accept all major automotive formats, including full IGES, and are totally integrated with CNC duplicators and boring mills.
EUCLID ENGINEERING CO.
Complete moldmaking services from design to finished part for molding machines with 1- to 30-oz capacity. Contour work is a specialty. EDM, hard chroming, duplicating, and CNC machining.
FERLAND MOLD CO. INC.
Specializes in precision, high-production, automatic molds, primarily for thermoplastic electronic and medical parts. Also short-run tooling and production of precision injection molded components for electronics and consumer products. Mold design, repair, tryout, and product development. Total manufacturing capabilities include design, moldmaking, injection molding, and assembly.
FERRIOT INC.
Manufactures custom injection molds. Services include product and development assistance, mold engineering with computerized applications, rapid prototyping, in-plant mold tryouts, models, prototype tooling, beryllium-copper castings and duplicating patterns, finishing and cast cavities. Equipment includes high technology CAD/CAM equipment. Ability to link customers computer data with our existing computer systems. All workstations are networked with NC machines.
GENERAL MACHINERY CO. DIV. OF WHEATON INDUSTRIES
Mold Group now offers injection molds for small caps and closures to other molders. Two-shift operation with high-speed CNC. Engineering provided by third parties to ensure total project security.
GLUCO, INC.
Injection molds complement company's line of molding machines. Single- and multicavity molds in hardened tool steel for molding thermoplastics, polyurethane, and silicone elastomers. Timed nozzle shutoff pins facilitate molding of liquid and highly crystalline materials, and may be projected into molds to interface with cavity walls for runnerless molding. Turnkey services include design, construction, testing, and debugging.
G.M. TOOL CORP.
Injection molds to 20,000 lb. In-house CAD/CAM design and programming, continuous-tape equipment (32 x 72 in. capacity), 3-D duplicating, CNC machining, EDM, benching, polishing, and die welding. Industries served include automotive, toy, computer and medical.
GOUGLER INDUSTRIES
Specializes in medium- to large-size molds up to 12 tons. Services automotive, military, consumer, and aerospace markets. Complete model and mold design services.
GPT AXXlCON BV
Design, engineering, and manufacture of precision, high-performance molds for audio/video, automotive, electronics, computer, aircraft, and related markets.
GR TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC.
Serves as single source for development and execution of injection molded mechanical and electro-mechanical assemblies, coordinating any project from concept to production. Uses concurrent engineering and design-for-manufacture and assembly (DFMA) techniques to produce products and components quickly and cost-effectively. Services include preliminary technical and financial analyses, concept and product development, complete simulation capabilities, modeling and prototyping, tooling design and construction.
GREENEVILLE TOOL & DIE CO.
Designs and manufactures precision molds up to 4000 lb. Specialties are connector and automatic molds. Product development, mold repair, and engraving.
THE HANSON GROUP, LTD.
Designs injection molds for business machines, electronics, automotive, toys, sporting goods, packaging, appliances, furniture, and agriculture. Can handle multimold programs. Hot-runner, runnerless, and unscrewing molds. Precision grinding, milling, CNC machining and validation, CAD/CAM, deep-hole drilling, duplicating, and EDM. Molds for insert and structural-foam molding. Product development and mold-testing facility has six injection machines (75 to 400 tons), including three 150-ton shuttle presses for insert molds.
HANSON MOLD
Designs and builds general-purpose thermoplastic and thermoset injection molds: insert, unscrewing, multiple-slide, prototype, cold-runner, runnerless, and automatic molds. Industries served include automotive, appliance, off-road equipment, and business machines. In-house product development, mold tryout, model making, and duplicating.
HASCO-INTERNORM CORP. WEST
Daughter company of Hasco-Normalien of Germany offers standard mold bases and components manufactured in the U.S. All mold bases built on modular principle, making all mold plates interchangeable, which enables the mold-maker to design a custom mold base with standard parts. Complete range of custom work is offered for special mold bases. Mold components include ejector blades machined and ground from one solid-steel blank, nitrided and through-hardened; early-return systems; friction pullers; ejector sleeves nitrided on the OD and ID or through-hardened; and "auto-sealing" plugs for heating/cooling channels.
HEINZ PLASTIC MOLD CO.
Precision injection molds designed and built for pharmaceutical, aerospace, electronics, optical, telecommunications, appliance, automotive, and packaging industries using CNC machinery. Prototypes, mold tryouts, and production molding.
HOLLAND PLASTICS CORP.
Molds include multiple-side-action, two-color, stack, unscrewing, and collapsible-core. Complete and current CAD/ CAM capabilities for producing complex shapes and difficult tolerances.
Complete range of services includes product and mold design, mold and die construction, mold testing, and processing. Markets served include automotive, office furniture, fiber optics, agricultural, electronics, marine, and toys. Operates 13 presses from 40 to 300 tons.
HULL CORP.
Complete range of manual, semi-production, and full-production molds for equipment from small lab machines to 500 tons or larger, including cold-runner/ cold-manifold types for thermosets. Also modifies existing molds for use on new machines and rebuilds worn or damaged molds. (See ad p. 18.)
HUNTER MOLD & MFG. INC.
Designs and builds molds for thermoplastics and thermosets. Automatic tools, product engineering, mold repair, model making, engraving, and duplicating.
HUSKY INJECTION MOLDING SYSTEMS LTD.
Designs and builds hot runners and molds, specializing in thin-wall containers, PET preforms, closures, house-wares, and industrial containers.
INCOE CORP.
Designs runnerless molding systems. Cast-heater mold and machine nozzles; complete injection half of runnerless molds; and temperature-control systems. (See ad p. 245.)
ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION
Provides information on Italian injection molds made by 1000 small- and medium-sized companies for all industries.
IVANHOE TOOL & DIE CO.
Utilizing CAD/CAM, designs and builds high-production, precision injection molds for packaging, medical and technical markets, especially where interchangeability is desired. Specializes in multicavity, hot-runner, automatic-unscrewing, and proprietary collapsible-core molds. Multiple-mold projects for single or multiple components. Expertise in molds for parts with internal or external threads.
JANLER CORP. PLASTIC MOLD DIV.
Specializes in runnerless, rotating-core, and stack-mold systems for thermoplastics and thermosets. Has built a 2 x 16 unscrewing stack mold. CNC equipment including machining, centers, EDM machines, and three-axis wire EDM, as well as ample complement of milling, grinding, turning, boring, cutting, profiling, and duplicating machinery. Product development, mold repair, tryout, and debugging.
JOWA ENTERPRISES INC.
Designs and manufactures molds utilizing CAD/CAM. Three dedicated CAD stations, two dedicated CAM stations, and two CNC mills. Tool room equipped to handle wide range of mold and tool requirements. Typical molds built include hot-runner, three-plate, stripper, unscrewing, shuttle, and two-color types for thermoplastics and thermosets.
KELLEMS & COE TOOL CORP.
Specializes in on-time delivery of molds for thermoplastics and thermosets. Short-run tooling, in-house product development, mold design, mold repair and tryout.
KFD SALES & SERVICE, INC.
Injection molds to fit its injection machines from 500 to 7500 tons. Molds produced for packaging machines to 650 tons. Industries served include closures, medical and pharmaceutical, and other high-volume, thin-wall applications.
R.C. KING MOLD & MACHINE
Designs and builds injection molds. Mold repair and duplicating services.
KINGSTON PLASTICS CO.
Designs and builds injection molds and complete turnkey systems for automotive, electronics, healthcare, hardware, sports, recreation, construction, medical and optical applications. Part- and product-development assistance from prototype through production.
THE KIPPGROUP
Specializes in tool design and construction, and custom injection molding in a class 100,000 cleanroom. Also specializes in supporting the medical-device Industry and offers a wide range of experience with materials and processes customized for that industry. Capabilities include mold design, mold construction, process-capability studies, design of experiments, cleanroom injection molding, cleanroom assembly, and cleanroom decorating.
K.N.T. PRECISION INDUSTRIES LTD.
Utilizing CAD/CAM, designs and builds injection molds for automotive, appliances, communications, industrial components, military, cosmetics and toys. Services and refurbishes existing molds; provides technical advice and expertise for all tooling demands.
KRAS CORP.
Specializes in molds for presses from 12 to 250 tons. Also encapsulation systems, EMMI spiral flow, ASTM test jets, flash-test molds, prototype hand molds, mold reworking, and same-side gating conversion.
KRAUSS-MAFFEI CORP. INJECTION MOLDING DIV.
Complete injection molding systems, comprising machine, mold, and parts-handling equipment. Clamp sizes range from 45 to 4400 tons. Systems are primarily for high-volume medical applications: compact discs, jewel boxes, automotive applications, electrical components, and consumer products.
L&H PRECISION TOOL & MOLDING
Injection molds for thermosets and thermoplastics. Specializes in multiple-action, close-tolerance, hot-runner, and stack molds. Pantograph and EDM machinery permit pattern-making from drawings or prototypes.
LEIDEL CORP.
Designs and manufactures thermoplastic injection molds for cosmetics, packaging, and medical industries. Automatic unscrewing or stripped-thread closure and overcap molds. Also molds for small, high-precision engineering components requiring cam actions and/or automatic unscrewing with various gating and hot/cold-runner requirements. CAD engineering, CNC, ram EDM, CNC turning and four-axis milling, cylindrical and surface grinding, multiple-start contour-thread grinding, and inspection and mold testing.
LEOMINSTER TOOL CO., INC.
Designs and manufactures injection molds for thermoplastics and thermosets. All types of molds, including hot-runner, manifold, three-plate, and stripper-plate in sizes up to 36 x 54 in. and weights up to 5 tons. CNC, EDM, duplicating, welding, mold repair, design, and tryout.
LIBBY-OWENS-FORD CO.
See Modern Tools Div.
LIBERTY MOLD & DUPLICATING CO.
Designs and builds precision injection molds for thermoplastics and thermosets. Prototype tooling, multicavity production molds with interchangeable cavities and cores, hot-runner systems, and automatic unscrewing molds. CAD system, CNC machining, EDM, hobbing, duplicating, engraving, mold repair, and mold polishing. Industries served include closures, electrical, medical, cosmetic packaging, photographic equipment, and writing instruments.
LINCOLN MOLD & DIE CORP.
Builds unscrewing, cam-action, stack, runnerless, and collapsing-core molds. Also molds for tamper-evident closures. Complete design facility utilizes nine-station solids-based CAD/CAM system. CNC equipment fully integrated through a local network. SPC data collection implemented via computer software on coordinate-measuring machine and optical comparators. (See ad p. 247.)
LOWRY MFG., INC.
Designs and builds thermoset and thermoplastic injection and structural foam molds. Specialties include standard three-plate, hot-runner, insulated-runner, subgated, cam, stripper-plate, and interchangeable-cavity molds. Molds made from cast and machined aluminum or chrome-plated, heat-treated steel. EDM, CNC, CAD/CAM, duplicating, pantograph, and standard tool-room equipment.
MAJESTIC TOOL & MOLD LTD.
Manufactures and repairs injection molds using CAD/CAM, CNC milling centers, and CNC EDM.
MAR-TECH, INC.
Engineers and manufactures injection molds and support equipment for its line of molding machines (3 to 25 tons). Specializes in small-piece and insert molding, turnkey packages, and fully automatic integrated molding systems, including silicone LIM systems.
MARLAND MOLD INC.
Injection molds for thermoplastics (including structural foam) and thermosets for presses up to 500 tons. Also hot-runner and automatic unscrewing molds. NC milling, turning, grinding (surface, cylindrical, and centerless), jig grinding, wire EDM, plunger-type EDM, benching and polishing, assembly, and inspection. CAD/CAM, optical comparators, computerized coordinate measuring, and Con-Tracer.
MASTER INDUSTRIES, INC. MASTER MFG. DIV.
Specializes in sculpted contour shapes for injection molded thermoplastic auto-interior trim. Mold design, repair, tryout, model making, and cast cavities.
MASTER PRECISION MOLDS, INC.
Products include a series of nine test-specimen molds and multicolor, multi-material molds. Automatic unscrewing, stripper-plate, and triple-plate molds; positive-return ejection, cam action, shuttle times, and runnerless designs. Design, construction, and tryout for both standard and runnerless applications. Licensed to supply tooling for Quick-Change systems of Master Unit Die Products, Inc. (See ad p. 249.)
MASTER UNIT DIE PRODUCTS, INC.
Supplies Quick-Change tooling systems based on companion insert molds inter-changed in a single frame that remains in the molding machine. Frames available in one-, two-, and four-insert mold configurations. Adapter frame with companion ear plates bolted to an existing standard mold base gives that standard base quick-change capability. Water-manifold system allows quick connection to water source. (See ad p. 251.)
MB MOULD & DIE CO.
Molds (generally aluminum) for PVC, TPE, and polyurethane. Various die-sinking machines available. One is a two-headed reverse image that can put on shrinkages. Pressure casting in aluminum and model/pattern making. Applications primarily in footwear.
MERCURY TOOL & MFG.
Designs and builds injection molds in sizes to 8000 lb, including hot-runner, unscrewing, collapsible-core, and structural foam molds. CAD systems fully integrated with CAM systems used to program CNC.
MIDLANTIC TOOL CORP.
Mold design, manufacturing, and repair for thermoplastic and thermoset injection tools.
MILLTOWN TOOL & ENGINEERING
Small precision molds for injection molding thermoplastics. Automatic tooling, product engineering, repair, tryout, engraving, model making, and duplicating.
MINCO TOOL & MOLD INC.
Product design, mold design, mold building, validation of tooling, molding, and secondary operations, including assembly. Unigraphics CAD/CAM system. Industries served include automotive, communications, business machines, and medical.
MODERN MOLD & TOOL, INC.
Specializes in multicavity and hot-runner tooling. Short-run tools also manufactured. Product development, mold repair, tryout, model making, engraving, and duplicating.
MODERN TOOLS DIV. LIBBY-OWENS-FORD CO.
In-house design with CAD/CAM. Die models, fixtures, epoxy tooling, special machines, and molds for thermoplastics and thermosets. Large CNC duplicators, orbital EDM, 60-ton crane capacity, three coordinate-measuring machines, and six CAD/CAM stations.
MOLD-A-MATIC INC.
Medium- to large-size molds up to 40 tons. CNC and conventional machining from prototype to production. Program management for large or multiple-tool projects plus followup of secondary tooling, soft prototype molds, master models, duplicating casts, fixtures, gauges and tryouts. In-house CMM checking for quality assurance of tools or molded parts.
MOLD BASE INDUSTRIES INC. (MBI)
Custom injection mold bases and machining services, standard injection bases, cavity sets, plate items, and self-lube components.
MOLD MAKERS, INC.
Designs and builds injection molds. Three-dimensional EDM and precision grinding for smaller conventional, tunnel-gate, or hot-runner molds requiring high precision.
MOLD-MASTERS SYSTEMS OF AMERICA
Builds runnerless molding systems for thermoplastic injection molding and mold-base top-half assemblies with thermocouple and power plugs wired for easy assembly. Short-run and automatic runnerless molds, and development services. (See ad p. 242.)
MOLD-TECH, INC.
Specializes in small- to medium-sized, high-production, close-tolerance molds. Utilizes CAD/CAM, CNC milling, CNC sinker EDMs, and CNC wire EDM. Builds molds with hot manifolds and valve gating, as well as two-shot molds; and molds with unscrewing cores, lifts, slides, stripper plates, double ejection, cylinders, "A"-side slides, etc.
M.S.I. MOLD BUILDERS MANUFACTURING SPECIALTIES, INC.
Designs and builds tooling for thermoplastic injection molding. Specializes in medium and large molds. Mold repair, engraving, CAD/CAM and CCM.
MTI CORP.
Precision transfer and injection molds for encapsulation of electronic and miniature electrical components. Close-tolerance molds for thermoplastics and thermosets.
MYTRONICS
Designs and builds one- or two-color injection molds up to 8 tons. Can manufacture molded parts from 4 to 1100 oz on presses from 50 to 3000 tons. Tool shop offers CAD/CAM to design molds and drive CNC machine centers and EDMs.
NATIONAL TOOL & MFG. CO.
Complete line of standard and custom injection mold sets, including stripper, tri-plate, cavity-retainer, compression, and quick-switch sets. Over 4500 mold components, plates, and plate items such as ejector pins and sleeves, ejector blades, core pins, leader pins and bushings, angle pins, sprue bushings, and support columns. Special items like date plugs, air-poppet valves, taper locks, side and top locks, long-lead locks, and extension nozzle sprue bushings.
Designs, builds and bench tests new runnerless molding systems or retrofits existing systems. (See ad Cover III.)
NEW JERSEY TOOL AND DIE CO.
Designs and builds any type of mold, including automatic unscrewing, hot-runner, runnerless molds, and molds for closures and electrical parts. CNC EDM, hobbing presses, CNC lathes, CNC gun drilling, and CNC cylindrical grinders. Complete thread grinding and inspection. Surface grinding up to 27 x 60 in. Seven CNC machining centers.
NEW PACIFIC MACHINERY, INC.
Manufactures injection molds in the Far East and can provide complete mold and machinery systems as turnkey operations.
NEWARD ENTERPRISES, INC.
Injection molds for all materials and assistance in part and mold design, plus complete molding/assembling/packaging facilities.
NICKEL TOOLING TECHNOLOGY DIV. WEBER MANUFACTURING LTD.
Specialized mold manufacturer utilizing "nickel vapor deposition" process to produce pure nickel-shell cores and cavities.
NORDICA MOLDS MFG. INC.
Designs and manufactures prototype and production injection molds for automotive, electronic, durable consumer products, pipe fittings, and furniture components.
NORTHERN TOOL MFG. CO.
Specializes in general-purpose injection molds for thermoplastics. Prototype, multicavity, and hot-runner tools. Product development, model making, duplicating, and sampling on 200- and 300-ton molding machines.
NORVAN TOOLS LTD.
Specializes in injection molds weighing up to 2 tons. CAD/CAM, CNC milling with 24 x 33 in. capacity, wire EDM (8 x 15 x 27 in.), and conventional EDM (tank size 3 x 5 ft, 100 amp).
OAKLEY DIE & MOLD CO.
Designs and builds injection molds weighing up to 17,000 lb, particularly for appliance, toy, food packaging, and automotive industries. Automatic molds for thermosets. Product development, mold repair, tryout, and duplicating.
OMEGA TOOL INC.
Designs and builds small to medium-size close-tolerance, multicavity, and automatic unscrewing molds for presses up to 500 tons. Engineering, sampling, and part inspection.
ORBIT TOOL & DIE CORP.
Designs and builds injection molds for medium-size to large articles.
OSLEY & WHITNEY, INC.
Mold design and production, including hot-manifold and thermoset cold-runner molds. Specializes in highly intricate, automatic, multicavity molds and will handle long-term projects involving a large number of molds. Mold tryout service.
PACIFIC PLASTIC TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Molds for thermoplastic injection molding. Product development and mold tryout.
PAK 2000
Designs and builds general-purpose injection molds for thermoplastics. Product development, mold repair, and tryout.
PATAL ENGRAVING & ENGINEERING
Specializes in injection molds that either are sculpted in 3-D or have matched plates. Sculpts artwork by either deckel duplicating or pantographing, or 3-D electrodes for EDM.
PELCO TOOL & MOLD, INC.
Manufactures single- or multicavity thermoplastic and thermoset molds, including unscrewing, automatic and hot-runner molds. CNC machining and CAD. Repairs, model making, engraving, and duplicating.
PLAS-TOOL CO.
Injection molds for round and square industrial containers and closures from quart cans to 55-gal drums. Specializes in 5-gal pail and lid molds. Complete services from product conception to manufacture, including turnkey plant operations. Modular mold design allows changing from one size container to another by replacing cavity sets while mold frame is still in the molding machine.
PLASTICO, LTD.
See T&C Machine Products Div.
PLEASANT PRECISION, INC.
Specializes in small to medium-size multicavity precision molds. Cavities produced on CNC equipment; engineering on in-house CAD/CAM system. Product engineering and design assistance.
PORTUGUESE TRADE COMMISSION
Portuguese moldmaking industry can design and make high-precision tools up to 40 tons, working to close tolerances. (See ad p. 253.)
PRECISION MOLD BASE CORP.
Custom mold bases for injection molds. Services include customized machining of pockets, water lines, and hot-runner manifolds, featuring domestic steels and components.
New premachined Timesaver mold bases with finished pockets or bores - on-the-shelf and ready for immediate shipment.
PROMOLD CORP.
Precision injection molds, complex or simple, cold- or hot-runner. Complete tool-room equipment, in-house sampling, production of molded parts, and post-molding assembly, including ultrasonic welding.
PROSPECT MOLD & DIE CO.
Specializes in tooling for multicolored taillight lenses. Also molds for appliances, housewares, and toys. Product development and mold tryout. CAD system and CNC machining.
PROTOPLAST, INC.
Specializes in spray-metal tooling and aluminum, injection and structural foam molds. Complete service from concept to preproduction parts. CNC machining, CAD/CAM and EDM.
PROTOTYPE & PLASTIC MOLD CO.
Specializes in molds for short and medium runs for all engineering thermoplastics, including PEEK. Reduced lead times and costs achieved with CAD/CAM and standard flames. Fourteen molding machines to 300 tons.
P.S.H. INDUSTRIES, INC.
Makes prototype injection molds using a spray-metal process to reduce costs and manufacturing time.
PUGET CORP. PLASTIC PRODUCTS DIV.
Mold design, manufacturing, testing, production molding, product development, and mold repair. ISO 9002-registered injection molding and value-added assembly shop.
R&D TOOL AND ENGINEERING, INC.
Molds for thin-wall products, basecups, caps, and closures. Services include product/preform design, engineering, R&D sampling, manufacturing, quality control, installation and start-up assistance. Maintains spare parts for all tooling built.
R AND M MOLD MFG. CO. INC.
CAD/CAM and EDM-equipped manufacturer of molds, including injection, encapsulation, unscrewing, hot-manifold, stripper, and strip-feed.
RAKAR, INC.
Designs and manufactures precision injection molds for thermosets and thermoplastics. Specializes in molded-in threaded inserts and contact pins.
RAMTEC, INC.
Builds complex side-action and unscrewing molds, as well as simple open/shut molds. CAD/CAM for design and solid modeling. Finite-element analysis and mold-filling/cooling analysis of part design. Nine CNC machines include four-axis wire EDM, CNC EDM, three-axis machining centers, and a lathe.
RANODA ELECTRONICS INC.
Molds for electronic parts such as connectors, insulators, integrated circuits, DIP, and frames. Precision EDM machining.
RBK TOOL & DIE, INC.
High-production to high-tolerance injection molds for 10- to 500-ton machines. Complete part and mold design. CAD/CAM, CNC machining, EDM die sinking, and wire EDM. Mold sampling available.
REDOE MOLD CO. LTD.
Specializes in design and manufacture of molds for automotive tail lamps, appliques, reflectors, and lenses. Also for computer housings and instrument panels. Deals with package programs for multiple mating components, as well as single-cavity molds. Tooling capacity is 10 tons. In-house CAD/CAM, CNC machining, and copymilling.
REXDALE PRECISION MILLING CO.
Specializes in small to medium-size molds for automotive, electronics, toys, hardware and housewares. EDM, engraving, and duplicating. All shapes and configurations, including hot-runner and thin-wall containers.
SARCOL INC.
Molds made from ceramic or cast tool steel for long runs; beryllium-copper for fine-grain or textured molds; and beryllium-nickel for long runs, fine detail, or corrosion resistance. Cast-steel molds are said to cost less, take less time to deliver, and last longer than tooling made on conventional duplicating machines.
SCHOTTLI USA
Swiss mold manufacturer designs and builds semi- and full hot-runner molds for high-precision parts such as medical syringes, closures for packaging, and technical parts such as floppy-disk shells. All molds tested prior to shipment.
RICHARD O. SCHULZ CO.
Designs and builds molds for machines of 250 to 5000 tons or greater. Molds of any size with slides, lifters, core pulls, cams, interchangeable inserts or sections, hot runners, valve gates, and gas assist. Repair and rebuilding, contract special machining, and assembly. Handling and machine capabilities for workpieces to 8 x 16 ft and 100,000 lb. CNC and tracer copy-milling machines, EDM, CNC radial-gun-drilling machines, jig internal-cylindrical-surface grinders. Also spotting presses to 450 tons with 72 x 144 in. platens, computer-enhanced 40 x 63 x 110 in. coordinate-measuring machine, multiple CAD/CAM workstations for tool design and 2-D or 3-D cutter-path programming.
Serves computer, automotive, power-equipment, consumer, appliance, mining, aircraft, military, textile, recreation, and materials-handling markets.
SHARP DIE & MOLD CO.
Designs and builds molds in medium to large sizes. Specializes in complex molds containing slides, lifters, cams, and hot-drop manifolding for high-volume applications. Also high-technology tooling such as expanding high-pressure structural foam molds, CNC duplication on Pratt & Whitney equipment, and line of mechanical quick-mold-change components.
SHORT-RUN PLASTICS MFG. CO.
Manufactures molds to close tolerances for short-run and prototype thermoplastic parts. Specializes in insert molding.
SNIDER MOLD CO., INC.
Complete moldmaking and designing facilities, specializing in larger molds to 40,000 lb. Tooling services for thermoplastic and thermoset injection and short-run molding. CNC and tracer mills, full 3-D CAD/CAM, EDM, and three tryout presses with up to 72 x 144 in. platen size and 84-in. daylight. Contour work for large parts like chairs and tractor hoods. Product engineering, mold repair, tryout, model making, and duplicating.
SOLVAY AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
Hot-runner and three-plate injection molds for up to 1500-ton presses. Tryout and prototype services.
SOURCEONE, INC.
Manufactures injection molds using CNC milling and CNC EDM. Hot-runner, prototype, and production molds and mold design.
SOUTHERN PLASTIC MOLD, INC.
Injection molds for thermoplastics and thermosets, mold repair, tryout, and cast cavities. Specializes in CAD/CAM product and mold design for close-tolerance parts using engineering materials. Supplies standard mold components and moldmakers' tools and supplies.
SOUTHWEST MOLD, INC.
High-production molds for thermoplastics designed and manufactured using CAD, CNC, and EDM. Product engineering, mold design, repair, tryout, engraving, and duplicating.
SPRINGFIELD TOOL & DIE CO. INC.
Specializes in molds for small machines (e.g., 1-oz shot capacity). Also molds for general industry, and multicavity, hot-runner, and short-run/prototype tools as well. Hobbing, engraving, and duplicating. Injection machines up to 300 tons for mold trials.
STAN-CAST, INC.
Specializes in molds with cavities or cores made of beryllium-copper, aluminum, or steel. Complete service from pattern-making to finishing. In-house foundry makes both ceramic and pressure castings. Can supply other tool shops with cast, machined, and mitered cavity and core sets.
STEWART INDUSTRIES, INC.
Thermoplastic molds up to one ton, or 3 x 3 ft, for use in aircraft, medical, and electronics applications. Design and tryout facilities. EDM, tracer mills, and pantographs.
STOTT TOOL & MACHINE CO.
Designs, builds, and maintains injection molds. EDM, CAD, CNC machining, on-site mold testing and production. Industries served include medical, industrial, healthcare and displays.
SUPERIOR DIE SET CORP.
Stock, standard and custom mold bases, including standard A and B series, cavity retainers, three-plate and stripper sets, and mold plates. In-house machining and gun drilling. Torch-cut pockets, Slide-Locks, Poz-E-Locks, ejector pins, internal and external latch locks, and Fortal, an aircraft-quality aluminum alloy, used as an option for mold bases and mold plates.
SUPERIOR INC.
Complete mold design, building, testing, and running facilities. Molds to 300 tons produced for consumer, medical, or automotive products.
T&C MACHINE PRODUCTS DIV. PLASTICO, LTD.
Injection mold building, EDM, grinding, design service, tooling, and tryout up to 200 tons.
TECH MOLD, INC.
Specializes in high-cavitation, ultra-precision, runnerless molds for high-volume production of thermoplastic parts for medical, packaging, pharmaceutical, and high-technology markets. CAD/CAM, CNC machining centers, multiturret lathes, and ultra-precision EDM. Maintains engineering database to manufacture spares and replacement parts at any time during the life of a mold. Molds sampled in-house. Moldmakers trained in SPC.
TECHNI-MOLD & ENGINEERING, INC.
Injection mold manufacturing, including engraving, EDM, grinding, and design services.
TELEDYNE EFFICIENT INDUSTRIES
Designs and builds medium-size to large injection molds. Full CAD/CAM capabilities.
TEN TEC INC.
Molds, including short-run tools, designed and manufactured for thermoplastics and thermosets. Specializes in cam-action and automatic tooling. Mold repair, tryout, engraving, and duplicating.
TETRAD MOULD & TOOL LTD.
Designs and builds injection molds for thermoplastics and thermosets; cold-, hot- and insulated-runner molds; automatic unscrewing, insert-loading, shuttle, and prototype molds.
I. THIBAULT INC.
Designs and builds injection molds (including hot-runner, stack, side-action, family, unscrewing) from small to large sizes (55 x 60 x 65 in.) weighing up to 40,000 lb. CAD/CAM and EDM and CNC cutting. Mold tryout and model-making are subcontracted. Mold-repair services.
TITAN ENTERPRISES, INC.
Manufactures thermoplastic and thermoset injection molds using precision EDM and CNC machining. Automatic and short-run tooling, product development, mold design, repair, tryout, engraving, and duplicating.
TOG MOLD TOOL & DIE CO., INC.
Designs and builds thermoplastic and thermoset molds for machines up to 500 tons. Specializes in injection molds and encapsulation tooling for electronic components, as well as high-volume Class-101 molds and tight-tolerance molds. Handles IGES and DXF files.
TOMKEN TOOL & ENGINEERING, INC.
Offers turnkey packages with in-house design, molds, and complete validation of parts. Mold-building specialties include encapsulation and insert molding for shuttle-table or rotary-table machines; 3-D type parts where part contour is available from CAD database; and small and intricate parts. Design with Unigraphics II on Hewlett-Packard workstations and AutoCAD on PCs. EDM, CNC, and jig grinders.
TOOLING CENTER
Imports injection molds built by its joint-venture partner in the People's Republic of China. Part design, mold design, and moldmaking at Shenzhen, China. Molds shipped to U.S. for inspection, engraving, and texturing.
TOP GRADE MOLDS
Custom maker of high-production injection molds using CAD/CAM/CAE and CNC machines. Specialties include all sizes of round and square pail and lid molds; thick- and thin-wall packaging, housewares, industrial, commercial, and medical products; and molds for automotive, household appliances, and construction applications. Single- or multicavity, specializing in stack molds. Builds hot-runner systems. Complete mold design and testing.
TRADESCO MOLDS LTD.
High-speed injection molds for thin-wall packaging, medical parts, and housewares. Stack molds with up to four faces. Mold design engineering, production consultation, and field service. Products performance tested and checked for uniformity and consistency. (See also Hot-Runner Components/Systems.)
TREDEGAR MOLDED PRODUCTS CO.
Precision, high-production, multicavity molds for thermoplastics. Services include database transfer, CAD design, mold and moldbase construction, and inhouse sampling. Specializes in molds requiring complex cam actions, unscrewing, and interchangeable components for packaging, electronics, medical and industrial markets.
TRI-PAR DIE & MOLD CORP.
Thermoplastic and thermoset injection molds, including multicolor, hot-runner, and automatic tooling, for markets such as automotive and electrical connectors. Mold and product design services, CAD/CAM and CNC machining, and sampling.
TROY TOOLING, INC.
Production and prototype steel, aluminum, and kirksite injection molds. Other capabilities include fixtures and gauges, foam molds, models, patterns, and tooling aids:
UNICAST DEVELOPMENT CORP.
Injection and blow molds in beryllium-copper, steel, and aluminum alloys. Molds and inserts are precision cast from a pattern or model of part. Casting process involves making a precision ceramic foundry mold into which the alloy is cast. Process is suitable for producing prototype or production molds. Manufactures finished molds and also licenses casting process.
UNIQUE MOULD MAKERS LTD.
Designs and manufactures high-quality, multicavity injection molds specifically for caps and closures. High-volume applications where consistent part quality and fast cycle times are required. Tool designs include strip (bump-off), un-screwing, collapsing-core, tamper-evident, child-resistant, and dispensing flip-top. Single-face and stack molds.
VALLEY MOLD & DIE CO., INC.
High-production injection molds, specializing in unscrewing molds. Also design and construction of fully automatic hot-runner molds, injection blow molds, and low-volume prototype tooling. Product development, model-making, cast cavities, hobbing, EDM, CNC machining and duplicating. In-house polishing, precision grinding, mold conversions, and repairs.
Uses Master Cam 386, which allows use of disk files to start mold design and construction without blueprints.
VELOBIND INC.
Designs and builds close-tolerance molds from very small to ones weighing up to 2000 lb. Types include two-plate with subgating, three-plate with pin gating, and hot-runner or insulated-runner with hot probes.
VETTER ASSOCIATES
Designs and manufactures all types of injection molds overseas, including hot-runner, stock, family, unscrewing, multicavity, and prototype. CAD/CAM/CAE, CNC, and EDM. Mold drawings provided for approval before manufacturing, and all molds provided with complete quality-control documentation.
VIMM MACHINE, INC.
Specializes in design and manufacture of molds for insert molding of cord sets, as well as electrical components and Sub-D molded connectors, primarily for its own line of insert-molding machines. Molding services and short-run prototype parts.
WEBER TOOL & MOLD DIV. WEBER MANUFACTURING LTD.
Designs and manufactures injection and other tools, models, and prototypes. CAD/CAM, CNC, and CMM capabilities.
WENTWORTH MOULD AND DIE CO.
Injection molds for 1- to 6-gal plastic buckets and lids. Also design, engineering, and manufacturing of injection blow molds. Molds made from hand-forged, specially heat-treated aluminum that reportedly offers long life, high thermal conductivity, and high compressive strength.
WESS PLASTIC, INC.
Designs and builds molds utilizing CAD, CNC, and EDM. All types of molds built for 400 to 400-ton injection machines. Molding capabilities include 40-ton, 1-oz to 400-ton, 30-oz machines and full support equipment, with emphasis on engineering materials.
WISCONSIN TOOL & MOLD CO.
Designs and builds precision injection molds for medical, pharmaceutical, electronics, connector, and controls industries. Specialties include stainless-steel and hardened mold bases and runnerless molds. Prototyping, sampling on 300 to 200-ton presses, mold repair, and troubleshooting.
ZYGO MOULD, LTD.
Designs and builds high-speed injection molds, hot-runner systems, and standard mold components. Primary markets include PET bottle preforms, thin-wall packaging, and medical disposables. Hot-runner systems for molds ranging from hot-tip style to 2 x 24 valve-gated stack molds. Standard parts such as nozzle housings, tips, insulators, and heaters in stock for immediate delivery; specialty components manufactured to specification.
Blow Molds
PRODUCT LINES REVIEWED
ABPAMO ASSOCIATES
Design and engineering services for injection blow molding use AutoCAD and 3-D modeling. Product design, product drawings, complete tool design, modeling, and construction using CAM. In-house molding equipment for sampling of unit cavity and production tooling ensures project continuity.
ACRO TOOL CO., INC.
Designs and builds blow molds. General machining of mold accessories, fixtures and jigs. Precision CNC lathe, engraving, milling, grinding, and model-making.
AIRO TOOL & MANUFACTURING
Design and programming services for extrusion blow molds. Secondary tooling includes striker plates end shims, cutting sleeves, detabber assemblies, dies and mandrels, pins and bushings, trim nests, and a patented guide-pin and alignment bushing.
ALLOY TOOL & MOLD MFG. CORP.
Blow molds and associated tooling for medical, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, personal-care, food, beverage, automotive, household and industrial chemical containers. Technical center offers CAD/CAM and CNC design services. Repair, refurbishing, and revision of molds.
BEKUM PLASTICS MACHINERY, INC.
Blow molds for injection blow, reheat blow, and articles up to 750-gal capacity for extrusion blow molding. Testing and prototyping facilities for all molds and all resins, including coextrusion and industrial applications.
BLOW MOLD TOOLING (1972) LTD.
Molds for extrusion blow, injection-blow, and stretch-blow processes, including bottles from 3 cc to 20 liters for food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and beverages. Product and mold design, models, masters, hand-made samples, mold manufacture and testing, after-sale service, and troubleshooting. Molds made from aircraft aluminum, beryllium-copper, NAK-55, tool steels, and stainless steels. Jomar 115 machine for testing injection blow molds.
BROADWAY COMPANIES, INC.
Specializes in high-quality blow molds for high-volume production of carbonated-beverage containers. Molds of aircraft-grade aluminum or steel in sizes from 6 oz to 5 gal. Models, duplicating, EDM, CAD, mold design, construction, repair, and prototype development.
CAPTIVE PLASTICS, INC.
Specializes in injection-blow molds for containers and specialty parts. Design facilities, duplicators, tracer lathes, precision-forming grinders, EDM, jig-boring machines, and pantograph engraving equipment.
CENTURY DIE CO.
Molds for 1-2 oz to 6-qt containers of aluminum or beryllium-copper.
ELECTRA FORM, INC.
Molds for injection stretch-blow molding.
EPW INC.
Prototype and production blow molds. Engineering staff, model shop, rigging department, CAD/CAM, CNC machining center, and large coordinate-measuring machine. Molds made from epoxy laminates, aluminum-backed epoxy, cast-to-size or machined aluminum, nickel shells, or machined steel.
FGH SYSTEMS, INC.
Complete blow molding packages to 32 gal in conjunction with B&W Blow Molding Machines of Germany. CAD/CAM and CNC mold-design and manufacturing services, mold repair - including aluminum and beryllium-copper welding, mold sampling, preproduction runs, training, and start-up services.
FREMONT PLASTIC MOLDS LTD.
Tooling services include design, casting, machining, and model-making.
GENERAL MACHINERY CO. DIV. OF WHEATON INDUSTRIES
Mold Group now offers injection and extrusion blow molds to other molders. Two-shift operation with high-speed CNC. Engineering is provided by third parties to ensure total project security.
HEISE INDUSTRIES INC.
Extrusion and injection blow molds from aircraft-grade aluminum, beryllium-copper, and a full range of steels. Initial part development, mold design and construction, all related tooling for the molding machine, and molded parts for evaluation. Mold models generated on a CAD/CAM system that is integrated with CNC machines.
HOBSON BROTHERS, ALUMINUM FOUNDRY & MOULD WORKS
Blow molds for all types of resins and part configurations, specializing in industrial molds for engineering resins. Utilizes CAD and CNC machining, EDM, gun drill, fitting press, and engraving machinery. Materials include P-20 tool steel, cast aluminum, aluminum plate (6061, 7075 and QC-7), beryllium-copper, and lamina bronze. Product development, mold repair, model-making, cast cavities, engraving, and duplicating.
ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION
More than 150 Italian companies manufacture extrusion and injection blow molds for packaging, industrial applications (automotive parts), and toy making.
JOHNSON CONTROLS INC. PLASTICS MACHINERY DIV.
Complete container, mold manufacturing, and tooling services, along with a line of extrusion and injection-blow molding machinery for containers ranging from a few cc to over 100 gal.
JOMAR CORP.
Injection-blow tooling services include product and tool design, sample tooling, production tooling, and automatic take-away equipment. Manufacturing facilities for injection-blow machines and tooling, plus layout and installation assistance. In-house mold testing at R&D center. (See ad p. 130.)
KENNEDY TOOL-DIE, INC.
Extrusion blow molds for containers from 1 oz to 82 gal. Molds for handled bottles, dairy gallons, toys, and automotive parts, specializing in complex configurations. Also plastic oil-can molds. Every operation is computerized.
R.C. KING MOLD & MACHINE
Designs and repairs injection and blow molds. Duplicating services available.
KNIGHT TOOL WORKS LTD.
Extrusion and injection-blow molds, both production and prototype, plus all associated tooling. Specializes in neck-finish construction and downstream tooling. CAD engineering/design, machining, modeling, and mold repair. Blow molds made from aluminum, beryllium-copper and a full range of steels.
LIBERTY MOLD & DUPLICATING CO.
Specialized maker of small injection-blow molds.
LOWRY MFG., INC.
Blow molds with cut duplicated cavities, EDM, and cast cavities.
MODERN TOOLS DIV. LIBBY-OWENS-FORD CO.
Medium-size to large blow molds made from aluminum, kirksite, and beryllium-copper.
PLASTI-CAST MOLD & PRODUCTS CO.
Aluminum castings and finished blow molds. Leather, wood-grain, and textured surfaces are a specialty.
PORTAGE CASTING & MOLD INC.
Cast or machined aluminum blow molds. Specializes in large molds up to 15 tons. Pattern and model-making services, in-house mold-design staff, on-site aluminum foundry, and complete moldmaking shop.
PROTOPLAST, INC.
Specializes in spray-metal tooling and aluminum molds. Complete services from concept to preproduction parts using CNC machining, CAD/CAM, and EDM.
P.S.H. INDUSTRIES, INC.
Prototype injection and blow molds from spray-metal process that reduces cost and manufacturing time.
R&D TOOL AND ENGINEERING, INC.
Blow molds of various kinds with complete services from product or preform design and engineering to R&D sampling, manufacturing, quality control, installation, and start-up assistance. Maintains spare parts for all tooling built.
RAO DESIGN ENGINEERING & MANAGEMENT SERVICES, INC.
Specializes in designing and building container blow molds, both for extrusion and injection blow, and offers all related tooling. Molds for standard shapes from 1 oz to 1 gal available from stock. Prototypes also offered. Has several extrusion blow and injection blow molding machines. Also molds for containers to 1200 liters.
REOS INC.
Blow molds and tooling via CAD/CAM, ensuring repeatability and fast response. Product concept through in-house evaluation of molds.
RYKA BLOW MOLDS LTD.
Product design, mold engineering, and mold manufacture with CAD/CAM. Specialties include packaging, automotive, and industrial applications. Consultation on processing.
SARCOL INC.
Complete pattern, foundry, and finishing operations for ceramic, steel, beryllium-copper, and beryllium-nickel blow molds. Offers cast full-flow, fast-cycle channel cooling.
SCHULZE TOOL CO.
Blow molds from product design through complete engineering services. Product and mold drawings via 3-D CAD/CAM. Molds built with CNC machining centers, digitizers, and multi-spindle duplicators. Accessories such as dies, mandrels, blowpins, cutters, and trim tooling, as well as trimming and deflashing machines. Mold repairs, modifications, and consulting.
SEAJAY MFG. CORP.
Extrusion blow molds for cosmetic containers to industrial parts to 25 gal. Aircraft aluminum, beryllium-copper, and steel.
SNIDER MOLD CO., INC.
Designs and builds large blow molds in machined aluminum and steel.
SOLVAY AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
Extrusion blow molds for up to 50-lb parisons, including industrial parts, automotive components (e.g., air-conditioner ducts, gas tanks), and display cabinets.
STAN-CAST, INC.
Complete moldmaking facility with CNC EDM duplicating and foundry to cast tool steel, aluminum, and beryllium-copper. Ceramic and pressure castings also available.
SUPREME TOOLING GROUP
Cast-aluminum and beryllium-copper blow molds, particularly for automotive. Total engineering package from development to operation.
TECHNOMOULD INC.
Blow molds from machined and cast aluminum, bronze, and beryllium-copper. Stencils from electroformed nickel shells.
UNICAST DEVELOPMENT CORP.
Injection and blow molds in beryllium-copper, steel, and aluminum alloys. Molds and inserts precision-cast from a pattern or model of the part. Casting process involves making a precision ceramic foundry mold into which alloy is cast. Process is suitable for producing prototype and production molds. Manufactures finished molds and licenses casting process to other producers.
WALKER PATTERN & MOLD INC.
Extrusion blow molds for 2-ml containers to 55-gal drums. Also molds for double-wall construction and form/fill/seal. Utilizes CAD/CAM data exchange and digitizing. Equipped with various CNC machines.
WENTWORTH MOULD AND DIE CO.
Designs and engineers extrusion and injection-blow molds made from hand-forged, specially heat-treated aluminum that reportedly offers long life, high thermal conductivity, and high compressive strength.
WHEELER BOYCE CO.
Precision cast-aluminum blow molds. In-plant services include model-making, pattern production, foundry, finishing, and assembly.
Metallic Mold Materials
PRODUCT LINES REVIEWED
ALUMINUM CO. OF AMERICA
Wrought aluminum plate for blow, injection, and compression molds. Alcoa QC-7 mold plate designed specially for blow and injection molds where high strength, thermal conductivity, and hardness are needed. Also 6061 mold plate in two tempers and thicknesses from 6 through 20 in.
AMPCO METAL, INC.
Copper alloys for blow and injection molds. Three high-conductivity alloys - Ampco 97, 940, and 945 - optimize thermal conductivity, hardness, corrosion resistance, and wear resistance. Said to be cost-effective alternatives to beryllium-copper, providing hardness of 143-290 Bhn. Applications include molds and mold inserts, pinch-offs, blow and core pins, lifters, guide-pin and leader-pin bushings, and unscrewing mold components. Conventional machining and EDM methods can be employed. Surface finishes of 4 RMS are possible. Alloys are readily welded to accommodate stainless-steel overlays and come in standard sizes of bar, rod, tube, and plate.
BRUSH WELLMAN INC.
Moldmax and Protherm beryllium-copper alloys reportedly improve performance of injection molds. Benefits include reduced cycle time and better dimensional control, based on rapid and more uniform removal of heat from the part.
CRUCIBLE SERVICE CENTERS
Line of mold materials includes stainless steels for molding highly abrasive engineered resins, copper alloys for rapid heat dissipation, and aluminum for blow molds and short-run tooling. Twenty-three service centers offer custom cutting, technical assistance, and research.
D-M-E CO.
Six grades of mold steel - three for structural sections and three for cavities and cores. Structural steels include: D-M-E No. 1 medium-carbon SAE 1030 grade; D-M-E No. 2 AISI 4130 grade, preheat-treated to 269-321 Bhn (28-34 Rc); and D-M-E No. 7 modified AISI 420-F holder-block stainless, preheat-treated to 305-342 Bhn (33-37 Rc).
Cavity and core grades include D-M-E No. 3 P-20 type steel preheat-treated to 277-331 Bhn (29-36 Rc); D-M-E No. 5 H-13 type hot-work steel, annealed to approx. 200 Bhn (13-20 Rc); and D-M-E No. 6 T-420 type stainless, annealed to 200-240 Bhn (14-23 Rc). (See ads Cover II, p. 262.)
A. FINKL & SONS CO.
Hot-work mold steels are melted using V.A.D. degassing system and further refined in a V.A.R. furnace for a double-vacuum-produced product. Steels are upset-forged, utilizing wide dies with a minimum reduction of area of 5:1. AISI-type P-20 and 4140 steels are cold-water quenched for maximum grain refinement and through-hardening, and then machined and ultrasonically examined. Modifications available of P-20, 4140, Holder Block, 420 S.S. and H-13 (air-melted and double-vacuum-melted). (See ad p. 260.)
HASCO-INTERNORM CORP. WEST
Five grades of tool steels include AISI/SAE types 1020, P20, and H13.
INTERNATIONAL MOLD STEELS
NAK 55, 40 RC prehardened mold steel is easy to machine, stable, and allows for perfect weld repair.
PXS, 32 RC prehardened mold steel is twice as tough as P-20, easy to machine, and welds with no pre- or post-heating required.
Porcerax II, permeable mold steel allows gas but not plastic to pass through.
PERFORMANCE ALLOYS & SERVICES
High-conductivity, beryllium-free copper alloys for core and cavity making, and aluminum bronze alloys for wear applications such as slides, wear plates, gibs, bushings, and ejector sleeves.
Patented products include core pins and high-conductivity, copper-alloy core pins for cycle-time reductions and part-quality improvements.
Sprue bushings, copper alloys, and stainless sprue bushing aid in solving sprue-related molding problems.
THYSSEN SPECIALTY STEELS, INC.
Tool steels include:
* Thyssen Holder 4140 modified, pre-heat-treated (24/32 Rc) free-machining alloy steel designed specifically for mold bases. High tensile strength.
* Thyroplast 2738 AISI P-20 modified, high-quality prehardened mold steel (28/34 Rc) for large plastic molds requiring high core hardness.
* Thyssen P-20 Super AISI P-20 modified, prehardened (34/38 Rc) steel for plastic molds requiring compressive strength, wear, toughness, and long runs.
* Thyroplast 2316 FM AISI 420 F modified, prehardened, Ca-treated (34/38 Rc), free-machining, corrosion-resistant stainless steel for mold flames, holders, and bolsters.
* Thyroplast 2083 Supra AISI 420 modified, annealed, electroslag-remelted stainless tool steel; capable of being heat-treated to high hardness; particularly suited to compression and injection molding, which require excellent polishability and corrosion resistance.
* Thyrotherm 2344 Supra ESR AISI Premium H-13, annealed electroslag-remelted, high-performance tool steel with excellent toughness for molds needing high wear resistance and polishability.
Nonferrous alloys include:
* Thyssen Aluminum 6061 alloy for high thermal conductivity and good machinability.
* Thyssen Alumold, a new high-strength, high-quality aluminum alloy, suitable for small to medium production runs, has excellent through-hardening ability, thermal conductivity, and high strength-to-weight ratio.
* Thyssen beryllium-copper alloys for high thermal conductivity, good hardness, and machinability.
UDDEHOLM CORP.
Mold steels include Impax Supreme (P-20 modified) premium-quality, pre-hardened grade with reportedly excellent polishing and photo-etching properties; Orvar Supreme (H13 improved) through-hardening mold steel said to have excellent machinability, polishability, and toughness; and Compax through-hardening steel with good toughness at high hardness and moderate wear resistance. Rigor (A2) is a medium-alloyed mold steel with high wear resistance. ASP 23 and Vanadis powder-metallurgy grades for very high wear resistance.
Stainless mold and holder steels offer low-maintenance, long-run operation. Grades specially developed for optimum tool performance include Stavax ESR (420 modified) through-hardening mold steel with good corrosion resistance, high wear resistance, and excellent polishability. Ramax S (420F modified) is a prehardened holder or mold-base steel said to have excellent machinability and good resistance to indentation. Elmax is a wear-resistant powder-metallurgy stainless grade for cavity-insert molds that process abrasive engineering resins.
Complementary tooling products offered include Alumec 89 high-strength aluminum tooling material with excellent machinability and polishability. Several grades of beryllium-copper mold alloys include Moldmax and Protherm products made by Brush Wellman Inc.
Hot-Runner Components and Systems
PRODUCT LINES REVIEWED
A.L.B.A. ENTERPRISES, INC.
Thermoplay hot-runner systems from Enrietti in Italy include hot-runner nozzles, manifolds and temperature controllers.
Standard single-drop nozzles in two styles: Type 1 nozzle used where gate vestige is critical to a highly cosmetic appearance; and Type 2 nozzle for viscous materials or subgating into a runner when gate vestige is not critical. Also valve-gated nozzles and multigated nozzles for edge gating and direct cavity gating of up to eight gates from one nozzle.
TA series nozzles have a steel tube inserted through the beryllium-copper core for improved wear and corrosion resistance. All nozzles available as hot sprues for single-drop applications.
TG series temperature controllers offer individual microprocessor control of each zone and come standard with enough power for high-load applications. (See data sheet p. 268.)
AMERICAN MSI CORP.
Runnerless temperature controls include System III, with an intuitive user interface, 12 to 384 zones of control, and full-color CRT graphic display of all set-points, actual temperatures, and power outputs. All process changes are made with a light pen, which allows fast selection of all or individual zones. Diagnostic program evaluates power output, current draw, and T/C input. It reports status of the entire hot-runner system (reversed T/C, cross-wired T/C, defective T/C, open heater, etc.).
MTC-System for 4, 8 or 12 zones at 240 VAC/15 amps/zone has back-lit LCD graphic display of actual temperature vs. setpoint, as well as power output. Comes standard with RS232 serial port for printing mold setups and errors.
Options for System III and MTC-System include auto-boost, auto-standby, SPI protocol communications to a remote monitor, SQC data storage, and desktop software.
ATHENA CONTROLS, INC.
New PIM portable single-zone temperature controller for hot-sprue bushings or single-heater applications up to 15 amps features dual display, fused and grounded circuitry, CompuStep start-up, manual and closed-loop control, and power on/off switch. With microprocessor PID control and complete diagnostics, module operates automatically after setting temperature and turning on power. CompuStep function provides automatic warm-up, and when complete, controller switches to CompuCycle, a zero-crossover power drive that delivers smooth, continuous a-c power, which reportedly improves response time, reduces thermal fatigue and prolongs power life. (See ad p. 264.)
BARBER-COLMAN CO. INDUSTRIAL INSTRUMENTS DIV.
FITT-8000 multizone hot-runner temperature-control system maintains temperature of any number of control zones to within 1 [degrees]. Temperature of each zone is measured 80 times/sec and output is updated 20 times/sec.
Line-voltage-compensated output changes from AutoTune PID to manual percent control at push of a button. Integral Line Cycling (ILC) operates output every 50 millisec, virtually eliminating destructive temperature gradients in heater's resistance wire. Zero crossfiring delivers control comparable to phase-angle firing while eliminating RF noise. Softstart eliminates heater damage from insulation moisture, while Auto-Comp provides a means of continuing production if thermocouple is damaged. Coordinated Overcurrent Protection (COP) offers triple-redundant protection against short circuits without replacement of fuses. Plain-English display of volts and amps provides instant heater status at no extra cost. Alarm output and 32 diagnostic events standard.
Controller housing sealed against production environments, and NEMA 4 enclosures designed to specification. Standard cable connectors for most existing mold connectors. (See ad p. 1.)
BURGER ENGINEERING, INC.
New Versashot adjustable hot sprue bushing has full-length outer sleeve that can be machined to provide tip or "A" lengths of 0.875 to 3.875 in. Three tip styles: standard (0.062-in. opening), large (0.160 in.), and tapered (0.125 in.). Standard heater is 300 w, 240 v.
CACO-PACIFIC CORP.
Hot-runner systems use proprietary components, including valve-gate, hot-tip, hot-edge-gate, and special custom styles in single-face and stack-mold configurations. Available as complete mold-base assemblies or bolt-on hot-half assemblies, fully assembled and tested prior to shipment.
CINCINNATI MILACRON U.S. PLASTICS MACHINERY DIV.
Runnerless temperature controller eliminates need to rewire connections to the mold, because heater and thermocouple locations can be changed through software using CRT menu. Available in 12 to 96 zones, system includes color monitor, type J or K thermocouple input, soft-start, and security codes. Screen graphically displays actual vs. set temperatures with high/low alarm bands. Forty-four mold setups can be stored on hard-disk drive. Additional external storage on floppy disk. Printer port provided. Compact unit is caster-mounted for mobility. (See ads pp. 10, 58-59, 126-127, 142, 146; data sheets pp. 91-97, 138-139, 159-160.)
CONTROL KING, INC.
Microprocessor-based hot-runner temperature-control systems feature Master Temperature Control Switch (MTCS-1), which provides choice of four different temperature setpoints for each zone. User can change back and forth between the four stored setpoints with the flip of a switch, useful for start-up, color changes, purging, and maintenance.
Systems have four to 72 zones. Control modules in 10-, 20- and 30-amp versions can be mixed in the control cabinet according to mold-heater requirements. Each PID module accepts five different setpoints: process temperature, high/low alarms, manual power, and acceptable ground-fault indication (GFI) limit. Six process displays, such as power level and GFI indicators, are accessible at touch of a button. When heater ground faults are detected, appropriate action (such as forced bake) is taken automatically. When T/C breaks occur, system automatically switches to manual operation at predetermined rate of power. Bake and standby heat are standard.
Optional KIM Module hand-held programming device plugs into any control cabinet and can be removed at any time. It can change setpoints, bake time, and PID parameters.
DIEMOULD SERVICE CO. (CANADA) LTD.
Supplies Heatlock sprue bushings, torpedoes, and manifolds from Nils Helldin AB of Sweden. All components are ceramic insulated. Variety of tips and styles, including mini models for center spacing down to 30 mm. CAD library of components is compatible with AutoCAD. Also coil and band heaters and thermocouples.
D-M-E CO.
Runnerless molding systems and components:
* The Cool One (internally heated runnerless components and systems). Melt-flow channels around heated distributor tubes provide self-insulating system, reportedly using up to 75% less energy than conventional hot runners. Single- and multilevel designs. Several probe styles for different materials or cavitation.
* The Hot One (externally heated hot-manifold systems). Nozzles, heaters, riser pads, spacer rings, etc. Three nozzle sizes and four tip styles provide 27 combinations to meet a wide range of material flows and part cosmetics. Gate-Mate nozzles can also provide advantages of a self-insulating layer of material in gate area. Osco multigate nozzles provide four or six injection points in one compact design.
* Osco single- and multiple valve-gate systems. Hydraulically actuated systems provide positive, independent gate shut-off. Full-body, bodiless, or pin-gate styles. Single valve-gate system has a shaft-driven 1:1 ratio for long life. External adjustment simplifies mold construction.
* Osco adjustable-flow systems. Nozzles permit external adjustment of flow rate for balancing family molds.
* Smart Series temperature controls have digital readouts, auto and manual modes, heater warm-up circuitry, and self-diagnostics to detect thermocouple faults. Single- and dual-readout models, and computer interface for remote control via PC or machine control. (See ads Cover II, p. 262.)
EWIKON N.A. INC.
Low-voltage (5-VAC), energy-efficient hot-runner systems with complete line of components. Support and service from mold design to processing.
Multizone temperature controller (5-VAC or 240-VAC) with four-field monitor "window" technique is microprocessor-based, PID self-tuning; reacts to [+ or -]1 [degrees] F change from setpoint. Digital LED display, soft-touch data keypad, ground-fault detection, softstart, thermocouple-break protection, error analysis, fault display, and percentage-output display of one or all zones. Units switchable from amps to [degrees] F. Interface link to IBM PCs available for SPC information.
FAST HEAT INC.
Runnerless systems emphasize balanced design in every manifold. System manufactured using CNC technologies, including flow analysis when required. Company manufactures everything on hot half, from mold plates to integrally heated torpedo bushings.
* Temperature controllers: Conductor Series microprocessor control modules in cabinets with one to 12 zones. Multizoned free-standing cabinets available. Can sense T/C failure and switch automatically to continue running at steady state. AutoSoft warm-up, percentage-power display, dual-function set-point, [degrees] F or [degrees] C display, three alarms, 14 self-diagnostic features, and U.S. or European power ratings.
* Gating and runner torpedoes: Sensitip molding torpedoes are swaged to provide more uniform heat profile than cartridge-heated types. Diam. of 0.312 to 0.750 in. and wide selection of lengths. Torpedo has replaceable type-J thermocouple located internally and up front for precise gate and runner temperature control. Gating torpedoes in diam. from 0.394 to 0.750 in.
* Torpedo bushings: Sensitwin bushings are integrally heated and designed to perform beyond the capabilities of ordinary cartridge-heated probes and coil-heated bushings. Three basic configurations for single-cavity, manifold, or stack-mold applications.
* Sprue bushings and machine nozzles: Integrally heated design includes replaceable type-J thermocouple. Sprue bushings come with 0.50- or 0.75-in. radius on the head; also flat or manifold style. Tips of bushings can include extra machining stock.
GAMMAFLUX, INC.
Temperature-control systems for hot runners consist of 900 series analog controllers and 9000 series analog/digital controls. Maintain uniform and accurate temperatures with less than [+ or -]1 [degrees] F deviation in electrically heated areas of hot-runner tools.
The 900 series includes model 932, a 240-VAC, 30-amp, single-zone controller used mainly on manifold zones. Standard "no-tuning" feature, PIDD analog control algorithms, and Powerpak voltage-proportioning control output. Model 943 is a 240-VAC, 3-amp (or optional low-voltage d-c), four-zone control for use in runner-drop zones. Contains all control, protective, and diagnostic features of model 932.
Series 9000 controls with hybrid analog/digital technology allow production data gathering and performance monitoring and provide enhanced protection features such as "slaved" or sequenced start-up.
GUNTHER HOT RUNNER SYSTEMS
Externally heated, closed-loop 5-, 220- and 240-v hot-runner systems carry melt with minimal pressure drop through tubes from machine nozzle to gate. Internal hot elements are thermally separated from external construction elements. No heat expansion occurs between mold and hot runner.
Systems permit gating inside articles such as cosmetic caps through the uncrewing mechanism. Special nozzles in vertical or horizontal multitip arrangements have up to eight tips. Pitch diam. from 3 to 42 mm. Article weights of under one gram achievable. Can also side-gate parts directly without leaving a cold slug. Nozzles 541 and 542 allow gating with one or two tips in a single nozzle.
HASCO-INTERNORM CORP. WEST
Heated sprue bushings, nozzles, manifold blocks, and preassembled hot-runner systems. Internally and externally heated bushings; pneumatically operated, positive-shutoff needle valves; and variety of temperature controls.
HUSKY INJECTION MOLDING SYSTEMS LTD.
Hot-runner systems from single-cavity units to 96-cavity, single-face and 2 x 64 cavity, stack systems. Can be supplied fully assembled with prehardened stainless-steel plates and interface bolt holes for cavity plate. Fully wired to multipin connectors and electrically tested. On delivery, hot half is ready to be attached to cavity plate and run. Individual components also available. Evaluation and engineering service to upgrade cold-runner molds to hot runners.
Hot-runner temperature controllers, built for Husky by Gammaflux, require no tuning and are reportedly highly responsive to shear heat and other process disturbances, thereby minimizing temperature cycling. Added advantage is said to be potential cycle-time reductions through lower setpoint temperature without risk of gate freeze-off.
IMS CO.
Closed-loop temperature-control modules rated at 15 amps and 120 or 240 v with time-proportioned power, automatic softstart, and digital display. Standard housings have 1 to 12 zones. Also single-zone housings with 30-a output. All modules, housings, and connectors interchangeable with standard hot-runner controllers.
Stand-alone closed-loop temperature controllers rated at 15 amps and 240 v in 1, 2, and 4 zones.
Open-loop power-control modules fit standard hot-runner system housings and connectors.
Stand-alone, open-loop voltage controllers rated at 5 or 15 amps and 120 or 240 v use company's microcircuit control. (See ads pp. 22, 315.)
INCOE CORP.
Runnerless molding systems, cast heaters for mold and machine nozzles, prewired and assembled injection half of runnerless molds, and temperature-control systems. (See ad p. 245.)
ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION
Information on hot-runner systems from several Italian producers.
JPI TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Heitec hot-runner system has 220-v cast-in heating elements that provide external heating and are thermally insulated from mold by layers of air and by low-conductive junction element in manifold. This eliminates need to heat up entire manifold block and substantially reduces heat loss from nozzles to cavity plate. Melt-conducting tube in nozzle is made of an alloy with high thermal conductivity and abrasion resistance. Minimum center-to-center spacing of 0.71 in. between individually controlled nozzles. Thermal separation of heating elements allows inside gating through small cores. Top- or edge,gate multitip nozzles with up to eight tips placed on a diam. up to 3 in. (See data sheet p. 269.)
KONA CORP.
Hot-runner systems feature built-in heat-pipe technology for [+ or -]5 [degrees] F temperature uniformity throughout the hot runner. Open-flow and hydraulic/pneumatic valve-gate systems for all sizes of applications, from multiple-cavity, close center-to-center gating (caps, closures, medical parts) to single-cavity applications (automotive bumpers, instrument panels). Versions for rigid PVC a specialty. Systems prewired and preassembled with mold plates for easy installation. Controlled-vestige (CV) hot-runner tip styles operate in the widest possible temperature range and have good color-change characteristics. Also offers hot-sprue bushings and temperature-control systems.
MELT DESIGN, INC. (MDI)
Standard and special runnerless molding components include integrally heated probes, hot-sprue bushings/nozzles, two-stage externally heated nozzle filters, thermocouples, and hot-runner temperature controls.
Off-the-shelf, pre-engineered, pre-dimensioned, modular hot-runner system. Modular manifolds integrally heated with replaceable thermocouples and made of high-quality tool steel. Hardened and nitrided to minimize surface wear or scoring during assembly/disassembly. Design consultation and engineering assistance available on new tooling and retrofits.
MOLD-MASTERS LTD.
Standard or custom-engineered hot-runner systems from single-cavity prototypes to high-production multicavity tools in 208-240 v or 24 v to process thermoplastics in any shot size. Stack-mold hot-runner systems feature valve-to-valve feeder mechanisms for no material leakage at the first parting line.
Patented metallurgical fusion of heater element provides fast, isothermal temperature distribution and long-term heater reliability. Each system is naturally balanced with open-pipeline, unrestricted runners for repeatable cavity-to-cavity consistency, even with difficult-to-process engineering grades. All gating techniques, including hot-tip, multitip, valve-gate (hydraulic and pneumatic), sprue, and edge gates.
Also minimum-pressure-loss filter nozzles, directly heated machine nozzles, and water-cooled gate inserts for use with company's nozzles to maximize gate-area cooling and shorten cycles.
Single- or multizone microprocessor-based hot-runner temperature controllers sold individually or with systems. Complete hot-half packages include hot-runner system, manifold plates, and temperature controller, delivered fully assembled, completely wired, and electrically tested.
Also application engineering assistance and seminars on new technology and processing developments.
ORYCON CONTROL TECHNOLOGY
Pre-engineered, standardized hot-runner systems and components include temperature controllers, torpedoes, sprue bushings, probes, thermocouples, modular manifold system, and a hot sprue bushing that uses standard cartridge heaters but can equalize the temperature profile to make it suitable for processing engineering resins.
Temperature controllers use patented cooling method, which allows unit to operate without a fan. Prevents dust, contaminating particles, and oil mist from entering the chassis. Microprocessor temperature controllers include single-zone units in 10, 15, and 30 amps and open- and closed-loop mode. Standard audible alarm and softstart with optional ground-fault protection. Multizone mainframe controllers standardized in 9 or 12 positions and may be stacked to achieve any number of zones. Control modules available with PID, digital LCD display, and adjustable power output.
OSCO INC.
Specializes in valve-gate nozzles. Designed to run conventionally or sequentially. Gate diam. up to 1/2 in. with no gate vestige. Controlled cavity-fill rates and weld-line placement.
Mold nozzles with interchangeable tips provide flexibility in design and gate cosmetics. Material flow channels from 1/4- to 3/4-in. diam. meet requirements of large and small parts.
Multiple-gate nozzles for smaller parts have one thermocouple-controlled heater per gate. Economical and compact runnerless system with up to eight gates per nozzle.
Adjustable flow-control nozzles provide mechanical balance of fill into each cavity, placement of weld line, and good gate cosmetics.
PLASTHING HOT RUNNER SYSTEMS, INC.
Extensive range of Italian-designed single-feed hot-runner nozzles and multifeed bushings. Designs and builds complete manifold systems with up to 96 drops using CAD and flow analysis. Nozzles and bushings employ internal 24-v cartridge heater that extends the whole length of the unit. Low heater voltage protects unit from damage by moisture, without need for softstart. Simple voltage control without need for thermocouples. The 24-v cartridge provides sufficient control to prevent drool without mechanical shutoff. Titanium-coated bushings offered for use with abrasive glass-filled materials.
Manifolds incorporate special 240-v cartridges with unusually low watt density. Systems achieve "natural seal" by means of thermal expansion of close-fitting components, eliminating special seals, sealing rings, or springs to prevent leakage.
PLASTIC ENGINEERING & TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC. (P.E.T.S.)
Hot-runner systems include manifold, hot sprue bushings, and temperature controls. "Even-Flow" systems are said to be especially suited to multicavity and large multidrop molds. One-piece cast, round manifolds are said to be leak-proof without use of o-rings. They also reportedly offer 20-40% lower power consumption, smooth flow passages with reduced shear, and ability to be controlled with a single setpoint. Externally heated hot drops have flow paths free of restrictions. Valve gates and low-vestige tips available.
P.E.T.S. Model 7000 temperature controller, with up to 32 zones, has 9-in. CRT with menu-type software. Max. total load is 100 kva; max. is 30 amps/zone (40 amps optional). Data storage for up to 10 mold setups, full-time display of all zone operating parameters, RS232/484 serial output port, and optional SPC monitoring with output to a host computer. Diagnostics instantly alarm and display control and mold electrical problems as well as corrective action to be taken.
PLASTIC PROCESS EQUIPMENT INC.
Hot-runner controls from one to over 96 zones. Microprocessor-controlled PID temperature control. Some can be integrated with computer for remote control of all parameters. Low-cost, open-loop, and non-PID closed-loop modules stocked. (See ad p. 337.)
POLYSHOT CORP.
Runnerless molding systems consist of hot-runner manifolds, heated sprue bushings, multitip nozzles and temperature-control systems.
Heated sprue bushings of six different tip styles in 1- or 3/4-in. diam. Tip styles include pinpoint, full-flow, reverse-taper, and large-shot configurations. Heated sprue bushings can easily be retrofitted to existing molds with the use of an FR gate interface.
Hot-runner systems are custom designed. Manifold systems externally heated for precise temperature control. Flow channels, drop lengths, and plate thicknesses sized for each application.
For maximum amount of cavities in as small an area as possible, Multitip system allows two to eight drops on each module. Modules can operate in a stand-alone mode or be interfaced to company's hot-manifold system. Multitip system is suitable for high-volume, small-part applications.
Also furnishes complete temperature-control systems to operate its runnerless molding systems. Single- and multi-zone configurations feature ground-fault softstart systems, PID output, solid-state digital readouts, and ability to read out in setpoint or direct thermocouple mode. (See data sheets pp. 272-273.)
RAMA CORP.
True Shot runnerless molding system has reportedly unique capabilities for rapid color change and leak-proof operation. Heat-treated components reduce wear. Air-gap insulation and reduced-mass design are said to result in energy savings. Ramarod cartridge, Ramaband and Rama cast-aluminum band heaters provide uniform, uninterrupted, external melt heating.
Engineering and R&D services using CAD available for custom-designed heating assembly needs. (See also Heaters and Heating Elements.)
RUNNERLESS TECHNOLOGY, INC.
New firm offers "Thermal Valve Gate" hot-runner probes, manifolds, and controls. Probes have on/off heater control at the tip, plus a built-in pressure sensor to trip an alarm if tip is seated with too much or too little pressure. "Cluster blocks" have 8-16 tips for small parts. Split-plate manifolds make for easy cleaning. Controller is custom-built by American MSI, has proprietary software. Also offers heavy-duty mold connectors and cartridge heaters developed specifically for hot manifolds.
S AND B CONTROLS DIV. OF SCHUNTERMANN CORP.
Series 8000 eight-zone temperature controller suitable for hot-runner control. PID control, autotuning, softstart, RS485 or RS232-C computer interface, digital ammeter with alarm, and run and standby setpoints. Seven-day clock for automatic warmup. Current monitoring with digital ammeter and low-current alarm provides immediate warning of heater burnout - much faster than a low-temperature alarm. Also offers Model 1000 four-zone controller.
SEIKI SPEAR SYSTEM, INC.
ThermoMechanical valve-gate for injection molding is a hybrid design employing conventional mechanical valve-gating with company's patented "thermal valve-gating." Like conventional valve-gates, a mechanical pin stops and starts the flow of material into the mold cavity. Unlike other valve gates, the very tip of the bushing utilizes the patented tip heater that cycles on and off with the action of the molding machine, as well as a sophisticated cooling circuit that compensates for friction heating typical in fast cycle valve-gate molding. This level of temperature control at the cavity gate eliminates stringing, drooling, gate freeze-off, or cold slugs and allows faster cycles.
SP series hot-runner temperature controllers configured for high- and low-voltage systems. "SoftPulse" (SP) 32-bit microprocessor power-control system delivers smooth, minutely incremental adjustments to each heating zone. Smooth application of continuous power prolongs heater life while maintaining precise temperature control.
Two different styles of operator interfaces. Advanced version based on an IBM AT-compatible computer with flat-screen color-graphics display and touchscreen input is provided for high-cavitation systems. A lower-cost operator interface based on a standard microprocessor with a monochrome LCD touchscreen input is available for low-cavitation systems. Both interfaces are self-contained portable units that can be detached from one control unit while the mold is running and reconnected to another control unit on a different molding machine.
SYSCON-RKC SYSCON INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Model 530 HR hot-runner temperature controller has Microcycle feature that updates controls every 8 millisec to minimize temperature overshoot. Soft-start protection, integral SPC capability - which communicates with a separate PC running Syscon's SPC software - and SPI communications protocol, which allows hot-runner control to be integrated with molding-machine control. (See ad p. 276.)
TRADESCO MOLDS LTD.
Hot-runner systems in standard and custom designs include balanced manifold assemblies and a variety of nozzle tip styles. Gating methods include diverted hot tips, sprue gates, valve gates, and edge gates. Systems supplied assembled, wired, and ready to install. Specializes in converting existing cold-runner molds to hot runners.
Process and Production Monitoring Systems
PRODUCT LINES REVIEWED
ALLEN-BRADLEY CO.
ControlView supervisory control software runs on DOS-based PC and communicates with company's Plastics Automation Control Systems to provide data collection, analysis of production, and SPC. An industrial data highway with redundant error checking ensures that data reach destinations intact. All process, machine-logic, and safety-interlock data are stored in the Plastics Automation Controller and are available over the Data Highway+ communications link, which comes standard.
Data in ControlView can be viewed on SPC charts in real time, saved for historical analysis, and mathematically manipulated for alarm checking, process changes, machine status, production reports, etc. Mold setups can be stored on the system and electronically transferred to production machine controllers.
NORMAN N. AXELROD ASSOCIATES
Provides turnkey, on-line, noncontact Quality & Process Control system for extrusion. Automated system provides 100% inspection with optical detection of defects and optical gauging of dimensions. For hollow tubing and coatings, system determines O.D., wall thickness, ovality, and concentricity.
Provides output signals to process and handling controls, real-time displays, statistical analysis and display of process and production data, printed reports and computer files of process and production data. Also marks the product at detected defects and displays production results and video image of product. Can be customized.
BARBER-COLMAN CO. INDUSTRIAL INSTRUMENTS DIV.
CIMAC 8000 manufacturing network monitor with full SPC capabilities supervises multiple machines and handles auxiliary equipment with optional integration module. CIMAC 8000 captures data for display in graphic or tabular form for on-line analysis. Data can be transmitted to a PC for preparation of reports on process history. User-programmable keys call up repeated tasks. (See ad p. 1.)
BARCO AUTOMATION INC.
Two products for computer-integrated manufacturing: PCMS PC-based system and BarcoCIM minicomputer system. PCMS works with MS-DOS and can be integrated into a LAN environment. BarcoCIM runs on Digital Equipment Corp.'s family of Alpha-based computers and functions with Digital's open VMS operating system, which supports multiple interactive user terminals. System can monitor 1000+ manufacturing cells.
Both systems perform production monitoring, scheduling, statistical process monitoring, statistical quality analysis, personnel monitoring, and order-status reporting. A 4GL-type report designer creates textual and graphical customized reports. Both systems monitor machines and provide real-time and historical information on machine status. Alarms signify need for corrective action. Bi-directional communication available to facilitate transfer of information from each machine to host computer system and vice versa. Any data in system database can be displayed at machine-interface box with Barco data unit. Data-collection network can connect virtually any type of machine to the Barco system. Interface to monitor microprocessor-based machines available. Hardware and software available to include monitoring of auxiliary equipment and to integrate Barco system with a mainframe.
RILES & ASSOCIATES
AIM supervisory and process-monitoring system provides data management and real-time supervisory control. Graphical user interface provides trend plots, SPC and attribute charts, histograms, pareto diagrams, and summary reports. Process information can be distributed over heterogeneous networks to Unix, PC, and Macintosh computers. Data can be accessed through X-Windows, DDE-compliant systems (spreadsheets etc.), and relational database applications. SQL interface accesses AIM Historian data on PCs with open database connectivity (ODBC) software.
T.G. BRANDEN CORP.
Shotscope S9000 plantwide system provides real-time monitoring of injection molding. High-resolution CRTs at each press provide simultaneous displays of shot profiles of position, velocity, and pressures. SPC data (trend/run time, X-bar and R, histogram and scatter diagrams), as well as production data are available in graphics and text. Pick lists allow easy entry of scrap, downtime, material lot numbers, etc. Parameter data are saved, including date and time for every shot from each press. SQC module tracks measurement parameters and allows correlation of process and measurement parameters. Real-time Job Scheduler with color-coded Gantt chart display provides automatic update of jobs in progress based on actual cycle, setup, and downtime data. Novell Network integration allows for multiple workstations and communication with other computer systems. System can be used with any press of any age because it takes data from the press transducers, independent of machine controls.
Shotscope A5000 portable analyzer has all the process-analysis and graphics capability of S9000 system. It is a tool for setup, troubleshooting, and collection and analysis of SPC data. SQC module for measurement analysis and correlation with process data also available.
CMS MANUFACTURING SYSTEMS
CMS/400 fully integrated information system provides on-line, interactive processing of manufacturing, customer service, financial, EDI, and shop-floor data-collection activities. Designed specifically for the relational database of the IBM AS/400, CMS/400 offers ease of use and simplicity for EDI/progressive-release management, family-parts scheduling, mold production and maintenance scheduling, and outside-operations integration. Features include pop-up windows and seamless navigation between system modules.
CONTROL PROCESS INC.
Midas 1000, 1500, 2000, and 3000 systems monitor basic injection molding production variables such as cycle times and downtime, as well as complex process variables. Systems monitor in real time a range of selected analog and digital process points such as injection pressures, zone pressures, chiller-water temperatures, position, velocity, and counts. Systems are open-ended to allow variables and process points to be added or deleted. Up to 64 process points per machine. Systems interface with several industry-standard PLCs and allow alternative methods of input from machines without PLCs.
Data acquired in real time to determine process trends, real-time status, and production quality for each machine and for the plant as a whole. Status and trend information, as well as out-of-limit controls, are distributed on-line. Systems provide storage of upper and lower control limits and all process setpoint criteria in a relational database, which can be downloaded to each machine in the network. Process data are correlated with part-quality data to identify, predict, and prevent defective production.
Systems provide real-time SPC/SQC capability on as many production or process variables as required. Upper end of Midas line can monitor up to 100 machines. Utilize industry-standard hardware and software. Host system uses Unix-based workstations. Modular software design allows for tailoring to specific needs. "Open" design can be connected to plantwide MIS systems.
DATA TECHNICAL RESEARCH (DTR)
Manufacturing Manager is a comprehensive, fully integrated manufacturing, distribution, and financial-management software package for plastics processors. Written in Progress relational database and designed for "open systems" and "client/server" computing environments. Software runs on MS-DOS PCs, PC LAN networks, Unix, and Digital's VAX and Alpha computers.
Has pop-up windows, multiple-screen overlays, on-the-fly file maintenance, user-defined menus, and formatted reports.
Standard applications include a Quotation Module, which gives suggested multilevel product pricing, prints formal quotes, determines production costs, maintains revision levels and costs, and develops product manufacturing standards. Order-entry and release-entry modules update requirements for production-scheduling and material-planning modules. Production scheduler provides forward and backward (finite and infinite) scheduling, JIT scheduling, forecast scheduling, and production-capacity planning of all machines and secondary operations. Products are automatically scheduled to machines that produce that type most efficiently. Reports include material planning, manufacturing efficiency, utilization, analysis, and product costing.
Inventory module maintains raw, WIP, and finished goods; offers user-defined units of measure; displays product costs; maintains lot-code and serial-number traceability; provides "bill of materials" to include formulations or recipes; and tracks multiple warehouse and shop locations.
Optional applications include tool quoting and tracking, which maintains development and revision costs. Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) interface provides automotive/appliance "accum" or other release capabilities. Has bar-code printing and reading interfaces for shop-floor reporting and inventory management. Interfaces provide direct connection to production machines.
DATAMYTE DIV., ALLEN-BRADLEY CO.
Series 900 fixed-station data collectors for SPC include 953 attribute and variable data collector, 949 attribute-only data collector, and 943 variable-only data collector. All Series 900 models feature full-color chart and statistical displays. Series 3000 roving data collectors include 3053 analog and digital model and 3055 digital model.
Software includes Windows-based Quantum SPC/DC for data collection, Quantum SPC/QA for quality analysis, and DOS-based TurboSPC and TurboNet. All are compatible with Novell networks.
DATANET TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Windows-based WinSPC software modules run on standard 386 and 486 PCs in stand-alone or network versions. WinSPC RealTime offers real-time access to process-control charts and automatically signals when problems occur. WinSPC Gaging collects SPC data and automatically signals for machine adjustments when required. WinSPC Random can collect data from 200 different devices simultaneously while displaying results in multiple windows on the same screen. It automatically signals any deviation in the process. WinSPC Analyst provides statistical-analysis tools and utilities for engineers and managers. It can store data in Oracle's SQL relational database. WinSPC Network Manager can view up to 300 different processes running at multiple work centers.
EPOS CORP.
EPM series integrates hardware and software for complete real-time production and engineering monitoring, including SPC and SQC. Machine data-acquisition units (IMACs) are provided in EPM series 300, 4000, 5000, and 6000. All IMAC series are software-compatible and can be used in the same system, allowing for easy upgrading. Systems support barcode and a-c gauging instruments. The 4000, 5000, and 6000 series support outputs for stacklights or other indicators.
System supports statistical sampling of parts at the IMAC on the machine. Part measurements can then be entered at the IMAC or entered later in the q-c lab via gauging stations. Reports are then available to analyze control and capability aspects of both part characteristics and process parameters and to perform correlation analysis between the two.
Series 300 is entry-level IMAC for production monitoring and basic SPC. It is a small unit with full-touch keypad and 2 x 40 backlit LCD display. Accepts six digital inputs.
Series 4000 offers the same monitoring features as Series 5000 and 6000, but accepts fewer input signals (six digital, seven thermocouple, and four analog).
Series 5000 is a rugged unit with full-touch keypad and 2 x 40 VFD display. Monitors up to 32 parameters from a possible set of 10 digital, 15 thermocouple, and eight analog input signals.
Series 6000, a rugged unit with full-touch keypad, optional touchscreen and 640 x 480 VGA-resolution LCD or EL display, is based on a 386 microprocessor with options to use a 387 coprocessor or 486 microprocessor. Unit monitors a max. of 16 digital, 15 thermocouple, and eight analog inputs. Large display enables presentation of intracycle profiles and SPC and SQC charts at the IMAC.
EPM Series 200 remote data-entry terminal can be used to input defect and packed production counts at remote locations. Data entered at terminal is integrated with that collected by the IMAC at the machine. Software provides reporting facilities for production, engineering, maintenance, SPC, and SQC. Display gives machine status at a glance. Scheduler provides basic job-queue generation, as well as estimation capability, "what-if" analysis, queue rippling, and Gantt displays. User-configurable. Supports mold and machine maintenance programs. Generates production reports and performs intracycle process-profile analysis.
D.L. HILLER & ASSOCIATES
Factory Data Manager provides a factory network to collect and validate data by sensors and programmable controllers. At base level, it is a labor data-collection system that tracks jobs, component worked on, and process involved. Data are then used to cut paychecks and update cost and MRP systems. Material and production status also provided.
Software provides interface for host manufacturing computer. Direct and indirect plant labor recording, quality-control data entry, material movement, job and employee status, and time and attendance are standard. System supports a factory network of portables and fixed micro-terminals with attached barcode or magnetic-card readers. It generates ID cards, plant travellers, material tickets, etc., for fast entry via simple wand and keyboard operations. Software also supports SPC data collection, product-liability tracking, mainframe-style restart/recovery capability, and AIAG-approved barcode label generation for laserjet and Epson emulation printers. MAP capability is assured.
HUNKAR LABORATORIES INC.
Systems for CIM provide data-acquisition terminals on all molding machines and upstream and downstream processes. LANs connect data-acquisition terminals to supervisory command center, which in turn, connects up to 92 other users. Remote terminals allow off-site communication with the system, which provides total SPC, SQC, and MIS programs for analysis and troubleshooting. Unlimited reporting is possible using a combination of pre-formatted and user-formattable report options. Custom-programmable DAT acquisition terminals allow system to be applied to virtually any process in the plant. DAT unit may be upgraded to DAC-III process control and monitoring as a full closed-loop system for injection units with no such control.
IBM CORP.
Provides full information systems solutions - hardware, software, integration, and consulting.
Consulting and integration include quality-management services, plant-integration services (including process monitoring and control), engineering-design services, engineering-management consulting services, manufacturing services (continuous-flow manufacturing, integrated yield management), and international trade.
Software available for mold design, mold costing, mold analysis, flow analysis, FEM, integrated accounting, manufacturing planning, mold and tool tracking, equipment maintenance, barcoding and data collection, inventory control, capacity planning, scheduling, order entry, EDI, purchasing, human resources, SPC/SQC, machine monitoring and control, process control, brand management, and sales-force automation.
Hardware platforms include PCs, industrial PCs, data-collection equipment, advanced Unix workstations, mid-range business computers, and mainframes.
IMS CO.
Tracker production-monitoring system monitors up to 48 machines from a single PC and tracks production status of jobs and workers. Add-on Annunciator, which outputs to individual machine alarms, visibly and audibly alerts operator of deviations from targeted production setpoints. (See ads pp. 22, 315.)
INTEC CONTROLS CORP.
Paragon TNT (The New Technology) family of software products serves a wide spectrum of plastics-processing applications from monitoring injection molding presses to continuous metering-and-mixing machines.
Paragon TNT is comprised of a number of separate client and server subsystems. Subsystems are purchased individually and grouped together for specific processing applications such as monitoring continuous blow molding machines. Basic man-machine interface provides a cost-effective solution for monitoring any extruder. TNT's Operator Interface subsystem can be combined with TNT's I/O Communications subsystem to control and monitor gas-fired dryers. For alarming and control of multiple-head dispensing stations, TNT's Data Manager subsystem can be added to the basic MMI configuration.
Paragon TNT family is easy to use with a graphical environment and an object-oriented display builder. Windowing operator interface supports both object-based and bit-mapped graphics, and can be integrated with third-party multimedia tools. Other features include on-line configuration changes and quality-tagged process variables.
INTERACTIVE INFORMATION SYSTEMS
Interactive software systems for complete business solutions use Oracle relational database management system. Products include CIIM (computer-interactive integrated manufacturing), CIID (computer-interactive integrated distribution), and IFAS (integrated financial accounting system). CIIM, as a complete MRP-II solution, incorporates all of CIID and IFAS. Both CIID and IFAS may stand alone as independent operating-solution segments. Each segment consists of interactive modules that can be purchased in starter kits or complete sets. All can be installed collectively or individually, allowing customers to phase in the system. All three can be used to control and monitor manufacturing, distribution, and accounting systems.
INTRAC SYSTEMS, INC.
Molders Shop Automation real-time process and production monitoring system for injection molders, extruders, and blow molders. One PC can monitor up to 128 machines with centralized production-control information available at various locations. Features include "what-if" scheduling, user-created reports, reject analysis, bi-cavity monitoring of family molds, mold maintenance, and control and capability studies.
Molders SPC software provides on-line SPC, secondary gauging, and post-analysis capabilities without all features of Molders Shop Automation, which can be added later without upgrade penalty.
Molders Office+ and Mold Builders Office+ modules automate accounting, order entry, inventory control, invoicing, and purchasing functions. MRP II is available for these programs, and an entry-level Molders Office+ system is expandable without upgrade penalty.
Total Automation package combines production and office systems into an integrated, company-wide system.
Customized terminals at each machine include a CRT that displays information in easily understood terminology. Output relay contacts enable interfacing with machine control signals.
An IBM Business Partner, Intrac supplies IBM and compatible hardware, complete installation assistance and training, periodic software upgrades, custom software, and assistance via modem.
MARTEK, INC.
AIMS v2.0 (Advanced Integrated Manufacturing Software) is an MRP II software package specifically for injection molders and moldmakers. Package provides automated tools for estimating, order entry, production scheduling, bill of materials, material requirements planning, purchasing, receiving, shop-floor job tracking, job costing, shipping, billing, inventory control, sales analysis, accounts receivable, accounts payable, payroll, and general ledger.
Latest version includes functions for monitoring machine utilization, productivity, and efficiency; scheduling based on process time for accurate shop calendars; project management for tracking costs of building a mold; and Gantt chart for graphical formatting.
AIMS is totally integrated so that information can be shared by all modules and users. Built-in security codes protect sensitive information. Easy to use and understand, AIMS will run on a stand-alone PC or a network like Novell.
MATTEC CORP.
ProHelp process quality control and real-time production monitoring system includes functions for barcoding and parts traceability, SPC/SQC, production reports, scrap and downtime reports, and machine-efficiency reports. Multiuser capabilities allow as many as 64 interactive PCs on the system with ability to monitor up to a maximum of 4000 machines. System is suited to injection, blow, or extrusion processes.
In-process quality control and preventive-maintenance techniques can be applied to all molds and machines. Color CRTs are used to show status of all production machines. Machines running outside standard values for cycle time, temperatures, or other process variables activate alarms for corrective action.
SPC software collects samples of every machine's process values. Upper and lower control limits are compared to actual recordings, and alarms are generated if processes go outside limits. Can interface with a variety of machine controllers and corporate MRP systems.
NEXT GENERATION SYSTEMS
Software products utilize Object Oriented Programming (OOP) technology for shop-floor management. Products are Windows-based and are for manufacturers with as few as eight machines and as many as 2000.
Integrated application groups include access control, area data collection, barcode design and printing, finite scheduling, labor tracking, MRP interface, RF area data collection, time and attendance, SPC, PLC interface, process graphics, preventive maintenance, and sensor-based real-time production monitoring. Inventory control and lot tracking are in development.
Many of the application groups are available off-the-shelf for use as is, while some may require customization, such as labor-tracking rule modification for incentive-pay calculations.
Some application groups can run on PCs; others require a networked NET BIOS compatible environment such as Novell, LAN Manager, or Pathworks, with the appropriate server.
NORTHWEST ANALYTICAL, INC.
Supplies NWA Quality Analyst software for SQC charting and analysis, and NWA Quality package for on-line SPC plant-floor data collection and charting.
In both Windows and DOS Versions, NWA Quality Analyst can exchange data and charts with standard productivity software such as word processing, databases, and spreadsheets. Can also use data from manufacturing and operations database systems for enterprise-wide SQC reporting.
NWA Quality Monitor is a configurable plant-floor SPC-datastation package. Collects data from keyboard input, barcode, and measuring devices with serial RS-232 communications. Operator screen, prompting, and help messages can be customized.
PIEDMONT SOFTWARE, INC.
Guaranteed MRP system features two levels of on-line help (novice and expert-user modes), data entry from pop-up selection lists, multiple natural-language capability, etc. Fully integrated modules include shop-floor control, inventory management, purchasing, material requirements planning, order processing, sales analysis, and bill of materials. Accounts payable, accounts receivable, general ledger, and fixed-asset modules complete the system. RMS files are used and common data-dictionary formats are provided for ease of use with all report writers. System is equipped with file-purge and reorganization functions, as well as re-start functions to recover from processing interruptions.
PRODUCTION PROCESS DIV. INDUSTRIAL MARINE ELECTRONICS
Machine Data Transducer (MDT) line of products are shop-floor data-collection instruments that connect directly to any molding machine and are networkable to facilitate a step-to-step approach to real-time data collection and SQC/SPC systems.
MDT-01, the basic and least expensive system, is a displayless multifunctional data collector that tracks cycle time, machine rate, dwell/duration time, shift averages, setup time, downtime, production, and reject totals.
MDT-02 adds to the basic system five automatic downtime-reason machine inputs and batch-counter capability. MDT-11 adds numeric data display capability. MDT-20 adds 40-character alphanumeric display; keypad for operator data entry; 20 downtime and 20 reject reason classifications; eight inputs for analog pressure, temperature, and RAM position transducers; and two inputs for digital gauges and scales or serial data outputs from machine controllers.
Complete plantwide data collection and SQC/SPC solutions can be implemented with Windows spreadsheets or database applications such as Lotus or Excel. Or with Production Process' PC-based system software, which supports up to 99 "real" molding machines and 900 "virtual" machines for family molding capability. Universal Job Queue closes loop between factory and any third-party MRP system and also provides on-line job-end forecasting that uses real-time production data. Preventive Maintenance scheduler tracks run time and number of cycles on molds and machines, and flags those due for preventive maintenance. Integrated software (from Stochos Inc.) provides comprehensive quality analysis and reporting and quality-tracking database to meet ISO 9000 requirements. Alternatively, data can be ported to any third-party SQC/SPC package.
SSA
Business Planning and Control System (BPCS/AS) is a fully integrated line of 50 applications for multiple open-systems platforms, including OS/400 and Unix computer environments. System includes CIM, multiplant capability, distribution/logistics, accounting and financials, sales and marketing, facilities management, and retrieval applications. Built on company's AS/SET computer-aided systems engineering (CASE) product line, BPCS/AS utilizes workstations, PCs, and graphical user interfaces with its "Assistant" products.
Main/Tracker line automates planning and control of all types of capital-equipment and facilitates maintenance, including safety inspection, and warranty tracking.
STOCHOS INC.
Custom/QC off-line SPC/SQC package features histogram and descriptive statistics, pareto analysis, 13 control charts, ANOVA, key-variable identification, gauge R&R, trend analysis, multiple regression, and autocorrelation.
SPC Direct real-time, on-line SPC monitoring and analysis package features database functionality, corrective actions, alarming, 128-input analysis in 32 SPC status fields, and easy-to-use operator interface. Package can easily tie into all type of extruders for real-time monitoring of temperatures, beta gauges, chill rolls, melt pressures, and speed for correlation of process data to product quality measurements. Closed-loop SPC control functions available.
Quality Management Database System (QMDS) provides plant-wide solution based on ISO 9000 standards. Has complete documentation control, gauge-calibration tracking and recall, closed-loop corrective action and nonconformance tracking, product traceability through raw materials, user-definable SPC reporting and display of real-time data, certificates of analysis/test, downtime and waste tracking, and production reporting.
Products available on a range of hardware platforms and software interfaces. In-house and on-site training and consulting available.
SYSCON-PLANTSTAR SYSCON INTERNATIONAL INC.
Focus series CIM systems provide real-time production and process monitoring, coupled with advanced statistical process/quality management. Modular systems allow users to start at any level and grow into more sophisticated configurations.
Focus-100 real-time production-control and process-management system includes job scheduling, material and labor tracking, machine and tool maintenance history, automatic SPC and SQC data gathering, run and trend alarming, machine process profile, "signature analysis," and storage-scope graphical overlays. PC control stations make master files, historical data, and real-time data available for on-screen viewing or printed reports.
Focus-2000 includes all features of Focus-100, but incorporates a Windows-based graphical user interface that simplifies system access by pointing to icons or list entries. System is compatible with MS-DOS, Novell Netware, and other networks. Incorporates Ingres Relational Database Manager. User interface is built on standard SQL (Structured Query Language), allowing user-formatted displays and configurations.
Manufacturing-Cell Interface Modules (M-CIMs), which are plant-floor data-acquisition units, can be configured to monitor one to 16 machines. Units can be purchased in two styles: 1) keypad version, which has a 40-character vacuum fluorescent display with user-definable "soft" keys and numeric keypad; and 2) ELTS version, which features a 640 x 400 pixel electroluminescent touchscreen display at the machine, allowing plant-floor personnel access to the same screen shown on system PCs. Up to 4 MB of battery-backed memory provides fail-safe data storage. (See ad p. 276.)
SYSTEM SOFTWARE ASSOCIATES
See SSA.
ULTRAMAX CORP.
Ultramax software improves quality and productivity of molding processes by analyzing control settings against measured results to understand cause-and-effect relationships. It guides the user run-by-run to process settings that meet quality and productivity objectives. Dimensional variations are reduced, defects eliminated, and cycle times shortened by better combinations of temperatures, pressures, speeds, hold times, cooling rates, and other parameters. Ultramax also advises adjustments to compensate for changes due to materials and environment. Package allows for continuous process improvement without production interruption. It builds models, provides tolerance and sensitivity analysis, manages data, and plots information. Runs on 386 and 486 PCs, Unix workstations, and a variety of mini and mainframe computers.
XYTEC CORP.
XRP-II Resource Planning System is a Unix-based, fully integrated, modular manufacturing-planning and control system that uses CASE technology and a relational database manager to provide flexibility for customizing applications.
XRP-II spans the range of MRP II planning functions and adds critical real-time factory control with machine monitoring/automated data collection. Base system includes Unix operating system, Unify relational database management system, XRP-II kernel, and Datalock and Datarite utilities for editing, query, and report generation. Application modules include data collection, product information, purchasing management, material requirements planning, master scheduling, job costing, accounts receivable and accounts payable, general ledger, inventory management, customer order entry, work-order processing, shop-floor job tracking, and labor performance.
Other features include security system; context-sensitive help for users; automatic downtime cause detection and job-driven software; and planning, execution and feedback requirements for closed-loop manufacturing.
Total Machine Control Systems
PRODUCT LINES REVIEWED
ABB KENT-TAYLOR
Modcell Advanced Systems use an open-architecture approach for integrating system components with each other and with processing equipment. Modcell Batchpac software provides a step-by-step graphical approach to, process control, which includes observing the process in real time, entering input values and commands, acknowledging alarms, and changing control variables. Software moves through eight steps logically and intuitively to get systems running.
ABE PROCESS AUTOMATION INC.
A "single-window" extrusion process and product control system has flexibility of a distributed control system combined with AccuRay sensor technology. Through use of the Taylor MOD 300 system, all sensor and scanning functions for product control are accomplished in one easy-to-configure system. AccuRay sensors and measurement technology are combined with Taylor distributed-control expertise. Line-wide processing functions such as recipe management, resin handling, temperature control motor-drive coordination, and product control are all integrated into one expandable platform.
ALLEN-BRADLEY CO.
Comprehensive injection molding control system combines process control, sequence control, and graphic operator interface. Two products make the system possible - the 1771-QDC plastic molding module and Pro-Set 600 injection molding software. Plastic molding module is an intelligent I/O module that performs open- or closed-loop injection process control and is used with company's standard programmable controllers. The module enables users to configure injection process control for a one- or two-valve system and proportional or servo valves. Provides open- or closed-loop control for each cycle phase. Injection/fill control choices of velocity vs. position, pressure vs. position, and pressure vs. time. Inject, pack and hold, and plastication profiles of 10 steps each.
Pro-Set 600 injection molding software, standard Allen-Bradley PLC-5/40 controller, and the company's Panel View color CRT constitute total machine-control system. Process control, communication, and SQC data gathering are some features. Saves development time by providing ladder-logic program for injection process control, clamp control, barrel-temperature control, and mold-temperature control, as well as alarming and SPC/SQC data collection.
ANAFAZE INC.
Offers multiple-loop control systems for thermoforming, extrusion, injection molding, and other machines. Include temperature, pressure, flow, and drive speed. Controllers operate as stand-alone systems and include serial interface for computer supervision. IBM-PC high-level software is offered, which includes on-line data plotting, data acquisition, graphics, and some SPC.
Controllers include 12LS 1/8-DIN with 12 PID heat/cool loops; 8LS 1/4-DIN with 8 PID heat/cool and mixed process loops; and System 32 with 32 PID loops and up to 96 data-acquisition inputs. Can include automatic heater checking, process and deviation alarms, and ramp-and-soak programming. Digital I/Os control other machine functions.
BARBER-COLMAN CO. INDUSTRIAL INSTRUMENTS DIV.
MACO 4000 series injection molding control systems, MACO 5000 series extrusion control systems, and MACO 6000 series blow molding control systems available with 12-slot and 16-slot chassis configurations, which house circuit cards for all control functions. The 16-slot chassis can be used in multichassis systems for expanded control on larger machines. Features include four-function programmable math capability, automatic machine setup with Insta-Set internal and external (cartridge) recipe storage, SPI protocol for auxiliary communications, high density d-c I/O functions, supervisory computer communications, and internal SPC package.
Choice of flat-panel electroluminescent (EL) or LCD operator station. Flat-panel EL stations have graphics display capability with 640 x 400 viewing area. Measure 11 in. wide x 15.5 in. high x 3 in. deep and are available with pushbuttons or membrane keypad. LCD operator stations have a 40 x 25 ASCII character resolution with a 4 5/8-in. wide x 4 1/8-in. high viewing area and are available in two basic size configurations. One is the same size as the EL operator station. The other is a "Slimline" version 7 1/2 in. wide x 15 in. high x 4 1/2 in. deep, available in horizontal or vertical configuration. OptiGrafix PC-compatible screen-editor software can be used to create new or modified MACO 4000, 5000, and 6000 display configurations.
MACO 4000 series 12-slot injection control system has six zones of PID autotuning temperature control. Process control includes ramping and closed-loop injection performance every 2.5 millisec for injection, pack/hold, and recovery. Control includes cushion and shot-size control for consistent part weights without flashing and pre- and post-pullback to prevent gate plugging and drool. Communication capabilities include RS485, RS432, and printer port. Up to 96 zones of autotuned temperature control are possible by linking four MACO 4500 16-slot chassis systems.
MACO 5000 series extrusion control system is suitable for open- or closed-loop total machine-control applications including drive, pressure, temperature, and cascade control of downstream takeoff equipment. Autotuned PID temperature control with ramping is standard. Optional SPC software with trending. With MACO 5500 16-slot chassis, up to eight extruders can be controlled simultaneously for coextrusion, two of them with closed-loop melt-pressure control.
MACO 6000 series high-performance blow molding machine control is for process-critical applications. High-speed, multistepped parison control (closed-loop) for up to eight heads. Each loop is closed every 100 microsec and may have its own 100-step profile. As many of the 100 steps as desired can be entered, allowing the system to interpolate the remaining points either in a flat linear or hyperbolic fashion. MACO 6500 16-slot control-card chassis is standard, and a multiple-chassis capability provides control for larger machines requiring additional temperature, I/O, timers, counters, parison control, linear-positioning control, and pressure-flow control. MACO 6000 12-slot chassis is available for smaller applications.
MACO 8000 modular distributed-control system provides total machine control for most processes. Features include new Lumitech flat screen, Color-Touch or black-and-white touchscreen operator stations, Insta-Set solid-state cartridges for recipe storage and fast setup, MACO-Pac dedicated machine-function control modules, and Auxiliary Equipment Integration Module (AEIM) for manufacturing-cell control. SPC/SQC module reports production data and has CIM networking capabilities.
For supervisory CIM, multiple MACO 4000, 5000, 6000, and 8000 systems can be linked to company's Cimac 8000 computer. Cimac 8000 supervisory network control-system concept utilizes IBM-compatible computers and data-gathering software for plastics. Software is user-configurable. (See ad p. 1.)
BAYER CORP./HENNECKE MACHINERY
System controls for manufacturing polyurethane products. Control panels with PLC and microprocessor include controls for foam metering equipment and can include controls for auxiliary equipment such as turntables or fixtures.
BERSTORFF CORP.
Electrical Control Systems Div. provides control systems for extrusion of sheet and film, as well as batch processes. Several levels of plant automation include CIMplementation system. Retrofit program designed for fast, cost-effective outfitting of older extruders with state-of-the-art control systems or prepackaged individual components. (See ad p. 230.)
CANADIAN INSTRUMENTATION CO.
Custom total machine-control systems include cost-effective heat/cool autotune PID control, communications, and user-alterable logic (sequence) control. Applications include small injection machines, hot-stamp machines and special plastics-processing machines. Engineering costs minimized by extensive library of existing functions.
CINCINNATI MILACRON U.S. PLASTICS MACHINERY DIV.
Family of microprocessor-based total machine controls for injection molding, RIM, extrusion blow molding, reheat blow molding, thermoforming, and extrusion.
Control features can include: electroluminescent or LCD operator displays, high-speed event detection for real-time response, high-density/high-power digital I/O, analog I/O, closed-loop control, alarm and fault detection, on-board diagnostics, built-in oscilloscope, 2-millisec timing or ISA bus architecture, 386 and 486 32-bit microprocessors, DOS platform, plotting and graphics, real-time clock, soft keys, printer output, and auxiliary-equipment interface. Controls are programmed with Mechanism Control Language (MCL), which offers complex logical and mathematical functions and English-language words and abbreviations. Ladder Diagram Programming (LDP) also possible. (See ads pp. 10, 58-59, 126-127, 142, 146; data sheets pp. 91-97, 138-139, 159-160.)
DAVIS-STANDARD CORP.
PLC-based EPIC II color touchscreen operator interface and supervisory control system for extrusion and blow molding has dual-thermocouple control, responsive closed-loop line control, and user-friendly graphical interface with pictorial control screens, historical trending, and SPC/SQC.
EPCO INC. JOHN BROWN PLASTICS MACHINERY
Remanufactures and converts injection molding machinery and will retrofit machine-control systems to upgrade both electrical and hydraulic systems to meet molding requirements for standardization of all makes and models of machinery. Offers E-2000 programmable control system, E-4000 closed-loop system for machines to 1000 tons, and E-8000 and E-4500 for machines requiring unlimited I/Os for auxiliary-equipment integration, closed-loop process control, and other features.
EUROTHERM CONTROLS, INC.
EM-2 Extrusion Master complete extrusion control system is based on totally distributed architecture, ensuring minimum downtime. System integrates temperature control, melt-pressure control, melt-pump control, alarms, and interlocks into a single package, which also can supervise and coordinate other equipment such as gauges, feeders, and drives.
EM-2 is open to communication with industry-standard PC-based supervisory systems for sophisticated control strategies, displays, trending, alarming, historical data gathering, SPC/SQC analysis, recipes, and networking.
EM-2 also available in easy-to-use, preconfigured OEM package with optional customizable displays using industry-standard software.
EUROTHERM GAUGING SYSTEMS
Extrusion Quality Cell system, a pre-engineered measurement and control system for flat-die extrusion combines accurate on-line profile measurements, precise feedback control, and a tool set for meeting certification requirements. Extruder and melt-flow modeling, combined with automatic profile control for extrusion dies, provides fast startups and uniform steady-state profiles. DataCell interface toolkit allows Quality Cell to be integrated easily into linewide and plantwide control strategies using TCP/IP communications.
Cimline real-time process-management system for sheet and film provides on-line measurements, advanced control strategies, and true single-window operation of the entire process area. Measurements include thickness, moisture, weight, and discrete coextrusion layers. Also pre-engineered supervisory interface packages for PLC, temperature, and drive controls. Industry-standard X-Window system graphics provide fully interactive real-time display access from networked PCs and workstations for remote monitoring.
FILMASTER INC.
Dataline 2000 microprocessor extrusion-line control system has preprogrammed software, hard-disk memory, and capacity to control 52 zones designated as heat/cool or heat only. Up to 500 recipes and/or profiles can be stored and recalled at any time. Useful for blown film coextrusion applications are CRT monitoring of die-zone heating with setpoint, actual and deviation display, melt temperature, melt pressure, extruder rpm, extruder motor amperage, main line speed, die-zone amperage, and high/low-pressure alarm. System has large expansion potential.
FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL
For extrusion control, Fisher-Rosemount offers RTM/1 Real-Time Process Management Solutions hardware and software, which include continuous control of temperatures, pressures, and speeds; batch control for batch blending and processing; sequential control for routines such as automatic startups and product changeover; discrete control for resin handling, motor start/stop; solenoid valves; and process optimization.
GE INDUSTRIAL & POWER SYSTEMS
GE Alphix offers integrated control of injection molding, extrusion, blow molding, and compounding. Hosted on a PLC-based platform with dedicated microprocessor-controlled function modules, Alphix integrates closed-loop process-control capabilities with machine sequencing and a color operator interface. Provides advantages normally associated with a PLC-based system: flexibility, broad selection of I/O, industrialized hardware, maintenance-friendly software. Special-function modules for plastic and rubber process control.
Choice of two operator interfaces: 12-in. Basic Alphix operator terminal with soft function-key control; and 14- or 19-in. Advanced Alphix multitasking microcomputer with a significant level of data storage/display/analysis, SQC/SPC, and diagnostic capabilities. Available for new machines and as retrofits.
HARREL, INC.
Digipanel distributed control system for extrusion is mounted on extruder and provides total control of line using company's three-mode Duosense control loops and Digisynch digital control and synchronization of rpm. Tube-Trol, Sheetrol, or Pipe-Trol systems provide closed-loop control of melt pressure and melt temperature, monitoring and alarm of differential pressure across the screen, and closed-loop control of product dimensions. A Central Control and Management Console oversees all plant activity. It has total SQC and "Time Machine" capability for reconstructing any parameter on any line for the previous week.
HES DIV., DAVIS-STANDARD CORP.
New and aftermarket electronic control systems are capable of data collection, SPC, SQC, trending, and other applications. Can tailor systems for any type of extrusion and other processing lines, including retrofits.
HES temperature controller utilizes a patented dual-thermocouple design to maintain precise temperature control in critical production processes. System uses two thermocouples in each barrel zone. With one thermocouple located in the heater/cooler and the other at the deepest point of the barrel, corrective heating or cooling action can be taken to bring the inner barrel-surface temperature to stability quickly and automatically. Recipe feature reduces scrap during startups and changeovers.
HES Epic I graphical touchscreen supervisory controller collects data from each run for analysis. Operator has access to almost all process data on unit's CRT, making it possible to fine-tune the entire process from the workstation. SPC charts of process data can be produced.
HETTINGA EQUIPMENT INC.
Offers a control system for injection molding based on IBM's OS/2 software.
HUNKAR LABORATORIES INC.
Complete on-machine control system for injection molding. DAC-III system includes machine-mounted terminals, sensors, and appropriate valves. Process-control programs with equipment include injection control, pressure control, shot control, diagnostics, and process-monitoring programs.
Injection-control program is self-adaptive, closed-loop position control of the ram, which ensures precise shot and decompression control. Injection velocity profile is adaptively distributed over the shot in direct relationship to cavity filling.
Pressure-control program is a self-adaptive, closed-loop pressure control, which ensures precise repeatability over a range of oil temperatures and load vibrations. Provides faster startups and repeatability of subsequent setups.
Shot-control program is an intelligent three-mode boost-cutoff program, which ensures that boost is properly terminated even if melt conditions or mold temperatures change. Program automatically selects proper mode for boost-cut-off and shot correction.
DAC-III diagnostic program provides maintenance personnel with a sophisticated, easy-to-use instrument to visualize correct functioning of the control-to-machine interface, as well as correct calibration of all sensors and servo valve.
LCl CORP.
Smarthopper gravimetric extruder control system controls screw-speed for extruders and additive feeders, as well as puller speed for total yield control. Multiple-feeder systems and multiple-extruder systems are controlled through a special communication link. For a single ingredient system, optional master/slave relationship controls the line.
Three keyboard-selectable control variations maintain extruder's output to within [+ or -]0.5% - lb/hr via screw-speed control and product weight/ft via screw-speed or line-speed control. Process information, such as total pounds used and total feet produced, can be displayed and printed. Output ranges from under 2 lb/hr to over 12,000 lb/hr for extruders. System meets SPI protocol for communication with a host control system.
LFE INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS
Profitmaster extrusion process-control systems include measurement and feedback control of thickness or basis weight, or moisture for web processing lines such as extruders, coaters, calenders, nonwovens, or composites. Primary sensors include nuclear, infrared, microwave, and caliper types. On-line control systems can link to temperature controllers, PLCs, and other systems. SPC available. IBM-compatible PC captures MIS data and links system to plantwide network systems of all types.
MEASUREX CORP.
MXOpen Measurement and Control System provides a fully integrated control of lines producing sheet, film, and coated and laminated products. Includes temperature controls, drive-system supervision, thickness profile, other scanning measurements, and automatic start-up and shutdown of material handling. Operator console provides a single interface for information such as scanning measurement, process data, trending and current process values, SPC/SQC charting, and recipe storage.
MXOpen is compatible with most programmable controls, drives, etc., and includes communication links to programmable controllers, temperature controllers, PCs, drive systems, individual transactional computers, and industry-standard networks.
Roibox products inspect 100% of the web for visual defects. Extension of MXOpen capability into web inspection offers a solution for quality optimization.
MOOG INC. ELECTRONICS & SYSTEMS DIV.
Total machine control systems for injection, blow molding, and extrusion.
Microprocessor-based CPC 1000 injection control system provides closed-loop control of fill speed, holding, back-pressure, and shot volume. Also setpoint entry, storage of setups, monitoring and display of process variables, good/bad part sorting, reporting of production and rejects, and temperature control.
TMC blow molding control system controls parisons, motions, sequences, and temperatures. Items related to a selected machine function are on one screen. Max of three keystrokes brings user to any part of the system.
Bloc 64 Programmer for parison control has 64 or 128 program points. Up to four heads may be controlled without additional equipment. Uses keypad or uploading from host computer. Up to 100 programs stored internally.
Gravimacs loss-in-weight extrusion control enables continuous measurement and control of extruder feed. Extruder or puller speed can automatically be adjusted.
PPC Ultrasonic Measurement & Control System provides a continuous 360 [degrees] thickness-profile display, which provides ready reference for die-centering setup, typically on wire or pipe lines. Closed-loop puller or extruder control maintains wall thickness within the set range. Alarms signal changes that effect material thickness.
MTM SYSTEMS
The 2010 computer control system for blow molding and other processes comes custom-packaged and programmed and includes panel design, control programming, and documentation. System can control up to eight axes of closed-loop servo motion and all necessary digital and analog I/O requirements. Has electroluminescent screen, remote control capability, membrane-switch keypad, and gives status and error messages.
NRM EXTRUSION, DAVIS-STANDARD CORP.
Extrusion process-control systems for small lines to multi-line applications. All come standard with closed-loop digital speed control, temperature control, and total line process control, including product-code recipe subsystem, security codes, strategy-loop system, cold-start protection, alarm functions, PID loop control, and failed or broken thermocouple override.
Sentry Pro 1000 controls and monitors small lines for pipe, profile, tubing, and single extruders. Has operator interface with menu-driven touchscreen and optional real-time trending, along with melt-pump interface.
Larger lines can be controlled and monitored by Command Sentry 1500. High-resolution, menu-driven color touchscreen has four-quadrant display. Real-time trending is standard. Options include real-time SQC charting, melt-pump interface, and sheet/film gauging.
Sentry 2000 process-control system provides complete control and monitoring of multiple extruders, multiple lines, and large process applications from silo to winder. Operator interface has touchscreen for menu-driven input and separate screen for data and graphics, allowing user to view real-time trending and SQC charting.
Sentry Master 3000 Extrusion Host system works with firm's other control systems, providing off-line automated data capture and historical analysis of all process and product parameters with multi-line and networking capabilities.
PACIFIC ENGINEERING SYSTEMS
CIM strategy based on expertise in plastics extrusion, PLC programming, and PC networks. System consists of touchscreen graphics, recipe management, inventory control, major/minor ingredient blending for liquids and solids, historical trending, SPC/SQC data acquisition, and diagnostics. Engineering/design of software packages, field installation, complete startup assistance, training, and operator and troubleshooting manuals are available.
Control system uses multiwindowing user-interface software on multitasking processors which allows users to perform more than one activity at a time by viewing entirely different areas of the same manufacturing line.
PROCESS CONTROL CORP.
Gravitrol gravimetric extrusion control system controls output of any extrusion line by weight. Gravitrol systems are used on coextrusion processes such as blown film, cast film, sheet, tube, pipe, profile, and wire and cable. Layer percentages of [+ or -]0.25% by weight can be maintained.
Custom-designed computer board on each hopper (mounted on extruder throat) calculates mass throughput and sends information over high-speed serial network to central computer. Layer percentages, total extruder throughput, and weight per running length are keyed in by operator. Computer monitors mass throughput for each extruder and compares it to set rates. Any deviation is accounted for by adjusting screw rpm.
Drive module for each extruder, mounted in an existing drive-controller cabinet, takes speed setpoints from the central computer and provides analog output (0-10 v or 4-20 mA) necessary to drive extruder screw. Module also can monitor other analog signals such as melt temperature or pressure for recording or alarm purposes.
Line-speed monitor/control module can control line output (in fpm) to maintain constant weight per running length. High-speed pulse generator is used to provide the control computer with accurate measure of line speed.
Can control lines of one to eight extruders. Throughput rates of 5 to 10,000 lb/hr can be handled with accuracy of [+ or -]0.25%. Systems can be purchased with new lines or retrofitted.
Gravitrol also available as part of an integrated resin blending system. (See ad p. 342; data sheets pp. 379-384.)
ROLLEPAAL USA
Modular process-control systems for pipe extrusion include ultrasonic 360 [degrees] wall-thickness measurement, puller control, curer control, die-centering, temperature control, gravimetric extruder-output control, automatic calibration, production scheduling, overweight and scrap registration, pipe OD measurement and control, vacuum control, SPC functions, and data storage and retrieval.
SOLID CONTROLS, INC.
Total machine control for new or used injection molding machines. Retrofit packages include complete programming and installation services.
Scoremaster EL provides sophisticated machine sequence control, PID barrel and auxiliary temperature control of up to 40 zones, open- or closed-loop pressure and flow control, linear positioning, and comprehensive diagnostics. Storage and retrieval of mold setup data on-line or off-line on a PC. Optional features include built-in 3 1/2-in. floppy disk drive for storage of up to 150 mold setups, SPC, production data monitoring, and communication of process data to host computers and/or third-party monitoring systems. "Watchdog" function provides shot-to-shot alarm monitoring. Optional closed-loop process control includes closed-loop holding pressure, automatic cushion correction, and 10-stage rampable profiles of injection velocity, packing pressure, and backpressure with display of actual velocity and pressure curves. Large I/O capacity enables control of any size machine.
Scorenet provides remote monitoring and control of up to 31 Scoremaster systems linked together in a network.
System 10T and Trailblazer are cost-effective, easy to use, and come equipped with economical LCD screens. They provide total machine control, barrel-temperature control, optional process control and linear positioning, on-line or remote mold setup storage, and diagnostics. Trailblazer package includes compact operator station with manual function panel that mounts conveniently at operator's gate.
Scoremaker IA and Scoremaker IIA provide closed-loop injection control with velocity profiling, cushion, position, and closed-loop packing pressure, back-pressure, and holding pressure. Scoremaker IA interfaces to earlier models of SCI control systems. Scoremaker IIA adds closed-loop injection process control to any machine with any type of control system.
SYSCON-RKC SYSCON INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Farex Mighty M5E process controller for extruders reduces problems encountered in linking extrusion lines to a host computer. Acting as an interface between extrusion line and computer, Farex M5E provides abundant I/Os and PID temperature control. Melt-pressure control provides precise dimensional control. Thickness, O.D., width, and output data can be fed back to system for better control.
A single Farex M5E can handle a large multilayer sheet extrusion line or multiple extrusion lines with up to 104 control channels, 12 motor drives, and 36 analog inputs. Also up to 144 digital I/Os for alarms or other safety equipment. Autotuning function computes and sets optimum PID constants automatically. Job-file function or optional memory card requires no reentry of set data when product item is changed. Can monitor, print, or send various production-management data to a supervisory computer.
System can be configured to user needs and offers optional RS422A interface. Compact housing requires less panel space. Easy-to-view screen offers digital and graphic displays of operations, temperature status, analog input status, motor status, job files, and trend graphs. (See ad p. 276.)
TEXAS INSTRUMENTS
TurboMold family of programmable controllers for injection molding machines include TurboPlastic module for controlling closed-loop injection, pack, hold, and plasticating cycles, as well as closed-loop control of clamp. Additional modules can be used to control pick-and-place robots, conveyors, barcode readers, and other functions. Operator-interface software and cell-level controls with SPC/SQC functions available specifically for plastics.
TRIENCO, INC.
Wide range of sensors, computers, and software for monitoring and control of calender and extruder lines. Expertise includes ultrasonic detection of delamination and poor bonding, and optical profiling of sheet and contoured products. Software monitoring and control include high-speed, real-time optimization of process variables. Factory services include product testing, sensor and software demonstrations, recommendations for system specifications, and economic feasibility assistance.
Heaters and Heating Elements
PRODUCT LINES REVIEWED
ACROLAB LTD.
In cooperation with Bucher, Inc., offers heat pipes for optimizing thermoset mold heating. Heat pipes together with tubular electric heaters reportedly allows even heat distribution over cavity surface, including deep into cores, resulting in faster cycles and more uniform curing.
BESSAM-AIRE INC.
Direct gas-fired heating equipment and evaporative coolers. Make-up air heaters from 4000 to 50,000 cfm with ETL listing. Evaporative cooling delivers temperatures to 80 F. Reducing ambient temperature around injection molds reduces sweat. A 40,000-cfm cooler has 50-ft throw in four directions.
BLUE M ELECTRIC A GENERAL SIGNAL CO.
Electric ovens for laboratory and production use to meet ASTM and UL specs. Also temperature/humidity chambers and temperature-cycling chambers for environmental testing plastics and composites.
CASSO-SOLAR CORP.
Infrared ovens, dryers, and furnaces. Type FB flat quartz infrared heaters and Unitube tubular quartz infrared heaters provide peak efficiencies by matching emissive wavelengths of heating elements to absorption wavelengths of product (Selective Wavelength Method). Typical systems include profile heating for orienting PET, PE and PP film; heating glass-reinforced thermoplastic sheet for forming; and drying and curing coatings on plastics and film.
Conveyorized systems heat reinforced composites and other plastics prior to stamp-forming. Include optical pyrometers, multizone heater banks, and computerized, self-teaching control systems.
COMET INDUSTRIES
Thermoforming equipment suppliers offers Comsol quartz-tube infrared heaters reported to provide almost instant heat-up and cool-down. Energy savings possible because heaters can be turned on only when needed. Heaters consist of quartz tube in an aluminum can. Panel with four tubes can be rated at 2-8 kw. Warranty for 25 years or 100,000 hr.
CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY DIV. INVESTMENT HOLDINGS GROUP LTD.
Microwave heating utilizes magnetron systems with on/off time-proportioning control or amplitude modulation. Meets safety standards and FCC regulations.
In amplitude modulation, current power is adjusted to control instantaneous magnetron output. Remote sensors measure material temperature within microwave chamber and modulate magnetron power output to maintain temperature control.
For materials with minimal direct microwave heating response, "susceptor" additives convert microwave energy to heat within the material.
RF energy and special susceptor additives can be used to yield advantages over microwave. This is a new development, and the application field is rapidly growing.
D-M-E CO.
Heaters and heating elements include band heaters, thermocouple cartridge heaters, and square-coil nozzle heaters.
Band heaters in six styles with operating temperatures to 900 F, I.D.s from 3/4 to 8 in., and wattages from 75 to 950 in 120- and 240-v models.
Cartridge heaters in conventional and high-watt-density configurations with operating temperatures to 450 F and 120- and 240-v models.
Conventional heaters in diam. from 1/4 to 3/4 in., lengths from 2 to 16 in., and wattages from 40 to 1250. High-watt-density units in 1/4- to 3/4-in. diam., lengths from I to 14 in., and wattages from 100 to 2200.
Square-coil nozzle heaters feature watt density to 106 watts/[in..sup.2] and operating temperatures to 1200 F. A 0.750-in. I.D. version available with and without thermocouple in 125 and 250 w, and 0.875-in. I.D. version in 125 or 250 w.
Also two versions of 240-v high-watt-density thermocouple cartridge heaters for high-temperature applications to 1500 F. One has 3/8-in. diam., lengths from 1 3/4 to 8 in., and 200 to 775 w. The other has 1/2-in. diam., lengths from 3 1/2 to 7 1/2 in., and 420 to 975 w.
Also a line of conventional and thermocouple cartridge, square-coil, and rectangular heaters for internally and externally heated runnerless molding systems. (See also Hot-Runner Components and Systems.) (See ads Cover II, p. 262.)
DALTON ELECTRIC HEATING CO., INC.
Watt-Flex split-sheath cartridge heaters with continuous coil reportedly give uniform temperature profile, often eliminating need for distributed wattage. Because unit has no coil segments and cold spots of conventional heaters, it is suitable for package and bag sealing bars. Hot-tip feature, accomplished by passing the coil across the tip of the heater, improves performance of sheet extrusion die or hot-runner gate probe by putting more responsive heat in the lip of the die or tip of the probe. Independent, bilateral expansion of the two legs effects contact of both sides of the sheath to a bore, providing better heat transfer and consequently a cooler-running coil. As heater is de-energized, it contracts, making heater removal easier and eliminating bore seizure. Grooved heaters externally accommodate needle-type thermocouples, which monitor process temperature, not internal coil temperature. Design allows independent replacement of thermocouple or heater.
DELTA MANUFACTURING CO.
Custom and standard heater products for injection molding, extrusion, blow molding, packaging, and thermoforming. Mica and ceramic heater bands, cartridge heaters, mica and ceramic strip heaters, and immersion heaters in stock. Specializes in large die-head heaters for pipe and conduit, and also wrap-around mica-insulated drum heaters for specialty products such as polymers and oils.
DESPATCH INDUSTRIES
Annealing oven controls both heating and cooling as parts pass continuously through on a variable-speed conveyor at up to 3 ft/min. The 16-ft model PPC is direct gas fired and has microprocessor control of temperature up to 500 F. Cooling section is 5-ft long, with dual fans capable of 190 fpm air velocity.
DIEBOLT & CO.
Electrically heated, high-pressure (5000 psi) and high-temperature (650 F) flexible hose, tubing and pipe. Applications include coextension, striping, melt-pipe replacement, quick extruder connection, and general product transfer and viscosity control.
DUREX INTERNATIONAL CORP.
Standard and customized cast-in heaters for extrusion equipment in aluminum, bronze, or iron provide continuous operating temperatures to 1100 F. Electrical and cooling-tube terminations optional.
FAST HEAT INC.
Compact Hi-Temp cartridge heaters for fast heat transfer, high operating temperatures, shock resistance, and long life. Unswaged cartridge heater suitable for moderate watt densities.
Better Band band heaters for good heat transfer and a wide selection of terminations. Temperatures to 1400 F. New sealed versions protect against contamination. Also economical mica bands with many termination options. Also extruded or cast aluminum, insulated ceramic, and tubular band heaters.
Strip heaters designed for efficient heat transfer and easy installation. Ultima strip heater capable of operating temperatures of 1200 F; and Better Strip heater for increased watt densities. Also tinned strip heaters for air-flow heating applications.
FOSTERIA INDUSTRIES, INC.
Electric infrared ovens used for preheating material prior to forming.
GTE SYLVANIA
See Osram Sylvania Inc.
GLENN ELECTRIC HEATER CORP.
Extruded aluminum Starflex band heaters have refractory-insulated tubular heating elements. Low-expansion clamping band provides snug barrel fit. Max. temperature of 600 F.
GLENRO INC.
Web-processing ovens, conveyorized ovens, and heaters and controls for predrying, drying, curing, preheating, heating, sintering, and fusing. Oven options include electric infrared, gas infrared, infrared combined with ambient-temperature air, hot-air impingement, hot-air impingement combined with infrared, flotation, and through-air. Also ovens for densifying EPS scrap and post-consumer waste, and for heating plastic parts and medical tubing.
HEATRON INC.
Custom-designed heating elements include MAX2000 high-temperature and high-watt-density band and strip heaters. Patented nonstick cartridge heater eliminates need to apply release agents before installation, eliminates downtime, and reduces damage to equipment and tools, says company. Cartridges are standard sizes, needing no special boring.
New CeraMax ceramic band heaters boast long life at temperatures up to 1600 F. Watt density to 45 w/sq in., voltages up to 480. Also new are cast-in. aluminum and bronze band heaters with integral cooling tubes (also air cooling).
Flexible heaters insulated with materials such as silicone rubber and polyimide for use in composite repair, curing, preheating, or drying processes where heater operates below 500 F.
Specializes in heaters to OEM specifications or for OEM replacement parts.
IMS CO.
Range of heater bands from standard mica-core to low-profile keylock; and from super-high watt density to plastic-proof and expandable ceramic-insulated types. Also metric-size, mica-core bands.
Standard and built-in thermocouple cartridge heaters, heater and thermocouple wire, and other accessories for heater connection and use. (See ads pp. 22, 315.)
INDUSTRIAL HEATER CORP.
Standard mica, ceramic, and cast-in heaters as replacement heaters for injection molding machines and extruders. Also customized heaters in cylindrical, flat, rectangular, and other configurations. Cartridge heaters in standard sizes or customized. An air-cooled heater assembly is used as a replacement for water-cooled applications and other uses.
INFRARED INTERNATIONALE OF NORTH AMERICA
Salamander Bold ceramic infrared heaters have cast-in thermocouple well (spring-load thermocouple optional), one-piece clip for easy installation, and temperature-indicating decal to identify element failure. Special Large Trough Elements provide uniform watt density over a large area. Three of these oversized elements fit together to form a 12 x 12 in. CRP panel of aluminized steel, prewired and fully insulated.
INFRA-RED TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Flameless infrared catalytic heaters fed by natural gas reportedly reduce energy costs up to 80% vs. electric heaters in thermoforming. Gas-Cat heaters operate at lower temperature than electric units.
INFRASOURCE INC.
Vulcatherm ceramic infrared emitters from Vulcan in the U.K. come in a range of sizes and shapes, 75-1000 w, 110/120 v to 230/250 v.
ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION
Heating elements offered by Italian manufacturers.
MODINE MANUFACTURING CO.
Line of unit heaters, duct furnaces, make-up air units, and other heating products.
NOREN PRODUCTS, INC.
Noren Thermal Pin heat conductors (similar to heat pipes) transfer heat quickly and uniformly from one part of a mold to another. Commonly used to extract heat for mold cooling, but also to transfer heat into hard-to-reach mold areas in thermoset molding. Units cool cores and molds faster than water to reduce cycle time, and draw heat from the plastic, transferring it to water channels or to the mold base. Uniform heat transfer eliminates hot spots pulling. Only one water line is required. Thermal Pins eliminate scale and plugging of small-diameter water channels going into the core, reducing maintenance, and can isolate old or damaged mold components from the coolant when seepage or leak problems occur. In blow molding, the hollow unit uniformly cools the end of the blow pin and evenly cools necks of blow molded bottles. More than 350 sizes stocked. (See data sheet p. 271.)
OGDEN MANUFACTURING CO.
Mighty Watt and Mighty Watt Plus cartridge heaters. Mighty Watt Plus allows thousands of combinations of size, rating, and lead configurations to be shipped from stock. SST and QST split-sheath insertion heaters provide improved conductive heat transfer and are easily removed from worn or poorly drilled holes.
Band heaters including Mighty Miser ceramic, Mighty-Tuff high-temperature, Aluma-Flex aluminum, and mica types. Replacement heaters for injection, extrusion, blow molding, thermoforming, and auxiliary equipment shipped from stock.
OMEGA ENGINEERING INC.
Heating cables and strip, cartridge, tubular electric, immersion, and band heaters, as well as laboratory and specialty units. Accessories include thermocouple, RTD, and thermistor sensors, along with associated wire, connectors and hardware. Also heating-system instrumentation such as controllers, meters, and computer interfaces. Line of ovens and ceramic and other oven heating elements can be used as replacement components or to construct customized ovens.
OMEGA HEATER CO.
Ceramic and mica heater bands and strips; and cartridge, channel, ceramic air-cooled, cast-aluminum (liquid and air-cooled) ceramic-fiber, radiant-panel, and roller heaters. Also heater accessories, instruments, controls, and thermocouples. Stocks mica bands and cartridges. Also custom products.
ORYCON CONTROL TECHNOLOGY
Straight or preformed tubular heating elements, mini-tubular heating elements of 3/16-in. diam., and swaged high-watt-density cartridge heaters with high-temperature leads supplied with or without thermocouples.
Also plate heaters for hot manifolds with replaceable tubular heating elements pressed into slots and held in place by staked heater covers.
OSRAM SYLVANIA INC.
Range of high-temperature air and infrared ceramic heaters, controls, blowers, complete systems, and accessories. Air heaters reach temperatures to 1600 F. New Hot Air System employs heater and control technology that cuts back power if the element gets too hot.
Infrared ceramic heaters with watt densities to 40 watts/[in..sup.2] can be operated at surface temperatures to 750 F and last over 5000 hr. Glaze coating on the heater surface changes color as it approaches operating temperature.
PLASTIC PROCESS EQUIPMENT INC.
UltraThin heater band constructed of high-temperature materials. Thin ceramic insulators inside result in low-mass construction, which improves control response and minimizes temperature lag and overshoot. Backside thermal insulation minimizes heat loss and lowers sheath temperature. Heater element is computer-designed for maximum wire size. Available in diam. from 3 to 14 1/2 in. and widths from 1 to 10 in. (See ad p. 337.)
PROCESS THERMAL DYNAMICS, INC.
New Q and FS series infrared heaters for single-station thermoformers reach full operating temperature from cold starts in seconds. Can be turned off during forming and loading/unloading portions of machine cycle and turned on seconds before heating cycle starts, thus saving energy costs.
Infrared conveyor ovens anneal injection molded and blow molded parts in. 30 sec to three min.
RADIANT ENERGY SYSTEMS, INC.
Heat-processing equipment, heaters, and ovens for processes such as annealing of molding parts; relieving stresses in welded and fabricated parts; heating of reinforced plastics for lamination, hot-stamping, etc.; preheating of fibers prior to pultrusion; and drying/curing of coatings and inks on film, sheet, etc.
RAMA CORP.
Tubular, band and strip heaters include computer-designed Ramaband and Ramastrip heaters. Ramaflex heater in a variety of shapes and sizes is made from lightweight fiberglass-reinforced silicone rubber. It provides even heat distribution on uniform and irregular surfaces where moderate heating is required.
Complete engineering and R&D services using CAD available for custom-designed heating assembly needs. (See also Hot-Runner Components and Systems.)
THE SHUMAN CO.
Thermoforming machinery supplier offers its own quartz-tube infrared heater panels. Elements are completely enclosed on sides and back with galvanized casing; 2-in. ceramic-fiber insulation is placed directly behind the quartz tubes. Thus, all energy is reportedly radiated toward the sheet. Elements range from 8 x 24 in. with one zone to 24 x 24 in. with nine tubes divisible into one, two, or three zones. Each tube can be replaced individually.
SOLAR PRODUCTS INC.
Electric infrared heaters in panel and tubular forms for thermoforming, screen printing, and paint curing. F-Series panel heaters have durable high-temperature quartz-cloth emitter. G-Series panels have black or clear high-temperature glass emitters (a cleanable surface). Both reach temperatures to 1800 F and do not need external reflectors. T-Series is a fast-response quartz-tube heater for up to 1800 F; external reflector not required. New M-Series have either hard-coated aluminum or porcelainized steel face; similar to G-Series but with greater durability.
TEKNICAT CATALYSTIC SERVICES
Catalytic infrared heating panels fed by natural gas are flameless, operate at relatively low temperature, and reduce energy costs relative to electricity in many localities. Firm specializes in converting thermoforming equipment to gas catalytic heating.
TEMPCO ELECTRIC HEATER CORP.
Electric heating elements, thermocouples and related accessories, specializing in injection molding, extrusion, and auxiliary applications. Products include cast-in aluminum or bronze heater/cooler units for extruder barrels and dies. High- or low-watt-density cartridge heaters for hot-runners, and compression and injection molds, as well as for extrusion dies and welding equipment. Duraband, Micaband, Ceramic Band and Aluminum Channel Maxiband band heaters for injection molding and extruder barrels, heads and dies. Mica, Maxi, and Channel strip heaters for molds, platens, and dies. Tubular heating elements and ceramic infrared heaters for thermoforming. Also thermocouples and temperature controls for regulating heating elements.
Line of flange-immersion screw-plug and circulation heaters for liquid temperature controllers used in mold-temperature regulation, as well as heavy-duty ASA-rated flange-immersion and circulation heaters and control panels. All heaters in customized or standard designs. (See ad p. 286.)
THERMAL INNOVATIONS CORP.
Quartz-tube infrared emitters come in standard and new fast-response models with a non-oxidizing heating coil that reportedly lasts 5000-10,000 hr in most applications. Tubes can be mounted in any plane. Optional integrated gold primary reflector is bonded to the quartz, never needs cleaning. Clear emitters with integral gold reflectors said to be up to 40% more efficient than traditional satin quartz tubes with external reflectors. Fast-response emitters reach peak temperature in under 5 sec and also cool faster.
THERMA-TECH CORP.
Compact infrared heaters offer uniform and efficient conversion of energy to infrared. Low to high intensity, element temperature range to 1500 F, wavelength of 2.8 to 9.0 microns, and 4-min heat-up time. Housed in 3-in.-deep aluminized steel case (stainless steel available). Sizes to 122 in. long, starting at 2.75 in. wide.
Heaters are resistant to water splash, chemical attack, and thermal shock. Can be wiped clean to prevent buildup of residue. "Flat" element design suitable for a 2 [degrees] uniformity of face surface. Easy to install, no scaling or warping. Can be fitted with thermocouple controls.
THERMEL ENGINEERED HEAT TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Industrial electric heating elements include cast-in aluminum or bronze band heaters and die heaters; thermastrip, mica, ceramic and nozzle band heaters; tubular elements; strip, cartridge, radiant, immersion, silicone rubber, and drum heaters; and thermocouples.
THERMETIC PRODUCTS INC.
Band and coil heaters for hot-runner applications feature mini-coil design in diam. of 1/2 to 1 in. and lengths from 3/4 to 4 in. Power ranges from 125 to 600 w at 240 v. Hermetic construction for long life in adverse conditions. Low-profile axial clamp with auto-locking features allows easy installation inside smallest nozzle cavities. Available with standard Allen-head screw clamps. Standard flexible leads available in any length to allow bending to 0.1-in. radius in up to 900 F environment. Off-the-shelf units for next-day delivery. Also custom units.
THRIFT PRODUCTS DIV., IMS CO.
Stocks common sizes of 120- and 240-v cartridge heaters. They have Incoloy 800 outer sheath, ceramic core, and 36-in. internally connected, swaged-in leads.
VALAD ELECTRIC HEATING CORP.
Heating elements and hot plates in sizes from 6 x 6 to 48 x 48 in. Custom-designed units to 12 ft.
VULCAN CATALYTIC SYSTEMS
Flameless catalytic heating systems for both roll- and sheet-fed thermoformers use long-wave infrared energy to reduce operating costs and enhance control and uniformity of process. Systems catalytically oxidize propane or natural gas. Manual and new touchscreen gas-pulse electronic control of gas pressure in individual zones.
WAAGE ELECTRIC INC.
Band and strip heaters, tubular metal-sheath elements, immersion heaters, flanged immersion heaters, and heat-transfer systems with integral cooling. Also forced-air duct heaters and thermal-sealing hot plates.
WARREN ELECTRIC CORP.
Flanged, screw plug, circulation and over-the-side heaters for new applications and replacement needs. Flanges in steel or stainless steel with ratings from 150 to 1200 psi. Screw plugs in steel, stainless steel, or bronze.
Terminal enclosure options include standard, weather-resistant, explosion-resistant, and high-temperature extended heads for use in high-temperature applications to reduce ambient temperature inside wiring enclosures.
Heating elements of 321 or 316L stainless steel, steel, or Incoloy can be brazed or welded to flange.
WATLOW ELECTRIC MFG. CO.
Swaged Firerod cartridge heater with high-temperature and high-watt-density capabilities. Lead Adapter program with patented lead connection technique permits same-day shipment on over 150,000 variations of Firerod.
Band heaters include MI Band, a high-temperature (1600 F max.) unit with a special mineral insulation that provides long heater life; ThinBand heater featuring a flexible design allowing easy installation and replacement on barrel and providing fast heat-up and cool-down; and ThinCast heater of rugged cast-aluminum for long life and resistance to contamination. ThinBand heaters now available with Quick Clamp for faster, easier installation. Spring loading maintains contact with barrel as heater expands on startup, even in vertical orientation.
Also radiant heaters, quartz tubular elements, strip heaters, ceramic-fiber heaters, and cable and nozzle heaters.
Temperature Sensors, Monitors, Controls
PRODUCT LINES REVIEWED
ADVANCED DYNAMICS
Line of thermocouples, RTDs, and thermistor probes. Specialty is custom manufacturing and application problem-solving. Patented probes include "retractable" melt thermocouple, which allows immersion and withdrawal from plastic melt stream during operation. Also bayonet-style, nozzle-type and compression-fitting versions for attachment to injection and extrusion machines.
ADVANTAGE ELECTRONICS, INC.
Custom temperature monitoring and control instruments with custom packaging, control sequencing, and data-communication capability.
AGEMA INFRARED SYSTEMS, INC.
Thermopoint hand-held or fixed-head noncontacting, single-point infrared sensors. Laser-sighting option for dimly-lit or hard-to-access interiors. Data outputs on some models to PC, chart-recorder, or printer.
Thermoprofile SLS "smart" infrared line-scanning systems for real-time inspection, monitoring, and control of moving web and rotating elements in continuous processes. Designed for continuous operation in hostile environments, Thermoprofile SLS can function as stand-alone monitor or part of closed-loop process-control system.
A.L.B.A. ENTERPRISES, INC.
See Hot-Runner Components and Systems.
AMERICAN MSI CORP.
See Hot-Runner Components and Systems.
AMPROBE INSTRUMENT DIV. CORE INDUSTRIES INC.
Model DPH-2000 temperature-measuring instrument has range from -150 F to 1999 F, fast response, standard industrial type-K thermocouple probes, resolution of 1 [degrees] F, and LCD display. Accurate to [+ or -]0.8% on -35 F to 850 F range; [+ or -]1% of instrument range on all other points. Plastic housing with watertight membrane switch. Optional accessories include four different types of probes: universal, surface, air-gas, and hypodermic.
Model DT-156 thermometer has a range of -50.0 F to 199.9 F with an accuracy of [+ or -]1 [degrees] F. Features solid-state design and three individual probes with quick-response sensing elements. Each probe has a 12-ft color-coded lead, permitting temperature checks at points up to 24 ft apart. Color-coded pushbutton selector switch permits selection of temperature to be checked. A-B switch gives instantaneous digital reading of the difference between temperatures measured by A probe and B probe (used for differential measurements such as inlet/ outlet temperatures).
Model AM-14 is an LCD industrial multimeter with direct temperature reading capability of -40 F to 300 F. Features over-range indication, low-battery indication, auto-zeros on all ranges, reversed-polarity indication, and diode-test range.
ANAFAZE INC.
Noncontact infrared temperature sensors measure products such as extruded materials and sheets in thermoforming. Temperatures range from 0 F to 1000 F. Turnkey systems include controllers, computers, high-level software, and infrared sensors.
ANALOGIC CORP.
Model AN2402 1/8-DIN panel-mounted temperature controller has front-panel selectable setup, calibration, and operation. Wide range of thermocouple inputs, 1 [degrees] or 0.1 [degrees] resolution, degree C or F scale, and programmable filter. Options include RS232 serial interface, dual-relay setpoints, and analog output with independent scaling. Also Model AN2406, 1/8-DIN controller with 1 [degrees], 0.1 [degrees] and 0.01 [degrees] C resolution for 2-, 3- and 4-wire RTD measurements, and same options as AN2402.
ATHENA CONTROLS, INC.
Hot-runner and panel temperature controls include IMP controller with dual display and CompuStep start-up in 15- and 30-amp configurations. AIM controller, in combination with ACM communication module (ASM for SPI protocol) interfaces with up to 99 controllers through a terminal or IBM-compatible PC. The 1/16-DIN XT16 panel controller has dual display, four configurable outputs, and optional digital communication.
New PIM portable single-zone temperature controller for hot-sprue bushings or single-heater applications up to 15 amps features dual display, fused and grounded circuitry, CompuStep start-up, manual and closed-loop control, and power on/off switch. With microprocessor PID control and complete diagnostics, module operates automatically after setting temperature and turning on power. CompuStep function provides automatic warm-up, and when complete, controller switches to CompuCycle, a zero-crossover power drive that delivers smooth, continuous a-c power, which reportedly improves response time, reduces thermal fatigue and prolongs power life. (See ad p. 264.)
ATKINS TECHNICAL CO.
Line of hand-held digital thermocouple pyrometers and over 150 different probes for sensing hot-melt, mold, barrel, platen, and other temperatures. Series 396 allows wide temperature range, is F/C switchable, and accurate to [+ or -]1% of reading. Sealed membrane switches. Runs on one to three 9-v batteries, with 500 hr of continuous operating time per battery. All instruments and probes available in thermocouple types J, K and T.
Probes include 1/8-in. diam., 4-in.-long needle probe for insertion/immersion; micro-needle probe with 3/16-in.-long tip for elastomeric molds; and surface probes with ceramic-encased tips and straight or 90 [degrees] angle shafts for molds, barrels, and platens.
BARBER-COLMAN CO. INDUSTRIAL INSTRUMENTS DIV.
Full range of temperature sensors includes patented Vari-depth sensor, adjustable to any immersion depth.
Four new single-zone temperature/process controllers in the new Advantage family. At low-cost end are rugged series 10Q 1/4-DIN and series 10E 1/8-DIN. Series 10 controllers have 300-millisec response time and accuracy of 0.3%. Series 15Q 1/4-DIN and series 15E 1/8-DIN modular controllers have 200-millisec response and accuracy of 0.2%. Series 15 controllers offer field expansion capability using plug-in modules. Compact, socketed modules allow field replacement of relays, triacs, SSR pulse and analog d-c outputs. Modules also available for alarm relays and digital contact closure. I/O reconfiguration is as simple as switching modules. A 21-segment LED bar graph on series 15Q provides control status at a glance. Display is selectable as a percentage-output indicator or as a deviation from setpoint graph with programmable scale for each deviation indicator.
Series 10 and series 15 controllers can be set up completely from the front panel, including C/F selection, decimal-point location, scaling, setpoint limits, and alarm types. Compact size requires only 4.2-in. mounting depth. These universal-input controllers handle any of 11 ANSI thermocouple types, RTDs, and popular d-c inputs. Input type selection is selectable from front panel without the need for instrument recalibration. Auto-Comp sensor-break function provides advanced response to sensor break. Outputs can be selected to on or off, switched to a percentage output or to a "last stable output."
Standard with series 10 and series 15 is AT Self Tune, which sets PID tuning constants with no operator involvement. This "hands-off" autotuning is performed at startup of the process and avoids the upsets required by conventional "bump" autotuning. AT Self Tune also includes an Adaptive Tuning oscillation monitor that automatically retunes controller to improve controller response.
Cimac 2 is a 1/2-DIN size multizone controller suitable for extrusion temperature control. Eight zones of process control available and built-in setpoint programmers permit time/process control. (See also Hot-Runner Components/Systems and Total Machine Control Systems.) (See ad p. 1.)
BUDGET MOLDERS SUPPLY, INC.
Temperature monitors include noncontact infrared units and Atkins hand-held thermocouple probes. Recording model also available. Temperature controls include nonindicating closed-loop, Fuji PYZ series, and new PYX fuzzy-logic series.
CAL CONTROLS, INC.
Line of temperature controllers specifically designed for extruders and mold-temperature controllers that require PID control of both heating and cooling. Model 9900 offers manual override, which allows continuing operation in the event of sensor failure. Other features, designed to protect unattended equipment from damage due to single- or multiple-loop element failure, include LBA (loop-break-alarm) and Latching Alarm. Retrofitting is easy and cost-effective with 1/4- and 1/8-DIN custom panel adaptors. Where control panel space is limited, model 3200 (1/32-DIN) controller is available with autotuning PID and universal supply and inputs.
CANADIAN INSTRUMENTATION CO.
Flexible temperature, process and time/temperature stand-alone controls can be fully configured by a temporary computer link-up. Also full line of sensors compatible with controls.
CHROMALOX EDWIN L. WlEGAND DIV.
Products include series 2000 microprocessor-based temperature and process controls; ChromaSoft software package; remote operator interface to multiple Chromalox controllers from a PC; Chromalox 3390 multiple-loop controller; and digital and analog electronic temperature controllers. Support services range from applications advice to design, manufacture, and installation of custom control panels.
CINCINNATI MILACRON U.S. PLASTICS MACHINERY DIV.
See Hot-Runner Components and Systems.
CMC TECHNOLOGIES, LTD.
Combination pressure/temperature sensor offers IEEE 485 "addressable" serial output (in addition to basic RS232 digital output), which is said to permit economical monitoring of multiple machines. Pressure, temperature, and combination sensors have the same threads and housings, making them interchangeable.
CONCEPT ENGINEERING
Mark R noncontact temperature sensor for slim objects is used primarily to measure metal conductor temperature in extrusion of wire insulation. Generates millivolt output.
CONTROL KING, INC.
See Hot-Runner Components and Systems.
COOPER INSTRUMENT CORP. ELECTRO-THERM DIV.
Digital thermistor units range from hand-held units to panel-mounted meters with alarm capabilities and accuracies of [+ or -]2 [degrees] F. Full complement of probes can be extended to 1000 ft.
Hand-held and panel-mounted digital thermocouple units read temperatures from -40 F to 2200 F. Probes can be extended to 50 ft.
Also wide range of 1-, 2- and 3-in. stainless-steel bimetal thermometers in different stem lengths and 2-, 2 1/2- and 3 1/2-in. vapor-tension remote-reading thermometers.
CR MAGNETICS, INC.
Line of electrical heater monitoring products includes Current Ring indicators that display operation of electrical heater elements in molding machines. Attached to wire leading to heater element, they provide a visual (LED) illumination when electrical current is present and heater element is operating properly. With a defective (open) heater element, no electrical current will flow and LED will be off. Several types provide an indication directly at current-carrying wire or at a remote location.
D-M-E CO.
Smart series temperature-control systems include variety of frame and module sizes and styles for a broad range of applications. Frames accommodate one to 48 zones in 15- and 30-amp capacities. Control modules are microprocessor-based with multifunctional digital displays. SSM and DSS modules feature digital display of setpoint and process temperature, auto/manual mode selection, and heater-dryout function automatically actuated during start-up. CSS modules provide same features along with built-in ammeter and, in conjunction with CIM module, ability to be remotely controlled and monitored from a PC.
Mainframes are self-contained, requiring no external relays or contractors, offered with or without communications capability. Protective plastic shields, individual cooling fans, circuit-breaker protection, and optional current/voltage monitors. Accessories include cables, mold connectors, floor stands, and transformer kits. (See also Hot-Runner Components and Systems.) (See ads Cover II, p. 262.)
DUREX INTERNATIONAL CORP.
Resistance temperature detectors (RTDs) and thermocouples specifically for processing applications. Sensor construction built to withstand over 900 F. Mounting options available, as well as most European and Japanese design replacements.
DYNISCO INSTRUMENTS
MTX fiber-optic infrared temperature transducer for nonintrusive measurement of melt temperatures has response time of 10 millisec, detects highly transient melt temperatures for tight process control, and resists abrasion from filled materials. Withstands pressures to 30,000 psi at up to 800 F.
Model 1330 temperature controller has 1/8-DIN plug-in design, digital display and setpoint, [+ or -]0.3% full-scale accuracy, upfront adjustment of control parameters, on/off or PID control, and optional deviation alarms.
Model 2300 temperature and process controller has microprocessor-based, 1/4-DIN plug-in design; autotune PID; RS232C, RS422, and RS485 serial communications; universal programmable inputs; remote and second setpoints; dual-programmable alarms; and heat/cool control mode.
AutoProbes I and II traveling melt thermocouples measure temperature variations in the melt stream, which affect product conformity and gauge thickness. AutoProbe I penetrates melt stream at a rate of 0.139 in./min, producing a continuous analog signal and indication of melt temperature and position of the temperature sensing probe. Pneumatically actuated AutoProbe II penetrates melt stream up to 1.5 in. in less than 1 sec, senses temperature at the predetermined point and retracts, minimizing stream perturbation. Both models have manual or automatic operation modes, 0-5 to 0-10 VDC output signals, and a range of 0-1.5 in. penetration into melt stream.
EAST COAST SENSORS, INC.
Thermocouples and sensors. Thermocouples available in all ANSI calibrations (J, K, T, E types) in grounded/ungrounded and exposed junctions. Available in various probe configurations, using stainless steel and Inconel sheath materials.
ELECTRONIC DEVELOPMENT LABS
Temperature-indicating, controlling, and recording instrumentation includes hand-held digital and analog pyrometers, infrared thermometers, thermocouple sensors, scanners and controllers. Temperature ranges from -280 to 2000 F/C, accuracy of [+ or -]1 [degrees] and 0.1 [degrees] resolution standard. Thermocouple sensors available for measuring mold surfaces, subsurfaces, liquids, melts, air shots, and air at up to 2000 F with quick response and accuracies as close as 1 [degrees]. Noncontact, hand-held infrared thermometers measure from 0 to 1600 F/C with quick readings displayed to 0.1 [degrees] F resolution on large LCD. Display shows minimum, maximum, difference, and average temperature, and high/low audible alarms. Emissivity is adjustable. Specialty and custom sensors available.
EUROTHERM CONTROLS, INC.
Temperature controllers feature a high degree of configurability and universal power supplies. Incorporate self-tuning algorithms that automatically determine optimal PID parameter values. Algorithm minimizes overshoot of set-point when initiated from ambient. Models of Series 90 controllers and alarm units designed for cost-conscious applications and available in 1/16- and 1/8-DIN units.
The 1/8-DIN model 808 features dual displays, two control outputs, alarm output and digital communications. Air, water and oil cooling accommodated by built-in cooling algorithms. Also built-in auto/manual station. Full-featured 818 model adds other possibilities, such as analog retransmission and remote input, two alarm outputs, and adaptive tuning.
EWlKON N.A. INC.
See Hot-Runner Components and Systems.
EXTECH INSTRUMENTS CORP.
Temperature/process controllers and indicators include VT series of 1/16-DIN (48VT) and 1/4-DIN (96VT) autotuning PID controllers. Dual four-digit LED displays for setpoint and process variables. Inputs include thermocouple, RTD, current, and voltage. One-touch auto-tune function automatically computes optimum PID values for best control of specific application. Also can be used for on/off control. Control action either a 5A relay, 4-20 mA current, or pulsed 24-VDC to drive a solid-state relay. User-selectable heating or cooling. Five-amp alarm relay outputs standard on both models, with two on the 96VT.
Other units include 1/16-, 1/8- and 1/4-DIN temperature controllers with analog or digital setpoints and on/off or proportional control.
Temperature indicators include 1/8-DIN and miniature units for both thermocouple and RTD inputs. Options include mV or 4-20 mA current outputs. Switch boxes and multipoint monitors available to monitor up to 10 locations.
FAST HEAT INC.
Conductor series of microprocessor-based temperature-control systems includes modules, mainframes, cables, junction boxes, and mobile racks.
Modules feature Auto Soft, which allows gradual heater warmup based on ground-fault leakage current, thus preventing heater failure due to moisture. Series features 14 diagnostic error messages for troubleshooting module, thermocouple, or heater. Three-alarm indicators show when heater is over or under temperature or causing ground fault. Units include multipurpose LED display, dual-function digital setpoint, and automatic thermocouple fault compensation. Various standard electrical configurations include 240- or 120-VAC, one- or three-phase, and common European 5-wire systems. Standard 15- and 30-a module outputs. Data-communication capability using SPI Communication Protocol allows molder to interface hot-runner control system directly to similarly equipped injection molding machines. Standard mainframes include 5-slot, 9-slot, and 12-slot systems. Large cabinet systems with up to 85 zones have been built.
Self-contained single-zone chassis controller available with standard control cables of 10 and 20 ft.
Also a line of thermocouples, wire and accessories, including all common ISA types such as J, K, and T, as well as special alloys for applications requiring up to 4200 F. Accessories include plugs, jacks and adaptors. (See also Hot-Runner Components and Systems.)
FLO-TECH, INC.
High-pressure-rated RTD thermometer probes are precision platinum units with max. temperature rating of 300 F and max. pressure rating of 7500 psi. Can be inserted directly into hydraulic or fluid material stream and offer 3-sec response. The 1/8 NPT body threads eliminate need for special fittings and come in insertion lengths from 1 to 3 1/2 in.
DTM-100 panel-mount temperature readout offers 3/4-in. LCD display visible in ambient lighting. High-impact plastic case mounts is 1/4-DIN. Standard 0-10 v recorder output available at rear terminals. Unit can be wired for 120 or 240 v, 50 or 60 Hz without internal modification.
GAMMAFLUX, INC.
See Hot-Runner Components and Systems.
GEFRAN INC.
SP series melt-temperature transducers have low-volume capillary system to ensure highest possible thermal stability while minimizing risk of melt contamination. Accuracy and fast response make units less susceptible to flow erosion and enhance lifespan.
Models 500 (1/16-DIN) and 1000 (1/8-DIN) single-loop temperature controllers feature dual LED display for simultaneous viewing of process and set-point values. Units provide relay, logic, or triac control output.
Models 3300 (1/8-DIN) and 4300 (1/4-DIN) controllers have backlit, multifunction LCD display; data-acquisition rates of six samples/sec; and digital communications capability. Relay, logic, analog, or motorized actuator control outputs available.
Model 1020 1/8-DIN two-loop temperature controller with NEMA-3 splashproof faceplate accepts two independent inputs. Each channel has display and keypad controls.
Models 100, 200, 201 panel meter/alarm units, 1/16- and 1/8-DIN, are fully configurable. Model 201 features 3 1/2-digit, 14-mm display; Model 100 a 3-digit, 14-mm display; and Model 200 a 3-digit, 20-mm display. Four operational software levels accessible only by entry codes.
GENERAL EASTERN INSTRUMENTS
For monitoring liquid temperature, TT-I-I stainless-steel immersion sensor can be screwed directly into pipe fitting or thermowell.
GIC THERMODYNAMICS
Line of thermocouples, RTDs, and thermistors. Melt-bolt and springloaded designs, along with accessories such as lead wire, fittings, and connectors.
HARREL, INC.
Three-mode electronic temperature controls include plug-in, single-channel, microprocessor-based models, plus line of multizone units in compact, panel-mounted, 16- and 32-zone modules. Capacity can be extended to any number of zones using remotely mounted, 30-channel auxiliary modules that operate under supervision of panel-mounted unit.
For extrusion, both single- and multizone models can use patented Duosense system, which uses a deep- and a shallow-well temperature sensor to gain advantages of faster response and longer life without sacrificing accuracy of deepwell sensing.
Also line of adjustable RTD temperature sensors for extrusion and injection machines.
HASCO-INTERNORM CORP. WEST
See Hot-Runner Components and Systems.
HES DIV., DAVIS-STANDARD
HES temperature controller with patented dual-thermocouple design maintains precise temperature control in critical production processes. With one thermocouple located in heater/cooler and the other at the deepest point of barrel, corrective heating or cooling action can be taken to bring inner barrel surface temperature to stability quickly, and is done automatically with no adjustments required. In addition, recipe feature reduces amount of scrap manufactured during startups and grade changes.
HONEYWELL INC.
STT 3000 Smart Temperature Transmitter contains look-up tables for all standard thermocouples and resistance bulbs. Selection of appropriate type via SFC (Smart Field Communicator) gives required linearization, minimizing spareparts requirements. Unit reads highest and lowest inputs, has external cold-junction compensation at an isothermal block, and displays engineering units in degrees C, F, or R, plus millivolts and ohms. Can be installed on a DIN rail or in an explosion-proof housing designed for surface or 2-in. pipe mounting. Adjustments and diagnostic checks performed via SFC from remote locations.
HUSKY INJECTION MOLDING SYSTEMS LTD.
See Hot-Runner Components and Systems.
IMC INSTRUMENTS, INC.
Digital temperature indicators, controllers, and alarms include portable digital thermometers and permanently mounted monitors. Rugged portable line includes large selection of general-purpose and specialty probes. Permanently mounted instruments include microprocessor-based digital panel meters, wide range of digital temperature indicators, and industrial temperature-alarm panels. Also line of temperature alarm/controllers with optional digital indication of temperature, setpoints, and differentials. Temperature-measuring probes for permanent installation include stem probes for molds and platens.
IMS CO.
Closed-loop temperature-control modules rated at 15 amps and 120 or 240 v with time-proportioned power, automatic soft-start, and digital display. One to 12 zones. Also single-zone housings with 30-a output working off standard 15-amp modules, and open-loop modules to fit housings.
Stand-alone closed-loop temperature controllers rated at 15 amps and 240 v, and stocked in 1-, 2- and 4-zone models.
Stand-alone open-loop voltage controllers rated at 5 or 15 amps and 120 or 240 v.
Equipment for directly reading hot-melt temperature includes DT-2 temperature indicator with LED display and 1/4-DIN housing, and either retrofit hot-melt thermocouple or matched-set injection nozzle with thermocouple through-hole and hot-melt thermocouple.
High-low temperature alarm and monitor has adjustable high and low setpoints; indicates temperature from any type-J thermocouple; and triggers visual and audio alarms if temperature goes above high setpoint or below low setpoint.
Thermocouple simulators (type-J or K) are reference for calibrating temperature-sensing equipment.
Hand-held surface pyrometers read temperatures up to 600 F without touching heat source. Also low-cost analog unit for temperatures to 900 F, and fast-acting digital unit for temperatures to 1650 F. (See also Hot-Runner Components and Systems.) (See ads pp. 22, 315.)
INCOE CORP.
See Hot-Runner Components and Systems.
IRCON INC.
Noncontact infrared thermometers operate in harsh environments from -50 to 6500 F. On-line thermometers, line-scanning thermal-imaging systems, portable noncontact thermometers, and low-cost two-wire transmitters. Sensors "see" objects as small as 0.012 in. and respond within as little as 25 millisec. Series 43 and 48, operating at 3.43 microns and 7.95 microns respectively, are best suited for polyethylene and polyester films.
JEWELL ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENTS
Analog panel instruments for temperature monitoring and control. Model 370 indicating temperature controller has dual setpoints, 3.5-in. mirrored scale, and relay outputs. Can be used as direct replacement in most equipment. Options allow customization.
Model 400 indicating pyrometer features 4.5-in. mirrored scale, and can be used with J-, K-, and T-type thermocouples.
JMS SOUTHEAST, INC.
Custom-designed thermocouples and RTDs include bayonet, plastic melt-bolt, flex-armor adjustable, and spring-adjustable depth thermocouples. Also calibration equipment and services, interface hardware related to sensor applications, and signal transmitters or integrated combinations of sensors with transmitters.
JPI TECHNOLOGIES INC.
FP13 microprocessor-based, multizone temperature controller for up to 13 zones. Digital PID gives control with minimum overshoot and rapid setpoint attainment. Processing time of 10 millisec/channel. Standard features include thermocouple input, heating/cooling capability, PID control programmable for each zone, storage of four groups of settings in RAM, error analysis and fault displays, assignable zone numbers, and uniform heat-up (all zones heat up according to rate of slowest zone).
Options include GA13 display unit that selectively indicates temperature, setpoint, percentage output of all 13 zones; and RS232 serial interface to IBM PC, machine logic, etc. (See data sheet p. 269.)
KERNCO INSTRUMENTS CO., INC.
Over 60 analog and digital temperature meters include industrial-type thermometers with stainless-steel and upright stems; panel-mount meters and transmitters with type J, K, T, and E thermocouple probes; strip-chart and circular temperature recorders; infrared meters for noncontact measurement (portable and remote models with 4-20 mA output); and multichannel, 4-20 mA or 0-5 VDC temperature monitors with alarm systems.
KIDDE-FENWAL INC.
Temperature controls include electronic or electromechanical (differential-expansion or liquid-expansion) types; indicating with digital (LCD/LED) or analog displays, or nonindicating; miniature or standard size; surface-mount or probe styles; and models for normal or hostile environments. Sensors include thermistors and RTDs for local or remote sensing.
KONA CORP.
See Hot-Runner Components and Systems.
LAND INFRARED
Minolta/Land Portable Cyclops 343 and Cyclops 79 hand-held infrared thermometers make precise spot-temperature measurements ([+ or -]1% of reading) on thin-film plastics over measurement range of 30 to 700 F. Battery-powered Cyclops 343 has narrow-band spectral response centered at 3.43 [[micro]meter] and makes measurements on hydrocarbon polymer films (PE, PP and PVC) of thicknesses down to 0.001 in. Cyclops 79 has a narrow-band spectral response centered at 7.92 [[micro]meter] and makes measurements on polyesters, fluoroplastics, and polyimide films down to 0.001 in. thick.
Additional features include Minolta focusing reflex optics for accurate target definition; digital temperature display in field of view; choice of peak hold, valley hold, or continuous operation; and built-in calculating facility to compute maximum, minimum or mean of a series of readings. Units can be tripod-mounted and have BCD output for optional printer/datalogger. Optional digital-to-analog converter and dedicated printer.
LFE INSTRUMENTS
Analog and digital panel instruments and controllers include:
* Microprocessor-based LFE 2000 series 1/4-DIN temperature and process controllers allow flexibility in general applications. Standard options match controller to specific applications. Special-purpose controllers for dual-loop, multiprofile, and zone-control applications. Custom features enhance performance while simplifying operation.
* LFE 4500 series intelligent 1/8-DIN meters and control meters with 3 1/2- and 4 1/2-digit vacuum-fluorescent displays. Meters for current, voltage, process, temperature, or pressure inputs.
* LFE model 4000 with 14-in. CRT gives clear, simple, and customized view of the production process with easy access to intelligent factory-floor "communicative" devices. Multitasking operating system and colored character-based graphics provide fast notification of alarms and system conditions. Dedicated printer port provides record of alarms, acknowledgements, and alarm clearings, along with time and date. Forty assignable front-panel keys replace numerous switches and pushbuttons. Model configuration process allows adjustment of information and displays as changes occur to equipment, factory layout, and information requirements.
Also offers analog round, rectangular, and edgewise panel meters; optical and electronic analog meter relays; digital panel meters and meter relays; and analog temperature controllers.
LINEAR LABORATORIES
Noncontact infrared sensors rapidly and accurately provide continuous temperature measurement of moving, inaccessible, fragile, or unsafe targets without product contamination. Fixed and portable units have measurement ranges from -70 F to 3000 F.
MX-series fixed units offer high-resolution optics for accurate readings, as precise as [+ or -]1% every 300 millisec. MX-HT is suited for extremely harsh industrial applications at higher temperatures up to 3000 F. Field of view ratio can be either 50:1 or 75:1. Both MX and MX-HT available with Type R, S, and B thermocouples, one mv/[degrees], 0-5 v, 4-20 and 0-20 mA, and RS-232 and RS-485 serial digital outputs.
New portable LTL-100 offers laser sighting for fast, precise, noncontact temperature measurement. Features include 1-sec response time, peak hold, and 8-14 micron spectral filter with temperature range of -20 F to 2000 F. C-1000 portable self-contained, battery-operated devices consist of probe and display unit. Suitable for taking and storing readings during preventive-maintenance checks on several pieces of equipment.
LOVE CONTROLS DIV.
Temperature controls, sensors, and output devices include Model 1600 series low-cost, microprocessor-based 1/16-DIN controller. Fully programmable for varying applications. Optional digital communications and Lovelink software provide remote supervision, data logging, and alarms for SQC.
New 1/16-DIN 1500 and 1/4-DIN 2500 series controllers are low-cost, microprocessor-based, and programmable. The 2500 series has optional current output.
Other microprocessor-based, digital indicating controls include low-cost 1/4-DIN 400 series and 1/4-DIN 300 series.
The 49 series 1/4-DIN analog controls and indicators have full-scale indication and outputs for all applications. The 249 series has solid-state LED deviation indicator.
Also portable controls, hand-held indicators, scr power controllers, solid-state relays, and mercury-displacement contactors.
New Iso-Verter II isolator/converter with isolated input and outputs to 1500-VAC features standard input and output ranges that are field-selectable, zero suppression, unipolar or bipolar inputs/outputs, and selectable reverse or direct action.
Sensors include thermocouples and RTD or thermistor probes. Standard and custom-designed sensors, including foreign replacements, manufactured for fast delivery.
MASKOTE CORP.
See Service Tectonics Instruments.
MELT DESIGN, INC. (MDI)
See Hot-Runner Components and Systems.
MIKRON INSTRUMENT CO.
M90 series portable infrared thermometers include 15 models for temperature ranges from 0 to 3000 C. Two-color model provides temperature measurement independent of emissivity and is unaffected by contaminants in field of view. Through-lens sighting, sharp focusing from 7 in. to infinity, and full range of data-handling capabilities. Software allows units to be interfaced with any IBM PC or compatible.
MOLD-MASTERS LTD.
See Hot-Runner Components and Systems.
NANMAC CORP.
Patented ribbon-type temperature sensors for measurements in molding and extrusion include series A6A springloaded, bayonet-style ribbon thermocouples that measure in-wall temperatures of barrels without errors caused by conduction along thermocouple stem. True local temperatures in the metal wall can be measured, free of conduction errors caused by external air drafts, mounting fixtures, and metallic protection tubes.
Series C4 thermocouples measure temperature inside mold cavity with millisecond response times. One group measures part temperature in mold cavity as it is being formed and cured. Another group measures inside surface temperature of wall. Both fit into existing ejector pinhole, serving as thermocouple and ejector pin.
Series C8 thermocouples measure temperature as material flows through extruder nozzle. Millisecond response time; can operate during continuous or cyclical applications.
Also conventional temperature sensors, controllers, indicators and accessory items.
OGDEN MANUFACTURING CO.
Temperature controls include:
* ETR-3020 1/32-DIN control with "Smarter Logic," which can make control decisions based on vague or incomplete information. Initial overshoot and deviations from setpoint due to process disturbances are said to be virtually eliminated. Process reportedly can be controlled with little or no temperature variation. ETR-3020 can be configured as a PID autotuning control with a variety of output selections. The second output can be selected from optional functions, including alarm, PID cooling, and transmitter for connection to a recording device. All parameters are front-panel selectable for easy setup.
* ETR-9200 1/16-DIN microprocessor-based temperature control has automatic tuning of PID process parameters with Smarter Logic. As a process disturbance is detected, Smarter Logic's continuous decision-making function quickly returns process value to set-point. Menu-driven program provides configurable process parameters such as Universal Input feature and C or F display. All control functions are front-panel adjustable. NEMA 4X front panel, dual display, ramp-to-setpoint, and two selectable-function secondary outputs.
* ETR-4220 1/4-DIN microprocessor-based temperature control also has automatic tuning with Smarter Logic. Menu-driven program provides configurable parameters such as Universal Input and C or F display. Process and setpoint temperatures visible at all times on dual, four-digit display; and process indication is 5/8-in. high. Nonvolatile memory retains process parameters when power is off. Two selectable-function secondary outputs allow both high and low limits or alarms. ETR-4130 has an additional proportional output for processes that require cooling.
* ETR-8120 1/8-DIN microprocessor-based auto-tuning temperature control. All control parameters are front-panel configurable. The 1/2-in. dual display makes process and setpoint visible at all times. Selectable parameters include type of input, C or F display, control mode, and heating or cooling. Two secondary outputs provide selectable functions or limits. ETR-8130 has an additional proportional output for cooling.
OMEGA ENGINEERING INC.
Temperature controllers and monitors, including thermocouple, RTD, and infrared sensors. Controllers can be selected with simple on/off or PID control, autotuning, event-signal generation, and ramp/soak programming. Single- and multiloop controllers are standalone units or panel-mounted. Extended warranty on products and custom engineering for specific applications.
OMRON ELECTRONICS, INC.
Electronic temperature controllers feature autotuning, PID, and host-computer communications. Sizes include 1/4-, 1/8- and 1/16-DIN. New E5AX controller with SPI Protocol allows temperature regulation among a variety of molding, extrusion, and other devices in a plastics manufacturing cell.
ORYCON CONTROL TECHNOLOGY
See Hot-Runner Components and Systems.
OWEN INSTRUMENTS, INC.
Hand-held and panel-mount thermometers and probes. Thermocouple types are for penetration, liquid melts, and fast surface measurements. Also precision RTD thermometers for critical applications and for checking other meters and controls. Several miniature (1/32- and 1/16-DIN) panel controls have microprocessors and other digital features.
PAYNE ENGINEERING CO.
SCR-based power controls and contactors control a-c and d-c power to regulate electric heating. Model 11 series a-c contactors, an alternative to electromechanical contactors and mercury relays, available in single-phase or three-phase versions at all standard voltages to 600-VAC in sizes from 10 to 1200 amps/phase. All units tested for up to 600 operations/min, and for over 200 million continuous operations without component failure. Used in conjunction with on/off temperature controllers.
Also single- and three-phase a-c variable-voltage controls for proportional control of electric heat. Available from 10 to 1200 amps/phase at all standard voltages to 600-VAC. The 18 series controls come in either phase-angle or zero-fired versions as alternative to variable transformers. May be operated manually or equipped to follow an analog milliamp or d-c voltage signal from a temperature controller or PLC. Variety of control options ensures adaptability to different applications.
The 36 series d-c power controls accept single- or three-phase a-c voltage input and have variable d-c output. Available at all standard voltages to 600-VAC. Sizes from 10 to 1200 amps/phase. Alternative to rotary motor-generator sets as a d-c power source.
Series 18A thermocouple temperature controllers interface with 18 or 36 series proportional controls to provide closed-loop temperature control. Either full-scale indication or temperature-deviation versions. Can be set up for a variety of temperature ranges and thermocouple types.
PLASTIC ENGINEERING & TECHNICAL SERVICES, INC. (P.E.T.S.)
See Hot-Runner Components and Systems.
PLASTIC PROCESS EQUIPMENT, INC.
Thermocouples, RTDs, temperature indicators, calibrators, and controls. Thermocouples include both J and K types of adjustable depth, OEM replacements, washer type, spade type, melt-bolt, hose-clamp, and hot-melt.
Indicators include panel-mount and hand-held portable models. Full line of probes for hand-held models. Controls include open-loop, solid-state power controls from 8A to 20A. Electronic temperature controls in 1/4-, 1/8-, and 1/16-DIN from Watlow and Athena, and hot-runner controls in 15A and 30A. (See also Hot-Runner Components and Systems.) (See ad p. 337.)
POLYSHOT CORP.
See Hot-Runner Components and Systems.
POWERS PROCESS CONTROLS
Digital process controllers, process monitors, process programmers, and auto/manual stations. Single-loop controllers and monitors control independent loop or entire plant. Instruments come in 1/8- and 1/4-DIN sizes.
PYROMATION, INC.
Thermocouples and RTD temperature sensors include fixed and adjustable immersion, ring, nozzle, and melt-bolt types. Also connectors, temperature indicators, sensor selector switches, and temperature-calibrating instruments.
QUANTEM CORP.
Sub-panel or panel-mount electronic thermostats and indicators include potentiometer and scale calibrated to specifications. Various input voltages, output devices, and control modes.
Microprocessor-based digital thermostats provide digital setpoint and indication, programmable upper and lower setpoint and indication, and other features.
Thermistor, RTD and thermocouple probes available in standard and custom models.
RAYTEK, INC.
Noncontact infrared temperature-measurement instruments include Raynger family of portable devices for end-user market and Thermalert on-line thermometers for OEM customers and large end users. On-line products include Thermalert ET self-contained, noncontact temperature sensor for process monitoring and control; Thermalert 3, 4 and 6 series with laser-sighting heads for plant-floor use; and Thermalert IT noncontact thermocouples for OEM applications.
Thermalert MP4 line scanner provides color display of the process. The 3.43 head is specially designed to measure thin film, while the 7.9 head can be used for other plastics.
Portable infrared thermometers include Raynger PM series with laser sighting used in basic plant maintenance and Raynger 3i series with laser sighting for troubleshooting temperature sources anywhere in manufacturing, process control, and maintenance.
RdF CORP.
Micro Foil heat-flow sensor has nominal sensitivity of 2.2 microvolts/Btu/[ft.sup.2]-hr with maximum heat-flux rating of 20 to 30 Btu/[ft.sup.2]-sec. Sensors available with integral thermocouple.
Hypodermic-needle thermocouple sensor, Model HN, specifically developed to measure temperatures inside soft or semisolid objects with a minimum amount of puncture area. Diameter of needle can be as small 0.020 in.
Model 2900 two-wire RTD temperature transmitter is accurate to [+ or -]1% of span or [+ or -]0.1 [degrees] C, whichever is greater. It fills gap between full-featured mount transmitter and the very limited instruments used for environmental-control systems. Specifically designed for rugged industrial applications where operating temperature permits transmitter to be mounted directly to connection head.
RUNNERLESS TECHNOLOGY, INC.
See Hot-Runner Components and Systems.
S AND B CONTROLS DIV. OF SCHUNTERMANN CORP.
See Hot-Runner Components and Systems.
SEIKI SPEAR SYSTEM AMERICA, INC.
See Hot-Runner Components and Systems.
SERVICE TECTONICS INSTRUMENTS DIV. OF MASKOTE CORP.
Pyrometers and sensors for temperature measurement include analog and digital pyrometers in temperature ranges from -150 to 2000 F. Sensors are for surface, melt and immersion, oven and free air, with many variations in each category. Custom designs for special applications.
SOLID CONTROLS, INC.
Modular temperature controllers include digital setpoints for accuracy and gold contact points that reportedly stand up better to dirt, corrosion, and vibration. Options include local/remote set-point capabilities, d-c output signal, and a-c/d-c alarm outputs. Remote digital scanning head allows monitoring up to eight selectable heating zones. Scanner can be operated in manual mode, stepping through each zone on command, or in automatic mode at scan rates of 0.5 to 1.5 sec/zone.
SYSCON-RKC SYSCON INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Temperature and process controls, from basic discrete controls to multizone controls with SPC capabilities. Advanced process controllers feature fuzzy logic, "brilliant" PID, and advanced autotuning. Also ramp/soak control, programmable input, front-panel bar-graph display, time signal, end output, external contact input, and step, wait, and repeat functions.
New line of 1/16-DIN single-display temperature controls includes Rex C-100, Rex-D100 with fuzzy logic, and REX-S100. All feature PID autotuning, wide range of universal inputs and outputs, and optional field-programmable alarms. Rex-FZ40 1/8-DIN and Rex-FZ90 1/4-DIN temperature controllers have universal built-in inputs and outputs, plus fuzzy logic to suppress overshoot and start-up and production upsets.
Compact Farex-SR Mini multizone PID temperature controller offers one-or two-zone control modules. Each module is approx. the size of a 3 1/2-in. floppy disk. Multiple modules may be linked together to control up to 320 temperature zones. Can be added to new equipment or retrofitted. (See also Hot-Runner Components and Systems.) (See ad p. 276.)
TECO MANUFACTURING CO.
Low-cost temperature controls and ramp-and-soak temperature programmers. MDC4E temperature controller has autotuning PID control in 1/16-DIN cabinet and is user-programmable for temperature range, thermocouple type, or RTD.
MPC10S temperature programmer has autotuning PID control and 10 ramp-and-soak steps, will repeat profile up to 99 times, and is easy to use and program. Housed in a 1/4-DIN panel-mounted cabinet.
MDC10 temperature controller has all features of the smaller MDC4E with the addition of RS232 interface so that controller can be driven by a computer. MDC10 controller is housed in a 1/4-DIN panel-mounted cabinet.
TESTO INC.
Temperature-measuring instruments from basic digital pocket thermometer to hand-held multifunctional units. Variety of probes for surface, immersion, air, infrared, or penetration applications. Instruments use type K, J, NTC, or RTD sensors for temperature ranges from -300 F to 2490 F.
Quartz-sensor thermometer with accuracy of [+ or -]0.2 F. Dual temperature inputs allow differential temperature readings with precision of [+ or -]0.06 F.
Professional Class Instruments offer split display, analog outputs, dual probe inputs, max/min/hold, and optional logger module for recording and printing. PC interface allows data to be transferred in real time.
TEXMATE INC.
Offers 1/16-, 1/8- and 1/4-DIN temperature controllers for heating, cooling, plastic extrusion, and general industrial use. RS232C and RS485 serial interfaces, multiloop KR4 units, and companion RTD and thermocouple indicators.
THERMO ELECTRIC CO., INC.
Thermocouples, thermocouple wire, and temperature controllers for all types of extrusion and molding. Broad range of standard bayonet and melt-flow thermocouple assemblies and hardware. Also custom-manufactured thermocouple and interconnection systems. Wire products include PVC-insulated for general-purpose interconnection, high-temperature insulations, and steel armor for mechanical protection. Temperature controller range covers 1/4- and 1/8-DIN models with adaptive tuning for continuous automatic setting of control parameters.
TOTAL TEMPERATURE INSTRUMENTATION INC.
PYZ5 Heat/Cool from Fuji Electric is a fully programmable 1/8-DIN microprocessor-based temperature controller. Has PID autotuning on heating. Cooling band, cycle time, and deadband independently tuned from front panel. Four LEDs display process temperature and setpoint. Status indicators show condition of heating, cooling, and alarm outputs.
PYX series of fuzzy-logic controllers comes in 1/16-, 1/8- and 1/4-DIN sizes, offering precise control with little or no overshoot on startup and in process. Available with RS485 communications, free supervisory software package, loop-break alarm, heater-break alarm, analog retransmission, and eight-segment programmer for ramp/soak.
TUDOR TECHNOLOGY, LTD.
Thermocouples and RTDs include melt-bolt thermocouples with 8-in. flex-armor extension. Calibrations include Chromel-Constantan, Iron-Constantan, Chromel-Alumel, and Copper-Constantan. Simplex or duplex with grounded or ungrounded measuring junctions. Shipped ready to install. Mil Spec and AMS-qualified supplier offering calibration certification and testing services, as well as custom engineering.
UNITED ELECTRIC CONTROLS CO.
Temperature controls from -180 F to 2250 F, thermocouples, and RTDs. The 970 series is a 1/4-DIN, microprocessor-based control with autotuning. The 930 series control offers economical single or dual output.
WATLOW ELECTRIC MFG. CO.
Controls Div. manufactures standard and custom controls and indicators in 1/2-, 1/4-, 1/8- and 1/16-DIN, open-board, sealed, potted, and NEMA-4 versions. Thermocouple, RTD, and process inputs. Solid-state, switched d-c, mechanical relay, and process outputs. RS422/ 423 and EIA-485 serial-communication options. Agency approvals include UL, FM, FDA, CSA, AGA, TUV, VDE, MILSTD. DIN and JIS calibration curves. Also mercury-displacement relays (MDRs), infrared sensors, and solid-state power controls (scrs).
Compact 965 series 1/16-DIN temperature controller has standard NEMA-4X front panel for water and corrosion resistance in hostile environments, single thermocouple or RTD input, and dual output. Heat output and autotuning pro vide quick setup and operation. User-selectable process or deviation alarm can control auxiliary processes and annunciators. Simultaneous digital display of setpoint and actual temperature. Accuracy of [+ or -]0.1% of span.
WATLOW/AOV INC.
Rugged spring-loaded bayonet thermocouples for measuring extrusion temperatures at crosshead, barrel, and die. Pipe-clamp adapter can be used to measure pipe wall and bearing temperatures; made of stainless steel in 0.187-in. diam. with standard lengths of 36-120 in. Thermocouple types J, K, T, and RTD in SS overbraid, SS flexible tubing, bayonet, immersion, and melt-bolt styles with bayonet, T/C compensated plug, NPT, or compression-fitting terminations. Flexible thermocouple extensions and other styles, including custom-designs.
Temperature controllers from basic on/off analog controls/meters to PID microprocessor-based digital programmable control systems. Custom UL-recognized temperature-control systems from simple 120-v, low-power controllers to multizone 480-v, three-phase, 100+ kw process-control systems. Also distributes temperature sensors, monitors, controllers, and recorders.
WAVETEK INSTRUMENTS
Model 473 thermocouple digital calibrator/indicator simulates and measures thermocouples, ohms, milliamps, and millivolts; calibrates temperature controllers, indicators, recorders, and transmitters. Long battery life, hand-held versatility, high/low memory, and large touch-type switches. Models 460 and 461 measure and display temperature. Sensor input types selectable from smooth, environmentally protected front-panel keypad.
WEST INSTRUMENTS A DANAHER CO.
Temperature/process controllers and thermocouples include 1/4-, 1/8- and 1/16-DIN single-zone controllers with on/off to full PID control. Analog, single-, or dual-digital display. Solid-state and microprocessor-based; manual and adaptive continuous self-tuning; heat-only and dual heat/cool outputs; standalone or computer-networkable.
Guardsman series multizone control system provides up to 32 PID control loops in small, easy-to-install, low-cost package. Continuous adaptive self-tuning, auto/manual modes, serial communications, and plug-in memory-card recipe storage standard. Options include setpoint programming, remote front panel, and Westlink process-control software for networking with supervisory computer.
WILLIAMSON CORP.
On-line and/or portable infrared thermometers provide noncontact temperature measurement of thin plastic films, other plastic extrudates, coatings, and molded parts. Instruments for all purposes, from occasional spot-checking of temperature to complete on-line temperature-control systems.
Difficult temperature measurements, such as on tenter frames for extremely thin films, use thermometers employing precise, extremely narrow-band infrared filters. This technique enables device to accurately measure surface temperature of film without looking through the film or being influenced by the background.
Monitoring and controlling temperatures during heating in infrared or hot-oil ovens is possible by measuring product temperature itself, rather than attempting to infer its temperature by measuring air or heater temperatures.
YOKOGAWA CORP. OF AMERICA
Fuzzy-logic 1/8- and 1/4-DIN controllers have built-in and field-selectable universal inputs (nine thermocouples, two RTDs, millivolt, d-c voltage, or current) and outputs (relay, 4-20 mA, or 15-VDC pulse), along with autotuning, externally selectable setpoints, configurable alarms, and other standard features. Fuzzy-logic expert operator interface takes control upon setpoint changes or process upsets so that process variable settles to the target setpoint smoothly and without overshoot. Accuracies between 0.1% and 0.3%; units handle most temperature, level, pressure, or other general-purpose loops. Optional analog retransmission of process variable and RS422-A multiloop communications capabilities.
Pressure Sensors, Monitors, Controls
AMETEK, INC., U.S. GAUGE DIV.
Pressure transducers and transmitters from PMT Product Group. Pressure ranges from 3 to 5000 psi, and various input/output configurations. Millivolt, voltage, frequency, and 4-20 mA outputs available on standard products. Complete media isolation achieved on Model 88 series transmitter with stainless-steel wetted parts.
ANALOGIC CORP.
Model AN2401 1/8-DIN panel-mounted pressure controller with 20 measurements/sec and [+ or -]0.01% accuracy. Isolated input and outputs; five-digit, high visibility vacuum-fluorescent display; push-button setup, calibration, and operation; and programmable filter. Optional dual-relay setpoints, analog output with independent scaling, and RS232 serial interface.
CMC TECHNOLOGIES, LTD.
Piezoresistive, piezoelectric, and straingauge analog and digital pressure transducers, and full line of monitoring and control instrumentation. APT and DPT lines of piezoresistive pressure transducers recommended for injection molding. Digital versions offer serial (RS232/485) output.
Switching-transducer pressure sensor provides continuous analog output, together with on/off actuation at programmed setpoint.
CFT-X tiebar force and strain transducer can be mounted in a smooth, untapped hole in the tiebar because of a proprietary internal mounting insert. A "four-in-one" tiebar balancing gauge (for strain-gauge and piezoelectric sensors) senses and displays stress and strain on all four tiebars simultaneously to aid in balancing. Models 4MO1 and 4MO2 transducers measure in-cavity melt pressure.
Associated instrumentation includes signal conditioners, process and event monitors, and digital and analog controllers. "Hybrid" line accommodates both strain-gauge/piezoresistive and piezoelectric.
MMC-1 four-channel data-acquisition and control system with accompanying software permits real-time display and storage on a PC, as well as full SPC capability. IPC-01 intelligent process controller, which uses either conventional, proportional, or "fuzzy-logic" algorithms, has extensive software capabilities and flexibility in inputs and outputs. End-of-cycle report can be sent to a serial printer or remote PC for SPC data display and collection.
FCM four-channel, general-purpose sensor-display unit is configurable for various transducer types. Applications include tiebar balancing, Mold Mating Force monitoring, and temperature measurement. Mold Mating Force sensors mount on outside of mold on parting line to aid in detecting mold-filling and clamp imbalance, monitoring cavity fill-pressure dynamics, and avoiding flash.
DATA INSTRUMENTS, INC.
Pressure transducers with stainless-steel wetted parts monitor hydraulic pressures to 3000 psi.
DELTA CONTROLS CORP.
Pressure transmitters for ranges from 0 to 40 in. [H.sub.2]O to 3000 psi. Process connections as small as 1/2 in. NPT are available, as are ANSI flanges in various sizes.
DYNISCO INSTRUMENTS
Melt-pressure transducers, pressure indicators, and controllers for extrusion or injection molding:
* PT420 high-accuracy pressure transducer for critical pressure and temperature measurements with [+ or -]5% accuracy in ranges to 30,000 psi.
* PT460 economical pressure transducer with [+ or -]1.0% accuracy in ranges from 500 to 30,000 psi.
* PT460 amplified-output pressure transducer for long-distance transmission without noise interference and easier interfacing with PLCs or computer-based extruder control systems.
* PT240 pressure transmitters for high-temperature applications, including fiber spinning and melt extrusion.
* PT460XL enhanced-performance pressure transducers with extra-thick sensing diaphragm for improved corrosion resistance and high accuracy up to 30,000 psi and 750 F.
* PT130 hydraulic-pressure transducer with contoured sensing diaphragm for greater accuracy, repeatability and fatigue strength.
* PT465XL nozzle-pressure transducer with flexible armored cable for longer life, 8-mil-thick flush diaphragm, and accurate measurements to 30,000 psi and 750 F.
* PT449 direct-cavity pressure transducer mounts flush within the cavity and displays up to 400 F mold and 600 F melt temperatures.
* Indirect cavity-pressure transducers measure pressure from behind an ejector pin or sensing pin, and install easily in space-restricted areas.
* Mechanical/electronic melt-pressure gauges provide local indication on plastic/rubber extruders, easy readability, and resistance to vibration.
* UPC660 pressure controller with microprocessor-based, 1/4-DIN plug-in design, auto/manual mode, dual programmable alarms, fully-adjustable PID control, dual LED displays, selectable mA/v d-c control output, and optional serial communications.
* UPR690 pressure indicator with microprocessor-based, 1/4-DIN plug-in design, analog and digital LED display, low- or high-pressure alarms, optional third alarm and serial communications, pushbutton transducer calibration, selectable voltage or current auxiliary output.
* OPT700 melt-pressure transducer features patented optical system that eliminates need for all fill materials, including mercury, NaK, or silicone oil. It has diaphragm six times thicker than conventional units, offering protection against erosion, corrosion, and mechanical abuse. Series is suitable for applications such as processing medical products, photo film, and food packaging.
* New 1290 and 1291 high-performance indicators. The 1290 accepts direct input from 350-ohm strain-gauge pressure transducers, while the 1291 accepts voltage and current inputs. Both models feature compact 1/8-DIN horizontal design, two alarms, and optional RS485 interface. Fully programmable from front keyboard, units are available with optically isolated voltage or current retransmission outputs.
EUROTHERM CONTROLS, INC.
Model 818 PID melt-pressure controller for extrusion accepts 350-ohm strain-gauge input and incorporates its own transducer power supply. Front panel features auto/manual station and high-visibility dual displays for simultaneous viewing of measured value and setpoint. Simple front-panel procedure calibrates the input transducer. Digital or analog communications available, in addition to two-alarm outputs. Separate rate limits can be applied to setpoint and output signals.
FLO-TECH, INC.
Two digital-readout pressure indicators: Model DPM-100 with 3 1/2-digit resolution and accuracy of 0.25%; and model DPM-150 with 4 1/2-digit resolution and accuracy of 0.15%. Either can be calibrated for engineering units such as psi, tons, force, or any metric units. Readouts designed for use with high-pressure, vacuum, melt-zone, and sanitary sensors. Units have easy-to-read 3/4-in. transflective displays and mount in standard 1/4-DIN panel openings. Rear-terminal, 0-10 v proportional signal is standard. High linearity and 15-kHz response make units suitable for servo or controller connection, as well as recorders. Pressure-sensor cable attaches via locking DIN plug, eliminating improper connection. Other connections use large no. 6 screw terminals. Units can be wired for 120 or 240 v, 50 or 60 Hz operation without internal modification.
GEFRAN INC.
SP series melt-pressure transducers feature low-volume capillary system to ensure highest possible thermal stability, while minimizing risk of process-fluid contamination. Features provide accuracy and fast response to temperature changes, while making the transducer less susceptible to flow erosion. Units reportedly capable of lasting up to 10 times longer than conventional units.
GENTRAN SUB. OF SAFETYTEK CORP.
Melt-pressure transducers and instrumentation. Transducers available in accuracies of 0.5% or 1.0%, stem lengths of 3.5, 6 or 12 in., and pressure ranges from 500 to 20,000 psi. Optional integral cable, metric thread dimensions, corrosion- and abrasion-resistant diaphragms, and waterproof wiring.
Analog and digital pressure indicators available with "D" option, used for triggering alarm relay. Standard voltage outputs of 0-1, 2, 5, and 10 VDC. Optional 4-20 mA output available on all indicators.
GNEUSS, INC.
Extrusion controls and sensors for controlling extruder drive and barrel temperatures, gear pump, and screen changer. Model VM2 viscosity sensor uses two separate pressure-measuring diaphragms: one at the end of the sensor, pointing radially toward the center of the melt stream (as in standard sensors), and a second one on the side of the sensor tip pointing upstream along the melt-flow axis, sensing the motion of the material. Unlike standard sensors, this method distinguishes true viscosity changes from increases in melt pressure resulting from screen blockage. DMV 1000 microprocessor-based melt-pressure amplifier is compatible with many different transducer systems.
Mercury-free transducers work on principle of hydraulic-pressure transfer and are suitable for measurements up to 680 F.
GP:50 NEW YORK LTD.
Melt-pressure transducers and transmitters. Rugged units come in totally encapsulated, all-welded stainless-steel housing. Hybrid integrated-circuit technology allows for a heavier diaphragm. Accuracy to [+ or -]0.25% FSO, optional non-mercury fills, pressure ranges from 0-25 to 0-30,000 psi, choice of signals, combined temperature and pressure measurement from a single unit, and variety of tip configurations.
HARREL, INC.
Microprocessor-based pressure controllers for extrusion aid throughput stabilization by closed-loop feedback control of pressure at the die. Mounted in convenient plug-in 1/4-DIN module, units feature readout of pressure on large LED numerals, plus separate LCD display to allow calibration and mode changes. Both single-channel and differential-pressure control forms. Differential-pressure control particularly useful with melt pumps, where it can greatly increase metering accuracy, and also for control of continuous screen changers.
HONEYWELL INC.
Industrial Automation & Controls Div. offers ST 3000 Smart Pressure Transmitters for process applications where flow, liquid level, gauge pressure, absolute pressure, and even vacuum must be precisely measured and controlled.
With a Smart Field Communicator (SFC), ST 3000 can be remotely configured, re-ranged, diagnosed, and can display process values. A 400:1 turndown ratio allows one ST 3000 to be used for many applications. In its analog mode, ST 3000 is accurate to [+ or -]0.1% of span. In its DE (digitally enhanced) mode, ST 3000 is accurate to [+ or -]0.75% of span or [+ or -]0.15% of reading, whichever is smaller.
HUNKAR LABORATORIES INC.
Provides Gold-Standard pressure sensors and measuring devices. Equipment used in calibration is periodically calibrated and certified to MIL-STD-4566A and complete traceability is available through NIST test numbers of calibration equipment. Sensors and preamplifiers are compared to the Gold-Standard using the certified test equipment. This standardized calibration ensures reliable and accurate data collection.
IMS CO.
Melt-pressure transducer (0 to 20,000 psi) for insertion into injection nozzle. Stocks pressure indicator for use with transducer. (See ads pp. 22, 315.)
IN USA, INC.
Terwin 1100 series pressure transmitters from Terwin Instruments Ltd. of England, designed for plastic and rubber extrusion, have two-wire 4-20 mA output and incorporate company's proprietary force-rod transducers, which are constructed of stainless steel and use no mercury or other toxic substances. Temperature stability is claimed to be better than 0.005% per 0.5 [degrees] F. Pressure ranges from 500 to 30,000 psi and temperature capability to 842 F. All have abrasion-resistant diaphragms, come in a range of stem lengths, and conform to NEMA-12 standards for protection against moisture and dust.
INDUSTRIAL SENSORS, INC. (ISI)
Melt-pressure transducers, gauges, and alarm gauges. High-level output transducers and Factory Mutual-approved transmitters. Completely interchangeable with other brands. Complete line of microprocessor-based instrumentation, 1/4-DIN and 1/8-DIN pressure indicators and 1/4-DIN pressure/temperature indicators. Repair, calibration services, technical assistance, and engineering. ISO 9002 certified.
KISTLER INSTRUMENT CORP.
Flush-mount piezoelectric (quartz) transducer for measuring cavity pressure in injection molding. Unit's 2.5-mm in-cavity sensor is said to be smallest of its kind. Unisens 4-mm sensor offers uniform sensitivity between sensors, allowing mold changeovers without recalibrating system electronics.
Direct and indirect measuring systems available. Transducers that measure tiebar strain ensure even clamp loading and prevent tiebar breakage.
Piezoresistive (silicon-wafer) extrusion pressure sensor operates without a liquid medium and features a long-life, wear-resistant diaphragm.
Line of electronic signal conditioners interfaces transducers to injection molding machine controls. Charge amplifiers control molding machine or provide analog outputs for monitoring and data acquisition. Specialized data-acquisition software for injection molding.
OMEGA ENGINEERING INC.
Pressure sensors and transducers for liquid and gas systems. Measure positive and negative gauge pressure, as well as absolute pressures. Outputs include millivolt, amplified voltages, and current-loop signals. Optional accessories include meters, controllers, signal conditioners, cable, connectors, and tubing.
ON LINE CONTROLS, INC.
MicroAir ultra-low air-pressure regulators control air pressure at 0-1/2 psi, 0-1 psi, 0-3 psi or 0-5 psi.
RJG TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Pressure transducers, monitors, and controllers, and machine-upgrade kits for injection molding.
T-400 series mold-cavity pressure transducers feature rugged, universal design with removable cable, range from 0 to 2000 psi, 0.1% repeatability, and compatibility with slide or button application.
T-2020 peak-reading digital hydraulic-pressure gauge features 1-psi resolution, 0 to 10,000 psi range, and quick disconnect for portability.
T-2015 digital transducer signal conditioner features peak-reading capability, setpoint logic for cavity-pressure control of machine, and autozero for nulling preload before injection.
Dart-1000 single-channel data-acquisition device links pressure transducers or other sensors to a remote PC. Up to 255 modules can be networked via RS485 or RS422. For each cycle, graphic waveforms, summary pressure, and time data are collected.
Dartnet networked process-monitoring system allows plantwide monitoring overview to accomplish repeatable setups, data collection to document good parts, automatic reject part sorting, and machine/process troubleshooting.
SCHAEVlTZ PRODUCTS LUCAS CONTROL SYSTEMS
Pressure sensors built to perform in demanding environments in ranges of 0-0.5 to 0-10,000 psi. Units measure absolute, vented-gauge, or sealed-gauge pressure over wide temperature ranges.
SENSOTEC, INC.
Range of absolute, gauge, and true gauge pressure transducers and transmitters. Transducer technologies include bonded foil, semi-conductor, and sputtered. True-gauge design incorporates additional diaphragm, which seals strain gauges and element in a hermetic chamber, keeping out moisture and potentially corrosive gases. Rugged pressure sensors constructed of stainless steel, as are wetted parts on most transducers. Standard and customized units.
Output ranges include 4-20 mA, 0-5 v; 0-20 mA, 1-10 VDC; +5 VDC; and 0-2 VDC. Also transducers for CIP applications, FM and CENELEC-approved models, in-line amplification, digital outputs such as RS-232 and RS-495, and customized models capable of handling temperatures and pressures.
SENSOTRON, INC.
Melt pressure/temperature transducers and transmitters for extrusion, film extrusion, compounding, blow molding, and injection molding.
Series 400 melt pressure/temperature transducers use silicon-on-sapphire sensing diaphragm, which senses pressure and temperature directly, eliminating need for hazardous mercury and NaK fills. Sapphire diaphragm is 50 times harder than conventional diaphragms and virtually wear-proof. Fast response allows transient pressures to be sensed in precision extrusion applications such as medical tubing or film. Available from 150 to 30,000 psi.
SEN-400 series melt-pressure and pressure/temperature transducers for injection molding nozzle and cavity applications feature wearout-proof sapphire diaphragm, fast response time of 500 microsec, and infinite cycle life at rated pressure. Shorter tip and swivel-thread design make installation easy. Closed-loop nozzle and cavity melt-loop pressure control reportedly improves shot-weight uniformity and part quality by more than 60% over conventional closed-loop hydraulic-pressure control. Ranges available from 150 to 30,000 psi, with outputs of millivolt, 5 VDC, 10 VDC, or 4-20 mA.
TEXMATE INC.
All-welded, all-titanium, miniature flush-mount (3/8-in. diam.) and 10-32 port pressure transducers for hydraulic, weighing, and general-purpose measurement from 25 to 5000 psi. Companion 3 1/2- and 4 1/2-digit displays provided in panel-mount DPMs and bar graphs.
WATLOW/AOV INC.
Pressure sensors and controls include pressure/vacuum sensor, monitor, control, and recording capability. Also distributes wide selection of pressure controllers, monitors, and recorders.
Liquid Temperature-Control Equipment
ADVANTAGE ENGINEERING, INC.
Fluid-circulating equipment for molding, extrusion, and thermoforming includes portable chillers and plantwide central systems. Portable chillers from 1- to 30-ton capacity in air- and water-condensed designs. Central chillers from 10 to 500 tons in air- and water-condensed outdoor and indoor systems.
Water- and oil-circulating mold-temperature controllers. Water units operate between 30 F and 250 F; oil units between 100 F and 500 F.
Cooling-tower systems from 20- to 1000-ton capacity. Metal and fiberglass tower cells. Related pumping equipment can be custom-designed. Open- and closed-loop designs standard. Engineering services included with central cooling systems. Equipment can be computer-connected for remote control and information collection, and data storage in molding cell or plant system. (See ad this page.)
AEC/APPLICATION ENGINEERING
TrueTemp water-temperature control units with 3/4- to 10-hp pumps and standard heater selection from 9 to 24 kw have stainless-steel sheath. Microprocessor control with easy-to-read LED, dual display of setpoint and process temperature, optional SPI communication protocol, and full-feature graphic display panel showing operator status and alarm indication lights. Low-profile cabinet designed for stacking and easy maintenance. Standard options include Vacu-Flow negative/positive-pressure units, system water purge, modulating cooling valve, and closed-loop heat exchanger.
TDW-M TrueTemp series features small footprint and serviceable two-piece cabinet design with hinged electrical panel and operator interface. Compact 9-and 12-kw direct-injection water units include field-proven NX series microprocessor controls with graphic panel and easy-to-read display. "Crash Cool" feature accelerates process cooldown. Optional motorized modulating valve gives high accuracy under varying loads and helps reduce water hammer.
TDH TrueTemp hot-oil unit designed for high-temperature heating and cooling applications from 100 F to 550 F. Self-contained units offer optional U-type heat exchanger, which withstands thermal shock. Standard microprocessor temperature control accurate to 1 [degrees] F.
Portable air- and water-cooled chillers from 1/2 through 40 hp. Also air-and water-cooled central chillers with or without integral pump tank. Integral or remote condenser configurations from 15 to 155 tons. On 15-hp units and larger, Discus compressors are standard to help optimize energy efficiency. New ultra-compact PC air-cooled chillers from 1/2 to 1 1/2 hp have microprocessor controls and are designed for demanding processes where space is limited.
DDW series direct-drive central chillers in models rated from 42 to 159 tons have direct-drive open compressors coupled to industrial-grade motors. Units use 15-20% less energy at 100% load compared with chillers having semi-hermetic compressors.
Space-saving Porta-Kool II chiller line with small footprint in air- and water-cooled models from 2 to 10 tons. Serviceable cabinet design, 30-gal noncorrosive polyethylene reservoir, and nonferrous piping. Standard NX series microprocessor controls accurate to [+ or -]1 [degree] F with dual LED display of setpoint and supply temperature.
Cooling-tower systems for condenser and molding machine hydraulics come in Polymer Tower forced-draft and fiberglass induced-draft models from 30 to 200 tons. (See ad p. 302.)
AFFINITY INC.
Compact, high-capacity chillers with standard remote control. Units from 10,000 to 156,000 Btu/hr, achieve [+ or -]1 [degrees] F stability, and give unrestricted access to all components. Nonferrous coolant loop, no-flow and low-level alarms, hot-gas bypass for long compressor life, high/low-temperature alarms, and high-capacity heat exchanger for high heat-transfer efficiency. Digital-readout (C or F) microprocessor is fully programmable for ramp-to-setpoint and autotuning to prevent thermal shock. Units typically 30% smaller than other chillers.
ALPHA EQUIPMENT CO.
Product line includes:
* Portable chillers, water- and air-condensed, from 2 to 40 hp.
* Central chiller systems, water-and air-condensed, from 20 to 120 hp.
* Dehumidification/air-conditioning systems for plant or molding-room, water- and air-condensed, from 10 to 60 hp.
* Cooling-tower systems from 4 to 1200 tons.
* Cooling-tower cells: fiberglass models from 15 to 110 tons, galvanized models from 6 to 1000 tons.
* Water-filtration systems for cooling-tower water and glycol chilled-water system.
* Automatic water-treatment systems to work with cooling-tower system.
* Liquid temperature controllers, open- and closed-circuit systems, single-and dual-zone units.
* Air-ring coolers for blown film cooling, 800 to 7000 cfm.
* Pump/tank assemblies 150 to 1500 gal, of double-welded steel with multiple pumps, trim and electrical controls.
ALPINE INDUSTRIES, INC.
Water-chilling systems include industrial open-drive chillers with compressors that eliminate motor burnout, costly cleanups or extended downtime; energy-efficiency ratios (EER) of 16 or more; built-in capacity control in response to suction pressure; and positive unloaded start for reduced in-rush power needs. Extra-quiet models and explosion-proof options.
AMA portable air-cooled water chillers on sturdy steel frame and heavy-duty casters have high-efficiency hermetic or semi-hermetic compressor, fully insulated chiller, air-cooled condenser, insulated water reservoir, solid-state temperature controller with readout, built-in freeze-stat, function lights, pressure gauges, and operating and safety controls. Custom options include JIC, NEMA-12, or explosion-proof electricals, automatic alarm system, hot-gas bypass, capacity control or energy-saver, two-speed capacity modulator, dual pumps, heat recovery, glycol low-temperature units, and chilled-water flow switch.
AMW portable water-cooled water chillers are similar in construction to AMA units, but with water-cooled instead of air-cooled condensers. Complete units available with all AMA standard and optional features.
AMCOT COOLING TOWER CO.
Counterflow and crossflow low-noise cooling towers, and high-temperature cooling tower with cooling capacity of 212 F. Induced-draft counterflow design with axial-flow fan mounted on top of tower to draw air out. Low internal pressure loss and bottle-shaped design ensure optimum efficiency and space economy. Casing made of nonrusting fiber-glass-reinforced polyester helps protect against impact damage and cracking. Fill material is honeycomb heat-embossed PVC formed to permit high heat transfer for optimum efficiency and maximum air-to-water contact.
AMERICAN HYDROTHERM CORP.
Roll-heating and cooling control systems use high-temperature water and heat-transfer oils for temperatures from 200 to 700 F. Heat sources include steam, electric heaters, and fuel-fired heaters. Systems shop-assembled with all controls and panels.
AMERICAN JET STREAM, INC.
Beside-the-press, closed-cycle, automatic water chillers from 12,000 to 240,000 Btu/hr. RF coolers use anti-freeze mixture of water and ethylene glycol.
APPLICATION ENGINEERING
See AEC/Application Engineering.
APPLIED PROCESS EQUIPMENT
Water-chilling, water-cooling, water-recovery, and water-filtration systems include portable, central, and heat-pump water chillers in water- or air-cooled versions. Central cooling-tower systems in open and closed systems. Closed systems available with plate-and-frame stainless heat exchangers. All systems come with complete engineering drawings for economical local installation, warranted for a full year on parts and labor.
AQUATEMP INC.
Builds chilled-water systems, air- and water-cooled chillers from 1.5 to 300 tons, water towers, sand and gravel filters, pumps, etc.
BALTIMORE AIRCOIL CO.
Evaporative-cooling equipment includes cooling towers in crossflow and counterflow configuration, with factory-assembled modular units to 2110 tons/32 million Btu/hr, and field-erected towers to 25,000 gpm/cell. Also evaporative condensers, industrial fluid coolers, heat exchangers, thermal-storage units, and microbiological controls.
Factory-assembled equipment available in hot-dipped galvanized steel, fiberglass, or stainless steel. Field-erected models constructed of wood, steel, concrete, or pultruded structural composite materials. Heat exchangers in plate-and-frame and shell-and-tube configurations. Microbiological control employs iodine to control growth of bacteria, slime, and algae.
BERG CHILLING SYSTEMS INC.
Cooling equipment includes central systems equipped with semi-hermetic, open drive or screw compressor, featuring microprocessor controls; air-cooled units with heat recovery; water-cooled units with "free cooling"; clean-water tower systems; prepackaged mezzanine systems; portable chillers; blown-film coolers; temperature-control units; mold-area dehumidifiers; chemical-treatment packages; and water-filtration systems.
Noncorrosive fiberglass towers feature low-hp motors and structural-steel bases.
BUDZAR INDUSTRIES, INC.
Line of chillers, hot-water and hot-oil mold-temperature controllers, cooling towers, and pump-tank sets.
Ice line of chillers in range of styles features self-contained, mid-sized units with refrigeration and water circuits piped and wired, from 13 to 35 tons.
The 7- and 10-ton air-cooled portable chillers use blowers instead of prop fans to move air through condenser coils, allowing use of ducting to control flow of heated air that exits unit. Ranging from 3 to 15 tons in air- and water-cooled configurations.
Central chillers have dual-refrigeration circuits, easily serviceable electricals, and full-unit frames for component protection.
Cooling towers in standard galvanized and FRP configurations from 5 to 175 tons, as well as larger sizes and multiple configurations.
Pump-tank assemblies, sized to flow requirements of each chiller or cooling tower, feature tank covers, prewired electrical enclosures and alarms, as well as standby pumps and custom configurations.
Cooling towers from 20 to 200 tons incorporate three separate methods of temperature control for more precise process-water temperature. Towers matched with pump-tank sets to provide maximum circulation and temperature control.
Mold-temperature controllers in single- and multizone configurations for control to 250 F. Low-watt-density heaters and microprocessor-based temperature controllers.
BTU products cover a variety of water- and oil-temperature controllers for temperatures to 650 F. Single- or multiple-zone configurations; direct-injection and closed-loop arrangements.
CHROMALOX EDWIN L. WIEGAND DIV.
WTCS portable mold-temperature control system in compact 15 x 24 x 25 in. package delivers water at temperatures to 250 F in ratings from 4.5 to 24 kw and open- or closed-loop piping, depending on mineral content of water.
For injection molding and other plastics applications, WTCS system incorporates a 3/4-hp centrifugal pump capable of flow rates of 30 gpm. For maximum reliability, system features automatic air bleed, low-pressure switch, over-temperature protection, pressure-relief valve, and microprocessor controls with easy-to-read digital display and high/low-temperature alarms.
CINCINNATI MILACRON U.S. PLASTICS MACHINERY DIV.
Portable chillers from 1- to 30-ton have solid-state or microprocessor-based controls. Central chillers and central-chiller modules offer cooling capacity of 5 to 180 tons in water-cooled configuration and air-cooled capacity of 5 to 30 tons.
Evaporative cooling-tower cells assembled up to 175 tons and larger. Pump-tank sets in basic or full-feature design with diagnostics and standby pumping.
ATC series is a combination closed-system unit with 30-60 F cold-water circuit and a hot-water circuit at 250 F.
Mold-temperature controllers for water and oil from 15 to 100 gpm. Water units have closed or open cooling with solid-state or microprocessor-based controls. Oil units include microprocessor controls and can be supplied with optional cooling circuit. (See ads pp. 10, 58-59, 126-127, 142, 146; data sheets pp. 91-97, 138-139, 159-160.)
CONAIR TEMPRO THE CONAIR GROUP, INC.
Thermolator water-temperature controllers offer selection of control sophistication and exclusive two-piece casting that eliminates up to 40 leak-prone fittings of conventional controllers. Models with tempTrac solid-state controls are single-zone, direct-injection units with pump sizes from 0.75 to 7.5 hp and 9 to 24 kw.
Thermolators with microTrac 2 and microTrac 3 microprocessor controls come in single- or dual-zone, direct-injection models with 9- to 24-kw heating; and single- or dual-zone, closed-circuit models with 9- or 12-kw heating. Higher-kw heating available for closed-circuit models. Pump sizes from 0.75 to 7.5 hp.
Ultra-performance pump, standard on microTrac 3, is optional for all Thermolators and can increase pump performance by up to 50% for improved cooling capacity.
Miniature microtemp water-temperature control units available with choice of 1/3- or 1/2-hp pumps and 3- or 6-kw heaters. Units equipped with cast internal construction, tool-free access panels, and snap-in digital microprocessor controllers.
Thirty-two microTrac portable chillers from 3.25 to 40 hp in air- and water-cooled designs, with choice of two microprocessor controllers. Line includes microKool mini chillers from 1.5 to 5 hp in air- or water-cooled configurations.
Central chillers include outdoor, air-cooled packages from 20- to 160-ton capacity in single-, dual- and multiple-compressor designs. Indoor water-cooled, central units from 10 through 240 tons have single or dual compressors. Copeland semi-hermetic, discus compressors are standard.
Pump-tank assemblies for central systems include 180- to 1100-gal roto-molded PE tanks or epoxy-lined steel or stainless-steel reservoirs from 400 to 4000 gal. Pumps from 1.5 through 100 hp custom-matched to system needs.
Cooling towers come in capacities from 10 to 500 tons or larger. Heavy-duty, multimedia bypass filters available.
COOLING TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Air- and water-cooled chillers, temperature-control units, and cooling-tower systems.
Chiller line includes Mini-Portable (1 to 10 tons), Portable (5 to 40 tons), Multi Circuited (20 to 140 tons) and Direct-Drive (30 to 200 tons). Cooling-tower systems from 10 to 500 tons supplied with metal or fiberglass tower cells. Temperature-control units in sizes from 3/4 to 15 hp.
Company has developed a chiller specifically for extrusion and also has a patent pending on a Direct Freon Injection unit designed to reduce cycle time on hard-to-cool molds.
DELTA COOLING TOWERS, INC.
Polyethylene noncorrosive cooling towers include Pioneer cooling tower and Paragon induced-draft cooling tower constructed of industrial-grade materials for low maintenance cost. Units are modular, preassembled, and lightweight for simple, fast, and economical installation, plus easy future upgrades.
Integrated equipment packages can have automatic process controls completely preassembled, prewired, pre-piped, and skid-mounted.
DELTA T SYSTEMS, INC.
Water- and oil-circulating temperature-control equipment in single- and multi-zone construction, direct-injection or closed-circuit, compact and upright styles. Options include RS232, RS422, RS485; SPI Protocol; special alarms; electrics; JIC; and NEMA 1, 4, and 12 explosion-proof.
Hot-oil systems to 650 F in single- and dual-zone construction with heater sizes from 12 to 300 kw. Flow rates from 10 gpm through 300 gpm, using positive-displacement pumps.
EDWARDS ENGINEERING CORP.
Liquid chillers in 30 models from 1/2 through 240 tons. Air-cooled or water-cooled units have large stainless-steel reservoirs, as well as a walk-in weatherproof equipment enclosure, automatic capacity control from 0-100% with double-pump arrangement, and damage-resistant evaporator design if chiller freezes internally. Also low-temperature (to -100 [degrees] F) and portable units.
Also automatic air elimination, automatic head-pressure control on outdoor air-cooled models, single central control panel, multiple indicating gauges, and closed water system. Indoor or outdoor installation, completely prepiped and prewired, factory tested and shipped ready for installation.
GC INDUSTRIES, INC.
Durable, compact, and self-contained portable chillers are air- and water-cooled in 0.5 to 60 tons and provide coolant in the range of 20 F to 65. F. Hermetic and semi-hermetic units have power-saving hot-gas bypass systems,' noncorrosive stainless-steel and copper heat exchangers, stainless steel pumps and tanks. Air-condensing units have fully sized condensers to maintain capacity at high ambient temperatures. Water-condensing models have water-saving automatic regulating valve. Special low-temperature chillers come with capability down to -40 F.
Central chillers are self-contained or split systems for interior or exterior installation, air- and water-cooled from 5 to 120 tons.
Cooling towers in sizes from 6 to 500 tons. Tank and pump sets for central chillers and cooling towers custom-designed.
HAAKE INC.
Circulator line consists of temperature-control modules and bath vessels. More than 70 circulators, recirculators, and cryostats cover temperatures from -130 F to 720 F.
HAMILTON AVTEC INC.
Direct- or indirect-cooling liquid-temperature controllers in pump sizes from 1/2 to 3 hp and 3-12 kw heating, and solid-state or microprocessor-controlled controls.
The 2000 series portable air- or water-cooled chillers from 2- to 35-ton capacities include NEMA-rated components, solid-state temperature controllers, semi-hermetic compressors, and hot-gas bypass.
Also process-water systems, including central chillers, pump tanks, and cooling towers. Heat-recovery systems recycle process heat and use it to supplement plant heat during winter.
IMS CO.
Circulators for mold-temperature control have easy-to-read gauges and easy service access to all components. New Econ water circulator has polypropylene frame, zinc chromate plumbing, and stainless-steel pump. Closed-circuit Water-Star and Temkon SS hot-water circulators have stainless-steel tanks. Water-Star units have four cooling options, including self-contained air cooling. Model 6 oil-heating circulator has a maximum temperature of 400 F; Model 8, 550 F.
Air-cooled chillers in 1/2-, 1-, 3- and 5-ton sizes are portable, require minimum maintenance, and are self-contained. Other sizes made to order. (See ads pp. 22, 315.)
INDUSTRIAL ENERGY CONSERVATION
Self-contained air- and water-cooled chillers from 1/2 to 500 tons. Optional equipment includes pumps, tanks, and special materials of construction. Industrial-quality wiring is standard with optional JIC and hazardous-area wiring. Special control and instrumentation options available.
KFD SALES AND SERVICE, INC.
Temperature controllers designed to bring injection molding machines, extruders, calender rolls, or liquid vats to required temperature at the start of production and to maintain temperature at a constant level during production. Water is the heat-carrying medium for operating temperatures up to 205 F (285 F in a pressurized system). Oil is used for temperatures up to 430 F. High flow rates guarantee minimum difference between incoming and outgoing temperatures, resulting in stable and reproducible temperature at the mold surface.
DW cooling units are air-cooled and eliminate any expenditure of cooling water and waste water. Capacities from 5 to 60 kw. Hermetically sealed cooling units have high refrigeration capacity (4-33 kw), and are safe and reliable. Special capacities available.
KLEEN-RITE INC.
Recirculating water chillers use plate-type heat exchanger and R-22 refrigerant. Units available in 1- to 10-ton capacities and as packaged or remote systems. Systems are microprocessor-controlled and have standard built-in bypass valve, high-pressure pump, noncorrosive storage tank, freeze protection, and low-ambient controls.
LOGIC DEVICES, INC. Negative-pressure leakstoppers, and negative- and positive-pressure mold-temperature controllers for up to 400 F. Vac-U-Temp is a general-purpose temperature controller with negative- and positive, pressure modes, usable simultaneously. In addition to controlling temperatures, it stops leaks, improves part quality, and reduces cycle times. Uses water and other heat-transfer fluids.
Company has developed patented processes for venting molding gases into fluid lines and cooling long, thin cores by transferring water between mold halves through any size core. Free design consultation on mold venting and cooling available.
MARVEL EQUIPMENT CORP.
Water- and oil-temperature control units for up to 655 F (water units to 285 F) for injection molds, extruders, rolls, storage tanks, presses, screws and other applications.
Mold-temperature control units manufactured by Regloplas AG of Switzerland. Optional RT-45 microprocessor control system, along with RS232C interface enables connection to processing-machine controller. RT-45 with serial interface allows storage of parameters to 16 different users.
New dual-zone units in 250 and 300 series.
New low-cost Reglo 150ST unit for temperatures to 300 F with oil and 190 F with water.
MATSUI AMERICA, INC.
MCIII series temperature controllers provide precise temperature control through PID Microprocessor Controller. Temperatures to 392 F easily maintained with MCIII-AX series.
MCIII is made of stainless steel and nonferrous components for durability. "Canned Pump" design in MCIIIX series eliminates mechanical shaft seal, seal leaks, and seal replacement. Heater element is plated to resist scaling and other deposits.
Small and compact MCIII units require very little floor space and are energy efficient. Available with 1/3- to 3-hp pumps and 3- to 15.6-kw heaters in water and oil mediums.
Standard equipment includes alarm diagnostics, 100 hr start-up timer, casters, manifolds (MCIII), valves, Mold Air Purge (MCIIIX), and outlet pressure gauge with automatic pressure bypass valve.
MOKON DIV. PROTECTIVE CLOSURES CO.
Circulating water and oil temperature-control systems with a temperature range to 600 F, portable chillers, and custom-designed fluid-handling systems.
New Mokon Duratherm circulating water systems feature totally noncorrosive construction - copper piping and heaters, stainless-steel pump and cast-brass heating chamber. Available with 9, 18, or 24 kw heating capacity and 25 to 80 gpm.
Standard water systems with max. operating temperature of 300 F and pumping capacities to 120 gpm and 60 psi. Nonferrous construction ensures long service life and guards against corrosion. Combination heating/chilling unit provides temperature control from 35 F to 250 F with up to 20 tons of chilling capacity.
Oil systems incorporate cool-oil reservoir that eliminates thermal shock associated with in-line, shell-and-tube heat exchanger. Up to three zones of independent control in the same cabinet and pumping capacities to 30 gpm and 100 psi; max. operating temperature of 600 F.
Air- and water-cooled portable chillers from 1/2 to 20 tons. Corrosion-free construction with nonferrous plumbing, stainless-steel supply pump and evaporator, and heavy-duty plastic reservoirs for extended life.
Solid-state or microprocessor controls standard on all systems. Optional microprocessor controls with serial communication, SPI protocol, and computer interface.
Specializes in custom temperature-control systems and also carries Leakmaster line of negative-pressure systems designed to eliminate processing problems associated with leaks.
OMEGA ENGINEERING INC.
Constant-temperature circulating baths, as well as full line of sensors, instrumentation, and hardware accessories to monitor and control water- and oil-circulating systems.
PLASTIC PROCESS EQUIPMENT, INC.
Upright and compact fluid-temperature controls from 3/4 to 1 hp and 230 or 460 v for single and multiple zones. Digital controls, microprocessor control option, horizontal pump with seal flush for extended seal life, and seal rated for 300 F operation. Also low-pressure protection, vertically mounted ranged immersion heater, dual probe sensing, internal bypass, function lights, and hinged access panels. (See ad p. 337.)
POLYSCIENCE
Liquid chillers and constant-temperature equipment. Chillers in variety of cooling capacities with several pump options. Temperature-control equipment for process applications and for small-scale laboratory and quality-control requirements. Controller options from basic analog control to programmable controllers capable of RS232 interface for complex time/temperature profiling.
PROCESS EFFICIENCY PRODUCTS
Cooling- and process-water filters use permanent filter media to remove particles as small as 5 microns. Filter reduces fouling of cooling equipment and maintains efficiency and low kw usage. Filtration improves quality of water, which eliminates draining and flushing of equipment, lowers chemical cost, and prevents downtime. Filters from 2 to 1000 gpm.
PROGRESSIVE EQUIPMENT CORP.
Electronic water-treatment system can include electronic water treater, full-flow bag filter, and automatic blow-down valve. Treater removes scaling and fouling from pipes electronically without chemicals. As electronically treated water passes through system, existing scale is etched away, thus increasing cooling potential, which reportedly can yield longer equipment life, decrease downtime, and improve operating efficiency. High-capacity, full-flow bag filter works in conjunction with treater. Bag filters offer alternative to bulky "Y" strainers and sand-and-gravel filters and reportedly offer full-flow filtration at reasonable cost. Also reduce downtime, conserve water, and operate cleanly and easily. Sentinel pressure-drop alert system detects pressure drops across filter media as low as 3-5 psi. Ozone and/or ultraviolet used as part of nonchemical water-treatment package when applicable. Complete turnkey engineering, equipment, and installation service offered.
PROTEC COOLING TOWERS, INC.
Low-maintenance cooling towers have corrosion-resistant components such as stainless-steel nuts and bolts and PVC internal piping. Basin, casing, and air intake louvers are made of long-lasting fiberglass-reinforced plastic (FRP). Gelcoat protects fiberglass from ultraviolet rays. In most cases, the round, bottle-type cooling towers operate at considerably lower horsepower than rectangular towers. Units from 3 to 1000 tons, shipped assembled or knocked down.
QUALITY PROCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS
Portable chillers, water- and oil-circulating mold-temperature controllers, tower systems, and stainless-steel pump tanks.
Air- and water-condensing portable chillers from 1 to 15 tons with hermetic and semi-hermetic compressors. All-copper insulated piping, insulated steel reservoirs, hot-gas bypass, and stainless/copper heat exchangers are standard.
Compact and upright, single- and multi-zoned water-circulating units are either digitally or microprocessor-controlled. Pumps with seal flush; flanged, vertically mounted, low-watt-density immersion heaters; internal bypass; turbulent flow; and easy-access panels.
Single- or multi-zoned, high-temperature oil-circulating units are microprocessor-controlled. Centrifugal pumps with seal cooling are standard. Also low-watt-density, flanged immersion heaters, hinged access panels, over-temperature safety, internal bypass, pressure switch, process shut-off valves, pressure gauge, and function lights.
All products available with stainless-steel cabinetry. Custom systems provided.
REGLOPLAS AG
See Marvel Equipment Corp.
RITE-TEMP MANUFACTURING
Refrigerated water chillers in four designs of 2 to 20 tons. Air- and water-cooled units have standard 40-gal, stainless-steel, closed evaporator tank. Also portable units, indicating gauges, indoor or outdoor installation, and user-friendly controls. Special controls, instrumentation, or electrical options available.
R.J. INDUSTRIES, INC.
Replacement water and hot-oil pumps fit most brands of chillers, mold-temperature controllers, cooling towers, and various water-cooling systems. Matching pumps sold under brand names such as Scot, Burks, Aurora, Sherwood, B&G, Price, and Worthington. A cross-reference of OEM pumps has been compiled to permit quick identification of replacement seal kits and other parts. Obsolete and discontinued models also cross-referenced to presently available replacements.
SCHREIBER ENGINEERING CORP.
Air- and water-cooled chillers from 1/2 to 20 tons have water systems designed for unrestricted circulation and proper turbulence in the heat exchanger. No need for antifreeze. Extra-large, stainless-steel, noncontaminating reservoirs; Tec*mseh compressors; polyester powder coating for long life; and conventional fittings, parts, and motors for easy replacement.
A 7 1/2-ton, 90,000-Btu unit has tilted control panel for easier operation, cycles on/off as needed, uses no hot-gas bypass, and has "contamination-free" bronze water pumps.
STERLCO DIV. STERLING, INC.
Water- and oil-circulating temperature-control systems can be supplied in operator-height vertical cabinets or low-profile compact cabinets. Customized systems available.
The 9300/9400 series of water-circulating temperature-controllers provides water-supply temperature to 300 F when adequate water-supply pressure is available. Standard unit has 9-kw, low-watt-density, copper-sheathed heater with pumping capacities from 1/2 to 5 hp. Optional heaters to 24 kw. Units with single, dual, or three zones have common electrical and water-supply connections. Microprocessor or solid-state digital controller. Dual 1000-ohm platinum RTD sensing probes, low-watt-density heaters with copper-sheathed elements for good thermal conductivity, half- and full-heat capability, variable-timed cooling (VTC), specially engineered "Sterlseal" pump seal that minimizes downtime, and high-technology controllers. Optional computer-interface capability (RS232, RS422, RS485, SPI Protocol), special alarms, JIC/NEMA-12 construction, nonferrous plumbing, and special power requirements.
High-temperature heat-transfer systems cover temperatures to 650 F. Heater sizes from 6 to 300 kw with pumping capacities from 10 to 600 gpm. Low-watt-density heaters, heavy-duty positive-displacement circulating pumps, push-button controls, system-status board, and safety components standard. Microprocessor or solid-state digital control. Automatic cooling control utilizes special heat exchanger with removable tube bundles. Single and dual zones and large variety of options.
Portable chillers and central chillers from 1 to 180 tons in air- and water-cooled versions. Also cooling towers, pumps, pump tanks, and water-filtration equipment.
Air- and water-cooled portable chillers from 1- to 30-hp supply chilled water from 0 F to 75 F in a variety of flow rates and pressures, using single and dual pumps. PID autotuned microprocessor control accurate to [+ or -]1 [degrees] F. Also 40-gal insulated reservoir, centrifugal recirculating pumps to 1 1/2 hp, nonferrous reservoir and internal piping, semi-hermetic Copeland "discus" compressors (on units of 15 hp and larger), hot-gas bypass, shell-and-tube evaporators, cleanable shell-and-tube condensers on water-cooled models, and high-efficiency fin-and-tube condensers on air-cooled models.
Air- and water-cooled central chilling systems to 300 tons. Cooling towers to 900 tons. Engineering, installation, and start-up assistance. (See data sheets pp. 308-310.)
TECHNE INC.
Liquid temperature controllers designed for constant-temperature water or oil bath systems. Twenty-five models in stainless-steel for temperatures from -40 to 392 F. Digital display.
TEMPTEK, INC.
Mold-temperature controllers, portable chillers, pump-tank stations, and cooling-tower cells. Designed for mechanical simplicity and operator convenience, utilizing ultra-rugged construction, fewer components, and standardized production.
Temperature controllers available in water and hot-oil, open- and closed-loop configurations. Water units control to 250 F, oil-circulating units to 400 F. Small, space-efficient units equipped with high-flow pumps, ranged heaters, and advanced electronic instrumentation with remote capabilities.
Portable chillers and chilling modules available in air- and water-condensed versions. Units from 1 to 20 tons with operating temperatures from 30 to 70 F. Chilling modules from 5 to 30 tons with operating temperatures from 20 to 60 F.
Pump-tank stations utilize minimum floor space while emphasizing vertical dimension for water storage. Standard process connections for pumps, sensors, drains, and water-level controls simplify installation.
Cooling towers in galvanized metal or fiberglass construction from 10 to 480 tons employ energy-efficient prop fans, generous wet decks, and large water reservoir.
TEW ELECTRIC HEATING EQUIPMENT (USA) INC.
Automatic mold-temperature controllers offer portability, automatic alarming device, high-precision temperature control, stainless-steel storage tank, and transparent water/oil level glass.
THERMAL CARE/MAYER
Portable chillers in self-contained air-or water-cooled designs from 1/2 to 40 tons have accessible cabinet design, nonferrous water system, and microprocessor controls with dual-digital displays, seven positive-action switches, and 19 diagnostic lights.
Air-cooled central chillers include heat-reclaim indoor units or low-ambient protected outdoor units in capacities to 200 tons.
Water-cooled central chillers with four unique design configurations: 1) TSW economical plantwide systems from 20 to 130 tons have serviceable semi-hermetic or scroll compressors and two or more independent refrigeration circuits for precise temperature and capacity control. 2) TCCW energy-efficient design uses direct-drive compressor systems with ambient-air-cooled industrial T-Frame motors and capacities from 35 to 170 tons. 3) WN units have open-type, belt-drive, slow-speed compressor for dependability. 4) Small-footprint modular chillers have brazed plate evaporators and condensers, computer control, and scroll compressors.
Fiberglass cooling towers in two design series from 5 to 850 tons for flexibility in meeting difficult installation conditions. FC and FT series have high-efficiency induced-draft design and strong, lightweight, noncorrosive FRP shell. CTI-certified capacity, 100% non-ferrous construction, and five-year tower warranty on FC series.
Pump/reservoir assemblies custom engineered in any size and configuration for tower or chiller applications. Have grooved pipe connection system, double-welded steel construction, solid pump decks, and premounted, prewired control panels.
Water-treatment systems control scale, corrosion, suspended solids, and microbiological growth with a single panel-mounted unit. Lifetime warranty standard.
Temperature-control units in a complete range of pumping, heating, and cooling configurations for oil and water from 1/2 to 7 1/2 hp, 3 to 24 kw. Unitized cast construction of twin tank and pump assembly, microprocessor with dual digital displays, seven positive-action switches, and 15 diagnostic lights.
T.U.C. INC.
Water and hot-oil temperature controllers and portable chillers.
Water units in upright, low-profile, and subcompact configurations. Digital or microprocessor controls. Microprocessor unit has RS232C, RS422, and RS485 capability. Dual-probe sensing, solid-state control, and horizontal pumps with seal flush offer simple operation. Single- and multizone models with optional features.
Hot-oil systems control temperature from 100 F to 500 F. Heater capacities from 6 kw and up. Centrifugal pumps, incorporating water-cooled seals, are standard. Upright and compact models, as well as multizone configurations.
Portable chillers with air- and water-cooled condensing from 1 to 20 tons. Hot-gas bypass, stainless-steel or nonferrous fully insulated reservoir tanks, all-copper piping, and freeze-stat control.
VAN STEENBURGH LIQUID CHILLERS
Chil-Trak series reciprocating liquid chillers from 2 to 7.5 tons have remote condensers to discharge heat outdoors and/or reclaim heat for use elsewhere. All sizes have Head Start receiver, which matches capacity with load to assure smooth, consistent operation and low-ambient-temperature start-up. Front-panel access to valves for all sections of system for ease of servicing and refrigerant recovery.
WEST COAST PLASTICS EQUIPMENT
Two lines of chillers (Rite-Temp and Schreiber) suited to West Coast hard-water conditions in capacities to 250 tons. Also fluid mold-temperature controllers by TEW of Taiwan in 3- and 5-kw ratings that circulate both water and oil mediums to 302 F in a single unit.
Distributes cooling towers by three builders: Marley's conventional towers, RSD's fluid coolers, and Amcot all-fiber-glass towers. Capacities from 3 to 200-plus tons.
Granulators and Pulverizers
PRODUCT LINES REVIEWED
ACME PLASTIC MACHINERY CORP.
Beside-the-press grinders for injection molders from 3 to 50 hp with throats from 8 x 10 in. to 24 x 36 in.
AEC/NELMOR
Vertically integrated size-reduction/recycling equipment. Granulators, shredders, and complete systems are available for specific needs. Granulators can be equipped with Microknife cutting blades.
AG under-the-press, auger-feed granulators come in four sizes with 6 x 7 in. to 16 x 16 in. cutting chambers.
Premier beside-the-press granulators come in nine models with 8 x 10 in. to 12 x 30 in. cutting chambers.
Low-speed granulators accept sprues/runners dropped by a robot or conveyor. Cutting chambers from 8 x 10 in. to 12 x 20 in.
Bold series granulators suitable for recycling bottles and other bulky shapes. Tangential-feed cutting chambers of 8 x 10 in. to 30 x 30 in.
Large-part central granulators suitable for high-volume recycling purgings, pipe, and thick-wall parts. Fourteen models of open, solid, or staggered rotor designs. Cutting chambers from 14 x 24 in. to 36 x 72 in.
Shredders have counterrotating shafts with a series of alternating stacked cutters that avoid flyback and reportedly maximize energy efficiency. Nine models in single- or two-stage configurations.
Two new granulator series feature Opti-Angle cutting-chamber design - a hybrid of the straight drop-through chamber and the tangential chamber. Medium-duty, beside-the-press 1600 series with 16-in. cutting circle has 20- to 34-in.-wide cutting chambers. Heavy-duty, central 2200 series with 22-in. cutting circle has 38- to 66-in.-wide cutting chambers. (See ads pp. 312, 314.)
A.I.M. INTERNATIONAL INC.
Impact pulverizers operate at 600-1200 lb/hr.
AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS, INC.
Cryo-Grind cryogenic grinding and recycling system reduces hard-to-grind materials to finer particle sizes without contributing to heat history. Infeed material is sprayed with liquid nitrogen (-320 F) on a cooling conveyor. Embrittled material then enters grinding mill, where additional nitrogen may be injected on demand from a temperature sensor to remove excess heat created by grinding. Still-frigid nitrogen vapor is recycled from grinding area to feed hopper to precool unground material.
ALPHA MARATHON MFG. INC.
Heavy-duty granulators give high outputs using low-hp drives. Model 150/10 with 3-hp drive is rated at 968 lb/hr. Model 350/10 with 15-hp drive is rated at 2420 lb/hr. Model 500/10 with 30-hp drive is rated at 7260 lb/hr. Model 800/ 10 with 50-hp drive is rated at 12,100 lb/ hr. Grinder blades are easily accessible. Integral air blower removes granulate.
ANDRITZ SPROUT-BAUER, INC.
Five types of rotary-knife granulators use rotor knives and stationary bed knives, plus a screen arrangement for gradual reduction and efficient discharge of material.
CU-1012 granulator is for low-capacity reduction of film, edge trim, sprues, and runners.
BT-8X6 edge-trim cutter is installed directly in pneumatic lines.
DSF is for precise shearing of all types of films as thin as 1/4 mil. Nine models have throat sizes from 10 x 12 in. to 25 x 60 in. and drives from 5 to 250 hp.
MR for heavy-duty jobs has open rotor and shear knives. Two sizes: 20 x 30 in. and 20 x 36 in.
MRP is similar to the MR model, but with open or solid herringbone-type rotor and shear knives. Also has spin-grinding feature said to maintain extremely close knife-to-knife clearances. Two sizes: 20 x 30 in. and 20 x 36 in.
BALL & JEWELL DIV., STERLING INC.
Auger-feed, beside-the-press, low-profile, heavy-duty upright, central, and hog granulators, as well as shredders and product-removal systems.
Five series of upright granulators (MP, BP, CG, SG, and CG Mighty Built) have cutting chambers from 8 x 10 in. to 30 x 30 in. All models conform to NEMA-12 specifications. For large parts and high throughputs, rugged HDG 2056 can have dual 150-hp motors.
General-purpose CG series comes in sizes from 8 x 12 in. to 16 x 32 in.
BP series for sprues, runners, and parts has cutting chambers from 8 x 10 in. to 12 x 20 in.
Auger-feed granulators have straight or scissors-cut arrangement, extensive safety interlocks, and "Loadamatic" discharge bin. Available in 6 x 8 in., 8 x 12 in., and 16 x 20 in.
Large, low-speed, high-torque Shred-Buster shredders are for bleeder stock, purgings, thick-walled parts, large blow molded parts, or particularly tough scrap. Two-step shredder/granulator can reduce large parts using half the electricity of a "hog" granulator. Hooked cutters handle long or special scrap not easily processed by straight-blade machines. (See data sheets pp. 322-323.)
LOUIS P. BATSON INC.
Sant'Andrea Novara industrial shredders combine high torque and low speed. Custom designs available.
BATTENFELD GLOUCESTER ENGINEERING CO., INC.
Six basic types of granularors include heavy-duty chunk, edge-trim, trim-press, beside-the-press, and auger-feed models. Rugged construction, easy-access cutting chamber, steep-angle or radial knives, and solid high-inertia flywheel. Rotor bearings mounted outside cutting chamber away from heat and contamination. Tangential feed prevents flyback. Reversible rotor knives standard on auger-feed, beside-the-press, trim-press, and edge-trim granulators. Water cooling optional on other models.
Custom-designed sound enclosures keep noise levels in the mid-70 dbA range. Standard beside-the-press models operate in the mid-80 dbA range.
Trim-press granulators grind thermoforming skeletons in-line or off-line. Also designs for reclaiming wire, profiles, purgings, pipe, blow moldings, and robot infeed.
C.S. BELL CO.
Hammer mills include bottom-discharge models for heavy-duty grinding. Blower-discharge models for dry grinding and applications where processed materials are distributed to another area.
BEPEX CORP.
Pulvocron air-swept pulverizer/classifier permits external fineness adjustment during operation and produces medium-fine, fine, and ultra-fine particles. Three sizes: 20 in., 38 in., and 76 in. Typical products handled include melamine, PVC, polyester, epoxy, and PS.
C.W. BRABENDER INSTRUMENTS INC.
Floor-model sample-batch granulator features a reportedly unique arrangement of screens and rotors to ensure smooth screening and safe, uniform grinding. Has two 4-in., 3500-rpm rotor knives, one 4-in. bed knife, and 5-mm screen. Seven sizes of interchangeable standard screens. Handles tough materials and is simple to operate and maintain. Measures 27 in. long x 17 in. wide x 41 in. high, with throat size of 4 x 5 1/8 in., allowing max. feed rate of 40 lb/hr. Flyback and hang-up in cutting chamber are minimal.
CINCINNATI MILACRON U.S. PLASTICS MACHINERY DIV.
Auger-feed, top-feed, and upright granulators in various sizes and designs. Optional soundproofing limits noise levels to 80 dbA. Two auger-feed models have average throughputs of 175 and 275 lb/hr with throat sizes of 8 x 8 in. and 10 x 10 in.
Two top-feed models suitable for robot feeding offer average throughputs of 150 and 225 lb/hr with throat sizes of 6 x 8 in. and 9 x 12 in.
Upright granulators with 250 to 700 lb/hr throughputs have throat sizes from 6 x 8 in. to 16 x 32 in. (See ads pp. 10, 58-59, 126-127, 142, 146; data sheets pp. 91-97, 138-139, 159-160.)
CONAIR MARTIN THE CONAIR GROUP, INC.
Large range of size-reduction equipment from beside-the-press and auger grinders to large, central granulators and shredders. All have latest in rotor knife design, easy cleanout and maintenance, and multiple safety interlocks.
Six auger-grinder models include HA811 heavy-duty series with helical, segmented rotor and 6- or 8-in. diam. auger. CMA and CA series have 7 x 9 in. cutting chambers. For film reclaim, CKF series in 7 x 9 in. or 10 x 12 in. sizes include roll feeders.
Beside-the-press grinders include JC series with 6- or 8-in. diam. cutting circle and helical rotors that provide more cuts per revolution and need less hp than ordinary rotors. Suitable for engineering materials and heavy sprues, runners, small purgings, or thick-wall moldings. LP series helical-rotor, low-profile, robot-fed granulators run at slow speeds for quiet grinding.
Staggered-rotor, scissors-cut granulators includes CR series with small footprint, low rotor speed, and cassette rotor knives that are discarded instead of resharpened. Four models from 6 x 6 in. to 6 x 14 in. are suitable for robot feed of sprues, runners, and small parts.
General-purpose, economical CE series grinders have 7 x 9 in., 9 x 12 in., or 12 x 24 in. open rotors. CE 912 model has four adjustable rotor knives. Economical CL series has scissors-cut, staggered-knife open rotors for quiet, low-speed grinding to 350 lb/hr of sprues and runners fed by hand, robot, or conveyor.
Beside-the-press CK series for bulky parts has cutting chambers from 7 x 9 in. to 14 x 18 in. Also available are soundproof central grinders with cutting chambers from 18 x 24 in. to 24 x 36 in.
Economical CT series grinders with-tangential-feed hoppers come in compact 7 x 9 in. model as well as central units with 12 x 24 in., 18 x 31 in., or 24 x 36 in. chambers.
In-line granulator systems have soundproofing, infeed conveyor, and pneumatic evacuation. CKB series comes in sizes from 7 x 9 in. to 24 x 36 in.
CD series large, heavy-duty central granulators have either open, herring-bone-type rotor or semi-closed, staggered-cut rotor. Cuts heavy, bulky parts and purgings, as well as film, sheet, pipe, and profile extrusions at rates to 10,000 lb/hr. Largest model has 32 x 50 in. cutting chamber with five-blade open rotor. Pneumatic cylinders make opening and closing hoppers and screen cradle removal a one-person operation. CDH model has 24 x 42 in. cutting chamber with hog rotor.
CD models also have flywheel-type rotor pulley with friction clutch assembly to protect rotor shaft. Zero-speed sensor shuts down grinders if they drop below 200 rpm, protecting the shaft in case of jamming. Extended shafts are standard and allow for an extra flywheel for increased rotor inertia. A 100-hp motor is standard. Options include 75-and 150-hp motors and a third bed knife.
Specialized UP/FP series of in-line web granulators have automatic infeed control that interfaces with thermoforming trim press.
TS series shredders reduce large molded parts and purgings to granulate using counterrotating knives and self-cleaning combs, which are said to be virtually jam-proof.
CONDUX, INC.
Specializes in densifiers that convert hard-to-manage fiber, film, and foam into free-flowing densified granules at up to 1200 lb/hr without significant thermal degradation (CV-50 Plastcompactor).
Granulators for pipe, purgings, profiles, film, fiber, and foam have rotor diam. to 63 in. and machine widths to 94 in. Also feeding and discharge accessories such as conveyors, bale cutters, guillotines, augers, blowers, cyclones, and dust filters. Throughputs to 15,000 lb/hr.
Fluidized-bed jet mills reduce material to 5 microns. Handle sensitive, abrasive, or ultrafine dry solids at high throughputs.
Also blast mills, pinned-disc mills, universal mills, and classifier mills for fine grinding.
CONTROL & METERING LTD.
Exact line of granulators from Exact srl of Italy have 8.5- or 20-hp motors and reclaim thermoplastic film and sheet at up to 650 ft/min and 440 lb/hr.
Operating in five stages, granulators continuously remove trim from winder and roll scrap from unwinding frame by feed rolls or preheater. Adjustable in-feed channels fold film into a multi-layered strip. Diamond-pitched steel rollers compress the strip into a semi-rigid strand. Cutting wheel with long-life blades rotates against a counterblade, slicing the strand into highly compacted chips. Venturi system conveys chips to storage or back to the extruder.
CONVERTING SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL
Granulators from FBM srl of Italy for injection molding and extrusion; sizes from 2 to 200 hp with output to 4000 lb/hr. Design of rotor and blade are said to give high performance even with "difficult" materials. Optional sound enclosures and suction-and-sacking systems.
CUMBERLAND ENGINEERING DIV. JOHN BROWN PLASTICS MACHINERY
Under-the-press, beside-the-press, and central hog-type shredder/granulators, as well as automated reclamation systems, including custom equipment for post-consumer recycling.
Robotic and conveyor-feed granulators include quiet beside-the-press models in throat sizes from 6 x 8 in. to 18 x 36 in. and throughputs from 250 to 1000 lb/hr.
Medium- to heavy-duty granulators have advanced rotor designs for reclaiming bulky parts, film, sheet, filament, foam, and heavy-wall pipe. Sizes from 15 x 24 in. to 24 x 100 in. with capacities to 5000 lb/hr.
Extra-heavy-duty units from 9 x 20 in. to 32 x 50 in. with capacities to 10,000 lb/hr for reclaiming solid, tough materials and purgings.
On-line reclaiming and densification systems for film, sheet, and fiber - at up to 15,000 lb/hr.
Thermoform granularors reclaim skeletal web directly from the trim press at up to 1500 lb/hr. Infeed widths of 30 to 66 in.
Shredder/granulators in 16 combinations for 1200 to 5000 lb/hr.
X-Series intermediate-duty granulators with 24 x 28 in. to 24 x 56 in. openings are for injection molded parts, large blow molded parts, film, and post-consumer containers such as milk jugs.
ENTOLETER, INC.
Standard line includes shredders from 10-300 hp, beside-the-press and central granulators from 3 to 250 hp, and a high-speed cutting mill, which works well with elastomers.
Most Alsteele granulators have double-edged bed knives, said to double service life between sharpenings. All models accept standard anti-flyback hoppers, sheet or pipe hoppers, powered feed rolls, and special hoppers for custom uses. Open or closed rotors and two to five blades in straight, angled, or staggered patterns. Sound reduction is standard.
* General-purpose units from 5 to 40 hp have 10 x 9 in. to 14 x 30 in. throats.
* Custom machines from 30 to 80 hp (dual-drive) have 14 x 39 in. to 14 x 51 in. throat sizes.
* Heavy-duty granulators from 30 to 150 hp (single- or dual-drive) have 16 x 17 in. to 18 x 51 in. throats.
* Central systems from 40 to 300 hp (single- or dual-drive) have 24 x 25 in. to 30 x 73 in. throats.
* Hogs of 5 to 300 hp (direct-drive) have 5 x 10 in. to 12 x 48 in. throats.
FITZPATRICK CO.
Mills provide choice of blade designs, screen sizes, and feed devices (i.e., manual, gravity, vibrating, rotary valve, screw, and pump). Stainless-steel construction, water jacketing for temperature control, and belt-, direct-, or variable-speed drives. Seven sizes from 3-hp lab unit to 150 hp. Rotors from 5 x 8 in. to 28 x 17 in.
FitzMill prebreaking equipment achieves economical reduction of raw materials before conveying to subsequent processing. Guilocutter is recommended for heat-sensitive materials.
FLUID AIR INC.
Size-reduction mill produces medium-to-fine particles of 10-60 mesh. Has dust-free containment options. Corrosion-resistant rotor allows quick, sanitary cleanup. Optional microprocessor controls.
FOREMOST MACHINE BUILDERS INC.
Granulators from 2 to 200 hp or more have flywheel drives as standard. Press-side models have throat openings from 6 x 8 in. to 16 x 20 in., offset chambers, segmented rotors with two- or three skewed knives, and two adjustable bed knives. Optional Microsonic noise attenuation yields sound levels under 90 dbA.
Press-side "spiral-cut" line operates at 80-85 dbA and has strip-away cabinetry for rapid access. Throat sizes from 10 x 16 in. to 11 x 24 in. and drives from 15 to 40 hp.
Large-part and central/batch granulators to 30 x 45 in. have proprietary sound treatment that yields 85 dbA or less. Special barrel and drum models offered, along with conveyor-fed and customized versions. Wide-throat, extra-heavy-duty sheet models to 150 hp handle up to 8000 lb/hr. Horizontally fed pipe and profile granulators swallow up to 31-in.-diam. plastic pipe.
Dual-stage units with low hp handle lumps and purgings. These high-rpm units have initial chipping-knife stage that feeds chips or shavings into a second stage for conventional granulating.
Special-purpose granulators include under-the-press, auger-feed, and hot-melt models. Also special film granulators in single-stage models for conventional film fluff and dual-stage versions for high-density, finer-mesh granulate. (See ad p. 329.)
FRANKLIN MILLER, INC.
Delumper size-reduction equipment includes the Pipeline Delumper in pipe sizes of 3 in. through 48 in. and Delumper Crushers. All are compact with low headroom and flanges for easy connection to pipe or duct system.
Delumper can chop, crush, shred, and deagglomerate tough materials like PVC and also prevent bridging problems. Ultra-compact Delumper can chop and deagglomerate packed materials from 50-lb and 100-lb bags. It's also useful for reclaiming scrap.
GARLOCK INC. PLASTOMER PRODUCTS
Trost Air impact mills pulverize hard, brittle, abrasive, soft, and agglomerated materials, as well as those with low melting points. Opposing streams of compressed air produce powerful collisions for precise control of particle size. Capacities range from 100 g/hr to 5000 lb/hr, reportedly using 20% less energy than other units. Research model pulverizes samples as small as 10 g.
GETECHA, USA
Under-the-press, beside-the press, and hand-fed granulators have sound-insulated hoppers and easy-access cutting chambers.
G.F. GOODMAN & SON, INC.
Hydraulic guillotine cutters for precutting large moldings/purgings allow use of smaller, less costly granulators. Five models from 19 x 8 in. openings to 39 x 30 in. All sizes can be supplied with infeed and discharge conveyors and automated guillotine control system to operate continuously. (See ad p. 150.)
GRANUTEC, INC.
Auger-Matic auger granulator is a closed-loop system for automatic recovery of sprues and runners. Four sizes from 6 x 6 in. cutting chamber and 5-in.-diam. auger to 14 x 16 in. with 10-in. auger. On-line service and maintenance. Optional Pick-A-Part parts/runner separator can be driven from auger shaft. Line of belt and air conveyors adapt to all Granutec equipment.
Beside-the-press granulators have throat openings of 6 x 6 in. to 20 x 48 in. Options include segmented rotors with double-sided removable knives, paddle-feed hoppers. Soundproof to 85 dbA.
Low-profile hot-melt granulators cut polymers at high temperatures. TFG1012 model receives and reclaims edge trim from sheet and film lines. Automatic feed-roll attachment has variable-speed adjustment to synchronize speed of three-bladed, open rotor with linear speed of the edge trim. Available with 7.5-, 10-, and 15-hp motors.
HAAKE INC.
Laboratory grinder has cutting blades mounted on a heavy-duty rotor in a screened chamber. Motor control is easily accessible from side of hopper. Grinding action can be checked via inspection chamber in large collection bin below.
HAMILTON ARTEC INC.
Granulators and shredders with throughputs from 35 to 9000 lb/hr include full sound enclosure for 80 dbA operation, tangential-feed throat, swing-down screen cradle, clamshell hopper opening, rotor flywheel, dust-protected rotor bearings, micro-adjustable bed knives, and safety devices.
HERBOLD GRANULATORS USA
Heavy-duty granulators for lumps and purgings. Compact-design granulators for sheet, film, and bulky parts. High-speed disc pulverizers for medium-hard, impact-resistant, and friable materials. Grinders for specific requirements such as pipe and profile, and hot-melt granulators and guillotines.
HUTCHEON MACHINERY, INC.
Used and rebuilt granulators and shredders from 1 to 500 hp.
HYDRECLAIM CORP.
HBD (high-bulk-density) granulators with single or dual chambers can be used with recycling or repelletizing systems or with company's S-Series shredders for reduction of slabbed-off rolls, roll stock, haystack scrap, t-shirt punchouts, fibers, etc. (See ad p. 340.)
IMS CO.
Upright granulators feature 20 [degrees] double-shear blade action. Standard two- or three-blade rotor or high-efficiency, multibladed, staggered-cut rotor. Handle all types of plastics from hard polycarbonate to soft vinyls.
Six sizes from 2 hp with a 7 3/8 x 6 3/4 in. throat to 20 hp with a 24 x 12 in. throat. Heavy-duty casters and sound deadening to 75-80 dbA. (See ads pp. 22, 315.)
INT'L PROCESS EQUIPMENT CO. (IPEC)
Rotomill air-attrition pulverizer reduces chopped plastic to powders without heat buildup normally associated with fine grinding. Heat-sensitive materials can be ground without cryogenic processing. Lab and three production sizes from 50 to 400 hp. Also complete systems with feeders, collection and/or pollution control equipment.
ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION
Offers information on a wide range of equipment for size reduction of plastics scrap available from Italian companies.
JACOBSON
Complete line of size-reduction equipment includes shredders, granulators, crushers, hammermills, and air-swept pulverizers for any stage of plastics grinding or recycling. Discrete machinery or entire engineered systems. Specializes in thermoset SMC regrinding.
JEFFREY DIV., INDRESCO INC.
Hammermills for shredding waste and recycled plastics are available in rotor sizes from 20 x 12 in. up to 40 x 72 in. Both swing-type and rigid hammers available. Shredder frames are rugged, and internal surfaces are protected by removable, wear-resistant steel liners. Integral metal trap provides a simple method for removing most tramp metal. Bottom discharge can be furnished with different bar openings.
JERSEY STAINLESS, INC.
Crushers reduce large purgings, sprues, runners, and reject thermoset plastic parts to as small as 30 mesh. Motors from 5 to 30 hp. Complete machines include inlet hopper, support stand, motor and drive, and full electrical controls and starters. Carbon steel or stainless steel construction.
K-TRON NORTH AMERICA
Slow-running, quiet beside-the-press granulators for injection and blow molding produce consistent regrind virtually free of dust and fines. Collection box can be used with vacuum hopper loaders and proportioning valves to create a fully automatic scrap-reclaim system that reintroduces clean regrind material back into the process. Rear-door access for quick cleaning. Also recommended for croppings and nail punches on siding extrusion lines. Specialty models for blow molding accept hot material. Chute or steel-coil positive feed available.
KEMUTEC INC.
KEK universal mills can use an extensive selection of pinned-disc and turbine/screen-type grinding media. Milling can take place under inert-gas, cooled, or cryogenic conditions. Mills typically operate in a range from 50-500 microns and up to 10 tons/hr.
KRAUSS-MAFFEI CORP.
Zerglomat densifiers for low-bulk-density materials.
LASITS-ROHLINE SERVICE, INC. L-R SYSTEMS
Granulators in five sizes and power ranges, from 8 x 6 in. throat and 3-5 hp to 28 x 17-in. and 30-75 hp. Tangential feed, open rotors, high-alloy steel knives, noise levels that meet OSHA requirements, and heavy-duty construction.
MICRON POWDER SYSTEMS ALPINE GROUP
Fluid-energy milling system includes size classification. Operating on the opposed-jet principle, machine accelerates entrained particles to supersonic speeds through opposed nozzles. Particles collide in the zone between nozzles. Subsequent integral air classification is said to allow precise product-size tailoring.
Suitable for everything from abrasive to low-melting-point materials, and pilot to large-scale facilities. Size classifiers recommended for precise powder specifications in ranges from subsieve to submicron. Throughputs from a few grams to thousands of pounds per hour.
MICRON POWDER SYSTEMS MIKROPUL GROUP
Mikro pulverizers grind, blend, and disperse in a single dustless operation. Units use rapidly moving hammers, are suited for both wet and dry grinding, and provide accurate particle-size control. Supplied with stirrup or bar rotors, and herringbone-slot, cross-slot, and round perforated retaining screens.
Mikro ACM pulverizers are vertical impact mills that transport material from grinding element to separating element, with oversize materials going back to the grinding element. Grinds heat-sensitive material without aid of coolants.
Mikro-Atomizer pulverizes and conveys material in one operation. Produces ultrafine powders.
Mikro-Bantam pulverizer, an economical mill for lab, pilot plant, or small batch production, grinds samples as small as 10 g at rates of 200 lb/hr.
Laboratory ACM Grinder-Classifier is a 1-hp model. It is completely self-contained and comes with product collector, filter cartridge, and instrument panel. Grinds and classifies at 10-200 lb/hr. Mesh size from 100 to 40 microns.
Mikro-Crusher in lab, standard, and heavy-duty sizes is for large feedstock. Mikron-Separator air-classifier is for particle sizes of 100 mesh to 5 microns. Mikro-Samplmill is used in labs for analytical grinding.
MILLER MANUFACTURING CO.
PVC pipe pregrinders and pulverizers reduce up to 36-in.-O.D., 2-in.-thick scrap to powder. Two sizes of feed chute and pregrinder, which reduce 20-ft sections of pipe to chips at up to 6000 lb/hr. Chips can then be pulverized to powder at 1000 lb/hr. Also reduce PVC siding and window profiles.
MONTGOMERY INDUSTRIES INT'L
Size-reduction machines for shredding and pulverizing foam and other plastics.
MPG SERVICE & SALES, INC.
MP beside-the-press granulators designed for robot, manual, and conveyor feeding. Have 1 to 200 hp, tangential cutting chamber, short-stop rotor, and hinged hoppers and screen cradles. IM granulators with helical bolt-on rotor knives for heavy-duty applications. MA auger granulators are for under the press with three-plate molds. MT web granulators are for in-line thermoforming. CS units are for heavy-duty applications as well as sheet and film.
Shredders from 5 to 100 hp include FL series.
MUNSON MACHINERY CO., INC.
Screen-classifying SCC rotary cutter produces uniform particle size with minimal fines. At high speeds up to 2800 rpm, unit uses impact to break apart friable materials. Tungsten-carbide cutter inserts use shear to slice apart less friable materials. Helical rotor design allows good air flow to keep cutter cool. Staggered parallelograms allow more cutting pressure with reduced hp.
NISSUI CORP.
Scutter press-side, sprue/runner granulators produce uniform particle size with minimal fines at low rotational speed of 30 rpm without a sizing screen. Low-speed rotation provides quiet operation. Suited to automated systems using robotics, sprue pickers, or conveyors.
O&E MACHINE CORP.
Low-speed, high-torque shredders from 10 to 200 hp. Process any kind of plastic for recycling. Heat is not generated during processing, thus eliminating sticking and rebonding.
PALLMANN PULVERIZERS CO., INC.
Pulverizers include turbo, disc, and counterrotation universal mills used for one-pass or closed-circuit grinding. Interchangeable grinding components. Turbo and disc mills suitable for ambient grinding of heat-sensitive material. Turbo and pin mills available for low-temperature or cryogenic operations.
Granulators in various configurations range in diameter from 6 to 100 in. Also available are models for long scrap such as siding or window frames, crushers for pipes up to 60-in. diam., and precision knife mills for grinding film.
Also densifying systems (PFV) for continuous low-temperature converting of thermoplastics such as film, foam, and fiber into free-flowing granules. Compounding can be incorporated into the system. (See ad p. 317.)
PLASTICS ANCILLARIES CORP.
Grinders from small 2-hp, beside-the-press units to soundproofed, low-profile auger grinders as large as 70 hp. Have segmented blades for better cuts and large flywheels for increased efficiency. Fast cleanout.
POLYMER SYSTEMS INC.
Press-side granulators have feed throats from 6 x 8 in. to 16 x 32 in. SPL (below 90 dbA) or Silenator (below 80 dbA) models from 5 to 40 hp. Easy service and cleaning.
Auger-feed granulators with 8 x 8 in. or 10 x 10 in. throats come in SPL or Silenator versions. Silenator is enclosed behind a hinged, soundproofed, safety-interlocked cover. SPL, without sound enclosure, has pull-away guard and electrical panel, and is safety-interlocked.
E-Series granularors come in three sizes (4 x 6 in., 1.5 hp; 6 x 8 in., 5 hp; and 9 x 12 in., 5 hp). Cutting chamber similar to press-side granulator but designed for automated feeding by sprue pickers or controlled hand feeding. Shurfeed granulators are for machine-side and central granulation of tough, bulky parts. Cutting chamber allows material to fall directly in front of rotating knives and to be pulled quickly through the cutting action for fast granulation without flyback. Throat sizes of 16 x 21 in. to 20 x 42 in., with up to 75 hp and 2000 lb/hr throughput. Soundproofed.
Central granulators come in 15 x 26 in. and 20 x 40 in. heavy-duty models. Horsepower from 50 to 150 and throughputs to 3500 lb/hr.
Hot-melt granulators (HMG) available for extrusion, blow molding, and compounding. Cutting chamber allows air cooling of hot granulate for fast throughput without gumming. Can recover most hot materials to 600 F without precooling. Include granulator, blower, cyclone separator, and related duct work. Standard 8 x 8 in., 10 x 10 in., and 16 x 27 in. throat sizes. Throughputs up to 1200 lb/hr.
Feed-roll granulators handle all types of film and thin sheet. Double-angle cut is suited to OPP and LLDPE film. Feed throats to 15 x 26 in.
PRECISION CUTTERS, INC.
Small, in-line granulator for edge trim grinds all types of extruded film in a single stage. Single material-handling fan is reportedly five times more efficient than venturi systems, uses smaller conveying lines, and eliminates need for a secondary fan. Unit is located close to pick-up points and fitted into the line itself. Size is 12 in. x 12 in. x 26 in. Powered by a single 1-hp motor.
PROCESS CONTROL CORP.
Film and sheet granulators for in-line reprocessing of scrap feature double-angled knives. Sizes from 6 x 8 in. to 15 x 27 in. with 5- to 100-hp motors. Part of a complete automatic scrap-recycling system (ASR), which includes roll feeders, trim pickup systems, and refeed machines for putting ground scrap back into the production extruder. (See ad p. 342; data sheets pp. 379-384.)
QUADRO, INC.
Comil conical mill uses low rpm, centrifugal acceleration, vortex flow pattern, 360 [degrees] discharging screen, and specially shaped grinding elements. Provides high lb/hr/hp, low fines even with fragile materials, low dust, quiet operation, and elimination of frictional heat. Capacities from 250 to 50,000 lb/hr or more.
RAPID GRANULATOR, INC.
Beside-the-press, auger, in-line, central, thermoform, hog-type, and hot-melt granulators. Also belt conveyors, sound enclosures and rooms, pneumatic conveyors, and turnkey operations.
Beside-the-press models in throat sizes from 3 x 6 in. to 18 x 31 in., motors from 2 to 60 hp, and throughput capacities from 170 to 2500 lb/hr.
For blow molding, models handle hot parisons or parts. Throat sizes from 7 x 9 in. to 32 x 50 in., motors from 5 to 200 hp, and throughput capacities to 6000 lb/hr. Noise levels of approx. 82 dbA.
Central heavy-duty models range in throat sizes from 12 x 24 in. to 32 x 50 in., motors from 40 to 250 hp, and throughput capacities from 1400 to 10,000 lb/hr.
Hog-type, extra-heavy-duty models offer 12 x 24 in. to 24 x 42 in. throats, 50-to 100-hp motors, and 900 to 6000 lb/hr throughputs.
Hot-melt models for granulation at 300-500 F have 7 x 9 in. to 32 x 50 in. throats, 5- to 250-hp motors, and 165 to 3000 lb/hr throughputs. (See ad this page; data skeet p. 324.)
RML COMMANDER DIV.
GMS1 series Commander granulators have indexed helical cutting angle for greater surface per width of machine. Interchangeable, slant-type cutting teeth of high-chrome, high-carbon steel. Interchangeable bed knives adjustable to minimum clearance of 0.006 in. with push-pull screws for quick setup. Heavy-duty pillow blocks. Heavy-duty modular construction adaptable from 5- to 60-hp drive. Feed chute assists in increasing capacity and provides tangential circumference feeding at cutting teeth, reducing flyback and noise.
ROTOGRAN INTERNATIONAL INC.
Acoustically insulated granulators in two styles from 3 to 200 hp and throat sizes from 8 x 8 in. to 33 x 60 in. Heavy-duty with flanged, piloted cartridge bearings; one-piece welded cutting chambers; and heavy-gauge, structural tubed frames for vibration-free operation.
Also auger granulators, roll feeders, metal detectors, permanent magnets, pipe feed entries, relief heads, blower/cyclone evacuation systems, belt conveyors, and turntables.
SATURN SHREDDERS DIV., MAC CORP.
Low-speed, high-torque rotary shear shredders preprocess chunks, drools, flashings, purgings, thin film, and post-consumer plastics into a uniform size suitable for secondary high-speed granulation or for feeding directly into extruders. Sawing and guillotining are virtually eliminated.
SHRED-TECH LTD.
Low-speed, high-torque shredders, granulators, conveyors, and separation equipment. Specializes in reducing difficult materials such as car parts, film, bulky items, and fiberglass composites.
SPADONE, INC.
Offers 24-in. guillotine cutter for recycling and reclamation. Unit is fully contained, air-operated, and designed to cut bales without water or other lubricants. Has 26-in.-wide blade with a 24-in. cutting width. Tunnel guarding and dual pushbuttons ensure safety.
Hydraulically operated bale cutters also available in 24- to 60-in. models.
SSI SHREDDING SYSTEMS, INC.
High-torque, low-speed shredders for film, purgings, fibers, bales, or large objects. Also custom engineered size-reduction systems. Automated infeed-hopper ram system compresses lightweight bulky material against cutters to maximize throughput. Wide range of hydraulic- and electric-drive models.
TAYLOR-STILES DIV. LITTLEFORD DAY, INC.
High-speed rotary hammer mill permits continuous size reduction and blending of wet or dry materials, heated or chilled. Adapts to feed-controlled fine grinding (into the lower micron range); accurate wet or dry granulation; controlled or gravity-feed sizing; slurry milling; continuous in-line grinding of wet or viscous masses; size reduction of continuous sheet or web products; single-stage blending, dispersion, and size reduction; decaking, prebreaking or pulverizing. Available to 32-in. width. Tip speed of hammers to 20,000 ft/min.
Guillotine cutters for bulk, baled, or roll materials. available in different widths and travel strokes. Automatic or semi-automatic, hydraulically powered units utilize a blade that shears against floating bed knife for simple, controlled, low-cost cutting. Choice of ram pusher, spiked fingers with oscillating conveyor, belt, or roller bed feeding.
Roll-splitter guillotine allows mounting of a roll on a mandrel for longitudinal cutting to remove recyclable materials from rolls with high cutting force.
Rotary cutters for precision or random cutting can be used singly or in tandem setup for continuous processing or for staged size reduction of materials in recycling/reclamation systems. Units have multiple rotating knives and a bed knife for shear-cutting action. Can be used as a precutter before a granulator for reduction of bulky stock. Standard sizes to 48-in. wide.
VIDEX MACHINERY CORP.
Rebuilt, guaranteed granulators from 1 1/2 to 300 hp. Various throat sizes with solid and open rotors, pull-out bin discharge, drum or gaylord high discharge, or pneumatic discharge.
WEDCO INC.
Grinding systems for reducing plastics to fine powders.
WYSSMONT CO., INC.
Triskelion lumpbreaker, double Rotocage lumpbreaker, and single Rotocage lumpbreaker for friable solids such as agglomerates, wet cakes, crystals, extrusions, pellets, waxes, fibers, chunks, slabs, and sheets that normally do not require ball, hammer, or pin mills.
Rotocage lumpbreaker - with one or two variable-speed, cylindrical squirrel cages rotating in a metal housing - breaks up feed into finely divided solid particles.
Triskelion lumpbreaker's slowly rotating blades or pins intermesh with stationary ones to reduce relatively large feed particles to 1 in. or finer.
THE YOUNG INDUSTRIES, INC.
Single- or double-runner attrition mills have various styles of grinding plates, adjustable gap clearance between grinding surfaces, and predetermined runner-head speeds for grinding, pulverizing, granulating, or blending powder mixtures. Single-runner models are for grinding dry powder, while double-runner mills work equally well with dry, damp, or oily materials.
Recycling Systems
PRODUCT LINES REVIEWED
ACTION INDUSTRIES, INC.
Munchy recycling systems from Munchy Ltd. of the U.K. consist of reclaim extruder, filtering device, die-face pelletizer for air- or water-cooled pellets, and manual and automatic feeding systems. Handle all thermoplastics, including coextrusions of PE/nylon and PE/EVOH, in forms such as film, sheet, nonwovens, bottles, flake, and blocked-bag cut-outs. Capacities from 125 to 1100 lb/hr. Washing and drying systems available in sizes to 2500 lb/hr.
AMERICAN PLASTIC RECYCLERS INC.
Flake-sorting prototype system separates PE, PVC, rubber and other plastic components from residual metals in wire scrap. Polycyclone separation system consists of 50 small hydrocyclones in three vertical tiers. Water slurry of ground plastic flake is fed under consistent head pressure from a large manifold downward through tiers of 20, then 18, then 12 hydrocyclones of 6-in. diam. Tehe prototype is available for customer testing and processes 4000 lb/hr.
ANDRITZ SPROUT-BAUER, INC.
ASB post-consumer film reclaim system continuously processes one metric ton/hr of thin films such as HDPE and LDPE into flake or pellets. Preshreds bales and feeds them to the washing tank where detergent is automatically added and further shredding/agitation occurs. Heavy contaminants are removed at this stage. While in wash solution, material is cut to size with patented DSF film cutter, capable of cutting films down to 0.25 mils thick.
After cutting, wash water is removed on a Hydrasieve static screen, filtered, and recycled. Ground film is dewatered in a screw press and transported to rinsing area where a series of Hydrasieves removes remaining fiber and other contaminants. Effluent from this section is filtered on ASB Micrasieve pressure screens to remove fiber from rinse water. Cleaned water is recycled. Rinsed film is dewatered again in a screw press and dried to less than 1% moisture.
System is modular with several segments prepiped, prewired, and mounted on structural steel for connection on site. Pilot system available for testing.
AUSTRONIC INSTRUMENTS INC.
Indumat recycling system is a completely self-contained unit operated by one person. Infeed conveyor loads film, tape, bags, etc. into the shredder, which preheats the material while cutting it into small pieces. Preheated material is forced directly into the extruder, which is connected tangentially to the shredder drum. Preheating material reportedly-saves approx. half the horsepower in subsequent extrusion. (A preheater can be substituted for the shredder when using granular regrind.) Extruder has a coarse filter ahead of the slide-plate fine filter. By removing large contaminants, the coarse filter prolongs the life of the fine filter. Automatic backflush also adds to fine-filter life. Hot die-face or strand pelletizing completes the process.
BARTEX RECYCLING
Recycling lines from Sikoplast GmbH of Germany are custom-built for nylon, PET, and most other plastics. Uses proprietary grinding and drying technology and a conical single-screw extruder connected to a polycondensation reactor, which upgrades PET's I.V. from 0.66 to 0.80. Also systems for direct recycling of scrap into blown film, pipe, or profile.
LOUIS P. BATSON INC.
"Revive" recycling systems from Sant' Andrea Novara SpA of Italy process mixed resins contaminated with 5-20% paper, 5-8% aluminum, 5-10% wood, and 1-5% organic matter (but not ferrous metals, chalk, thermosets, or vulcanized rubber). Mixes and extrudes a narrow sheet 0.25-0.5 in. thick, which is then hot-melt granulated for injection molding or extrusion.
System includes shredder, granulator, 30:1 L/D low-pressure extruder with 12 temperature zones, calendering rolls, Ph-neutralizing water tank, hot-melt granulator, and cyclone dryer and deduster. Calendering-roll section is surrounded by a vented enclosure that draws off entrapped air and gasses from the extruded mix and increases its density before granulation. Processes 220990 lb/hr, depending on scrap density.
JOHN BROWN RECYCLING SYSTEMS TRAFALGAR HOUSE INC.
Complete recycling systems for post-consumer PE film and PET or HDPE bottles. Produces clean flake or pellets at 1000 to 3000 lb/hr.
Typical systems include bale breakers, granulators, materials handling, and prewash, hot-wash and hydrocyclone separation systems. Also complete extrusion, polymer filtration, and pelletizing systems (strand or water-ring), plus system-wide control packages. Water purification also available.
CONVERTING SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL
Granulators from FBM srl of Italy up to 200 hp with output capacities to 4000 lb/ hr. Complete reclaiming lines for film scrap and PET bottles, as well as washing systems for mixed plastics waste.
EREMA NORTH AMERICA INC.
Patented "warm feed" predensifies and shreds material before extruder. This minimizes heat input, resulting in extremely low material degradation. Repelletizes film, flake, or expanded foam at 150 to 2200 lb/hr.
Also automatic back-flushing screen changers, two-shaft shredder, and other components.
FBM AMERICA CORP.
Equipment built by FBM srl of Italy recycles post-consumer PE or PET grocery sacks, stretch wrap, agricultural film, and bottles into clean pellets. Dedicated or flexible systems have outputs from 500 to 2000 lb/hr. Components comply with U.S. electrical and safety standards.
Systems include washing, drying, filtering, and repelletizing. Special features include "sink/float" separation, pre-washing and sizing, drying systems, granulate storage, single- or double-vented extruders, hot die-face cutter, closed-loop cooling system, and slide-plate or continuous screen changer.
GALA INDUSTRIES, INC.
Equipment washes and rinses flakes to remove sand and dirt, loose paper, and chemical solutions. Rates from 10 to 5000 lb/hr. Centrifugal dryer handles 100,000 lb/hr or more. Also supplies underwater pelletizers. (See ad p. 157.)
HAFNER INDUSTRIES, INC. (HII)
Proprietary chemical process technologies treat and reclaim waste plastic mixtures, which can contain water, oils, paper, metal, and glass. Company offers to license its technology or to form joint ventures.
HERBOLD GRANULATORS USA, INC.
Complete turnkey systems for recycling PE film and PE, PET, or PVC bottles. Washing systems treat soiled, mixed waste. Hydrocyclone separation can be added to existing Herbold recycling lines. Hydrocyclone is a conical device that feeds recycled flake at its top, together with water, and spins until the material separates by density. Heavy PET goes out the bottom, light PE goes out the top. After one hydrocyclone separates HDPE and PET, each stream passes through another one to three hydrocyclones.
HUTCHEON MACHINERY, INC.
Used and rebuilt sorting, granulating, washing, and drying systems for post-consumer and post-industrial recycling.
ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION
Information on Italian-built systems for scrap reclaiming and reprocessing.
KRAUSS-MAFFEI CORP.
Complete washing systems reclaim heavily soiled films such as agricultural mulches. Can separate rocks, dirt, metal, and paper from pellets. Also systems for reclaiming clean or slightly soiled materials. Supplies densifiers for low-bulk-density film, fiber, and foam.
MAGNETIC SEPARATION SYSTEMS
BottleSort system for commingled post-consumer plastic containers uses optical sensors to segregate whole mixed bottles into three sub-categories: PET and PVC, unpigmented HDPE and PP, and mixed-color HDPE. X-ray sensor sub-sorts PVC. Color sorting of PET and HDPE also available.
ELPAC system automatically removes metallic contaminants from chopped plastic. Detects and removes aluminum and lead contaminants down to 1/500 gram. Removal efficiency is over 98% with less than 1% product loss.
TPVC system detects residual PVC in mixed plastic bottles. Is used in conjunction with automated PVC removal system in PET recycling. PVC contamination typically reduced from 1000 ppm to less than 10 ppm.
M.A. INDUSTRIES, INC. ENGINEERING DIV.
Complete recycling systems for post-consumer PET and HDPE containers in capacities from 1000 to 3000 lb/hr. Basic system can be modified to meet specific needs. Water-treatment systems also available. Recycling system components can be sold individually: granulators, bale breakers, spin dryers, trommels, air conveying/classification systems, float/sink classifiers, PET crystallizers, rotary hot-air dryers, and flake washers.
MODERN MACHINERY OF BEAVERTON
Cryogenic cleaning system uses liquid nitrogen and pure water for flotation/separation. No soaps or caustic chemicals are used.
Ground material is fed into the cryogenic chamber, where its temperature is reduced to -200 F, making it extremely brittle. Frozen material is metered into a high-speed impacter where labels, glues, and contaminants are broken and drawn off by aspiration. Clean material is auger-fed to the float/sink process that separates PET from HDPE. Hot-air spin drying is followed by screening to remove PVC and fines. Systems capacities of 1000 and 2000 lb/hr.
O/K INTERNATIONAL CORP.
Complete recycling systems from Kuhne Anlagenbau GmbH sort, wash, filter, and extrude 100% recycled film or sheet in a one-step process.
PARTEK CORP.
Offers for license technology developed for Phillips Plastics Recycling Partnership, which is operating a full-scale plant in Tulsa, Okla.
Heart of the HDPE recycling line is a proprietary "single-pass" granulation system that produces a highly uniform, square flake with minimal fines and dust. Two granulators each process up to 2500 lb/hr. Line begins with a bale breaker and rotating trommel for removing loose caps and dirt. After granulation comes an enclosed, high-shear, cylindrical washing tank. Next, a hydrocyclone system removes "heavies" like PVC, PET, metal, and dirt. After spin drying, kinetic-energy scrubbers remove labels and glue. Dust and fines are removed from clean flake by two aspirators. Finished flake is metered together with additives into an extruder with a vacuum pump that draws off residual moisture and volatiles. Melt is filtered with continuous, rotary screen changers and water-ring pelletized.
PLASTICS DENSIFICATION INC. Represents Plastics Densification Ltd. of the U.K. Styromelt PD2000 densities packaging foam waste at up to 75 lb/hr. Densities using heat, not blades or grinding, in a cast-aluminum chamber ringed with internal heating elements. Close temperature control of melt prevents burning but shrinks more than 95% of the volume of PS foam products. Melted waste is cast into bricks, water cooled, and ejected for recycling or use as efficient fuel. Three to four garbage bags of PS waste, or 1000 foam cups, make a 2-lb brick in about 3 min. Heated slicer for large foam blocks available for faster feeding. Flue with extractor fan and carbon filter controls odors. PD2000 measures 81 x 45 x 23 in. Smaller model DP1000 processes up to 25 lb/hr of styrofoam waste.
RECOVERY PROCESSES INT'L
Turnkey recycling system accepts 7-8 million lb/yr of mixed plastic bottles and puts out separate streams of clean ground PET, natural-color HDPE, and mixed-color HDPE. System removes PVC bottle material, aluminum caps, paper labels, and glue. It grinds all bottles up together before washing and separating the components. Water-flotation system combines three separation principles based on differences in specific gravity and modified flotation characteristics.
RRT DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION CORP.
Develops and implements projects in plastics processing and recycling. Services include integration of custom design and engineering, equipment procurement and installation, and construction management. Broad industry expertise includes facilities construction and R&D in systems and component applications.
SOREMA S.p.A.
Turnkey systems for recycling PE, PP, PS, ABS, nylon, PVC and PET, including film, at 550 to 10,000 lb/hr. Proprietary washing, separation, and rinsing cycles that use hot and cold water. Washing systems separate contaminants such as incompatible plastics, paper, cardboard, wood, natural fibers, ferrous and nonferrous metals, organics, silica, clay and grease. Prewashing systems available for extremely contaminated material.
Special direct-feed extruders have automatic force-feed hoppers, feed bushings, specially designed screws, degassing systems, and automatic screen changers with pressure control. A range of accessory equipment is offered. (See ad below.)
STERLING SYSTEMS DIV. STERLING BLOWER CO.
Systems for reclaiming post-consumer or post-industrial materials such as PET, HDPE and PVC bottles, carpet scrap, cable chop, tires, and automotive scrap. Custom-designed systems handle up to 10,000 lb/hr and use various methods of washing and separation such as sorting, elutriation, agitation, float/sink, and hydrocyclones. Also offers consulting services and retrofit packages to improve existing recycling systems.
TEX AMERICA, INC.
Represents Reg-Mac of Italy, which manufactures washing systems for bottles and film in sizes to 4000 lb/hr. Intensive washing guarantees 100% paper removal, while special floating tank provides total HDPE/PET separation. Custom-designed drying systems use centrifuges and/or continuous presses. Systems include 430-hp densifiers with outputs of 3500 lb/hr and automatic guillotines with up to 100-ton cutting force.
Also supplies complete recycling systems from Starlinger of Austria. Include conveyor, shredder/densifier, extruder, double back-wash filter, pelletizing head, vibration screen, drying centrifuge, and cyclone. Available with vented extruders and die-face or strand cutting. Capacities of 300-2000 lb/hr.
Conveying, Loading and Storage
PRODUCT LINES REVIEWED
AEC/WHITLOCK
Complete pneumatic materials-handling systems include individual and central vacuum-loading systems and continuous vacuum/pressure loading/unloading systems for rates to 25,000 lb/hr. From 1- to 100-hp conveying systems for free-flowing materials. Products include individual venturi-type loaders; PowdrPump semi-dense-phase powder conveyor; smooth-wall welded, bolted, and galvanized, corrugated storage silos; and related accessories.
VacTrac conveying system control handles up to three vacuum-conveying pumps. PLC with distributed I/O capabilities manages flow of material to as many as 36 stations with a single-loop of six-wire, low-voltage control cable. Installation requires no conduit. Enhanced VacTrac has alphanumeric vacuum-fluorescent display and operator keypad. Time- or volume-fill configurations, with or without blowback capabilities, meet all conveying and filtration needs. Pushbutton control of on/off-line pump and hopper switching.
New one-pump, eight-station, microprocessor-based vacuum-conveying control system for small molding operations. It can also upgrade older systems with relay or solid-state control.
Express series vacuum hoppers and hopper loaders designed for minimum inventory and quick material changes. With no moving parts, Express series has sight glass with adjustable proximity-type level sensor and tangential material entry to help reduce material degradation. Small capacity of 0.10 cu ft (40 oz) with 0.03-cu ft (16-oz) sight glass minimizes material inventory and residence time and makes units suitable for dry-air conveying.
Also turnkey installation services, including start-up and training seminars. (See ads pp. 328, 348.)
ALLEGANY TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Supplies electronic weighing equipment specializing in forklift truck scales with piece counting for inventory and shipping requirements. Also specializes in crane scales.
AUTOMATED FLEXIBLE CONVEYOR
AFC Spiralfeeder tubular flexible or rigid mechanical conveyor, moves pellets, regrind, dryblend, and resins. Modular round discharge head provides unlimited discharge angles. Discharge head's molded pop-off Neoprene cover eliminates nuts, bolts, and gaskets, and simplifies maintenance and cleaning. True-Flow hopper works in conjunction with conveyor to provide maximum unrestricted flow. Eleven sizes of portable or stationary units in carbon or stainless steel.
AFC FIBC (bulk-bag) unloading equipment features fork-lift or integral chain-hoist loading. Vibro-Action hopper design discharge of non-easy-flowing bulk solids. Also AFC Dumpclean cartridge-style bagdump station for dust-collection system.
AUTOMATIC INDUSTRIAL MACHINES
Bulk-bag unloading station with optional vibratory discharge for sluggish materials. Together with company's Flexifeeder conveyor, it offers clean, dust-free transfer of materials from bag to downstream process.
Bag-break station consists of a dust collector secured to top of feed hopper. Collector has multiple valves and cartridges for reverse pulse-jet cleaning. (See also Metering and Feeding.)
AUTOMATION PRODUCTS, INC.
Dynatrol level switch for high- or low-point level detection of powders, granules, pellets, bulk solids, etc. Tolerates material build-up and handles tough applications.
AXMANN CONVEYING TECHNOLOGY
Belt conveyors, separators, and filling stations. Conveyors have aluminum frame and side guards, automatic belt tensioning, easy and flexible adjustments. Separators are mountable on ends of conveyors and quickly adjustable. Filling stations are simple, located at end of conveyor, and can use stackable totes to save floor space.
AZO INC.
Conveying systems provide gentle product conveying from granulator to day silos or hom*ogenizing silos in a multi-pipe system. Provides gentle conveying to bag-packing station or silos for tanker-track loading with dense-phase pressure conveyors, either discontinuously via pressure vessels or continuously via rotary feeders.
Also segregation-free conveying from heater/cooler mixer to day silos and extruders. And cost-effective mixer silo systems that blend different mixer batches.
B.A.G. CORP.
Super Sack flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC) come in a various sizes and designs from 500 to 4000 lb. Groundable Super Sack containers for products that tend to build up static charge during handling. Wetsack containers for handling liquids come in 500-and 1000-liter sizes.
BARRON, INC.
Vertical storage hopper (VSH) for re-grind from 1 to 15 lb/[ft.sup.3]. Pneumatic loading with either high-efficiency cyclone or air-separator section. Optional ancillary items include diverter valves, fans, control panels, dust collection, and reclamation equipment.
LOUIS P. BATSON INC.
Colormax standard products include small pneumatic hopper loaders with no moving parts, a lightweight ball-valve-operated electric hopper loader, and a ratio-selector hopper loader with a divided compartment and twin turbines for blending two materials in batches. Units handle from 15 g to 2000 lb/hr. All equipment incorporates diagnostics and fail-safe alarms.
BROCK MANUFACTURING
Corrugated silos and Flex-Auger Plus tubular spiral conveying systems. Silos in capacities from 147 through 7010 cu ft and diam. of 6 to 21 if, skirted and unskirted. Skirted models provide secured silo discharge area and an area for housing vacuum systems. A 10 [degrees] sloped roof with perimeter guardrail and toeboard is standard on 6 to 18 ft models. This low-profile roof maximizes storage space inside buildings, eases installation of dust collectors, crosswalks, and yo-yo or plumb-bob level sensors, and allows safe servicing of equipment on the deck. Also a selection of slide gates.
Flex-Auger Plus materials-conveying system provides automatic transport of materials up, down, on-the-level, or around comers into areas where space is limited. Spiral steel, flexible auger systems in four sizes from 3-in. tube diam. with 75 cu ft/hr capacity to high capacity 4.5-in. tube, 375 cu ft/hr. Systems totally enclosed and capable of full-load start-ups. Durable, coreless auger comes in one continuous piece and is the only moving part. Low maintenance and easy installation in both new and existing facilities.
BRY-AIR SYSTEMS DIV., BRY-AIR, INC.
Loadstar I and II single and ratio hopper loaders have 2 1/4-hp motor and audible alarm when material flow problems occur. Also powder loaders and small central conveying systems with up to 12 ratio stations. Drying and storage hoppers in capacities from 20 to 12,000 lb. Options include insulation, floor stands, multiple outlet takeoff boxes, powder-drying hoppers, nitrogen-purge hoppers, and multiple hoppers on a common stand.
BUNTING MAGNETICS CO.
Magnetic separation equipment includes grinder plate magnets, hopper magnets, and separation equipment for recycling, such as magnetic separation pulleys and cross-belt separators. Line of drawer magnets protect against ferrous metal damaging equipment.
BUSCHMAN CO.
Package and pallet conveyor systems. Provides turnkey systems from initial project planning through system commissioning. Management systems assist supervisors in achieving desired levels of productivity and information.
BUSS (AMERICA), INC.
Offers Waeschle line of pneumatic conveying systems for bulk solids at up to 100,000 lb/hr. Proprietary designs of diverter valves, low- and high-pressure rotary valves, silo blenders, air classifiers, and other ancillary equipment.
CARPCO, INC.
HTE electrostatic separators and ELPAC metal detector/separators remove nonferrous metallics from granulated plastics. For chopped PET bottles, separators reduce aluminum content from 1.5% to less than 10 ppm. For chopped insulated wire, separators recover copper and aluminum fractions lost in the tailings stream. Other applications include removing metallic contamination from granulated vinyl siding, injection molded parts, computer housings, or automotive instrument panels.
CHICAGO CONVEYOR CORP.
Pneumatic conveying systems for transfer of pellets or granular materials within a plant, such as from a storage silo to a mixer or molding machine. Systems can be pressure or vacuum, dilute-phase or dense-phase (where minimum attrition of the particles is important), and can deliver from one point to several locations, or pick up from several locations and transfer to a central point. All systems custom-designed.
CHRONOS RICHARDSON, INC.
Engineered products and systems for high-accuracy, high-throughput metering, conveying, feeding, packaging, and control of carbon blacks, oxides and other difficult-to-handle powders. Low-pressure, high-density, fluidizing pneumatic conveying system transports from bulk unloading, sacks (emptied by automatic sack splitter Model J11), or from storage. Remote adjustable DCV transmitter maximizes conveying rates on the widest range of blacks with minimal fines generation for optimum dispersion in mixer. Air-slide feeder with fluidized bed and precise dosing valve provides accurate batch/transfer with low fines.
For prepackaging minor additives in low-melting poly bags (suitable for direct addition to mixers), Small Powder system has batch control of 16 bins with auto-bag form/fill/seal.
Total plant process control from bulk intake through weighing, mixing, and downstream routing control to finished product storage is provided by Select-O-Weigh 900 computerized system with color graphics.
CINCINNATI MILACRON U.S. PLASTICS MACHINERY DIV.
Vacuum-loading systems and pellet feeders. Microprocessor-based, programmable loading system for up to 24 stations and three pumps in any configuration. Sizes range from 3 to 25 hp, consisting of positive-displacement pumps, V-belt drive motors, motor starters, muffler, and pump-protective devices, large-capacity, pleated fiber filters protect vacuum pump. Optional sound enclosures allow quiet operation at 80 dbA. (See ads pp. 10, 58-59, 126-127, 142, 146; data sheets pp. 91-97, 138-139, 159-160.)
CIRCUITS & SYSTEMS, INC.
Model DSC digital bench, platform, and floor scales. Bench scales from 2 lb with sensitivity as fine as 0.01 g, to 100 lb with sensitivity to 0.05 lb. Platform scales have low-profile, 20 x 27 in. platform, capacity of 1000 lb, and sensitivity of 0.2 lb. Floor scales range from 3 x 3 ft to 8 x 8 ft. Capacity ranges from 2500 to 20,000 lb. All scales have metric conversion, automatic and keyboard tare, and automatic calibration. Alphanumeric display 0.5-in. high for easy readability. Options include internal rechargeable battery pack for complete portability, RS232 port for communication to printers and computers, and statistical package.
CLEVELAND VIBRATOR CO.
Vibratory weigh scales allow simultaneous filling, vibrating, and weighing of bulk containers. Standard weigh console features digital readout, which controls start and stop of fill system and vibration sequence by weight signal. Deck sizes from 24 to 72 in. Two deck styles: flat-top Model FWT and grid-top GWT for installation in roller-conveyor systems. Also gross-weight readout, analog signal, and setpoints for auto valve or gate operation.
COLORMAX
See Louis P. Batson Inc.
COLOURMATE INC.
FL-110 filterless vacuum-loader system eliminates on-machine maintenance. Includes loading chamber for mounting hopper on the machine and separate power unit for remote location. Loading rates to 950 lb/hr. Also CL-200 small vacuum loader for loading color feeders and small processing machines.
Levalarm control has a capacitive-type proximity switch and control to indicate low-level condition in any bin or hopper.
COLUMBIAN STEEL TANK CO.
Dry-bulk, bolted steel storage tanks with thermally cured coatings resist corrosion and are FDA and NSF approved. Capacities from 1000 to 750,000 cu ft. Hopper bottoms to diam. of 38 ft, and flat bottoms to 118 ft diam.
COMET AUTOMATION SYSTEMS INC.
Central vacuum-conveying systems automate conveying of material from storage to processing machine. Filterless vacuum receivers made of stainless steel for longer production life. System enables fines and dust to be removed from material and transported down the vacuum line to the central safety filter. User-friendly microprocessor control scans and loads up to 32 vacuum receivers. Systems easily expandable for future integration of scrap granulators, dryers, and blending systems. Modicon or Allen-Bradley controls can be provided to accommodate special requirements.
Single-station hopper loaders of stainless steel ensure long, corrosion-free life and quick cleanup. Features include doth filter with air-pulse operation, which guarantees efficient filter cleaning. "Swing-Base" lid provides easy access to hopper and loader flap for quick cleaning. Vacuum-motor cover reduces noise to a whisper and protects motor from damage.
CONAIR FRANKLIN THE CONAIR GROUP, INC.
Materials-conveying equipment and systems range from simple, beside-the-press vacuum or compressed-air loading to extensive, sophisticated systems with microprocessor controls, which can be networked to PCs or central computers. Also custom software for systems.
Newest central vacuum-loading controls (Conair Sentral microprocessors) include Allen-Bradley small logic controller (SLC) and allow multiple vacuum-pump operation for loading up to 40 use points through add-on modules. Separate operator interface and I/O stations simplify 24-VAC wiring. Selectronic 5 controls include an enclosure at each loader and provide a flexible, expandable system for any number of loading stations within the limits of the vacuum pump.
Latest beside-the-press loader is the CAML compressed-air loader for pellets or pellet-and-regrind conveying. Mounting-plate viewing chamber holds a fixed amount of material (8 or 33 oz) to minimize on-machine inventory. Adjustable level control mounts on viewing chamber to control each load and signal when material is needed.
Modular, self-powered integral motor loaders for 50 to 500 lb/hr. Direct-feed "K" loaders mount directly on machine throat for quick material change. Modular construction of "K" loaders with no moving parts allows quick disassembly for cleaning, plus easy optional additions.
All vacuum loaders are modularized for easy optional additions such as positive discharge of materials, direct feeding, and simplified controls. DuraLoad vacuum receivers are optional for any loaders and include bolt-in wear plates for abrasion resistance to glass-filled materials.
Line of Gemini powder conveyors and vacuum pumps, including Powerfill peripheral pump, which is mounted on a portable frame and includes a dust collector.
Dry-air conveying systems convey moisture-sensitive materials in JIT quantities, which avoid cooldown. Systems use low-dewpoint air as conveying medium. Configurations for filling one machine or several.
Bulk-conveying systems use vacuum pumps to 50 hp for railcar unloading, or can include vacuum/pressure pumps for long-distance conveying at high rates. Clean Sweep Collector prevents loss of pellets when railcar ports are opened.
Aluminum spiral silos from 1500 to 9000 cu ft. Silos under 12-ft diam. pre-formed and factory shipped. Also on-site forming of 15-ft diam. units. Welded and bolted storage silos include low-profile, high-volume FlexFlow silo where height may be a problem.
CYCLONAIRE CORP.
Dense-phase conveying equipment and related accessories. Specializes in hard-to-handle or abrasive materials, railcar unloading of bulk materials, and implant hatching or weighing.
DELTA/DUCON INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Spira/flo pipe for pneumatic conveying of pellets is available in aluminum or stainless steel and virtually all sizes.
DEMARCO MAX VAC CORP.
Max Vac vacuums clean up plant spills, convey, reclaim, load, unload, and pick up materials at points simultaneously with a central manifold system (portable, stationary, towable, or dump, truck mounted). The 5 to 300 hp units vacuum wet/dry or hazardous material. Features include material separation circuit, filtration system, and Silencer Base muffler. Custom designs available.
DUNBAR KAPPLE DIV. CHRISTIANSON SYSTEMS, INC.
Pneumatic bulk-transfer conveyors for pellets and powders, dry chemicals and food-grade products. Chem-Vac conveyors have dual positive-displacement blowers for high-capacity, low-temperature transfer of temperature-sensitive products with no cross-contamination. Air-filtration system eliminates cleaning of cloth filter bags.
EAGLE GROUP LTD.
Box dumpers, gaylord tilters, transfer hoppers, auger conveyor systems, bulk-storage silos, and surge bins. Specializes in batch mixers for plastic pellet, powder and regrind materials.
ERIEZ MAGNETICS
Separation, vibratory, and metal-detection products include:
* E-Z Tec III metal detectors in closed-aperture or single-surface models to detect metallic contaminants of 1% of minimum aperture dimension. Accommodate wide range of product speeds from 2 ft/min to 8800 ft/min. Include solid-state electronics, crystal oscillator for stable drive-frequency reference, and variable-oscillator drive voltage that optimizes product phasing and sensitivity.
* Rare-earth magnetic separators - grates, traps, plates, rolls, and tubes - remove weakly magnetic or very fine iron contaminants from dry bulk or liquid products. Uses Erium 3000 permanent magnetic power source, said to develop up to 25 times the pull of conventional materials. Separators can be designed into new processing lines, and existing housings and bodies can be retrofitted with RE assemblies.
* Simple, rugged mechanical conveyors handle a variety of bulk materials. Single-mass and two-mass vibrating systems excited by motor-driven eccentric shaft. Compact, straight-line, low-profile design allows easy maintenance.
* Electro-permanent magnetic bin vibrators in 12 models move sticky, hard-to-handle bulk materials in bins, hoppers, and chutes. Units apply concentrated vibration and positive drive in two directions and feature dust- and wear-resistant housings with no sliding or rotating parts.
Also magnetic drums with crisscross or agitator-type magnetic fields; magnetic humps for removing tramp iron from flee-flowing, gravity-fed materials; rare-earth eddy-current separators for removing nonferrous metallics from bulk nonmetallic products; and HI-VI and Hi-Speed vibratory feeders.
FILTERLESS CONVEYING SYSTEMS
Hurricane hopper loader, a closed-loop filterless, multistage pneumocyclone, has no filters and requires no compressed air. Closed-loop air system eliminates dust in work environment and ensures conveying of dried hygroscopic materials with dry air.
Standard equipment includes remote programmable controller with security to inhibit tampering, stainless-steel pickup tube, heavy-duty grounded vinyl hose, low-level hopper alarm, remote shutoff to prevent loading while pickup tube is out of material, high-temperature shutoff valve, stainless-steel hose clamps, and rugged construction of 0.100-in. spun aluminum.
Central systems and railcar unloaders to 40,000 lb/hr have programmable, solid-state controls and modem for phone troubleshooting and reprogramming. Available in aluminum, steel, or stainless.
FLEXICON CORP.
Materials-handling systems for powdered and bulk plastics products include Complete systems from storage to process, as well as reclaiming systems.
Flexible screw conveyor does not utilize air, filters, or cyclone separators. Screw is only moving internal part. Can convey materials in any direction.
Model 1450 Bev-Con spiral conveyor transports the most difficult-to-convey resins, pigments, and additives such as titanium dioxide, carbon black, and calcium carbonate, as well as solids containing moisture, oil, or other materials that could cause caking under pressure or frictional heat. Max. throughput is 1800 cu ft/hr. Optional speed controller can reduce throughput to 2 cu ft/hr. (See ad p. 331.)
FOREMOST MACHINE BUILDERS INC.
Supplies simple, self-contained vacuum loaders up to custom-engineered, fully integrated plant systems. Automated turnkey systems utilize vacuum, pressure, or combination vacuum/pressure. Detailed CAD layouts supplied with each system quotation. Graphic control panel with programmable controller initiates and monitors the automatic process.
Silos, railcar unloaders, pneumatic conveyors, gravimetric and volumetric feeders, granulators, belt conveyors, metal detectors/separators, resin dryers, and recycling equipment. (See ad p. 329.)
FORSBERGS, INC.
Natural-frequency vibrating conveyors for horizontal conveying. Can be equipped with screens for fines and oversize removal from regrind or pellets. Additional features include counterbalance system for installation on mezzanines or other elevated structures.
Also gravity separators, aspirators, and screening machines for separation and reclamation.
FOX VALVE DEVELOPMENT CORP.
Venturi eductors with no moving parts transport pellets and powders. Can replace rotary airlocks in conventional, positive-pressure conveying systems. Using motive air at 3-14 psig, these systems are said to entrain and transport materials with less wear and product degradation than airlocks. Production of "angel hair," threads, and fines is reportedly reduced or eliminated. Particularly useful when handling regrind or glass-filled resins, which can erode airlocks.
S.G. FRANTZ CO. INC.
FerroFilter electromagnetic separators remove fine magnetizable particles down to submicron size from dry materials or fluids. Standard units remove fine ferromagnetic particles. Special units separate paramagnetic particles. Separators for granular materials or powders include a vibrator. Separators for liquids or slurries include units for pipeline installation and others for gravity feed.
All units can be cleaned in place. Automated systems available with all controls required for timed processing and cleaning cycles.
FULLER-KOVAKO CORP.
Dilute-phase, medium-phase, and batch or continuous dense-phase conveying systems. Also blenders for pellets and flake, and air blenders for powders. Provides debris removal, air-pollution control, and system controls.
GENERAL ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS
Counting and weighing equipment includes counting and weighing scales, electronic digital counting and weighing indicators, stainless-steel over/under checkweighers, bench scales, floor scales, and related peripheral equipment.
Patented dual-sensor Multiple Load-cell Counting Scale (MLC) provides the sensitivity of multiple scales for quick and accurate sampling of the smallest parts with the capacity to count a large number of those parts. Powerproof design protects against loss of calibration due to electromagnetic interference, lightning-reduced spikes, power surges, static discharge, noise, and blackouts.
GENERAL RESOURCE CORP.
Specializes in solving bulk materials-handling and process problems, and will design complete systems for specific applications. Isomatric subsidiary produces pneumatic and gravity conveying components, knife gates, rotary air-locks, slide gates, dump gates, and diverter valves.
Fluidizer subsidiary provides systems and equipment for conveying, storage, vacuum clean-up, loading, and unloading of bulk materials.
HAMILTON AVTEC INC.
Basic line of integral-motor hopper loaders, plus complete line of remote vacuum-pump loaders and systems. Self-powered, integral-motor models include solid-state controls and range from 250 lb/hr to over 2000 lb/hr. All models include automatic filter cleaning after each load. Ratio models available for virgin/regrind conveying.
For higher conveying capacities over longer distances, Command 2000 central vacuum systems and loaders use floor-mounted vacuum pump to provide power for all loading stations. Central dust collector eliminates on-machine filter maintenance. Pump sizes from 3 to 25 hp. Also special twin-cyclone powder loaders.
Specializes in weigh-loading systems, using Command 2000 equipment, by adding weigh cells to each vacuum hopper and supplying special microprocessor controls with CRT messages. Optional printers can record each pound conveyed.
Also welded-steel storage silos and continuous level-sensing systems for electronic silo monitoring.
HAPMAN CONVEYOR
Bulk material conveying systems and equipment includes low-cost, high-capacity, light-duty helix flexible screw conveyor for flowable materials. Conveys vertically up to 40 ft and horizontally up to 80 ft. Can be disassembled for cleaning in 5 min.
New economical tubular conveyors move finely divided, free-flowing bulk materials, whether wet or dry. Flexible circuitry permits installation in and around existing equipment.
Compact and modularly designed Mini-Vac pneumatic conveyors for dry solids provide application flexibility and are easily integrated with various process equipment.
Low-cost manual bag-dump stations and dust collectors have cartridge filters that are easily changed without special tools. Available in carbon or stainless steel.
HFI
Vacuum-conveying equipment for dry, free-flowing powders, flakes, and pellets use compressed air, regenerative vacuum-pump assemblies, or positive-displacement vacuum pumps. Full pneumatic or programmable total sequence controls available. All models come in full sanitary or industrial stainless-steel or carbon-steel construction. Also explosion-proof models. Standard conveying rates from 10 to 12,000 lb/hr. Conveying distances to 250 ft. Built-in cartridge filters clean discharge air to below one micron. Quick take-apart design for easy cleaning.
HI-TECH SYSTEMS, INC.
Materials-handling systems, bulk materials-handling systems, and pneumatic conveying equipment. Consulting services, engineering, design, installation, start-up, and training.
HOPPMANN CORP.
Flat-top chain and belted variable-speed conveyors and variable-speed, metering, bulk-elevating conveyors from 1 cu-ft to 80 cu-ft capacity in painted or stainless-steel finish.
S. HOWES CO.
Portable, inclinable screw conveyors for dry, free-flowing materials can load and unload mixers, bins, and hoppers or transfer materials from floor to floor or between processing and storage points. Variable or fixed capacities from 50 to 3200 cu ft/hr. Screw lengths from 6 to 20 ft.
HIDRECLAIM CORP.
Vacuum conveying systems from 1 to 30 hp and single-station to 96 stations with multiple-pump control. Sequencing controls have RS485 remote control panel with menu-driven format. Turnkey bulk installation with welded and bolted silos available.
New Whisper-Vac (3-30 hp standard), sound-enclosed (78-80 dbA) vacuum power unit has microprocessor controls, RS485 remote-control panel, and sound enclosure. (See ad p. 340.)
IMPERIAL INDUSTRIES INC.
Factory-welded storage tanks in steel, aluminum, and stainless steel. Also custom fabrications, field-welded tanks, blenders, and a variety of storage-related components. Tanks for virtually any dry bulk material and a variety of liquids.
IMS CO.
Four types of vacuum hopper loaders: standard, standard with automatic filter cleaning, proportional with automatic filter cleaning, and Hurricane filterless. Low-cost pneumatic loader available.
Also storage drums in plastic (5, 30, and 55 gal) and stainless steel (30 and 55 gal). For large-capacity storage, portable hoppers are stackable up to three high. Gaylord tipsters are off the floor and electrically operated, or floor-mounted and air-powered. Both types tilt automatically as pellets are removed. (See ads pp. 22, 315.)
INDUSTRIAL MAGNETICS INC.
Tramp-metal separation devices for ferrous contaminants include rare-Earth magnets for enhanced product purity.
INTERNATIONAL MATERIAL CONTROL SYSTEMS INC.
FDA-approved silos, portable and stationary implant bins, box dumpers, and tilters, screw-conveying systems for difficult-to-move materials, and extensive line of batch mixers.
ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION
Information on Italian companies offering equipment for materials handling.
K-TRON COLORTRONIC K-TRON NORTH AMERICA
Colortronic vacuum loaders and central vacuum-conveying systems have proportioning valves, silos, and controls designed for easy installation and low operating costs. Single loaders have throughputs to 2500 lb/hr of pellets and powders. Central pellet loaders are filterless and come with one central self-cleaning filter. All loaders are stainless steel for low maintenance and long life.
KEMUTEC INC.
Floveyor aero-mechanical conveyors handle raw materials and small finished components. Conveyors move fine-powder granulates or pelletized products in an airstream within an enclosed tube. Tubes can be 3- to 5-in.-diam. with rates. to 120 tons/hr vertically or horizontally. Airstream is induced by high-velocity movement of a disc-on-wire assembly inside the tube. Resulting displacement of air and materials causes fluidization of materials and conveyance through the tube. Concept is mechanical pneumatic conveying, but without noisy blowers or need for air filtration.
KEK centrifugal sifters provide pull-through sieving for scalping oversize and extraneous materials, classifying and conditioning of bulk materials, controlled size reduction of friable materials, and even removal of liquids from slurries, pastes or solids in suspension.
KICE INDUSTRIES INC.
Positive-pressure conveying systems, include fans, filters, diverter valves, airlocks, cyclones, Dust Duct, Speed Spout, and Multi Aspirator product cleaners. Multi Aspirator for removing fines from regrind is a multi-pass cleaner with no moving parts that separates light material from heavier based on the different terminal velocities of fractions of material to be cleaned. Air flow adjustable to vary the amount of fine material removed.
KORNYLAK CORP.
Controlled-speed gravity-flow conveying and storage systems for material on pallets; powered roller conveyors with cases, totes, light pallets, and slip sheets for point-to-point transfer and/or accumulation; metal belt conveyors for heavy-duty applications; vertical conveyors; automatic gantry for loading and unloading; snap-in wheel-and-bracket units for lightweight gravity conveying (1-in. OD); antifriction gravity conveyor wheels; multidirectional wheels; and complete turnkey systems.
LABOTEK INC.
Mini-feed hopper loader MF95 is air-powered for up to 200 lb/hr. Mini-feed hopper loader MF98 is a single-phase vacuum loader for up to 400 lb/hr.
Con-Evator hopper loaders have a three-phase motor driving a high-efficiency turbine, reversing each cycle to clean the large polyester filter. Six models from PGT4 at 570 lb/hr to the SF4 at 3700 lb/hr. All have adjustable suction time and filter for reverse air flow.
Ratio-Selector (RS) for virgin/regrind metering is attached to vacuum-hopper-loader inlet. Feed oscillates according to adjustable preset ratio.
Scanning system, a centrally controlled automatic materials-handling system, has basic solid-state, 24-v controls for eight or 16 feeder bowls and can be extended in multiples. High-quality cast-aluminum feeder bowls come in four sizes.
LASITS-ROHLINE SERVICE, INC. L-R SYSTEMS
Vacuum-loading equipment includes self-contained units with capacities to 1500 lb/hr and central-loading systems with capacities to 24,000 lb/hr. Turnkey systems controlled automatically by mechanical timers or PLC controllers.
Material-storage equipment includes custom made silos and surge bins sized from 30 lb and up. Can be fitted with metal separators, mixers, blending and weighing devices, and FDA-approved interior coatings.
C.A. LITZLER CO., INC See Quickdraft Div.
MAC EQUIPMENT, INC. MAC PNEU/PRO DIV.
Dilute-phase and dense-phase pneumatic-conveying equipment for pellets and resins. Vacuum or pressure service, or a combination. Components include vacuum loaders, pressure and vacuum blower packages, dense-phase pressure vessels, rotary airlock valves, blade-line diverters, parallel-tunnel diverters, scale valves, scale hoppers, and complete process-control capabilities.
Typical applications are for railcar unloading, storage of in-plant processing, regrind conveying, and PVC compounding. Transfer rates from 500 lb/hr to 50 tons/hr in 2- through 14-in. diam.
MAGNETIC FABRICATIONS INC.
Hopper magnet housing provides protection against tramp iron and fine iron contamination. Two rows of 1-in.-diam. stainless-steel tubes packed with permanent magnets slide easily in and out of a mild-steel housing. Located directly over machinery orifices and below material openings, all materials must pass through a magnetic field that attracts and holds ferrous contamination. Transparent plastic drawer front enables operator to observe material flow and check for accumulated tramp iron. Mounting holes predrilled to fit customer's equipment. Special mounting plates also available. Heavy-duty construction supports weight of loaded hoppers and secondary equipment.
MANUFACTURERS EQUIPMENT CO.
Mechanical conveying equipment for handling bulk materials from large lumps to fine powders. "Curve Flight" apron feeders/conveyors handle abrasive, hot, jagged, or sticky materials. Also semi-bulk bag unloader frames. Conveyors include troughing belts in channel or truss frames for stationary, portable, shuttle, or radial stacking. Volumetric and gravimetric feeders include apron, belt, screw, or rotating disc.
Centrifugal or continuous-type bucket elevators with buckets on belt or chain for gentle handling of pellets to handling abrasive hot materials. Sandmeister feeder/spreader evenly spreads free-flowing additive and sand-like materials across the face of conveyed materials. Semi-bulk bag unloading and metering equipment includes frames and agitator bases. Frames support bags with hoist beam or pallet rack. Variable-speed, cradle-type agitators ensure flow of powdered or granular materials from bulk bag to surge hopper.
MATCON USA, INC.
Matcon-Buls intermediate bulk container (IBC) system discharges materials from portable bulk-storage containers. Using Matcon's patented discharger/valve principle, each IBC has an "in-bin" cone valve at its discharge. When the IBC is placed on its discharge station, the inverted cone mates with a probe within the station. Probe pneumatically raises the cone into the material and vibrates it, causing the material to break up and flow through the annular gap created by the lifted cone. Varying the cone's height and lift time allows metering the material. Weigh frames and controllers available for accurate batching or continuous feeding. Because the cone and probe create a dust-tight seal, IBCs can be filled, transported, and discharged with no dust contamination. Partially filled IBCs can be removed from the station with total containment of product. Containers are of stainless or mild steel or polyethylene with capacities to 100 cu ft.
MATSUI AMERICA, INC.
Jet Loader series of vacuum hopper loaders includes a brushless vacuum pump with a 10-yr expected life and no maintenance. Unit pulls up to 180 lb/hr from a distance of 100 ft and will operate on 230 or 460 v. Filtration at floor level for safe and quick maintenance. Optional cyclone can be added for collecting dust and fines. Unit is suitable for conveying regrinds or helping to clean up virgin resins. A two-port valve is said to allow one Jet Loader to do the work of two conventional loaders.
M-D PNEUMATICS DIV. See Tuthill Corp.
MILLTRONICS, INC.
Products include noncontacting ultrasonic level measurement systems for solids and liquids up to 200 ft; process sensors for process and machinery monitoring; dry solids flowmeters for inline weighing of free-flowing, dry bulk materials conveyed in pipes and chutes; conveyor belt scales for weighing material; and motion sensors for monitoring and protecting rotating and reciprocating equipment.
Ultrasonic level measurement systems are suited to pellet and powder applications. Transducer design and patented echo processing techniques permit reliable measurement of materials where dust and angle of repose come into play. Units available for single vessel, or up to 60 with a single set of electronics. New Probe offers noncontacting liquid level measurement up to 32 ft.
New Senaco solids-flow sensor detects stress waves generated by impacts and friction from flowing solids, and provides analog, voltage and relay outputs. Attaches outside the process for noninvasive monitoring.
MONITOR MANUFACTURING
Level controls for dry bulk-materials storage include electronic proximity sensors, capacitance point-level and continuous-level controls, piezoelectric vibrating-point level sensors, and paddle-type point-level units. Microwave solids-flow detector, microwave broken-bag detector, and microwave beam breaker (point-level sensor). Also Alphatron load cells and gauges for bin and bulk weighing, hatching, and check-weighing.
MORSE MANUFACTURING CO.
Drum-handling equipment for fiber, steel, and plastic drums offers productivity and safety advantages in moving, positioning, and pouring drum contents. Drum hand-trucks, dollies, cradles, and bung wrenches. Hoist attachments for moving upright drums and raising drums for controlled pouring available for various size drums. Wheeled lifters have simple mechanical action for low-height pouring. Also manual hydraulic lifters for controlled drum pouring at heights to 5 ft and over. Power options with a choice of air, battery, or a-c motors.
MOTAN, INC.
Conveying systems powered by a central vacuum blower and protected by a central filter have rugged components designed for flexibility, low maintenance, and efficiency. Patented filter-less vacuum receivers in various sizes and configurations include Silver Bullet receivers that mount on press throat, eliminating discharge valve and allowing a small head of material to be kept over the throat.
Receivers do not require a blowback or vacuum-break sequence, virtually eliminating maintenance and cleanup problems. HT (high-temperature) filterless vacuum receivers have the added feature of a normally closed discharge valve. Typically used to load drying bins, HT receiver limits heat and air-flow loss from drying system. (See also Metering and Feeding.)
MOULD-TEK INDUSTRIES, INC.
Vacuum, pressure, and vacuum/pressure conveying systems, blenders, additive feeders, and mixing chambers. Also custom weigh-scale systems, weigh hoppers, and in-plant surge bins. Outdoor storage silos in welded, bolted, or corrugated form. Equipment can be purchased individually or as a complete system with all interconnecting piping, fittings, hangers, etc.
O.A. NEWTON & SON CO. MATERIALS CONTROL SYSTEMS DIV.
Designs, engineers and builds components for complete conveying systems or retrofits existing systems. Systems or components for railcar loading/unloading, truck unloading, dilute- and dense-phase pneumatic conveying include bulk-storage silos, dust-collection units, semi-bulk bag fillers, micro-ingredient weighing/feeding controller, vacuum pellet and powder receivers, E-Z flow hoppers, and repair service and spare parts.
NOVATEC INC.
Automatic conveying systems centrally controlled by microprocessors are expandable and cost-effective. MCS-206R and 216R models have a microprocessor controller with a 32-character LCD, remote regenerative blower, cyclone filter, and 6 to 16 vacuum stations for capacities to 1500 lb/hr. MCS-206 and 216 models also have a microprocessor controller, 3- to 25-hp vacuum power unit, cyclone filter, and 6 to 16 vacuum chambers for capacities to 12,000 lb/hr. Four other expandable conveying systems provide 1-8, 1-16, 1-24, or 1-32 stations for capacities to 50,000 lb/hr. These consist of a PLC-driven controller with 80-character vacuum-fluorescent display, which automatically operates up to three vacuum power units with cyclone filters and 1-32 vacuum chambers.
Railcar-unloading vacuum/pressure systems to 100 hp move pellets to outside silos or large surge bins. In-plant vacuum power units to 25 hp with microprocessor controls convey material through vacuum loaders to drying hoppers, blenders, and/or processing machines. All vacuum loaders with capacities from 1/8 to 5 [ft.sup.3] are self-cleaning, proportional mixing loaders with adjustable load, dump, and air-pulse cycles, and solid-state controls.
Hoppers in standard configurations and capacities from 15 to 10,000 lb or more. Hoppers to 1000-lb capacity have patented stainless-steel tubular air diffuser, which provides more uniform air flow and is easily removed for quick changeover and cleanout.
RRB (remote regenerative blower) for moving pellets or regrind generates vacuum through a centrifugal blower with quiet brushless motor. Also silos and surge bins in custom or standard configurations. (See ad p.326.)
OHAUS CORP.
Electronic weigh scales for materials handling, formulation, and data collection. Include bench scales and precision toploading and analytical balances.
OHIO BLOW PIPE CO.
Plant-wide air systems to remove trim waste. Handles a wide range of densities, shapes, and types of plastic flash; film, foam, and sheet trim; and rejects. Automatic systems handle empty bags from compounding stations. The empty bag is lifted into a hood where a proximity switch vacuums the bag and surrounding fugitive dust. Bag is transported through closed overhead pipes to a separator where air can be directed to a filter stage or to the atmosphere. Bags can be directed to a horizontal baler or a collector for recovery or refuse pick-up.
OMNI-LIFT, INC.
Enclosed bucketless conveyors move any 3/8-in.-mesh granulate, powder, slurry, or liquid quickly and economically. Typical applications include silo loading and unloading, implant transfer, and rail-car or truck loading/unloading. Conveyors are totally enclosed and dust-tight. Housing can be of carbon steel or stainless steel. Conveyors sized to specifications in inclined, vertical, top or bottom dog-legs, and "Z" configurations. Belt specifications include standard black, high-temperature, and FDA white.
OPTI TEMP INC.
Optiload venturi hopper loader (with no motor or brushes) conveys material using air-venturi action. Unit is quiet and lightweight and easy to place on machine hopper or throat. Receiver is stainless steel and available with sight glass to mount directly on machine throat, thus minimizing material inventory at the machine and facilitating quick material changes.
OSPREY CORP.
Trim pick-up and handling systems and complete filtration systems from simple single cyclone applications to multi-silo separation/filtration. Trim-handling systems include both in-line and venturi style. Venturi-style trim-removal system continuously conveys trims to a granulator. In-line cutter/blower system conveys edge trim from a slitter and prechops it for extrusion. Both systems available in various sizes can be custom designed. Two systems mount on cyclone for filtering regrind: manual vertical-sleeve collector (VSC) system and automatic, self-cleaning rotary drum filter system.
PACIFIC ENGINEERING SYSTEMS
Turnkey pneumatic-handling systems for granulates, powders, and other nonfree-flowing materials such as regrind, pigments, Ti[O.sub.2] and calcium carbonate. Systems range from simple hopper loaders to complex microprocessor-controlled distribution and batch-weighing systems for up to eight ingredients with an accuracy of [+ or -]0.25%. Metering occurs on a signal from either the controller, molding machine or film line, or in conjunction with extruder speed. Vacuum or pressure systems for rates to 200,000 lb/hr and sizes from 1 to 500 hp available. Phillips-style blending silos to 250,000 lb; welded and bolted silos to 1-million-lb capacity.
Filtration devices use various filter media and pulse-jet blowback for maintenance-free filter cleaning. Automatic bulk-bag unloading systems, bag-dump stations, surge bins, and various types of receivers.
Full controls for SPC and SQC available with RS232 and IEEE488 interfaces. Systems may include centralized production control at various locations throughout a plant or outside the plant via modem.
PACIFIC PNEUMATICS, INC.
Pneumatic-conveying components and systems. Rotary positive blowers and vacuum pumps in a variety of sizes. Airlocks, diverter valves, scale valves, and control panels offered separately or integrated into custom systems. Railcar unloaders and in-plant transfer systems are typical. Filters and filter receivers using porous polyethylene filter tubes help reduce size and cost of components. Bin dischargers remove air-activated powdered materials from silo bottoms. Noise enclosures reduce noise from positive-displacement blowers.
PEABODY TECTANK INC.
Factory-coated, field-erected, bolted and shop-welded storage tanks made of carbon steel, stainless steel or aluminum. Broad range of coating systems offered for carbon steel. In-tank blending systems utilize Gravi-Merge blend technology that combines air and gravity flow blending, as well as lower-cost straight gravity blending. Size of storage vessels and blenders range up to 38-ft diam. hopper bottom and 200-ft diam. flat bottom. Tanks can be skirt-, structure- or leg-supported.
PELLETRON CORP.
Anti-static gravity deduster removes fines up to 35 parts/million at less than 0.1 microns. Units specifically designed to match plant capacities and available space. Capacities range from 500 to 200,000 lb/hr. Features include low maintenance; a fan, which is the only moving part; easy clean-out; and a removable door. Reverse pulse cleaning kit for filter is available. Options include top loading bag-house filter for heavy fines and special design for addressing streamers.
PERSTORP XYTEC, INC.
Specializes in industry standard reusable plastic containers for all phases of materials handling - shipping, storage, work-in-place, and distribution. Products include collapsible pallet containers and lids, 48 x 45 in., 48 x 40 in., 32 x 30 in. and highwall series; fixed wall pallet containers and lids, 48 x 44 in. and 42 x 29 in. series; plastic pallets, stack and nest containers, modular totes and lids; small-part bins, trays and racks; and bulk containers. Custom builds containers.
PIAB VACUUM PRODUCTS
Vacuum conveyor line runs off compressed air and utilizes patented multi-ejector-style vacuum pump, which allows high flows of air and material. Minimal compressed air is used. Line is for applications where sparks must be avoided. Design also provides clean, maintenance-free conveying of bulk powders and liquids. With the vacuum, materials will not escape the system if leaks occur. Conveyors are modular and of high-grade, polished stainless steel for wear resistance. Compressed-air-driven vacuum pump has a filter of either sintered HDPE or Gortex. Units can be equipped with extra-sterile filter for filtration of asbestos and toxic materials. Max. capacity of 6000 lb/hr.
PLASTIC PROCESS EQUIPMENT INC.
PPE HL-1 hopper loader features solid-state control system with fully adjustable solid-state timer for maximum full variable conveying capacity. HL-1 has rated capacity of 540 lb/hr at 10 ft vertical and 10 ft horizontal, and conveys material as far as 100 ft horizontal or 40 ft vertical. Other features include solid-state relay, two-stage motor with quiet bypass, on-demand cycle control, diaphragm filter, spun aluminum construction, circuit breaker on side of control panel, function indicator lights, and 36-in. material probe with 10-ft vacuum hose.
PPE HL-2 hopper loader with rated capacity of 12,000 lb/hr features automatic air-filter cleaner, which uses shop air to blow off filter after each cycle; closed-loop system where exhaust-air energy is reused to help move more material up to loader; solid-state controls and automatic on-demand cycle control; anodized spun-aluminum construction; enlarged hopper; 3-in. diam. discharge; and pivotal discharge seal plate. Load and dump times adjustable from 6 sec to 4 min (loading) and from 5 sec to 1 min (dumping) from a remote control box located at ground level.
Floor-level pneumatic box tilter automatically handles material boxes up to 44 x 44 in. weighing 1600 lb, using standard shop air. Material pick-up probe holder adjusts from 35 to 57 in. above platform. Also 52[degrees] maximum tilt angle, 1-in. sleeve-bearing pivot, safety tilt stop, hand knob operator, automatic tilt-pressure regulator that adjusts air pressure to lifting weight ratio, and optional foot pedal and vibrator package. (See ad p. 337.)
PLASTICS ANCILLARIES CORP.
Transitube auger systems include flexible hopper loaders suited for powders and mixes of virgin/regrind/additives.
PREMIER PNEUMATICS, INC.
Complete pneumatic materials-handling systems, individual system components, and system controls ranging from manual operation to PC and plantwide host-computer integration.
Components include airlock rotary valves, diverter valves, Series 2400 in-plant transfer systems, separators and receivers, blower packages, railcar unloading systems, feeders, mixers, dryers and drying hoppers and storage tanks.
PROCESS CONTROL CORP.
Pneumatic materials-handling equipment includes vacuum and pressure systems with throughputs from 200 to 30,000 lb/hr. Standard range of pumps is complemented by accessories including vacuum receivers for pellets, regrind, and powders; cyclones; and standard and customized pipe fittings. Standard and custom control panels use relay logic or programmable controllers. Specializes in custom-engineered systems. Director series conveying system sequencing panel offers automatic control of multiple vacuum receivers.
Whole plant materials-handling systems use standard or custom-designed components. Resins are moved from rail-cars to storage facilities and from storage into multiple plant locations for further treatment such as blending, and then delivered to the use point. All systems can be integrated. Individual self-contained loaders in a variety of sizes also available.
Recently developed components for difficult-to-handle materials. Testing facilities available. (See ad p. 342; data sheets pp. 379-384.)
QUICKDRAFT DIV. C.A. LITZLER CO., INC.
Standard units and total pneumatic materials-handling systems for capturing, conveying, and depositing trim and waste materials. Venturi eductor unit allows handling continuous ribbon or trim, while a variety of trim choppers, waste shredders, granulators, and in-line materials-handling fans permit material to be transported in piece form. Air/ material separators custom engineered and include traditional separators such as cyclones, perforated elbows, and QCR (Quickdraft Cylindrical Receiver).
REGENCY SALES, INC.
Dry-air resin conveying for industrial and medical applications. Features "coax" piping for clean plant layout. Complete system design and manufacture available.
RENOLD, INC.
Line of vibratory feeders and conveyors custom built at feed rates from 1000 to 6000 lb/hr. Vibratory weigh system complements both conveyors and feeders, allowing 25-40% more material to be stored in bulk containers.
S&S ELECTRONICS OF AMERICA INC.
Metal detector/separator equipment utilizes electromagnetic field to detect ferrous and nonferrous contaminants. Signal generated by disturbance in the field as metal passes through generates a pneumatic diverter to discharge the contaminated material. Gravity-feed models handle 200 to 65,000 lb/hr. In-line systems for pressure and vacuum systems fit pipe diameters up to 9 in. Metal detection systems for installation on conveyor belts up to 78 in. wide.
SAFELINE METAL DETECTION
Metal detector for removing all nonferrous and ferrous metals can detect embedded particles as small as 1/64 in. in a moving stream of resin pellets or powder. Unit is installed in a vertical pipe and emits a high-frequency radio signal. When a metal particle interrupts the beam, a flapper valve opens within 150 millisec to divert the volume of resin with the contaminant. Reliability is unaffected by surrounding metal structures or electrical interference.
SCREW CONVEYOR CORP.
Screw conveyors, drag conveyors, bucket elevators, screw feeders, inclined tubular screw conveyors, screw lifts and hydraulic truck dumpers. In carbon, galvanized or stainless steel, Cor-Ten, Monel or Incoloy.
SEMCO, INC.
Pneumatic loading, conveying, and storage equipment. Blower packages, rotary valves, diverter valves, weighing and batching systems, storage silos, and many other components are combined with appropriate controls to provide a complete operating system from high-capacity rail unload to storage, to individual extruder feed systems. Sole-source responsibility from concept to testing, design, manufacturing, installation and after-sale support.
STERLING SYSTEMS DIV. STERLING BLOWER CO.
Air-handling systems handle regrind, pellets, bottles, tabs and tails, finished parts, vacuum-form skeletons, and continuous edge trim.
STORCH MAGNETIC PRODUCTS CO.
Magnetic housings trap and separate ferrous fragments from any nonferrous material. Housings protect machinery by filtering out undesirable contaminants, thus producing a purer, cleaner product. Units ruggedly constructed to support weight of material hoppers, dryers and mixers.
T&T TECHNOLOGY AND TRADE, INC.
Met-Sep nonferrous metal separators for free-falling pre- and post-consumer regrind, virgin pellets, and pulverized compounds. Units equipped with incremental reject counter/reset key combination, integral material loader with variable load meter, and adjustable detection time and sensor sensitivity. Capacity from 300 to 2700 lb/hr with a metallic impurity sensitivity as low as 0.5-mm sphere diam. based on a material bulk density of 34 lb/[ft.sup.3].
TEC ENGINEERING, CORP.
Line of horizontal, incline, and horizontal-to-incline conveyors constructed of steel and extruded aluminum. Models equipped with stainless-steel belt pans, antistatic PVC belting material, Allen-Bradley controls, permanently lubricated all-enclosed bearings, V-belt guidance system, self-tensioning design, horizontally and vertically adjustable legs, anti-slip roller design, and fan-cooled motor. (See also Parts-handling Equipment.)
TEW ELECTRIC HEATING EQUIPMENT (USA) INC.
Floor and high-load vacuum autoloaders in varied conveying capacities. Units available with or without automatic filter cleaning for granule and powder materials.
THORESON-MCCOSH INC.
Automated bulk storing, pneumatic handling, conveying, blending, drying and loading systems unload rail cars or trucks and feed blended, dried, and preheated raw material directly into molding machine or extruder hopper.
Belt conveyor systems, pellet tilters that tilt automatically when the center of gravity shifts to help draw the last bit of material from a container, and beside-the-machine serf-contained material loaders. (See also Compounding, Mixing, Blending Systems and Resin Dryers.) (See ad p. 332.)
THRIFT PRODUCTS DIV., IMS CO.
Ceramic hopper magnets for round and square hoppers in 5 sizes. Tubes and diverters are stainless steel.
TOLEDO METAL SPINNING CO.
Standard line of conical hoppers in diam. of 9, 12, 14, 16, 20 and 24 in. with various straight-wall heights. Hoppers include 0.5-in. flange and an included 60 angle. Stocked units come in stainless steel of various gauges. Aluminum and steel available on special order. Additional fabrication options include brush-polish finish inside, outside, or both; custom trimmed small-end opening; plasma or laser-cutting holes and slots to specification; and rolling and welding cylinders to basic cones for greater wall heights. Matching stocked stainless-steel lids available.
TUTHILL CORP. M-D PNEUMATICS DIV.
Line of rotary lobe, positive-displacement blowers for pressure and vacuum conveying. Capacities from 20 to 9000 cfm and pressure to 18 psig single stage/40 psig two stage and to 18 in. Hg single stage. Options available to allow blowers to operate in high-temperature or high-performance regimes with lube systems and oil-cooling systems for continuous service. Standard and custom packages available, including options to minimize noise levels.
UNIVERSAL DYNAMICS INC.
Vacuum and pressure pneumatic conveying systems. On-the-press, self-contained vacuum loaders and central conveying systems service up to 24 individual delivery points. Bulk material storage silos and railcar unloaders offered as basic equipment packages or as completely engineered and installed plant system. Self-contained vacuum loaders convey up to 1200 lb/hr at distances approaching 60 ft. Central in-plant conveying systems run up to 20,000 lb/hr at distances approaching 500 ft.
Maxi-Vac vacuum-loading system is a regenerative pump unit driven by 230-v or 460-v three-phase motor in 1.5 or 3 hp. Designed for the cellular plant layout," unit uses minimum floor space, while delivering maximum material conveying. Capable of single- or multiple-station loading, Maxi-Vac is suitable for "up-and-in" applications.
Operator configurable 82i vacuum system control can control either one or two vacuum pumps and up to eight individual stations. Either pump can operate any station. No additional wiring required. Optional dual-ratio control for all stations can be added to central panel.
Omni III microprocessor controls feature alarms to monitor system's performance and can control several individual systems through one central controller. Wide range of modular vacuum receivers allows flexibility in handling material from small injection molding machines to high-throughput extrusion lines. Railcar unloaders with single- or double-blower vacuum/pressure systems accommodate conveying distances exceeding 1000 ft.
Quick-material-change systems facilitate rapid changeover. Material or color changes, including hygroscopic materials, can be accomplished in a short time. Equipment available for individual machines and large central systems. Changeover operation can be manual or fully automatic, using a specially designed QMC valve. QMC-I microprocessor controls an entire system, directing the flow of materials from as many as 16 sources to 12 destinations. (See ad p. 345.)
VAC-U-MAX
Pneumatic and mechanical-handling systems for powders, pellets, regrind, small parts and other dry materials. Systems range from simple up-and-in hopper loaders assembled from standard components to complex microprocessor-controlled distribution and batch weighing systems for multiple ingredients. Check-sieving, sizing and separation of ferrous contaminants can be incorporated in-line.
Standard components include bulk-bag unloaders, bag-dump stations, feed bins, various types of receivers, electric and pneumatic vacuum power sources, wide selection of filtration devices and controls ranging from on/off switches to computer-compatible, microprocessor-based panels with illuminated system displays.
Heavy-duty industrial vacuum-cleaning equipment for wet and dry operations, powered by electricity or compressed air. Portable models, high-capacity material recovery systems, and custom-designed multiple-outlet systems with a central vacuum source are available.
O.S. WALKER CO.
Permanent and electromagnetic separation equipment includes magnetic head pulleys for use in conveyors; permanent and electro-suspended magnets for automatic removal of ferrous material; and permanent and electromagnetic drum separators. Plate and grate magnets used in chute applications with special automatic removal devices. Eddy-current separators for nonferrous metallic removal.
B.E. WALLACE PRODUCT CORP.
Gantry cranes and accessories load and unload everything from raw materials to finished products to and from storage units, trucks, railroad cars, and barges. Cranes range from 3/4- to 15-ton capacities with heights from 4 to 24 ft and spans to 35 ft.
WALTON-STOUT, INC.
Pneumatic rail unload and machine-load conveying systems for powder or pellets, including vacuum pump packages, filter systems, vacuum-receiver level-control switches, RJ-5 powder filters, virgin/regrind receivers, and pellet receivers. Standard options include sound enclosure, stainless-steel construction, rates to 30,000 lb/hr, internal check valves, dual proportioning valves, and dual inlet valves. Also microprocessor-controlled weigh and volumetric blenders to 5000 lb/hr.
Dense-phase pneumatic conveyors move products at low velocities and high quantities over long distances without product degradation, stringers, fines, heat build-up, or other types of problems incurred in dilute-type conveying with certain products.
Construction engineering, turnkey services and installation.
JERVIS B. WEBB CO.
Integrated materials-handling systems can include computer-controlled interfacing, automated storage and retrieval systems, automatic guided vehicles, belt and roller conveyors, power-and-free conveyors, screw conveyors, and more. Provides concept engineering, computer simulation, training, maintenance monitoring, and turnkey commissioning.
WEIGH-TRONIX, INC.
Industrial scales include counting scales, bench scales, checkweighers, deck scales, lift-truck scales, static or in-motion rail scales, bin/tank/hopper scales, conveyor scales, and truck and crane scales. All major components include strain gauges, load cells, and company's patented Weigh Bars. Company has ISO 9001 certification.
WHITLOCK
See AEC/Whitlock.
THE WITTE CO. INC.
Pellet equipment designed to separate fines and oversize, and to cool and dry. Capacities to 21,000 lb/hr.
THE YOUNG INDUSTRIES, INC.
Pneumatic materials-handling systems include blow-tank (medium-velocity) system for abrasive, heat-sensitive or friable products. Capacities from 7 1/2 to 500 cu ft constructed of carbon steel, stainless steel, or aluminum.
TransVair dense-phase conveying system provides low velocity for powders and granular materials when product degradation must be avoided. Powered by compressed air and automatically controlled to deliver up to 6000 lb/hr.
Closed-loop dilute-phase conveying system for hazardous chemicals, hygroscopic materials and dusty products is adaptable to edge-trim conveying and used with rotary knife cutters, reduction mills, and other machinery that requires an air draw.
Centrifugal-blower dilute-phase system can be positive-pressure, negative-pressure, negative/positive pressure, or closed-loop system. System limited in static pressure capability for short distances.
Combination negative/pressure dilute-phase system for multiple material-entry and delivery points. Applications include drawing materials from several points for batching before processing, and unloading from several points, such as railcars, with delivery to bulk storage.
Negative-pressure dilute-phase system is especially suitable for conveying toxic material from a number of inlet points to a single discharge point.
Positive-pressure dilute-phase system for conveying a product from a single entry point to one or more destinations. System uses minimum air quantity to move material long distances.
Also offers cyclone collectors, bag-handling equipment, blenders and diverter valves.
Metering and Feeding
PRODUCT LINES REVIEWED
ACCURATE, INC.
Volumetric feeders handle fine powders, flakes, granules, chips, and pellets. Tuf-Flex flexible vinyl hopper is agitated on the exterior by two alternating paddles. Paddle action gently massages material down into the metering screw, eliminating ratholing and bridging, while conditioning material into a uniform bulk density. Helix flights are filled uniformly for accuracy. Volumetric metering deviations generally range from [+ or -]0.5% to 2% for most materials.
Loss-in-weight systems feed a variety of pigments, fillers, stabilizers, and reinforcements with deviations as low as [+ or -]0.25%. Dual-paddle screw feeder sits atop a scale that counterbalances out the dead weight of feeder and hopper, delivering maximum resolution and accuracy. Multiple-unit controller can control up to four feeders at the same time.
Feed rates range from a few grams to 2400 cu ft/hr on volumetric feeders, and from 15 to 45,000 lb/hr on loss-in-weight systems. Batching systems also available.
ACRISON, INC.
Line of metering, blending, and hoppering equipment for precision handling of dry, solid and liquid materials.
Model A405-V101 weigh feeder for metering dry solids at low-to-moderate rates can handle fibrous materials that are traditionally difficult to meter accurately. Feeds glass fibers from 1/8 to 1/4 in. long without degradation; metering accuracy is reported at [+ or -]0.25-1%. Feed rates range from 10 to 600 lb/hr.
AEC/WHITLOCK
Precision series additive feeders and blenders includes models for up to four materials, as well as volumetric blenders and weigh blenders for two, three, or four materials.
Model AM-1 additive feeder meters pelletized or granular color concentrate or additives directly to molding machine or extruder. This precision auger-type feeder has swing-away motor, removable augers, and large material flood zone. Standard controls for intermittent or continuous processing have accurate closed-loop motor speed control and digital display of setpoint. Options include extruder tracking and cycle timer/batch counter for injection.
Smart microprocessor feeder control system for extrusion or injection features four closed-loop modes of operation and 40-character, two-line vacuum fluorescent display.
Precision series volumetric blenders mix up to four materials in a single, self-contained unit with output rates from 30 to 1000 lb/hr. Machine mount, floor mount, or gaylord discharge configurations available. Blending control system features individual motor speed controls with digital readouts.
Precision series batch weigh blenders available in quick-clean design with capacities to 5000 lb/hr for two to four components. Off-the-shelf microprocessor control has interactive menu programming with recipe storage and password protection. (See ads pp. 328, 348.)
AMERICAN LEWA, INC.
Modular metering pumps and packaged systems for all controlled-volume liquid blending, proportioning, and injection services. Applications include continuous blending of reactive components in making prepolymers, or in the production of synthetic resin (urethane or epoxy) products; proportioning and feeding of additives such as dyes, pigments, flame retardants, lubricants, peroxides, plasticizers, uv stabilizers and modifiers; and metered injection of blowing agents and blends for producing foamed products. Pumps are constructed of stainless steel and offered in packed plunger or sealless, low-maintenance diaphragm designs with manual or automated flow adjustment in open- or closed-loop control. Virtually all flow rates, pressures, temperatures, and fluid characteristics can be accommodated. Complete systems include tanks, piping, filters, heating/cooling, flow smoothing, relief valves, flow meters, controls, and safety devices. Flow accuracy is better than [+ or -]1%.
ANDREWS PRODUCTS INC.
Add*Flo container pump meters and transfers liquids from pails, drums, and tote bins to processing equipment. Pumps fit through the 2-in. bung and lock in place. Progressive-cavity, positive-displacement pump produces accurate and constant flow of liquids with only one moving part. Reversing direction will empty supply lines.
Systems are completely automated with variable-speed, master/slave, and batching controls. Microprocessor with SPI communication cards available for metering down to tenths of a gram. Color pumps are mild steel with pressures of 160 psi to ensure accuracy.
AUTOMATIC INDUSTRIAL MACHINES
Volumetric feeders designed for the metering of powders, granules, and other dry bulk materials. Systems meet FDA, USDA, and OSHA requirements.
Drum dumpers designed for emptying metal or fiber drums from floor level into processing vessels. Dumpers available with hydraulic or pneumatic capabilities and push-button control. Standard capacities range from 100 to 10,000 lb, with a rotational range of 45[degrees] to 60[degrees] Empty contents of a drum in approx. 15 sec. (See also Conveying, Loading and Storage.)
LOUIS P. BATSON INC.
Colormax Micro-Module feeders and Module feeders designed for dosing color down to as little as one granule/tenth shot. Pulsing hollow cone ensures accuracy. Features easy calibration and microprocessor control, which adjusts dosing according to fluctuations in the screw-back signal for constant letdown.
CHRONOS RICHARDSON, INC.
Engineered products and systems for high-accuracy and high-throughput metering, conveying, feeding, packaging and control of carbon blacks, oxides, and most difficult-to-handle powders.
Low-pressure, high-density fluidizing pneumatic system transports from bulk unloading, sacks (emptied by automatic sack splitter Model J11), or from storage. Remote adjustable DCV transmitter maximizes conveying rates on the widest range of blacks. Air-slide feeder with fluidized bed and precise dosing valve provides accurate batch/transfer with low fines. Small Powder System prepackages small additives in low-melt poly bag for direct addition to mix. It has accurate batch control of 16 bins in multiformulation with auto-bag form/fill/ seal.
Total plant process control from bulk intake through weighing, mixing, and downstream routing control to finished-product storage available using Select-O-Weigh 900 computerized system with color graphics.
CINCINNATI MILACRON
U.S. PLASTICS MACHINERY DIV. Pellet feeders are microprocessor-controlled, utilizing a closed-loop system in conjunction with plasticating-screw recovery time. Feeders have pivot motor mount, interchangeable auger/liners, a sample port, slide-out supply hopper, and hopper sight glass. Variable-speed, 90-v d-c motor is used. Options include oversized riser with drawer magnet and quick-change auger kits. (See ads pp. 10, 58-59, 126-127, 142, 146; data sheets pp. 91-97, 138-139, 159-160.)
CLEVELAND VIBRATOR CO.
Light- and medium-duty vibratory feeders suitable for controlling flow of bulk materials to secondary processing operations. Vibrations produced by electric or pneumatic (reciprocating piston) drives provide smooth, uniform volumetric flow that is fully variable from a dribble to a surge. Units control product flow in bulk-handling operations such as packaging, batching, mixing, drying, weighing, sprinkling, dusting, and spreading. Feeders can handle a variety of material from dry to damp, cold to hot, fine to coarse, with bulk densities ranging from 5 to 400 lb/cu ft. Available in a variety of trough sizes and shapes, feeders can be furnished with special trough coatings such as neoprene, Armorite, glass, PTFE, as well as abrasion-resistant, removable steel-plate wear surfaces and antistick textured surfaces. Troughs can be furnished in steel, polished stainless steel, nickel, and aluminum. Air-powered feeders recommended for use in hazardous areas such as atmospheres containing explosive dust, vapors, or gas. Units equipped with explosion-proof solenoid or air-pilot operated signal valves. All units have noise levels below OSHA standard requirements.
COLOURMATE INC.
Colourmate additive and color feeders for injection molding machines, extruders, and other processing equipment feature auger/sleeve cartridge that's easy to clean and change, as well as stainless-steel hopper and controls to suit specific applications. Also regrind feeders with feed rates from 1 to 600 lb/hr.
COMET AUTOMATION SYSTEMS INC.
Automatic equipment for precision volumetric metering and blending of granulate, free-flowing and nonfree-flowing powders, regrinds, liquids, and pellets on the processing machine. Metering/mixing unit may be machine-mounted or mounted on a stand for central blending. Four models offered with total throughputs to 4000 lb/hr. Mixing hopper is fabricated of stainless steel for longer wear and reliability. Metering hopper uses aluminum metering discs for high accuracy. Modular metering/mixing units allow for future expansion.
Gravimetric weigh blenders meter material onto a scale using patented metering disc. Capable of blending both free-flowing and non-free-flowing materials at the processing machine or on a stand for central blending.
CONAIR FRANKLIN
BFO feeder or BF6 feeder for economical volumetric metering of colorants or additives directly to the machine throat. Each feeder includes digital controls that meter with repeatable accuracy of [+ or -]1% or better.
Compact BFO model can meter down to 0.01 g/sec or up to 29 lb/hr. High-throughput BF6 model meters 40 g/sec or up to 300 lb/hr. Each model has a selection of metering augers and auger motor speeds and features no-tool, fast clean-up for color changeovers.
Digital controls available for either injection molding or extrusion applications. Injection controls provide on-demand metering based on a signal from the injection machine (i.e., screw retraction). A digital timer determines metering duration. Extrusion control is designed to operate continuously and may be slaved to the extruder with a d-c voltage follower circuit. Options include Low Level Alarm and Intermixers to enhance mixing of materials before entering the machine throat.
FILTERLESS CONVEYING SYSTEMS
Hurricane feeders for compounding and molding include custom transition pieces to fit any machine. Sizes range from less than 1 g/min to 50 lb/min. Units possess a solid-state probe and microprocessor, as well as programmable counter. They are accurate to 1/12th of a revolution at any rpm. Feeders can be supplied with agitated hoppers, static mixers, level controls, alarms, and loading systems. Materials handled range from concentrate to flake regrind and powders. Options include cycle counters, solid-state high-level control alarms, and static and agitated mixing units.
GRACO INC.
Produces fluid-transfer and supply pumps (air- and hydromatic-powered), plural component proportioning systems, and complete circulating systems.
HAMILTON AVTEC INC.
Spectra Metering Feeder, a colorant/additive metering system, mounts on the processing machine and precisely augers free-flowing materials into base resins as they flow into machine throat. Variable-speed d-c motor powers a selected metering auger. Metering occurs on a signal from either the injection or blow molding machine, or in conjunction with extruder speed. Spectra comes with a variety of metering augers from 1/2-in. to 2-in. diam. to vary letdowns in accordance with shot size or extrusion rates and material type. Supply hopper includes quick-cleanout door, and the cast-aluminum auger housing includes sampling port for setup calibration.
In-line mixer option can increase preblending performance and a machine throat adapter, which mounts between the machine hopper and machine mounting plate, allows two Spectras to feed simultaneously for nearly instant color changes on the same machine. Stacking another adapter on the assembly provides mounting for four Spectra units.
HARREL, INC.
Melt pumps precisely meter plastic out of the extruder and weigh feeders precisely meter plastic into the extruder.
Melt-pump systems range from less than 1 lb/hr to 4000 lb/hr. Systems have metering pump, precision digital drive, gear reducer, mounting bench, and microprocessor controller. Weigh feeders used for large volumes, or where corrosive plastics are to be used. Both melt pumps and weigh feeders suited for use as part of a closed-loop control system.
HYDRECLAIM CORP.
Ratio Weigh Injection Molding Blender (RWIMB), a weigh blender specifically for injection molding. RWIMB conveys and weighs virgin and regrind to any preset ratio. Color concentrate is volumetrically metered during the virgin/regrind dump cycle into the vertical auger mixer. Unit is controlled by a menu-driven microprocessor with keypad input and LCD display. Inventory on all materials with RS232, RS422, RS485, and SPI communications. Blending rates of 300, 600, and 1500 lb/hr.
Loss-in-weight gravimetric blenders include Model 470 series with built-in extrusion yield control. Also weight-loss color feeders, RS485-con-trolled volumetric color feeders, and line of volumetric blenders. (See ad p. 340.)
ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION
Information on Italian companies offering equipment for materials handling.
JEFFREY DIV., INDRESCO INC.
Line of vibrating feeders, both single-mass brute-force and two-mass natural-frequency.
In the two-mass type, both electromagnetic and electromechanical types with adjustable feed rates of 0-100% available. Feed rates can be adjusted manually with a control knob or automatically, using a variety of process signals. Controls offer flexibility for batching and blending systems.
A variety of feeder decks available, varying in widths from 4 to 96 in. and lengths from 1 to 25 ft. Designs include enclosed tubular decks with water jacket, heater blanket, and metallic and non-metallic wear liners. Feed rates vary from a few lb/hr to many tons/hr.
Electromagnetic feeders feature high-frequency long stroke, encapsulated coils, dust-tight drives, vibration isolation, and advanced-design drive without rotating parts. Electromechanical feeders feature a positive cog-belt drive, heavy-duty drive motor, frequency control, low frequency, long stroke and precompressed coupling springs.
JESCO PRODUCTS CO., INC.
Continuous and intermittent equipment for automatic metering, mixing, and dispensing of epoxies and urethane elastomers; and two-component reactive resin systems for the building and auto industries, including systems for roof coating, insulated glass, windshields, and sunroofs.
For higher production requirements, units can be equipped with a catalyst system and a mixer assembly, and can be mounted remotely or directly on the dispenser. They provide a uniform material flow rate to the part, are hydraulically or electrically operated, and readily adaptable to automatic turntable or robotized systems.
Complete line of equipment from basic manual instruments to sophisticated, multifunctional dispensing systems. Also in-line shut-off valves, single-component dispensers, applicators, and batch proportioners for fluid and high-viscosity materials up to 12 million cp.
K-TRON COLORTRONIC K-TRON NORTH AMERICA
Colortronic line of Graviblend gravimetric blenders provides continuous, high-accuracy, in-line weigh blending of up to eight ingredients and additives (pellets or powders). Weighblender features stable, high-resolution digital weighing of each ingredient. Features stainless-steel ingredient modules, with easy sampling and fast cleanout for material changeovers. Special feeder modules for regrind and fluff can be integrated into system. Microprocessor-based controls provide RS485 serial communications link to interface to host computer or to record documentation for ISO 9000. Extrusion control packages include weight-per-length control for profile and wire and cable coating extrusion; or weight-per-area control for blown film, cast film and sheet extrusion.
Colortronic volumetric continuous blenders automatically meter and mix pellets, granules, powders and liquids directly on injection and blow molding equipment. Units incorporate discs instead of augers and disassemble easily for quick cleanout when material or color change is needed. Synchronous blending needs no mechanical mixing, eliminating potential for material segregation. Models available from low rates to more than 3000 lb/hr throughput. Microprocessor-based blender control provides recipe storage, "auto calibrate" mode, totalizer functions and interface capability.
K-TRON SODER K-TRON NORTH AMERICA
K-Tron Soder brand offers complete line of gravimetric and volumetric feeders and controls for compounders. Systems engineering, installation support, start-up, operator and maintenance training, and 24-hour service and parts coverage available. Smart Force Transducer weigh modules provide weigh feeder resolution 1:1 million. Feeder controls can be easily interfaced with PLC/DCS and configured for continuous or batch processes.
Weigh-belt feeders for controlling free-flowing pellets and granules are advantageous where low headroom is a problem, or when feeding friable materials. Units have high-feed-rate capabilities (50 to 100,000 lb/hr for general duty, up to 1000 tons/hr for heavy-duty feeders). Initial installation cost is lower than a loss-in-weight feeder with equivalent throughput. Automatic belt-tracking, tensioning, and cleaning systems help keep the feeder operating at accuracies [+ or -]0.25% deviation from setpoint and [+ or -]0.5% repeatability 2[Sigma].
Loss-in-weight feeders gravimetrically control flows of dry or liquid materials to 70,000 lb/hr. Low rate feeders can meter as little as 0.25 lb/hr. Modular dry material feeders offer broad choice of single-screw, twin-screw, and vibratory metering elements to tailor feeder to specific needs. New K2-Modular feeders feature Powersphere feeder module for fast cleanout, good mass flow, and consistent screw fill. Powershift feeder drive system permits widest range of feed rates with up to 500:1 turndown. Accuracies to [+ or -]0.25% deviation from set-point and [+ or -]0.5% repeatability at 2[Sigma].
Single- and twin-screw volumetric feeders provide economical control of any dry material to over 1000 cu ft/hr. Volumetric feeding is best where material has a consistent bulk density with constant particle size and moisture content, or where material content is not critical to the process. Units also used as prefeeders for weigh belts and in gain-in-weight batching applications. New K2-Volumetric feeders offer same Power-sphere and Powershift features as K2-Modular units, and may be easily upgraded to loss-in-weight. Units come with Digi-Drive all-digital control, a microprocessor-based control that includes "no flow" alarms. Speed control accuracy is within [+ or -]1 rpm.
New compact loss-in-weight feeders are designed for low feed rates and areas where space limitations are a problem. Available in single-screw, twin-screw and vibratory models with interchangeable scale. Quick-exchange model allows color changes without having to clean the feeder. Also new mass flow meter for metering dry bulk materials at rates as high as 220,000 lb/hr. and 1% accuracy.
LABOTEK INC.
Resin/additive blenders provide metering accuracy of pellets of color concentrate and additives in the range of 0.1% to 1.0%. Mini-Masterbatcher and MMB Mixer with Con-Evator vacuum hopper loader and Ratio-Selector pro, vide automatic loading, metering and mixing of resin, regrind, color concentrate, and a second additive if required.
Conti-Master, a compact machine with two to five metering stations feeding into an inclined screw mixer, offers the same accuracy as the MMB with capacities from 500-6000 lb/hr, depending on number of stations and materials being metered. Automatic loading of stations is provided by three-phase vacuum motor/blower units mounted in the remote control unit.
Mini-Contimaster microprocessor-controlled metering/mixing unit for virgin plastics, regrind and additives in granular form has up to five dosing stations, with high dosing accuracy using step-motors, and max. capacity of 180 liters/hr (approx. 240 lb/hr). It has a built-in microprocessor; after the operator enters data on material bulk densities and mixing percentages required, proportions are calculated automatically, and the machine adjusted accordingly. Detachable keyboard can be removed and the Mini-Contimaster will remember the programmed data, so the same keyboard can be used to program other units. Automatic conveying is accomplished with a single vacuum blower.
LASITS-ROHLINE SERVICE, INC. L-R SYSTEMS
Material feeders add or blend most materials from ounces to thousands lb/hr. Adaptable to volumetric or gravimetric systems and capable of total automatic operation.
LINCOLN INDUSTRIAL, A PENTAIR CO.
Full line of measuring valves for dispensing vinyl plastisols into molds in precise, preset volumes. Standard model is adjustable from 4 to 46 fl oz, with larger volume ranges available.
MultiMeasure valve incorporates 10 adjustable measuring positions on numbered rotating index heads, allowing an output range from 0 to 34.7 cu in. (up to 18.5 fl oz). PTFE packings are standard, as is a manual four-way hydraulic directional valve.
Also line of air-operated reciprocating pumps that can be used to supply plastisols from original containers to the measuring valve. Plastisol measuring/dispensing systems used by toy manufacturers and automotive trim and accessories manufacturers.
MATCON USA, INC.
Discharger/valve, which bolts to the discharge of a silo, consists of a hopper and an inverted cone within it. At rest it acts as a sealed valve for a dust-free atmosphere. On demand the cone rises and vibrates, allowing material to discharge through the resulting annular gap. Once open it continues to vibrate, becoming a fully automatic discharger and bridge-breaker, promoting a free flow of material. Variable throughputs are obtained by increasing or decreasing the height of the cone and by pulsing the machine on and off.
Discharger/valve can be used on new and existing silos, discharging and controlling the flow of solids from storage, or as a prefeeder for accurate gain-in-weight and loss-in-weight feeder systems and for automatic filling or packing lines. System is suitable for topping off feeder hoppers on demand, because it maintains a constant bulk density and avoids overworking the material. Machines built of stainless or mild steel to accommodate any bin or silo.
MATSUI AMERICA, INC.
JC II volumetric color blender can handle two, three or four materials, such as virgin, regrind, color and powdered or granular additives. Lightweight unit consists of metering feeders, two through four material hoppers, which can be self-loading, and mixing drum to hom*ogeneously blend metered components. Microprocessor timing control is provided. Models cover a range of 220-660 lb/hr and provide [+ or -]0.5-1.0% precision on pelletized materials. Cleanouts and color changes are quick and need no tools or disassembly. Unit can be mounted directly on molding machine or on a floor stand for use as a central blender.
MAX MACHINERY, INC.
Full line of liquid flow meters can measure flow rates as low as 1 cc/min for process temperatures to 550 F and pressures to 3000 psi; can meter liquids with varying viscosities; and meter high-viscosity liquids with minimal pressure drop. Meters are all positive-displacement devices, which offer drift-free, lifetime K-factors, eliminating the need for recalibration.
Also liquid blending systems for use with two or more components will heat materials up to the desired process temperature, de-gas, meter with an accuracy of [+ or -]0.5% of the desired flow rate, mix and dispense. Systems suitable for blending urethanes, and are roll-in-place, turnkey units with standard subassemblies.
MERRICK INDUSTRIES, INC.
Belt feeders, loss-in-weight feeders and other process weight equipment includes line of low- to medium-capacity belt feeders constructed of 304 SS with feedrate capacities from 1 lb/min to 36 ton/hr. A second line consists of larger feeders with capacities from 120 to 900 ton/hr. Both lines offer 20:1 turndown from feedrate capacity.
Loss-in-weight feeders constructed of 304 SS offered with both vibratory and screw feed devices available in sizes from 0.33 to 25 cu ft with feedrate capacities from 1 lb/hr to 7500 lb/hr.
A universal controller controls belt feeders and loss-in-weight feeders for batching and continuous applications. Also conversion kits for converting volumetric feeders (most brands and designs) to loss-in-weight feeders.
METALFAB, INC.
Line of volumetric screw and belt feeders, batch-in-weight screw and belt feeders, bin activators, bulk bag unloaders, continuous mixers and railcar/hopper spin-loading equipment.
METER-MIX, INC. SUB. OF ACCUMETRIC, INC.
Specialized processing equipment for multiple-component applications includes pneumatic and hydraulically driven metering cylinders, gear pump metering systems, variable ratio control, PLC controls, static and dynamic mixing, and positive ratio control. Products handled include silicone, epoxies, urethanes, and multimix commercial products.
Offers designs and controls for all types of metering processes, cold and hot, with metering accuracy of [+ or -]1% or better. Cylinder designs ensure seals are not subject to metering stroke pressure, while pumping systems come with variable speed and variable output capability for a wide range of ratio selections.
MOTAN, INC.
Line of volumetric blenders and additive feeders for central or machine-mounted applications designed for simple operation, accuracy, repeatability, and easy cleanup. Central blenders, on-the-press feeders, or single-dosing units provide accurate dosing of color or other additives. Volumetric dosing of color is a cost-effective alternative to precolored materials because there is greater flexibility, less waste, and simplified storage requirements.
Press-mounted feeders and blenders, which include model MB Mini, MB Color, and MB Blender, available with up to three metered components. Spectrocolor central blenders available with up to four metered components.
NATIONAL BULK EQUIPMENT
Horizontal screw blender with output capacity from 4000 to 12,000 lb/hr for precision metering and blending of virgin materials and regrinds. Features include positive a-c drives, automatic shut-off, adjustable regrind ratio, and blower, vacuum, or gravity loading. Optional color-concentrate bin. Custom designs for specific applications.
O.A. NEWTON & SON CO.
Custom designs materials-handling, feeding and storage systems for compounding and mixing. Proprietary units include Micro Ingredients Controller (MIC), a weighing and feeding system for minor ingredients; E-Z Flo hoppers, conveying systems, self-contained pellet coolers, control systems, vacuum and pressure power systems; and a range of specialized equipment and repair services. Designs and engineers components for new systems or for retrofitting existing ones.
NOVATEC INC.
Up to four auger feeders with various feeder-screw combinations can be machine-mounted on a single throat, providing throughputs up to 3960 lb/hr of material having a bulk density of 45 lb/ cu ft. Feeders can also be utilized with company's gravimetric or cascading volumetric blenders, which mix up to eight or more resins into a hom*ogeneous blend with correct particle distribution. (See ad p. 326.)
OIL-RITE CORP.
PurgeX injector metering pump system, which dispenses a liquid-spray, stream or drop, eliminates vapor lock and cavitation. No priming is necessary even at the smallest flow setting. Positive inlet suction provided along with an outlet suck-back (no after drip) feature. System dispenses adjustable quantities of substance for virtually any application, including oils for lubrication, liquid for food additives, inks, adhesives and chemicals. Methods of operation include air operated, hydraulically operated, motor driven, solenoid operated and manual operated. Body of the system is made of lightweight aluminum extrusion. Buna N viton seals are used throughout for positive sealing.
PurgeX operates as an individual pump and is available in single feed for multiple (2-24) feed outlets. Each injector is precisely adjustable in liquid output of 0.012 cu in. to 0 per cycle. High output pressures can be achieved because of a 9 to 1 difference in air piston size. Pressures to 1000 psi output can be achieved with 120 psi air. Minimum air pressure required to operate air injector pump is 40 psi.
Complete PurgeX modular system has built-in controls and reservoir, and can be used for an entire plant or for an individual system on a single machine. Related accessories available.
PACIFIC ENGINEERING SYSTEMS
Line of gravimetric blending systems includes Weigh Master designed to handle powders, granules and pigments, in addition to nonfree-flowing materials such as talc, calcium carbonate and regrind. Unit combines up to eight ingredients with accuracies on both major and minor ingredients of [+ or -]0.25%. Accuracy provided through standard or custom software packages, which can be interfaced to CIM protocol. All systems, completely SPC and SQC compatible, are able to access production data and come equipped with automatic material clean-out, changeover systems, and the ability to store up to 99 recipes.
PARKER HANNIFAN CORP. ZENITH PUMPS DIV.
Precision metering gear pumps and systems include booster/transfer pumps, distribution pumps, spin pumps, and finish pumps. Sizes range from 0.06 cc/rev to 1600 cc/rev. Built of 400 series stainless and high-speed tool steel. Pump are used for such diverse applications as extrusion (both main-line and liquid additive), two-component systems (epoxies, polyurethanes), adhesives, melt-blown nonwovens, and commercial-scale, polymer-reactor pumps.
Line of standard gear-pump styles meets all viscous liquid metering needs. Pump will handle virtually any viscous liquid, providing a precise, pulseless and repeatable flow. Custom designs available. (See data sheet p. 165.)
PEABODY SOLIDSFLOW
Vibratory feeding equipment includes hatching systems, single-ingredient and multi-ingredient systems, continuous feeder systems, stream-out feeders, and volumetric feeders.
PLASTICS ANClLLARIES CORP.
On-the-press and beside-the-press metering, blending and proportioning equipment. Also high-accuracy color concentrate units, which are auto-interfaced with processing machines, can easily change color.
PLASTORE, INC.
Plasticolor proportioning unit for mixing color concentrate, regrind, or other free-flowing, nonbridging materials with the main raw material. Unit is mounted on machine under the main supply hopper and can also be combined into mixing stations for up to eight materials. Mixing station is mounted on the machine throat, making batches of material independently of machine. Controls accurately regulate speed of the screw. Four sizes of feeders offer capacities from 2.4 oz to 4500 lb/feeder/hr.
PREMIER PNEUMATICS, INC.
ProRate II high-capacity auger feeder, designed for applications requiring feed rates from 450 to 3500 lb/hr, mounts directly on a molding machine, extruder or mixer and has stainless-steel housing and auger. Quick-release band clamps allow for easy cleanup of motor, bearing housing, and auger assembly.
PROCESS CONTROL CORP.
Line of continuous and batch gravimetric blenders includes XG series machine-mounted continuous gravimetric blenders designed to accurately blend up to eight ingredients at rates to 5000 lb/hr. Operator interface allows entry of blend ratios by weight, or selection of one of 400 stored recipes. Blender simultaneously meters ingredients from weighed hoppers, using high-resolution weight-loss control, through a cascade mixing chamber where hom*ogenization occurs without any moving parts. Blended mixture then flows as a "plug" through a weighed tube directly above extruder throat, eliminating any chance of demixing. Features include increased computer speed and memory, simplified installation and wiring, supported SPI standard interface, easy access for machine cleanout, integral loading platform, and clear plastic doors on each hopper.
XC series offers similar features in a central- or mezzanine-mounted blender; XE series includes all features of XG series plus gravimetric extrusion control. XB series is compact, allowing for applications with limited space and headroom. Total throughputs to 700 lb/hr make it suitable for low-throughput applications.
AutoBatch provides gravimetric accuracy in a batch gravimetric blender for off-line applications. Features include microprocessor-based distributed control system and 20-bit weighing system for blend accuracy, easy cleanout for recipe changes, and blending of up to five ingredients. (See also Compounding, Mixing, Blending Systems.) (See ad p.342; data sheets pp. 379-384.)
PROCESSING TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Trident Series Power Master crammer feeders are custom-engineered with a throughput capacity range of 400 to 5000 lb/hr. Features include a conical hopper with sight glass, d-c motor, adapter mount, variable-speed control with load and power indicators, feed opening on top of unit that interfaces with existing materials-handling system, and multi-stage, heavy-duty auger system. Available in 3 1/2- to 8-in. sizes.
SCHENCK WEIGHING SYSTEMS
Continuous weighing and feeding equipment and associated systems include belt-type weighers, momentum flow meters, coriolis flow meters and loss-in-weight systems. Full range of microprocessor-based electronics available, including basic systems for single or multiple components, standardized process-control schemes, and custom software supervisory systems.
SHRED-TECH LTD.
Equipment for handling material before and after processing includes infeed and outfeed systems, ram or hydraulic feed assists, vacuum outfeeds, discharge systems, and sound enclosures.
TECWEIGH/TECNETICS INDUSTRIES, INC.
Flexible-walled volumetric screw feeders for metering powders and pellets are specifically designed for difficult materials such as pigments and fillers. Flex-Feed polyurethane flexible feed hopper is externally agitated by stainless-steel massaging paddles to eliminate bridging and rat-holing, resulting in feed accuracies of [+ or -]0.5% to 2%.
Continuous loss-in-weight and gain-in-weight gravimetric systems include the flexible-walled volumetric feeder mounted on a scale base and controlled with a closed-loop loss-in-weight controller, which can be configured to handle multiple feeders.
Bulk-bag unloading systems and weigh-belt feeders cover a range of feeding applications for most bulk powders and pellets. Also a line of hard-sided volumetric feeders for materials that have good flow characteristics, such as pellets. (See ad p.343.)
THAYER SCALE/HYER INDUSTRIES
Line of gravimetric screw and vibratory loss-in-weight feeders, weigh belt feeders, belt scales, display and control instrumentation, and bin and hopper flow aids. Specializes in powder feeding such as additives and pigments, but also supplies a range of equipment for feeding fibers, flakes, pellets and liquids.
Weigh feeder controller instrumentation is durable and user friendly. Installed drivers for serial interface with all popular PLCs and distributed control systems assure straightforward and reliable integration of equipment.
TRIDYNE PROCESS SYSTEMS
Net-weighing or weigh-counting machines and systems for dry materials. Features include preweighing and discharging, or continuous feeding; multiple heads; job memory; and weight ranges to 300 lb with [+ or -]0.1% accuracy.
UNIVERSAL DYNAMICS INC.
Full line of volumetric and gravimetric blending/metering units. A predetermined percentage of granule, pellet or regrind is metered by an auger or vibratory device into a base material. Patented dispersion chambers and fixed-speed mixing Chamber ensure uniform consistency of the final blend.
Also small press-mounted feeders suited for controlled metering of color, modifiers, antioxidants, or other process aids. Central blending units handle throughputs to 10,000 lb/hr with 2 to 6 different materials. Centralized control and monitoring of systems accomplished by a microprocessor control with computer/network interface packages. (See ad p.345.)
VIBRA SCREW, INC.
Controlled-vibration equipment to assist and improve accuracy of screw and belt feeders in the processing of dry-bulk material. Application of controlled vibration in the discharge of materials from storage bins is offered, along with gravimetric and en masse feeders with feeding and metering accuracies as high as [+ or -]1/4% to 1/2% of set rate.
MassWeigh moves floodable, dusty and other hard-to-handle materials continuously at accuracies of [+ or -]1/2%. Uses evenly spaced pusher blades circulated by chain from inlet to discharge in a closed-feed trough. Controlled vibration at the bulk-supply hopper and discharge increase accuracy, as does weighing the entire feeder unit with material included.
Feeding and metering equipment includes bin activators, bulk-bag unloaders, volumetric screw and belt feeders, all types of gravimetric feeders, blenders and electronic controls.
Resin Dryers
PRODUCT LINES REVIEWED
PAUL O. ABBE
Vacuum and fluid-bed dryers include Rota-Cone tumble vacuum dryers, horizontal rotary vacuum dryers, and Forberg-II fluidizing dryers. Specializes in packaged systems including heaters and vacuum pumps, and high temperature vacuum PET solid-stating equipment.
AEC/WHITLOCK
Hot-air and dehumidifying drying systems feature microprocessor-based temperature controls. HA series hot-air dryers range from 30 to 2500 cfm for processing nonhygroscopic materials.
SB, WD and DB series dehumidifying dryers for hygroscopic materials range from 10 to 2500 cfm and feature twin stationary desiccant beds to ensure uninterrupted flow of dehumidified air.
Also drying hoppers from 50- to 10,000-lb capacity. New large-capacity drying hoppers from 1000 to 10,000 lb feature tank and cone geometry that promotes true mass-flow of all materials, including sheet regrind. Specially designed air distribution system provides true cross-sectional temperature gradient with no channeling or air-flow bypass. Multiple styles include machine mount, floor mount and above-floor mount. (See ads pp. 328, 348.)
BRY-AIR SYSTEMS DIV., BRY-AIR, INC.
Resin dehumidifiers and hot-air dryers for extrusion, injection and blow molding applications. Desiccant-based dehumidifiers range from 20 to 5000 cfm and include from 2 to 28 desiccant beds. Options include digital dewpointers, diagnostics, central drying system, after-cooling coils, and heaters mounted at the hopper for additional energy savings. Larger units include natural gas regeneration and heat recovery coils for energy efficiency. Also dehumidifying powder drying systems in single- or multiple-batch capacities.
Mold dehumidification systems (MDS) are designed to eliminate mold condensation during high humidity periods. Surrounding the mold enclosure with dry, dehumidified air, systems allow injection and blow molders to reduce cooling cycle times up to 30%.
CACTUS MACHINERY INC.
Cactus Superdryers in four sizes for processing engineering resins to 75 lb/hr within 30 min of start-up. An alternative to batch-type desiccant drying, Cactus system operates on a continuous basis. Small amounts of resin are heated quickly to force moisture to pellet surface. Compressed air-powered venturi creates air flow across resin to transport surface moisture from resin. Low-wattage heater bands reportedly reduce electrical consumption to 80% less than comparable desiccant dryers. With no moving parts, maintenance is virtually eliminated. Microprocessor controls maintain accurate and constant temperature inside dryer for consistent-quality parts. Predrying is not required.
CARRIER VIBRATING EQUlPMENT
For drying various sizes and types of pellets, offers its 12-in. x 15-ft, 1-hp stainless-steel conveyor dryers with unit and hood insulation and low profile to fit together with in-line equipment. Air temperature and volume are controlled to maintain pellet quality.
For drying PET chips in a bottle recycling process, offers two-zone, stainless-steel, 2 x 10 ft, 2-hp, fluid-bed dryers, which are furnished as a system with auxiliaries, including steam coils, noise attenuators, dust collectors, slide gates, valves and discharge-drum covers. Air temperatures and volumes are controlled to dry chips to specified levels and prevent melting or fusing.
CARTER-DAY INDUSTRIES (CANADA)
SpinAway dryer is a centrifugal dryer for cost-effective drying of flakes or pellets. Capacities from 100 to 110,000 lb/hr, drying to moisture levels to less than 0.05%. Dryer has reinforced rotor-lifterplate design for extended rotor life. Logarithmic lifter-blade spacing in the rotor design increases the pellet resident time, enhancing drying; and horizontal air-flow forces water and air through the screen rather than out the pellet discharge. Unit requires minimal space, low horsepower, and is designed for continuous, uninterrupted production. Accessories include dewatering units, moist-air exhaust fans, air pre-heaters, internal washdown spray systems, hardened rotors, pellet-free rotors, and low-noise construction.
CINCINNATI MILACRON U.S. PLASTICS MACHINERY DIV.
Line of dehumidifying dryers are machine mounted, portable, or floor mounted. Line has air-flow ratings of 25 to 2500 cfm. Modular, insulated stainless-steel hoppers sized to the requirement and designed for balanced flow of dry air. Also included are an aluminum mounting casting at the throat and a slide gate. Microprocessor controls feature large digital display of set and actual temperature, alarm codes, and cam-cycle sequence codes. Units utilize solid-bed design with low-watt-density Calrod heaters. Options include high-temperature package (300-400 F), hopper-mounted process-air heater, and precooling coil. Hopper options include drawer magnet, vacuum take-off, and low-level alarm. (See ads pp. 10, 58-59, 126-127, 142, 146; data sheets pp. 91-97, 138-139, 159-160.)
COMET AUTOMATION SYSTEMS INC.
Series SD dryers for drying resins at a rate of 15-50 lb/hr. Dual desiccant beds provide low dewpoint of -40 F with completely automatic regeneration cycle. Space-saving construction permits on-machine or separate mounting. Solid-state temperature control enhances reliability. Dryers constructed so that all metal that comes in contact with plastic is of stainless steel construction to prevent contamination from corrosion.
CONAIR FRANKLIN
Mini-dryers with drying capacities to 70 lb/hr of hygroscopic materials feature "true closed-loop" design, which eliminates introduction of humid ambient air. Machine-mounted model CD-30 includes an integrated drying hopper. Floor-mounted model CD-60 dries material in a machine-mounted drying holy per.
These two dryers and two larger models also offered as mobile drying/ loading systems (MDC), which include dryer, drying hopper and material conveying system mounted on a movable frame. MDC Systems provide closed-loop, low dewpoint drying and conveying of hygroscopic materials directly to the machine throat using dehumidified air. This minimizes on-machine inventory and allows fast material changes. Retrofit kits available to convert certain Conair dryers, or comparably sized competitive dryers to an MDC System.
Carousel CS and Plus series dehumidifying dryers are microprocessor-controlled and have multiple indexing desiccant cartridges, which eliminate dewpoint and temperature variations by controlled introduction of regenerated desiccant to the drying air stream, while saturated desiccant is moved into regeneration. Ambient air cannot affect drying performance.
CompuDry microprocessor control package on these dryers includes programmable delivery air temperatures, high and low temperature lock-out, alarm-band settings, and an autostart timer. Energy-saving options available to minimize desiccant regeneration until it's signaled by a moisture sensor, instead of on a timed basis, and to adjust drying air flow to the actual throughput of the system.
CDG gas-fired dryers can save from 50% to 75% in energy, especially important for large dryer requirements such as those required for extruding moisture-sensitive materials. Built around the indexing desiccant cartridge design, these dryers use a patented, ceramic fiber matrix burner system enclosed in an indirect heat exchanger to replace conventional electric heaters. Models available to dry from 90 to 4000 lb/hr.
Crystallizer systems for PET scrap processing (including post-consumer scrap) change material from an amorphous state to crystalline state at rates to 3000 lb/hr. Applications include APET and CPET sheet extrusion and recycling.
Drying hoppers have been redesigned to include simple "no tool" cleanout, larger access doors, removable spreader cones and smooth interior surfaces. New hoppers have a 60 [degrees] cone for enhanced. material flow and better drying of materials in the hopper.
DRI-AIR INDUSTRIES, INC.
Line of desiccant dryers and drying systems for throughputs from 2 to 400 lb/ hr. Arid-X line of dryers is a fully automatic dual-bed design, which produces -40 F dewpoint air. Units come in beside-the-press, portable, and hopper-mount models.
Portable series features Arid-X automatic regenerating dryer, drying hopper, and closed-loop conveying system integrated on a compact castered floor frame. Only a small filterless receiver mounts to machine feed throat, eliminating heavy machine-mounted hoppers. Material changes are simplified because drying components are located on the floor. Dual-hopper models available for on-the-fly material changes.
New off-the-press mixing/drying system for virgin regrind and colorant, designed for quick material changes, mixes resins and colorant before conveyance to the molding machine. System has three hoppers and three augers for operating flexibility. Any auger not in use can be deactivated. System can be remotely located for dustless operation, especially important in a clean room molding environment. Hoppers and other components easily accessible from the floor for cleanout.
New microprocessor control has multiple regeneration control, which allows for select regeneration based on dewpoint, temperature, or time basis. Standard features include a -40 [degrees] F moisture monitor, seven-day timer, diagnostic functions, and RS232/SPI capability.
FLUID AIR INC.
Stainless-steel, batch fluid-bed dryers used for food, pharmaceuticals and fine chemicals. Models range up to 1450-liter batch size. Pilot facilities for feasibility testing available.
FOREMOST MACHINE BUILDERS INC.
Dehumidifying hopper dryers in a range of drying capacities. Design reportedly uses less electricity than conventional units for equivalent throughput. Features include crossflow regeneration for extremely low dewpoints with no spikes. Standard high-heat/PET models available. (See ad p. 329.)
GALA INDUSTRIES, INC.
Centrifugal dryer for up to 100,000 lb/hr of thermoplastics and elastomers. Drying process takes place in three phases. In the dewatering phase 90-95% of water is removed by impact and gravity. Vertical predewatering screens provide a large screen area in a small space. In the impact phase product is forced spirally upward from the bottom to the top of the rotor area, reducing water content to between 0.5-1.0%. Final phase takes place in the upper part of the rotor area as dry air passes through the spiraling product. Surface moisture of nil to 0.5% can be reached on most smooth, warm products. Dryers feature stainless-steel construction, quick cleanup, low noise, and need only a small area for installation. Options include agglomerate catcher, exhaust blower, pellet-free rotor, inlet and outlet inspection window, wear-resistant coating and heavy-duty construction for abrasive polymers, air heaters, and pellet water tanks. (See ad p. 157.)
GRUENBERG OVEN
Granulate dryers up to 500 F, with a uniformity of [+ or -]9 [degrees] F, available in truckload or shelf-load design. Standard stainless-steel interiors, continuously welded liners, and HEPA filtration prevent contamination. Optional explosion-resistant design and customization available.
HAMILTON AVTEC INC.
Accudry dehumidifying dryers for critical drying applications, and the 2000 series hot-air dryers for nonhygroscopic applications.
Ten models of automatic desiccant dryers use a molecular-sieve desiccant to trap moisture within a closed drying system. Several desiccant cartridges are provided, which are periodically indexed to a regeneration cycle. Programmable microprocessor controls provide LCD messages for initial settings and provide performance information and alarm conditions.
Hot-air dryers come with an integrated, stainless-steel-lined drying hopper that mounts on the processing machine. Floor-mounted models available. Seven models provide drying ranges from a few lb/hr to more than 1000 lb/hr, depending on material type. An airflow regulator balances blower cfm for drying efficiency.
HYDRECLAIM CORP.
Hydra-Dry dehumidifying drying systems feature a single rotary, molecular-sieve desiccant honeycomb wheel offering lower energy consumption, smaller size, lower stable dewpoint capability, and efficient use of desiccant material. Reportedly eliminate desiccant dusting and control laminar airflow with minimal pressure drop through desiccant. Lower maintenance with fewer moving parts, no temperature blips, and no valves. Easy troubleshooting. (See ad p. 340.)
IMS CO.
Three styles of hopper dryers for use at the press include model HAD751 low-cost, hot-air unit for use with nonhygro-scopic materials that can serve more than one press. Model MD75050 refrigerant/hot-air dryer suitable for many hygroscopic materials. RD-Series desiccant dryers use four rotating desiccant beds for consistent low dewpoint. A variety of convection, refrigerant/hot-air dehumidifying and desiccant-type drying ovens also available. (See ads pp. 22, 315.)
K-TRON NORTH AMERICA
Full line of central dehumidifying dryers, as well as machine-dependent dryers. Colortronic dehumidified-air dryers dry granular thermoplastics to lowest residual moisture content possible regardless of atmospheric conditions. Dryers are said to achieve good drying results with minimum energy requirement. Standard insulated drying hoppers further reduce energy costs. Continuous dewpoint sensing also saves energy by regenerating desiccant only when necessary. Dryers use stainless-steel heating elements for longer life and cast desiccant beds for efficient air flow. Fixed internal piping (no hoses) improves reliability and reduces maintenance.
LABOTEK INC.
New Mobile Central Desiccant Dryers (DDM-V) allow for multiple hoppers for drying different resins at the same time. Features includes PLC controls, individual temperature control of drying hoppers from PLC, drying hopper volumes from 0.35 to 3.18 cu ft. Units reach a dewpoint of -40 [degrees] C, final moisture content below 0.02%, and drying temperature range of 140-355 F.
Desiccant Dryer/Loaders (DDL) combine loading, desiccant drying, and automatic regeneration in one compact unit. Features a floor-mounted control panel with functions displayed by graphics and light signals. Residual moisture levels down to 0.02% are achieved. Units operate on low power, have hopper-magnet shut-off slide valve, discharge valve for easy material change, and come in nine sizes. Also DDL-HT for drying PET bottle resins to moisture levels of 0.002%.
Mobile Desiccant Dryer/Loaders (DDM) combine in one mobile unit the dryer, desiccant, automatic regeneration, and automatic conveying of dried material to process machine using predried hot air. Special discharge fitting acts as level control on process machine hopper. DDM can feed two process machines at the same time. Available in three sizes with the Con-Evator three-phase hopper loader.
Desiccant Central Dryer (DCD) dries one or more granular materials to less than 0.02% moisture in one or more drying hoppers using a central power pack, which comes in six sizes. Hoppers have individual heaters and temperature controllers, making it possible to dry different materials at the same time.
LITTLEFORD DAY, INC.
Product dryers and drying systems for resin powders, pigments, pellets and other particulates in conjunction with mixing, blending, processing and reaction. Vertical conical Mark II processor/mixer drying systems can handle up to 1400 cu ft/batch. Jacketed, vacuum or pressure designs available.
LYDON BROTHERS CORP.
Three standard electrically heated, resin-tray drying ovens include model 1330-1-T3, 12-tray small lab unit with average capacity of 100 lb; model 1330-2-T3, medium 24-tray unit with 150-lb average capacity; and model 1330-5-T3, 40-tray unit with capacity up to 600 lb.
Standard systems include indication of temperature to 350 F, timer, and high limit. Options available to customize ovens to the process, including desiccant systems, dewpoint instruments, recorders, chillers and filtration.
MATSUI AMERICA, INC.
DMZ drying systems feature desiccant rotor that spins and regenerates continuously, constantly feeding fresh desiccant to process. The resulting supply of stable, low dewpoint air substantially increases dryer performance, according to company. Other features include short 1-2 hr start-ups for quicker material changes; lifetime dessicant, which eliminates replacement, bad product produced by wornout beds, and costly downtime; and standard high-quality stainless-steel drying hopper, after-cooler, and microprocessor control. Systems reportedly reduce energy consumption by 15% to 45%.
MOTAN, INC.
Drying systems custom designed to meet specific material processing needs to help maximize flexibility and productivity. Available in various configurations ranging from beside-the-press portable systems to high-capacity central systems. Components feature insulated drying bins with full sightglasses and purge-valve kits that use company's self-cleaning valve design. Modular design permits phased installations and upgrades.
Drying bins are easy to clean and maintain. Process air enters through a solid diffuser cone into a screenless, smooth receiver interior. Central bins have a corrosion-free stainless-steel skin that won't chip or flake. Each bin is fitted with an individual booster heater and microprocessor temperature controller, which allows drying of dissimilar materials at varying temperatures. Large LED process temperature readouts and interlocks between booster heater and dryer controls make system operation safe and easy.
NISSUI CORP.
Mach I microwave dryer dries material from within. Energy costs and drying time are reportedly reduced by 50% when compared with conventional methods. Dryer crystallizes PET in the drying process.
Dezat dryer does not use a desiccant bed and is easy to clean with less time lost for changeover.
NOVATEC INC.
Offers a wide range of dryer and hopper configurations as standard, and also designs custom systems. Electromechanical controls with a solid-state PID temperature controller are standard. A choice of microprocessor controllers available as options.
Machine or floor mounted hopper/dryer packages with capacities from 15 to 50 lb/hr utilize a dual-tower process with fully automatic regeneration. Modular stainless-steel hoppers are standard in either insulated or noninsulated versions. Optional microprocessor controls available with 40-character alphanumeric LCD or 40-character alphanumeric vacuum-fluorescent display.
Series of self contained portable drying and conveying systems with closed-loop material conveying and J.I.T. vacuum receivers available in 15-, 25- and 50-lb/hr configurations.
Floor-mounted drying systems with capacities from 50 to 4000 lb/hr and hopper capacities from 200 to over 20,000 lb may be equipped with optional microprocessor controller, which has an 80-character alphanumeric vacuum fluorescent display that monitors and controls 51 drying functions, displaying verbal messages and corrective actions. Other features include a "help" key, pass-code access and a Quick-Set menu, which allows preprogramming of drying parameters for up to 10 different resins.
Complete line of central drying systems from 40 to 4000 lb/hr for custom drying multiple materials at different temperatures and throughputs simultaneously. A central dryer provides guaranteed -40 F dewpoint air via a custom-designed closed-loop air distribution manifold system to a series of multiple hoppers, each equipped with heater/ blower assemblies. Each heater/blower supplies individually heated dehumidified process air to a dedicated material hopper, and may be isolated or put in service as desired. (See ad p. 326.)
PLASTIC PROCESS EQUIPMENT INC.
Redesigned PPE P-161 dehumidifying hopper dryer offers an increased refrigeration unit rated at 5280 Btu/hr and is controlled by a PID digital temperature controller with dual LED readout that displays setpoint and actual discharge temperature reading. Other features include recessed control box built into unit, overheat safety switch that shuts off heat if temperature rises beyond 450 F, fuse-protected internal wiring, pressurized heating chamber with baffle to balance air flow over heating coil, washable intake filter, separate control switches for using unit without dehumi-differ in dry weather, standard 2-in. hose outlet connection, 7.5-kw Nicrome heating element, 1-hp blower, 4-in. mineral wool insulation, and 1/2-hp dehumidifier. (See ad p. 337.)
PLASTICS ANCILLARIES CORP.
Line of dryers, all with dual regenerating desiccant beds and fully insulated hoppers.
REGENCY SALES, INC.
Dehumidifying dryer has multidrying beds of molecular sieves which give a clean-drying low dewpoint (-40 F) without the aid of a chiller. Drying beds have a high void ratio and feature low pressure drop. Recirculating vacuum-type system accelerates drying to less than two hours on hygroscopic materials such as polycarbonate.
STOKES VACUUM INC.
Line of batch vacuum dryers and accessory equipment includes heating systems, vapor condensers, vacuum pumps, and controls. Conical vacuum dryers, used to dry materials and also to solid-state polyester chips from 0.6 to 1.1 I.V., available in standard sizes with working capacities from 3 to 500 cu ft.
SUNSPOT PRODUCTS CO.
Quick-Dry small-batch dryers can dry up to four materials at a time. System dries 5-35 lb/drum (55-lb drums optional).
TEW ELECTRIC HEATING EQUIPMENT (USA) INC.
Offers six models of hopper dryers with even heat distribution, accurate temperature controller, and capacities from 25 to 880 lb/hr. Dust-collector attachment available.
Also a double-desiccant, regenerating dehumidifying dryer that reduces moisture to -40 F dewpoint. Unit comes complete with snake cooler and 110-lb double-insulated hopper.
THORESON-MCCOSH INC.
Dri-Pak 12/24 compact hopper and dryer unit mounts on feed throat of injection molding machines. Comes in two sizes: 12 cfm unit with drying capacity of 12-15 lb/hr and hopper capacity of 48 lb at 35 cu ft bulk density; and 24 cfm unit with drying capacity of 24-30 lb/hr and hopper capacity of 100 lb.
Dryers feature a single-bed, single-blower system with high-pressure regenerative blower. System is "off-stream" for 11% of the total cycle time for regeneration. Airflow during the process cycle is increased so that average cfm is at least equal to the dryer rating. System has a microprocessor-controlled digital temperature display. Insulated hoppers for both sizes are optional.
Also line of resin dryers matched to hoppers that uniformly expose resin to drying air includes TD series desiccant dryers in 16 models with airflows from 12 to 2000 cfm. Units feature indexing, three-bed design with closed process-air circuit. Design allows in-process cool-down of the regenerated bed with recovery of residual regeneration heat and cool-down with the dry process stream rather than with ambient air. Optional Tech II microprocessor control has seven-day timer with battery backup, display of operating parameters, alarms and system-operating diagnostics.
Hot-air or "H" series dryers available in 11 sizes with airflows from 12 to 2000 cfm. Units heat and circulate air through the resin, removing any surface moisture, and are for use on nonhygroscopic materials. Often used to remove condensation from materials brought into a warm plant from cold storage. (See ad p. 332.)
UNIVERSAL DYNAMICS INC.
DHD series dehumidifying hopper dryers with process airflow up to 3000 cfm and low dewpoint to -40 F. Units have minimum of moving parts; quick-access clamps provide easy access in minutes to the regeneration heater, process heater, and desiccant beds. Designed for safety and efficiency, heater packages utilize tubular elements, double-wall construction and insulation. Tubular heaters with low-watt density increase heater life. Multiple elements allow the heater to operate when an individual heater fails. DHD series comes with Omni II-E microprocessor control. Three expanded versions of closed-loop microprocessors optionally available, all with SPI communications protocol capabilities. Hoppers range in capacity from 300 to 12,000 lb.
Also UDC series dehumidifying hopper dryers in four models ranging from 30 to 150 cfm. Standard features include microprocessor controls, stainless-steel and aluminum internal components, mirror finish stainless exterior, digital dewpoint monitor, and SPI communications protocol. Standard configurations include hopper mount, floor mount with process air heater located in dryer enclosure, or floor mount with process air heater mounted remotely on the hopper for optimum efficiency. Dryers complement modular hoppers and combine to create modular drying systems in a variety of configurations. (See ad p. 345.)
WALTON-STOUT, INC.
Dehumidifying desiccant dryers with microprocessor controller feature dew-points of -40 F; electronic temperature control; process-air filter with cyclone and cartridge; cycle rates of 8, 12, and 16/hr; no moving parts except two four-way valves in the blowers; hopper clean-out door and large sight glass; 20 through 3000 cfm size range with hopper capacities to 12,000 lb; direct-drive fans; location of desiccant inside towers and heaters outside in separate boxes; and drawer-type process-air heaters mounted externally.
Microprocessor-based control panel available with complete graphic presentation. Panel controls and monitors all dryer functions. Process-air temperature selected manually and then precisely maintained with solid-state electronic temperature control.
Also hot-air dryers and preheater units for use with nonhygroscopic materials from 85 through 3000 cfm. Units have solid-state electronic temperature controls. Process heaters, mounted externally, are drawer-type that slide in and out. All units are compact, accessible from the exterior, and furnished with direct-drive fan.
WHITLOCK
See AEC/Whitlock.
THE WITTE CO., INC.
Continuous, vibrating fluid-bed dryer consists of a totally enclosed vessel with a porous conveying surface that permits air or gas to pass up through the vibrating bed of material, resulting in maximum air contact with particle surfaces for efficient drying, while still maintaining first-in/first-out retention. Other features include ease of cleaning and gentle handling of product for zero to negligible particle degradation.
WYSSMONT CO., INC.
Turbo-Dryer has only two moving parts: tray/shelf assembly and fan assembly, both rotating independently in a fixed sealed housing.
Wet feed enters the Turbo-Dryer through a feed chute in the roof of the housing and flows onto the first shelf. Shelves are circular with cut-out center and radial slots and are rigidly mounted on an inner supporting frame, forming a vertical stack, which rotates slowly as a unit. Material flows onto each shelf from the one above, forming a pile. The rotation of the tray/shelf assembly carries the pile past a stationary blade set to level the pile to fill the tray at a uniform height. At the end of a revolution, the tray segment meets a second stationary blade set to wipe the tray clean of material. Material is held stationary by the wiper blade, while the tray continues its rotation. Material flows through the radial slot onto the shelf below, where the cycle is repeated. Material progresses downward from shelf to shelf through the dryer and is discharged through a chute in the housing bottom.
Air or other drying medium is fed to the Turbo-Dryer through a side-mounted vertical manifold with control dampers. Air movement inside the dryer is provided by centrifugal fans mounted on a single vertical shaft. Fan assembly fits in the center of the shelf assembly, rotating independently of the shelves. Drying medium leaves the dryer through a roof exhaust.
Turbo-Dryer housing, totally sealed, encloses and supports both tray/shelf and fan assemblies; supports stationary parts of the dryer, wipers and levelers; and consists of a metal frame and insulated side panels, roof, and bottom.
Robots
PRODUCT LINES REVIEWED
ABB ROBOTICS INC.
CMR high-speed, general-purpose, jointed-arm robots with nonlubricating cylinders have dual vertical guide rods and flexible end-of-arm tooling kits, which are sized for the application. Remote operator pendant, air-valve indicator lights for sequence monitoring, and microprocessor control are standard. Other features include linear bearings, adjustable strip stroke, and shock-absorber positive stops that meet SPI safety standards. Units sized for mounting on 50- through 3000-ton injection molding machines.
CMP sprue/runner pickers have a fast take-out time of 0.7 to 2.0 sec, gripper runner sensing, and remote solidstate controls and feature rotation adjustable to 90 [degrees], 100% parts separation, two motion sequences, and mold protection circuitry.
AEC/APPLICATION AUTOMATION
Broad selection of robots from XL series sprue pickers to heavy-duty, top-mounted and side-entry traversing Titan series. Pneumatic or motor-driven axes with a wide range of controllers, expert tooling design and construction, factory installation, maintenance training, part support and total system capability. Over 50 different models (two new in 1994) for injection molding machines from 15 to 4000 tons.
New Phaser series traverse robots with three-axis motor drive handle payloads to 22 lb on 75-700 ton machines. Three-axis motor drive with encoders provides multiple-stop capability and precise positioning. Units include two pressure grip circuits, vacuum grip circuit, platen mounting spacer, and 90 [degrees] wrist flip with 110 inch pounds of torque.
Standard Phaser PLC control programmed with hand-held control pendant with touch keypad and display screen. Interactive software includes sub-menus for easy operation, plus diagnostics, program error alerts and help screens.
Phaser also available with full CNC servo control. Mechanical options include additional grip/nipper circuits, telescopic vertical stroke, 90 [degrees] or 180 [degrees] A-axis wrist rotation and below centerline part release.
New compact Interceptor series is designed for 700- to 2000-ton machines and payloads up to 50 lb. Three-axis motor drive unit has standard two-stage telescoping arm with rack and pinion drive and secondary belt drive. Designed for tight spaces, unit requires minimal overhead clearance and has a compact wrist and arm to help reduce mold open distance. Below-centerline part placement, two pressure grip circuits, venturi vacuum kit, 90 [degrees] wrist flip, and platen mounting spacer are standard.
Interceptors available with two control/drive options, which include a teachable PLC control package utilizing frequency motors with encoder positioning, along with preprogrammed movements and sequences. Three-axis CNC servo control system option available for complex sequences, including part stacking and palletizing. (See ad below.)
AIRLOCK MANUFACTURING CO.
Gantry-type robots used for loading charges into vertical compression presses and unloading molded parts; feeding thermoplastic sheet blanks into a pre-heated oven; and transferring parts from station to station in post-molding operations.
ALLIANCE AUTOMATION SYSTEMS
Specializes in engineered manufacturing systems, including design and construction of automated turnkey injection molding systems. Offers complete system integration for manufacturing, assembly, testing, welding and plastic molding, including robotic assembly and test system integration, robot cell installations, and vision-guided robotic systems. Engineering services, project management and planning assistance provided.
APPLICATION AUTOMATION
See AEC/Application Automation.
ASI ROBOTIC SYSTEMS
Gantry-style CNC controller systems with up to six axes of motion for high-pressure waterjet cutting, laser cutting, adhesive dispensing, pick-and-place, and welding. Turnkey system integration for all processes available.
ATM AUTOMATION
Designs and installs robotic and downstream automation systems for injection molding. Range of robotic equipment covers functions from simple sprue/parts removal to sophisticated programmable operations in several axes. Can be electrically or pneumatically driven.
Standard line of robots for injection molding machines from 20 to 2000 tons includes sprue pickers; vertical-entry, three-axis pick-and-place robots; and side,entry pick-and-place robots. Units available in all-pneumatic models, all-electric drive models, or a combination of pneumatics on the arm and head with electric drive on the beam.
EX-2000 series all-electric robot with advanced PLC-controlled electric drives offers versatile programming capability and standard a-c motors.
Specializes in custom automation systems, including installation for insert molding feedup, downstream operations such as degating and deflashing, inspection and weighing procedures, bending, closing, sorting, labelling, counting, packing, and onward conveying. Total turnkey systems designed, built and installed.
AUTOGRIP INC.
Take-out robots under a technology sharing agreement with Pioneer Industrial Corp. of Taiwan. Robotec line includes eight sizes of traversing robots for presses up to 2000-ton clamp force, and two sizes of swing-type pickers for presses to 400 tons. Custom tooling, degating stations and beside-the-press automation machinery work in conjunction with robots.
AUTOMATED ASSEMBLIES CORP.
Manufactures and distributes flexible, robot-based automation systems for injection molding. Exclusive North American distributor of Sailor part-removal and runner-removal robots and Seiko robots. IBM manufacturing system integrator.
AUTOMATION EQUIPMENT CO.
Gantry robot for machine loading/unloading and carton palletizing with pneumatic and servo electric drive, and end-of-arm tooling. Handles weights from a few pounds to several hundred pounds.
BATTENFELD OF AMERICA
Unirob linear part extractors are independently operable, multiple-axis, general-purpose parts-handling devices for use on various injection molding machines in a variety of plant automation applications.
Line includes standard units with parts-handling capabilities of approx. 22, 45, and 100 lb. Custom-engineered units available for more than 200 lb. Standard for smaller units are programmable, electrically driven primary axes, together with pneumatic auxiliary axes. Servo-driven primary and auxiliary axes optionally available to meet more demanding parts-handling requirements. Primary-axis drives utilize linear bearings with planetary gearing arrangements in conjunction with gear belts or gear racks for reliability and low maintenance. Depending on the application, traverse stroke length and part weight, units available with either a single mounting pedestal or two mounting pedestals to provide a gantry-like parts-handling device for maximum part-placement flexibility.
BERMER TOOL & DIE, INC.
Automation equipment for injection molding includes standard and custom mold wipers, sprue pickers and part-removal units.
BUCHER, INC. SUB. OF BUCHER-GUYER
Robots especially adapted for thermoset injection molded part removal and for loading inserts into horizontal thermoset injection molding machines from 100 to 1000 tons, and for single- or multiple-cavity molds.
Thermoset part-removal robots include air-blast circuits and controls for separate flash removal from the fixed and movable half of the mold while parts are being removed. Can be combined with degating devices beside the press.
Insert-loading systems custom designed for high-production, fully automatic molding. Systems include vibratory feeding, insert loading to multiple-cavity transfer tools and insertion into the open mold. Typical product application is the loading of copper shells for motor commutators into 16-cavity tools for total cycle times of 50 seconds.
CARLISLE MACHINE WORKS, INC.
Pick-and-place, gantry, SCARA and six-axis articulated robots for containers. Robo-Packer gantry robot packs bottles in cartons to 30 x 30 x 30 in. with a cycle time of 6-8 sec. Bottles can be placed vertically, base down or up, horizontally, or in combination. Rows can be nested. Sheet cutter allows for sheets between rows. Slipsheet inserter provides slip, sheets between levels. System adaptable to other products.
CBW AUTOMATION
T-190 "Slingshot" take-out robot, which automatically removes molded parts, is built from sophisticated space-age composites. It weighs less than 3 lb, travels at 44 ft/sec and completes a 42-in. stroke in 150 millisec. Designed to hand off parts to the secondary transfer unit, which then has a full cycle time to perform the transfer function. Suited to mul-ticavity molds with hot-runner systems and cycle times from 4-15 sec.
CONAIR MARTIN THE CONAIR GROUP
Manufactures extensive line of robots and sprue pickers, and distributes French-built Sepro robots under Conair Sepro name, and Japanese-built Harmo robots under Conair Harmo.
Grabber cam-operated part-separation robots are for 28- to 500-ton injection machines. Positive part separation and runner removal with minimum 3-sec cycle time. Cam system synchronized to machine platen movements.
Zip Cam cam-operated series removes parts up to 15 lb from 100- to 500-ton injection machines at a minimum cycle time of 8 sec. Robots orient parts removed. Fast end-of-arm tooling changes.
Indy beam-style robots for parts removal and multiple post-molding functions handle parts to 50 lb from 500- to 1500-ton injection machines. Microprocessor-controlled units are good for deep-draw parts and insert molding. Quick end-of-arm and sequence change-over features. Safety interlocking and broad selection of horizontal, vertical, and strip designs.
Quantum beam robots are an economical solution for presses to 500 tons. Units have extruded aluminum kick frame and vertical arm to minimize on-machine weight while maintaining rigidity for removing parts up to 20 lb. Three-axis, pneumatic operation. Sophisticated Mitsubishi FX control is teach programmable with program storage through a remote pendant. Diagnostics included. Selection of four vertical strokes from 28 to 40 in., and three horizontal strokes of 72-, 84-, and 98-in.
Conair Sepro robots for machines from 100 to 5000 tons have a variety of control options, including CNC. Feature maintenance-free, a-c brushless servo motors. Include user-friendly alphanumeric display. Up to 98 programs can be stored. Downloading to and from a PC and/or central computer network is optional.
Sepro PIP 150 single-beam, three-axis unit (five-axis optional) designed for medium loads. Long strip and horizontal strokes add increased flexibility. Placement accuracy within 0.004 in. Provide simultaneous operation of multiple axes.
Conair Harmo robots include the small part/runner removal EX series for 10- to 500-ton injection machines. Takeout times of 0.6 to 1.4 sec. Feature adjustable height and main-arm safety-lock, and microprocessor controls with digital set times.
Harmo FX high-speed part/runner, pick-and-place units feature a pendant control with remote-stroke axis adjustment and optional remote vertical-stroke motion adjustment to eliminate climbing onto machine to readjust "stop" positions. Five models fit machines from 20 to 500 tons and parts to 4.4 lb. Minimum part-removal cycle times from 3.2 to 4.2 sec. As a sprue picker, take-out times as short as 0.6 sec. Positive verification of runner/part removable.
Harmo beam-style robots include HIM up-and-out, traverse style units suitable for 40 [degrees] to 500-ton machines. Accommodate up to five discharge locations in any of three planes. HIM-150 for 40- to 150-ton machines and part weights to 11 lb has electric drive for the horizontal axis, telescoping vertical arm, hand-held programmer, and two control options. Minimum take-out time is 1.4 sec; minimum cycle time is 9.0 sec.
New HE beam robots for presses up to 500 tons have horizontal axis electric dive, remote kick stroke and vertical stroke adjustment, and a hand-held teach pendant for the KG 204 control with 20-program storage and diagnostics. Payloads of 11 or 22 lb depending on model.
Harmo HCR pneumatic pick-and-place robots for molding machines from 40 to 80 tons include HCR-100S with one arm for part removal from two-plate molds. HCR-100G includes two arms: a main arm for part removal from three-plate molds and a sub-arm for simultaneous sprue removal. Both units include venturi vacuum systems and two-part grip circuits for parts weighing up to 6.6 lb without wrist flip or to 4.4 lb with wrist flip. Two types of controllers available.
ELECTRA FORM, INC.
Post-mold cooling systems for rapid removal and handling of PET preforms reduce cycle time and increase productivity. Available in side-out or top-out models. With end-of-arm tooling capabilities for 16-, 24-, 32-, and 48-cavity pre-form molds, systems are adaptable to many injection molding machines.
ENGEL CANADA INC. ENGEL MACHINERY INC.
Part- and sprue-removal equipment for injection molding machines from 35 to 4000 tons.
ERC robots for machines from 60 to 4000 tons are high precision, high speed servo robots with a rugged yet dynamic mechanical structure, maintenance-free a-c servo dives, simultaneous movement of all linear and rotary axes, and a freely-programmable teach program for position, speed, time, and I/O control. Portable teach pendant with LCD display allows for easy, complete robot setup from within a 24-foot radius of operator interface station.
ERC software minimizes robot travel time by calculating the shortest point-to-point travel distance. A user-defined robot work area prevents the robot from colliding with the machine. System troubleshooting is facilitated by displaying machine and robot errors on the same screen. Data storage and retrieval of machine and robot parameters is done on the same floppy disk.
Options include nonstandard strokes on all linear axes, telescoping axes for plants with low ceiling heights, rotary modules for part orientation, end-of-arm tooling for part insertion and removal, and integration of up- or downstream peripheral equipment into robot control.
ERA sprue picker designed for machines from 35 to 100 tons features three pneumatic axes and removes lightweight parts or sprues for placement inside or outside machine guarding. Controls may be integrated into the Engel control, accomplished via PC controller, or tied into a PLC control when picker is not dedicated to one machine only.
ER-TL robots, dedicated to Engel tiebarless machines from 35- to 85-ton clamp force, are designed to place parts and/or sprues on a conveyor integrated in machine frame. The side-entry-type units feature three pneumatically driven axes and have adjustable strokes to accommodate varying mold heights and part thicknesses. (See ad p. 8; data sheets 98-101.)
HAMA USA INC.
HM-8000, HM-2000, and HM-4000 robots for injection molding gate cutting and case packing from Hama Corp. of Japan.
HM-8000 gate-cutting robot is available with four programmable axes. Detailed programming is possible through a microprocessor teaching box that allows storage of up to 20 programmed cutting procedures (each containing up to 90 individual process steps). Programs easily erased, altered or updated. Standard accessories include chuck head, pneumatic nipper unit with one standard blade, runner-position fixing jig, chute, photo sensor, air regulator, stand with casters and stabilizers, emergency stop, and acrylic safety guards. Options include an eight-bin rotary divider, four-chute traversing divider, twin nippers with double chutes, special nippers for engineering plastics, heated nipper with hydraulic system, and a picker interlocking system.
HM-2000 caser robot offers complete automation from box feed through multilayer packing to a discharge conveyor. It is synchronized through an interlocking system to work with a traversing picker-and-pin or submarine-gate molder. Standard accessories include microprocessor teaching box for up to two programs (each containing up to 30 steps), control panel, feeding conveyor, discharging roller conveyor, layer cardboard stocker and feeder, lifting table, vacuum or grip head, casters and stabilizers, emergency stop, alarm system with signal lights and buzzer, and air regulator. An overnight "no-man" control system with box-feeding and box-stacking devices is optional.
HM-4000 bottle-casing robot, designed for packing any size and any shape of blow molded bottles at rates to 100 bottles/min and stacking in corrugated carton boxes or shippers, can pack in staggered rows of any number and be programmed to pack more bottles in one row and less in another. Layer material can be placed over each layer of bottles and multiple layers of bottles packed in each box. Robot can be reprogrammed for new packing plans, with changeover time of less than two hr. Unit comes complete with empty box in-feed conveyor and a packed box exit conveyor, allowing unattended fully automatic packing. Minicomputer control allows multiple packing-job programs to be stored.
HITECH ACCOPE INDUSTRIES, INC.
Robots specifically designed for vertical compression presses. A carriage telescopes into the open daylight, carrying new material charges in with it. Loading of phenolic, melamine, or polyester BMC materials accomplished with load cups or loading boards. Granular or preform load systems available. Charge placement in the mold can be precise when using preforms or BMC charges. Company's BMC extruder can be used to presize polyester BMC for loading. Preheating systems available for phenolics and melamines, as well as other thermosets. An air blast or optional brushes are used for mold cleaning. Part removal accomplished after ejection from the top or bottom by suction cups, grippers, comb, or drop board. Parts normally sensed to ensure a clean mold before loading takes place. Molded parts can then be sequenced for further processing. Robot is interchangeable between presses and is mounted on wheels for easy removal for mold changes and maintenance.
HUSKY INJECTION MOLDING SYSTEMS
A range of robots and product-handling equipment for injection molding. Robots in side-entry and top-entry styles with up to five axes of motion. Dive options include manual, air, electric and servo. Units available for payloads to 550 lb for machines from 150 to 4000 tons. Can accept existing end-of-arm tooling or customized tooling specific to the molding application. Also manufactured with water-cooled take-out plates that provide faster molding cycles by allowing parts to cool outside the mold.
High-speed side-entry robots have peak speeds of 26.3 ft/sec. A distance of 59 in. (1500 mm) can be completed in 0.35 sec, resulting in straight in/out time of 0.7 sec. Units suitable for high-volume applications, including thin-wall and technical applications for single-face or stack molds.
Top-entry injection molding robots with a turret-style base offer the flexibility of placing parts to either side of the press. Designed for longer presses and parts, units come in payload capacities of 55, 165 and 330 lb. Available with various stroke lengths and with pneumatic, a-c electric, or servomotor drives. Turret series is suited to removing deep-draw parts from large presses because its stroke is also used to strip parts from the mold. Robot works well with quick-mold-change systems, because it can be retracted clear of the inside face of the stationary platen.
IMS CO.
Four low-cost pneumatic mold sweeps for automatic, high-speed knockout of part and runner or sprue. Heavy-duty units with stroke lengths of 17, 27, or 33 1/4 in. can also be used for automatic mold-release applications. Mini models designed for small presses to 14 oz. (See ads pp. 22, 315.)
ISI AUTOMATION PRODUCTS GROUP
Specializes in end-of-arm tooling and vacuum management systems for parts-handling robots. Standardized, off-the-shelf components are said to keep costs competitive.
ISI ROBOTICS
Supplies linear-coordinate robots for press loading and parts removal. Systems for vertical and horizontal injection and compression presses can have pneumatic and/or electric servo-driven axes, as well as wrist rotation when needed. Modular construction from standardized, off-the-shelf components is said to keep costs competitive. Company integrates complete systems from its own components and end-of-arm tooling from sister company ISI Automation Products (see above).
Also supplies automation systems for loading and unloading materials such as SMC and GMT in and out of large hydraulic vertical compression molding presses. For handling reinforced plastics, company provides part processing automation through cooling, routing, drilling, gluing and bonding stations as part of a complete thermoplastic manufacturing cell.
ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION
Variety of robots offered by Italian manufacturers.
KAWAGUCHI AMERICA, LTD.
K-Cut gate-cutting robot completes gate cutting and optional product sorting within injection molding cycle time. Unit has four-axis movement directed by a computer control system and easy-to-use teaching pendant for programming movements and steps of complete operation. Program can be easily revised for optimal speed, precision, sorting options, or any other desired change. An Auto Program function allows for automatic routine programming, leaving only the essential steps of an operation to be entered. K-Cut will store up to 20 product management programs and has a set-aside memory for copying pro, grams or recovering inadvertent deletions. Each program can contain up to 100 steps. Program memory protected by battery backup.
KFD SALES AND SERVICE, INC.
Remak robot systems range from sprue pickers to large gantry robots with payloads of 220 lb. New RX and RF series robots provide up to five-axis capability for use with injection molding presses from 50 to 400 tons. Other systems available with up to six axes for presses from 400 to 4500 tons used in automotive and appliance industries.
MARK II AUTOMATION, INC.
Automated part- and runner-removal equipment for injection molding machines includes Eagle EC sprue pickers; ES heavy-duty, swing-type removers for part or runner removal; and EL traverse, type units. All models fully pneumatic, mounted on top of the stationary platen for fast and consistent part or runner removal. Servo electric drives optional on EL series. Standard sizes range from 18 to 25 in. on the EC series for presses up to about 200 tons, and 18 to 40 in. of vertical stroke on ES series for machines to 750 tons. EL units include standard models with up to 72-in. vertical stroke arid 96-in. traverse stroke for automation of presses to 2000 tons. Larger units for higher tonnage machines also provided. All units include microprocessor control of the remover and interface to the molding machine. Controller allows quick setups and flexibility for short-run molding. Eagle units designed and manufactured in the U.S., utilizing standard American-made components.
MARVEL EQUIPMENT CORP.
Offers Wemhoner Anlagen turnkey automation systems for compression molding of SMC and reinforced thermoplastics (GMT). Builds press loaders/unloaders, transfer robots, magazine feeders for blanks of SMC or GMT sheet, and complete systems integration.
S.T. MONFORTE ROBOTICS, INC.
Model R12 five-axis articulated robot arm system with 2.2 lb payload and 26-in. arm extension for applications in packaging, small-parts handling, pharmaceuticals, assembly, masking, gluing, testing, inspection, quality control and gauging.
Model R15 three-to-five axis cartesian track robot system with a 4.4 to 48 lb payload (configuration dependent) and a 2-40 ft closed-loop extension. Applications include conveyorized manufacturing, assembly, clean-room, packaging, pharmaceuticals, wet-bench, gluing, painting, water jet, laser, palletizing, materials handling, and machine loading.
Model R17 five-axis articulated arm system with an 8.8-lb payload, 31.5-in. closed-loop reach. Applications include packaging, loading, assembly, pharmaceuticals, gluing, testing, spraying, quality control, and hazardous environments.
All systems come complete with a K11R controller, hand-held teach pendants, manuals, hoses, cables, Roboforth II software, and RS232 interface. Voice control and other options available.
MOTOMAN
Provides robots, machine vision, advanced sensors, and turnkey solutions for broad range of automation applications including assembly, dispensing, laser cutting and welding, material cutting, material handling, material removal, painting, surface finishing, thermal coating and welding.
Of the 35 models available, K10S and K10MSB are used for trimming in water-jet cutting applications such as automotive interior components and sports equipment components. Other applications include part handling and trimming of injection molded parts. In large composite parts robots are utilized for routing and drilling items such as automotive bumpers, bathtubs, water sports equipment, and track cabs.
PAXON AUTOMATION, INC.
Traverse-type robot arms for injection machines from 50 to 3000 tons have microprocessor controls that provide selections of multiple sequences and traverse midpoint positioning, as well as programmed deceleration. Quick-disconnect air fittings aid quick changes of end-of-arm tooling. Sprue pickers for 15- to 500-ton conveyors and custom automation systems also supplied.
SP sprue pickers includes SP-450 for injection presses from 25 to 150 tons with minimum cycle time of 3 sec and max. payload of 3.5 lb. SP-650 for presses from 150 to 300 tons has a minimum cycle time of 3.5 sec and max. payload of 11 lb. It has a two-stage vertical cylinder for increased stability and low overhead clearance. Other features include dual guide tubes, multiple sequence selection and thumbwheel timer controls. Optional 90 [degrees] flip wrist and vacuum system.
PEERLESS AUTOMATION CO.
UHS vertical-arm parts-remover robot uses a telescopic arm to increase speed while decreasing required space. Robot is mounted on a boom that can be moved from the mold area during changeovers and offers three-speed movement to allow for slowdowns in and out of the mold area and gentle release of product. It reportedly can move twice as fast as many other robots, while requiring half the space. Is particularly well suited to plants with low ceilings. The pneumatically controlled unit is said to have a low vibration along its three axes of movement.
PENTEL OF AMERICA, LTD.
Three types of insert molding robotic systems: HR50M and HR50E, horizontal jointed robots for vertical molding machines; and CR90, x-y-z coordinate-type for horizontal molding machines.
HR50M supports heavy workpiece and robot fingers. Z axis equipped with company's NC stopper method and controls multiple work surfaces to different heights. HR50E is designed for higher speed. A slim body further shortens cycle time.
CR90 x-y-z coordinate robot features a long insert stroke into the mold unit that enables handling a wide range of small- to medium-size parts.
PLASTIC PROCESS EQUIPMENT, INC.
Sentry I Automatic Mold Sweep with stroke length from 2 to 27 in. Access and egress are variable in speed - 0.8 sec. minimum. Solid-state circuitry operates all electrical and pneumatic functions. Only moving part is the sweep arm, so that no foreign contaminants enter the process cycle. Sentry I has multiple mounting points for easy adaptation to any molding machine and weighs only 35 lb. Manual mode can be used to guarantee synchronization with operation cycle. Safety circuit prevents the mold from closing if sweep arm is not in full-up position. (See ad p. 337.)
PRESSFLOW ROBOTS, INC.
Sprue pickers and traverse-style pick-and-place robots for injection molding. End-of-arm tooling for robots, as well as related downstream equipment, designed and built in U.S.
Proline robots used on 50 [degrees] to 3000-ton molding machines. Apex sprue pickers can be used on 500 to 500-ton machines. Units available with three different configurations of control systems to best fit needs. Software is custom-tailored.
Custom-built end-of-arm tooling can include special requirements such as 180 [degrees] wrist turns, degates, and thermoset molding.
RAM CENTER, INC.
Simplicity robots for injection molding have three axes of motion in addition to tool rotation. Traverse provides smooth motion via d-c stepper drive with closed-loop position control. Servo drives are optional on traverse and vertical axes, while pneumatic is standard on the vertical and stripper. Units feature a user-friendly touchscreen operator interface supported by a control package, which includes a Pro Log computer for flexibility and programmability.
Complete integration services, including tooling design and manufacturing, programming, installation and service. Auxiliary equipment such as degators, stackers and conveyors can be integrated. Also offers Fanuc robotics integration for assembly, painting and surface finishing automation systems.
REIS MACHINES, INC.
Range of general-purpose, jointed-arm industrial robots range in lift capacities from ounces to 170 lb. Offers both floor-mounted units and overhead mounts, which can be attached directly to the stationary platen of injection machines. Specializes in complete turnkey automation systems full responsibility from pre-engineering to start-up.
SEIKO INSTRUMENTS USA INC.
Robotics/Automation Div. offers full line of industrial precision assembly robots, including Scara series of cylindrical and cartesian units.
SMI AUTOMATION INC.
Manufactures custom automation equipment and also represents CRS Robotics and Yamaha robots and end-of-arm tooling. CRS Robotics robots feature three sizes of articulating robots with up to 11-lb payload capacity. Yamaha robots include Cartesian and Scara robots in various sizes with 6- to 100-lb payload capacity.
Custom automated equipment features indexing dial table construction for either manual or automatic loading. Wide variety of parts can be processed or assembled by custom-designed equipment. Offers complete concept, design and manufacturing capabilities.
Other products include SMI Merlin pick-and-place units with controller, and SMI Merlin servo torque and angle auto screw drive systems.
STAR AUTOMATION INC. (S.A.I.)
U.S. arm of Japanese firm offering automated traverse robot and sprue pickers for injection molding. Included in product line are automated guided vehicles, automated palletizers, and precision assembly robots.
Patented two-stage, synchronized, belt-driven product-removal arm is manufactured with an a-c servo-electric motor and pneumatic cylinders. Robot uses a microprocessor controller to remove, stack and box parts. Precise and flexible end-of-arm-tool (EOAT) is attached to the lower portion of the arm to remove parts and degate runners from the parts. EOAT may comprise air nippers, cylinders and suction assemblies; and can be adapted for difficult part-removal jobs.
STERLING-DETROIT CO.
Topper Robotarms are adaptable with other production equipment or secondary tooling and available in three styles for use with horizontal injection molding presses from 75 to 450 tons.
Model FWR, an economical unit of fixed-wrist design, mounts on the stationary platen of the molding press and requires minimal over-machine working space to extract shots up to 30 lb from single- or multiple-cavity molds.
Model WRT high-speed, swivel-type unit mounts directly on the machine's stationary platen and features 45-60 [degrees] of swivel motion that permits the unit to extract a part, lower or re-extend itself, release the grip, and discharge the part onto a workstation, conveyor or chute. Can be equipped with optional rotating wrist that allows a part to be captured and rotated in the discharge position.
Model SM, similar to model WRT but is of linear (square matrix) configuration, which allows the unit to shuttle laterally with a square or linear motion. It also mounts on the press platen.
All Topper units equipped with standard hydraulic or air-operated grippers, and with optional vacuum systems or "spring fingers." Units utilize standard electrical relay controls and JIC machine,tool components.
Custom designs robotic SMC charge loaders, insert loaders, and parts unloaders for vertical compression molding presses.
STERLTECH DIV., STERLING, INC.
Offers line of automation equipment for injection molding. Part and sprue removal robots, assembly, decorating and packaging equipment are provided for the design of complete automation systems.
S-Series sprue picker, designed for removal of parts or runners from the mold area of 25- to 700-ton machines, offers reliable, operator-friendly high-speed operation. A hand-held control pendant offers easy setup with diagnostics and preset sequence selections, and features "teach" capability, which allows sequences to be custom designed. Long-stroke units feature telescoping vertical arm for reduced overhead and increased speed.
Traverse-style robots available in various configurations from the three-axis all-pneumatic SAT series, Pulsar series and Meteor series, which utilize three-axis frequency drive with encoder positioning. Latter two series available with three-axis CNC servo drives and controls for further flexibility. Wide variety of end-of-arm tooling custom engineered for specific applications.
Complete installation, training, and service available. (See data sheet p. 385.)
SYSTEM GOSEWEHR USA
Offers line of German robots and automation systems for injection molding, which includes standalone robots, insert-loading units, parts removers, and turnkey systems for a range of products and downstream operations. Units range from simple all-pneumatic types to electric-drive units with CNC controls.
TAMPO TOOL, INC.
High-speed modular pick-and-place units for part loading and unloading available in one-, two- and three-axis configurations. Handle parts up to 8 lb at speeds to 50 cycles/min. Stroke lengths from 2 to 19.6 in. Sequence control either directly from injection-machine PLC or via independent "smart valves" with or without machine-triggered remote sensors.
TECHNICAL AUTOMATION INC.
Custom-designed, integrated robotic systems include assembly, vision, testing and inspection stations, vibratory feeders, and conveyor feeding.
Modular components for existing systems include pick-and-place, pallet transfer, test stations, feeders, and transfer equipment.
TOKICO (USA) INC.
Armstar robots designed for spray painting, finishing, blowoff/cleaning and seam-sealing applications. Robots operational worldwide in such diverse industries as automotive, electronics, appliances and plastics.
Supplies turnkey finishing systems with both hydraulic and electric-powered manipulators and microprocessor control, ancillary painting and sealing equipment, customer demonstrations, application engineering, installation, training, start-up, and spare-parts inventory.
VENTAX ROBOT INC.
Manufactures standard and custom robots, and automation systems. Top- and side-entry robots available for injection molding machines from 30 to 3000 tons. Upstream and downstream equipment can be designed to perform all necessary functions.
Pneumatic, a-c electric gearmotor and a-c servomotor drives available on robot axes in combinations that best suit application.
Some custom automation applications supplied include insert loading of automotive and medical components, stacking of parts, tray changers, parts packaging and assembly stations, and complete workcells.
Engineering and service support available.
WELLTEC U.S.A., INC.
Cosmo line of sprue-picker and traversing robots in wide range of models. Sprue and parts-removal A/F series accommodates injection molding machines from 50 to 350 tons. Robots feature hard-chrome-plated guide rods with oilless brushes to ensure low-maintenance operation, electro/pneumatic rotary drive for precise control, and hand-held programming unit for quick and easy setup.
Cosmo traversing injection molding robots handle load weights from 0.5 to 15 lb. In addition to multiple grippers for parts and sprues, units offer parts-safety sensors, infrared safety sensors for mold protection, portable control units, and complete array of icon-based and easy-to-program functions.
WEMHONER ANLAGEN
See Marvel Equipment Co.
WITTMANN ROBOT & AUTOMATION SYSTEMS, INC.
Primary product is a broad range of robot systems for injection molding presses from 30 to 5000 tons. Secondary equipment for turnkey start-ups or for automated integration of existing operations available. Design assistance, end-of-arm tooling, field training and service available for large multimachine facilities and small custom-molding operations. Vertical- and side-entry robots for every tonnage machine; choice of electric and pneumatic drives; easy-to-use controls with built-in diagnostics; and optional teach-in programmable CNC control. All robots rigidly constructed.
Model W500 machine-mounted robot for large presses can handle parts to 220 lb. Unit has a horizontal stroke to 315 in., vertical stroke to 118 in., and horizontal stripping stroke to 79 in. It can remove parts to either side of the press and has a standard gripper rotation of 90 [degrees]. Hand-held pendant with microprocessor controller offers teach-in programming and storage on removable EEPROM modules or IBM compatible PCs.
YAMAHA MOTOR CORP., U.S.A.
FXY series of arm-type cartesian robots designed for lightweight applications requiring speed and flexibility especially suited for sealing or bonding operations and lightweight pick-and-place functions. Line consists of standard x and y axes with the option of adding a pneumatic z axis. Maximum load capacity of 7 lb., x and y axis maximum speeds of 47 in./sec, and stroke lengths ranging from 6 to 26 in.
Other products include Scara and single-axis assembly robots, as well as input devices.
YK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Sprue pickers or part-removal robots built in the U.S. for presses from 10 to 1000 tons. Units equipped with self-diagnostic features. Arm-lock system provided for safety and prevention of damage to the arm and mold. Any sequence change of arm motions can be programmed onto an EPROM card.
For the sprue picker, mold-open time is 0.5 sec for 100-ton presses. Twelve switch-selectable arm motions are standard.
For part-removal robots, a d-c motor is used for traverse motion and degating.
YUSHIN AMERICA, INC.
HOPIII/Sprue Picker robots for injection molding feature hand-held controller with diagnostics, 44 preprogrammed sequences, digital timers, and storage of 99 mold setups for molding machines from 5 to 500 tons.
YK, AE and VA traversing series for machines from 50 to 3000 tons. Axis drives are all pneumatic, all a-c servo, or a combination. Controls feature timers, diagnostics and are programmable. Low-headroom models also available.
SX/Side-Entry series for high-speed molding is suitable for "clean rooms" and low overhead clearance. For machines from 50 to 400 tons, units are 1-, 2-or 3-axis servo-motor driven.
Other Parts-Handling Equipment
PRODUCT LINES REVIEWED
AEC/APPLICATION AUTOMATION
Turnkey automation systems for injection molders and complex conveying and parts-cooling systems, parts-orienting devices, stacking and packing, as well as light assembly equipment in conjunction with part- and runner-removal robots.
Systems can be customized and can be integrated with existing materials-handling systems when feasible. When possible, systems are controlled by the microprocessor controller of the part-removal robot. (See ad p. 353.)
AEC/NELMOR
Sorter granulators for accepting subgated parts and runners dropped from the mold onto a belt conveyor with sorting device. Parts drop before the sorter into a collection box or venturi air system to be pneumatically conveyed to a central collection point. Runners are carded over the sorting device and fall directly into the granulator's cutting chamber for size reduction. Granulator's rotor powers conveyor and sorting device via pulleys and v-belts. Three standard models offered and various custom designs can be adapted to specific needs. (See ads pp. 312, 314.)
AERO-GO, INC.
Air-bearing systems, operating on standard plant air systems, deliver load handling on a film of compressed air. Movement is omni-directional and vibration-free with no damage to floor. Wheel and rail systems, as well as full line of materials-handling products, available. Complete applications support and design engineering, as well as turnkey installations.
AIDLIN AUTOMATION CORP.
Complete system integration for parts and container handling from molding through packaging. Provides equipment to orient parts or containers on discharge and to transport them in the oriented position; and downstream equipment such as decorators, trimmers, assembly equipment, parts placers, and escapements, which interface with packaging equipment.
AJAX ELECTRIC CO.
Field-proven, automated product-handling systems designed, engineered, and manufactured from concept through installation for the removal of paints, plastics, organics, glass, rubber, graphite, oxides, and scale from parts and hardware. Equipment also suitable for the curing or sintering of plastisols, teflon, rubber, etc.
Where fixture-loaded work has to be carried through a series of repeated steps, company custom automates lines using various programmable systems, which include Uni-Hoist monorail design; single- or dual-column overhead design; side-mounted cantilever style; Jack Rabbit, indexing elevator, push-pull or screw-conveyor mechanisms, and crank-arm transfer or submerged chain conveyors. Loading can be as small as 500 lb or less and up to several thousand pounds with transfer-time capabilities of less than 10 seconds.
Justification is feasible with benefits of loading and unloading at a station by a single operator. Production rates are totally controlled and product uniformity is guaranteed under repetitive conditions with no error.
APPLICATION AUTOMATION
See AEC/Application Automation.
BALL & JEWELL DIV., STERLING, INC.
Parts separators automatically separate finished parts from runners, transferring each to the next station. Systems reportedly boost production rates by eliminating runner/part hand sorting and are suitable for two-plate, subgated mold applications. Parts and runners drop on the conveyor, and the parts drop down through the gap of the conveyor and the vertical pin belt. Runners are picked up by the pins, which pass the runners to an auger-feed granulator or other regrind system. Product parts that have been separated at the horizontal and vertical belt gap can be conveyed to a distribution, packaging or assembly point. (See data sheets pp. 322-323.)
CARLISLE MACHINE WORKS, INC.
Equipment includes bottle singulators and orientors for operations such as flaming, leak detection and vision inspection. Also box shifters and straight, curved, looped, elevating and vacuum conveyors. Customized systems for packing, assembly, and inspection.
CINCINNATI MILACRON U.S. PLASTICS MACHINERY DIV.
Under-press conveyors feature 1/3-hp, 110/1/60 drive with hardened sprockets and chain drive with 20 fpm standard. Units also include a true-tracking belt guidance system, soft-drop zone to cushion parts, 4-in.-high adjustable/removable side rails, and a 7/64-in. white PVC belt. (See ads pp. 10, 58-59, 126-127, 142, 146; data sheets pp. 91-97, 138-139, 159-160.)
CLEVELAND VIBRATOR CO.
Model FA vibratory table for applications that include shock and fatigue testing is commonly used for setting materials in cartons, drums, kegs, boxes and bags. Standard sizes have load capacities to 4000 lb. Force and frequency of air-powered model are adjustable by air pressure regulation. Electric-powered tables are easily adjusted mechanically, or come with a variable-speed controller. Unit features air-spring isolation, which provides spring durability and adaptability. Inflatable air mounts provide quiet operation, plus the advantage of spring adjustment to maintain a fixed battle height under varying loads. Four standard deck sizes available, but can be custom-built.
Bowl feeders are suitable for controlling flow of parts to secondary operations. Vibrations produced by either electric or air-type drives, which are available for standard or heavy-duty applications. Units available in bowl sizes from 6 to 30 in. Bowl tooling available clockwise or counter-clockwise.
CRIZAF INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS INC.
Separators include:
* Series S separators (models S1/2, S1, S1/S) for part and sprue separation. Units are easy to mount and work in combination with all conveyors.
* Rotating separators for separating sprues, runners and moldings can be used for all types of sorting jobs and are suitable for use as central separators in combination with company's LC auto-feed conveyor.
* Model ATS separator with a single central adjustment system is suitable where frequent changes are necessary.
* Models STN and STNP separators can handle difficult separating problems and are suitable for round and cylindrical components or thermoset moldings to remove flash. Drums available in steel or plastic.
* SF separator, designed for small components, can handle and separate parts from sprues as small as 0.5 mm. Unit can handle multiple moldings (one sprue plus two different size moldings) and can be quickly adjusted from one job to another. Suitable for long or short runs.
* Model S5/2 separator for small parts and molds uses insulated runners. Unit has one separation channel and is suitable for low-volume production.
* Model SF/A separator is designed to separate multi-impression moldings with one sprue and different size moldings. Unit is suitable for high-volume production.
Conveyors include an inclined horizontal conveyor that features base and inclined side structures in rugged, high-strength extruded aluminum alloy; self-aligning bearings with easy-to-adjust take-up screw; extruded aluminum crowned rollers for belt drive; automatic center-guide, belt-drive system; and enclosed motor and drive.
DIRECT-LINE PRODUCTS
Economical parts-handling belt conveyors in 12-, 18-, and 24-in. widths. Flat, cleated and adjustable-angle belts in lengths from 3 to 20 ft. Manufactured with 12-gauge steel, PVC belting, 2-in. side rails, self-aligning bearings, and True-Track belt guidance. Many units in stock for immediate shipment.
DYNAMIC CONVEYOR CORP.
Modular conveyor system for light- to medium-duty products. Two-foot modules are constructed from injection molded panels that quickly and easily bolt together. To modify length, module(s) is simply added or removed. To change elevation, an angled connector (30 [degrees] or 45 [degrees]) is interchanged with a straight connector. Flexibility provides a "custom" conveyor for every need and allows reconfiguration in-plant by removing, inserting, or exchanging modules. Positively driven Intralox plastic link-style belting runs through a designed-in path, which eliminates tracking problems common to conventional conveyors. Widths range from 4 to 24 in., and lengths from 2 to 30 ft. Options include five belt types, a variety of adjustable mobile support sets, single and variable speed drives, side guards to contain tiny parts, and various cleat heights, which can be placed on the belt at required locations.
Parts/runner separators include the lift-pin, which is effective when parts are small and runners large; and the rotating tumbler cage type for parts and runners nearly the same size. Rotating cage also works well on flat and/or long, thin parts.
A typical conveyor or separator can be manufactured from stock parts in a matter of hours eliminating long lead times.
EMI CORP.
New complete line of aluminum-frame belt conveyors, in addition to 125 models of steel-frame belt conveyors and customized parts-handling systems. Specializes in plant-wide, finished parts-handling and conveying systems, including specialty units for robotic part removal, stacking and box filling. Control options can include part counting and weighing and processes control signals to divert bad parts from production line.
Modular designs of belt conveyors allow for lengthening, shortening or modifying in the field to meet changing production requirements.
Space-saving, vertical stacking, box or tote filling systems require a minimum of floor space. Space Saver conveyor systems combine an under-press, flat-belt conveyor feeding a cleated belt, inclined conveyor from a right-angle position.
Part relay stations receive robotically removed parts and lower them to operator height, then move them to finishing or packaging stations.
Pick-and-place robots available in conjunction with belt conveyors to move oriented parts from one conveyor to another or to stack parts on an automatically adjusting, vertical platform conveyor. Fiber optic signals activate pickers.
FECO ENGINEERED SYSTEMS, INC.
Equipment includes tabletop conveyors, steel and nonmetallic belt conveyors, indexing and fixturized conveyors, pallet and puck systems, mass-storage and in-line accumulators, power and free systems, part elevators, and lowerators (side-grip, blade, bucket), gravity fittings, gravity storage helicals, chain-driven live-roller conveyors (CDLR), parts storage and retrieval systems, robotic and other automated handling devices, and both synchronous and non-synchronous concepts.
Full CAD and CIM capability for developing systems.
HAMILTON AVTEC INC.
Offers nearly 30 standard belt-conveyor models and specializes in customized designs and systems. Basic models offered in 6- to 16-ft lengths. Omni line designed for under-machine or low, pass-along installations; HR line recommended for use with pick-and-place robots. All standard models (many with casters) include "V" groove belt tracking adjustment without tools, and are powered by single-phase, motor/gearbox drives.
Specialized units include Water Bath Conveyor for large part cooling and conveying, Box Boy indexing conveyor for packaging systems, and Carousel turntable conveyor, which automatically counts parts as they are dropped into bags.
End-of-belt and standalone parts separators can be provided with special "diamond back" belting, which allows steep incline, cleatless conveying up to 45 [degrees] or greater.
A count-by-weight system allows direct transfer from the mold to shipping cartons through an electronic scale and arrangement of conveying devices.
HOPPMANN CORP.
Centrifugal feeding, unscrambling, orientation and assembly equipment for parts and containers to be decorated and/or sent downstream for secondary finishing operations. Range of models in sizes from 8- through 60-in.-diam. feeder bowls with feeding rates from 20 parts/min through 2200 parts/min for common, as well as unusual shapes and sizes. All designs incorporate quick-change tooling capability, low maintenance, reliability, and gentle handling of parts. No vibratory components are used.
Also flat-top chain and belted variable-speed conveyors.
HUSKY INJECTION MOLDING SYSTEMS
Product-handling equipment for conveying, stacking and assembly of parts, as well as mold-mounted guide rails, guide chutes and swing chutes for high-speed part removal. Systems available for tray loading of technical parts such as cassettes, compact disc cases and custom-designed units for cutlery, floppy disk shells, video cassettes, and petri dishes. When installed on a Husky machine, equipment is integrated with machine's microprocessor. For non-Husky machines, a free-standing controller is available. Microprocessor screens customized for specific parts-handling applications.
IDEAS IN MOTION
Conveyors for blow molded container handling include cable, aluminum tabletop, stainless-steel tabletop, and specialty conveyors. Also automatic or semi-automatic bagging and debagging equipment. Supplies complete turnkey systems for blow molding, filling, casing, and palletizing. (See ad p. 122.)
IMS CO.
New Ultraline conveyors and add-on separators for parts and runners. Standard horizontal conveyors are 6 ft long by 12, 18 or 24 in. wide. Also incline and adjustable horizontal-to-incline models. Variable-speed and reversing controls available. (See ads pp. 22, 315.)
ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION
Information on Italian companies offering parts-handling equipment.
LAROS EQUIPMENT CO., INC.
Post-molding parts-handling equipment, including horizontal and incline belt conveyors, separators, automatic box-indexing conveyors, water conveyors, and air conveyors, along with regrind fines separators and vibratory sorting equipment. Specializes in custom tailoring dimensional and performance needs.
MATHEWS CONVEYOR DIV. BABco*ck INDUSTRIES, INC.
Automatic case and drum palletizers. Frames rigidly welded of structural steel and formed plate. Rigid steel conduit and JIC class air cylinders and solenoid valves are standard equipment. Wherever possible, drives are shaft mounted, which eliminates unnecessary sprocket and chain maintenance. Can design multiple machine configurations with speeds to 100 cases/min.
MENZIKEN AUTOMATION INC.
Modular nonsynchronous conveyor systems with dual belts and moving pallets contain the part from assembly station to assembly station. Stations can be manual or fully automatic. Each station is independent and pallets can accumulate in front of each, maximizing overall efficiency.
MOLDING AUTOMATION CONCEPTS
Parts-containment and parts-handling systems for molders feature gaylord and drum filter covers designed to keep in-process material clean. Mold-side curtains and guideskirts prevent product loss and contamination by containing the shot and funneling it into a conveyor or box.
Conveyor and box-filling systems designed specifically for molding problems. Conditioning conveyors provide product cooling, static elimination, and hepa-filtered environments. Special devices allow automatic bad-shot diversion, q-c sampling, and part and runner separation. Box-fill systems fill boxes and/or totes by weight or count. Systems can be customized and are designed to be space-efficient, flexible, dependable and user-friendly.
NELMOR
See AEC/Nelmor.
NORWALT DESIGN INC.
Parts-handling equipment includes unscramblers, elevator hoppers, air conveyors, stacking machines, and loading systems for interfacing with printers, labelers, cartoners, baggers, and blister or tray machines.
Rotary centrifugal unscrambler with patented three-belt orienter-feeder can orient caps at speeds to 1200/min. Unit occupies 20 [ft.sup.2] of floor space.
Self-contained air conveyors move parts on a cushion of air from unscramblers to printers, assembly or lining machinery, and require little maintenance and no lubrication.
PACLINE CONVEYORS, INC.
Track and chain conveying system consists of a universal link conveyor chain inside a round conveyor track. Flexibility enables conveying through tight-radius curves on both the horizontal and vertical plane. Loads can be transported hanging or can be inverted to convey load-carrying trays.
C-250 series chain is designed for loads to 50 lb per pendant, which are standard on 6-in. centers. Coupling two pendants with a load bar allows 100-lb loads. Distributed loads to 30,000 lb can be conveyed on a 600-ft system with only one drive. Adding additional drives proportionally increases conveyor length. Track sections are prefabricated with a joining flange at each end, simplifying installation. On-site welding is not necessary, and easy rerouting changes can be made.
PLASTIC PROCESS EQUIPMENT INC.
FIC series fixed incline conveyor for under-the-press has a two-ply endless belt to avoid snagging and dragging. Transition section has five recessed transition rollers for smooth transition from horizontal section to 40 [degrees] incline section. Available in 12-, 18- and 24-in. widths.
ICG model inclined conveyor has a 25 1/2-in. long horizontal section for loading parts at discharge end of the 40 [degrees] incline. Transition has no open gaps where parts can get trapped. Available in 12-, 18- and 24-in. widths and lengths of 6 and 10 ft.
FT series flat-top belt conveyor has belt located above conveyor frame for moving items wider than the unit. Features include Vee-Guide belt-tracking system, rugged 5-in. aluminum channel frame, covered chain drive, heavy-duty 1-in.-diam. shafts and bearings, adjustable angle stands that tilt 45 [degrees] either way, 1/6-hp motor, and two-ply white belting good to 250 F. Comes in 12-, 18- and 24-in. widths and lengths of 8, 10 and 12 ft.
HD series heavy-duty parts conveyor consists of Vee-Guide belt tracking system for full-time straight belt tracking, a heavy aluminum channel frame, oversized 1-in.-diam. shafts and bearings, 1/3-hp 60:1 drive motor, 4 1/2-in.-diam. rollers, telescoping Uni-Strut stands, and 4-in. side rails. Units can tilt up to 45 [degrees] in either direction and have adjustable heights from floor to belt. Available in 12-, 18- and 24-in. widths and lengths of 6, 8 and 10 ft. (See ad p. 337.)
POLYMER SYSTEMS INC.
Parts/runner sorting and conveying systems in combination with its line of auger-feed and beside-the-press granulators. Available with pneumatic granulate evacuation and closed-loop loading/blending equipment for semi- or fully automated operations.
STERLING, INC.
See Ball & Jewell Div.
STERLING SYSTEMS DIV. STERLING BLOWER CO.
Complete pneumatic conveying systems for parts handling through a ven-turi system handle bottles, bottle caps, drinking cups, tabs and tails, and components of various shapes and sizes. Designed to maintain "part integrity" when a product cannot be nicked, marred or damaged.
TEC ENGINEERING CORP.
Ultraline (five models) spiral, single-and double-roller, paddle, and double-disk separators accommodate all variations of sprue, runner and part dimensions.
Three models of Techni-Roll freestanding separators with counterrotating rollers help separate small dimensional parts where part and runner dimensions are similar.
Line of industrial-strength sorting conveyors designed for plastic separation and recycling, PET and PVC sorting, plastic and metal recycling, and medical disinfecting and recycling. Units compatible with all varieties of granulators. Equipped with three-phase motors and magnetic starters to incorporate with granulators for automatic shutdown when overloading occurs.
THRIFT PRODUCTS DIV., IMS CO.
Part and runner conveyors and separators with medium-gauge extruded aluminum frames for use under and beside the press. Belts made of nylon links with impact-resistant fiberglass lacing rods.
Flat, incline and adjustable-angle conveyors have direct-drive positive tracking with jam-up protection. Speeds are standard 17.5 fpm or 0-25 fpm variable. Flat conveyors are 12, 18 or 24 in. wide and 4, 5, 6 or 8 ft long. Adjustable-angle models are 12 or 18 in. wide and 6 or 8 ft long with a separate, adjustable base and tailpiece for reaching under the mold. Add-on and free-standing finger-type separators have quick-set nylon fingers. Portable drum-type separators are 2 or 4 ft straight or double-drum models.
TOOLTEX INC.
Custom assembly systems, integrating assembly and test equipment; and custom stackers, integrating conveyors, seeing eyes, pick-and-place units, indexers, etc.
YUSHIN AMERICA, INC.
Designs, assembles, and installs automation equipment to support its line of robots for injection molding. Applications for part decorating, assembly, packaging of parts, and stacking or storing. (See also Robots.)
Decorating, Printing And Finishing Systems
PRODUCT LINES REVIEWED
ACKERMAN GOULD CO., INC.
Hot-stamping machines and full line of accessories. Standard machines have imprint areas from 1 x 3 in. to 4 x 6 in. Custom-built models include automatic feed systems and custom tooling.
Also line of hot-stamp wire/sleeve marking machines (hand, air operated, and automatic marking and feeding) and accessories. Air-operated machines designed to interface with automatic wire cut/strip equipment.
ACROMARK INDUSTRIES
Hot-stamping machines include air-operated and hydraulic presses in the to 40-ton range with standard die-head sizes to 24 x 36 in. Also one-step roll-on units for cylindrical parts, linear-contact roll-on stampers for large-area work (e.g., panels), and systems for blow molded bottle hot stamping. Optional devices include index mechanisms for multicolor heat transfers, rotary tables, fixtures, dies, and parts feeders for automatic processing. In-house design and manufacturing offered for special-purpose hot-stamping systems.
Graphics division supplies complete hot-stamping and decorating systems. Machine models feature high-speed registered, continuous form-feed embossing and hot-stamping. Systems available for label production from plastic or coated paper stock; automatic feeding, hole-punching, and perforating; single- or multicolor nomenclature; and consecutive serial-number hot-stamping.
AIR HYDRAULICS CO., INC.
Hot-stamping equipment includes 13 reciprocal presses: eight pneumatic ranging from 1/2 to 5 tons and five hydraulic ranging from 5 to 20 tons. Also special four-post hydraulic presses to 60 tons.
Roll-on presses include a vertical press that can hold up to a 12-in. roller with the ability to decorate 360 [degrees] on cylindrical parts in one step. Accu-Roll pneumatic-powered press, designed for corner wrap and tapered parts, as well as large flat objects, can roll on large heat transfers or foil with elimination of air entrapment. Available with a 3- to 14-in. long silicone roller and a 15- to 36-in. horizontal stroke.
Specializes in custom hot-stamp presses with special support components such as index tables, slide tables, pick-and-place units and vibratory feed bowls. Custom support fixtures and steel dies also offered. High-accuracy, heat-transfer indexer for decals can be retrofitted to all presses.
ALTERNATIVE SCREEN PRINTING
Offers screen-printing, pad-printing and hot-stamping equipment, and supplies such as inks, screens, transfer pads, dies, and plates. Also offers contract screen-printing, pad-printing and hot-stamping.
ALTIRA, INC.
Semi-automatic screen printers for cylinders, ovals, and flat bottles. Optional flat-printing attachment. Units have automatic registration capability and are fast and easy to set up. Capacities to 1200 pcs/hr and sizes to 7-in. diam. for cylinders and up to 12-in. dius for oval containers. Prints cones with up to 15 [degrees] taper.
Semi-automatic hot-stamping machines with "inverted design" allow easy changeovers. All adjustable points easily accessible. Foil advance electronically controlled. Adjustment of blowing and exhaust times to fit a variety of shapes and sizes.
AMERICAN M&M DIV. WISCONSIN AUTOMATED MACHINERY
Semi-automatic and automatic flatbed screen-printing equipment for decorating plastic sheets in sizes from 9 x 12 in. to 62 x 144 in. Manual printing tables handle sizes from 22 x 30 in. to 60 x 120 in. Also uv-curing reactors for uv-curable inks on plastics, a line of dryers, bottle printers, and screen-printing accessories.
APEX MACHINE CO.
Printing, marking, hot-stamping, screening and decorating machinery for all types of substrates and shapes. Also equipment for letterpress, letterflex, multicolor dry offset, rotogravure offset, spraying, and dipping. Most systems fully custom-engineered and include automated feeding, printing, conventional or uv-drying. Ink, wash-up solutions, printing plates, and dies supplied.
ARC MACHINE CO., INC.
Plastic embossing machines, calenders, plastic laminators, roll coaters of all types, flame laminators, slitting units, tension control units, unwind and rewind units with automatic splicing and flying start features. Industries served include paper, foil and textile. Supplies standard equipment, laboratory machines, as well as custom-designed equipment, either as components or turnkey systems.
AUTODEC, INC.
Semi- and fully automatic screen printers for round, flat, and oval objects, and fully automatic offset printers for round, square, and flat objects. Line of 3-D screen printers offer one-, two-, and three-color printing at speeds from 4500 to 6000 parts/hr. Units have a uv-curing system and are reported to offer quick job changeover.
AUTOMATED INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS
Pad-printing and laser-marking systems, specializing in high-volume production needs and specialty advertising and custom applications for high-quality decor-type marks including logo, artwork and halftones.
AUTOMATION EQUIPMENT, INC.
High-speed dry-offset printing systems for preformed containers and lids. Items such as tapered sidewall cups, lids, closures, egg cartons, clamshells, trays, plates and other packaging shapes can be decorated in up to ten colors. Line, halftone and full process artwork can be reproduced clearly at high production speeds. Complete turnkey systems include automatic product handling, surface pretreatment, and ink curing.
AUTOROLL MACHINE CORP.
Five standard semi-automatic screen-printer models decorate objects from vials, bottles and diskettes, to 5-gal pails and large control panels. Two automatic screen-printer models decorate a wide range of 3-D parts, containers, and packages to 6-in. diam. or width.
A10, a high-speed, modular, rapid changer, flexible container printing system available with unscrambling, feeding, surface treating, uv- or solvent-curing, and pressure-sensitive labeling options.
Offers range of custom feed, transfer, and reload systems. Drying and curing systems include Ventron conveyorized and Autocure linear uv-curing systems, and Rotocure uv-curing systems.
Four pad-transfer printer models range from a one-color, 3 1/2-in. image Padflex 100 to a four-color, 23 1/2-in. image Padflex 650. Standard features include covered inkwell, programmable controller and a removable/replaceable pad head. Various standard attachments enable surface treating, ink maintenance, flash drying, and multicolor printing. Automation includes unscramblers, bowl feeders, rotary carousel and linear conveyors, automatic load and unload stations.
Accessories and supplies for screen and pad printing include pad-printing ink systems, solvent and uv-curable screen-printing inks, computerized color matching, printing pads, steel and plastic printing plates, screens, doctor blades, squeegee material, mesh, typesetting, and art generation. Technical services include complete factory or in-plant training, machine maintenance, and application support.
AVERY DENNISON DECORATING TECHNOLOGIES
Therimage heat-transfer labeling system permits multicolor decorating in one pass on plastic containers. Labels printed by gravure or screen using up to seven colors on special release papers and transferred to containers at speeds to 150 labels/min using special applying equipment. Specializes in pressure-sensitive labels and labeling equipment heat-transfer labels and equipment, and in-mold labels and equipment.
AVERY DENNISON LABELING MACHINERY DIV.
Pressure-sensitive labeling systems include semi-automatic table-top labelers for small, off-line batch labeling. Labelers are single- or multipanel tamp types or cylindrical-container wrap units.
Automatic labeling systems are suited for production speeds to approx. 150 parts/min. Models include side-panel, multipanel, wraps and specialty types. Also in-line, fully automatic high-speed labelers from 150 to 700 ppm. Applications include front, front/back, wrap, top, bottom, print and apply, rotary aligners and specialties. Can be designed to include options such as hot-stamp, vision verification, and detect/eject systems.
B&H MANUFACTURING CO.
Roll-fed hot-melt labeling systems offer speeds in excess of 800 containers/min. Machines range from basic model BH-2000 through the computerized, high-speed model BH-8000. Also offers "Endura process" shrink system that makes label conform to shaped containers.
BHS MACHINERY CORP.
In-line flexographic and gravure printing presses, coaters, and laminators for processing films, foils, paper and board to 100-in. web width.
Flexographic presses offer optional infinitely variable print repeat length without the restrictions of format gear. Reverse-side printing, full-surface lacquering are possible. Long dryers make presses suitable for water-based inks.
BINKS MANUFACTURING CO.
Manual and automatic spray-painting equipment includes air, airless, air-assisted airless, high-volume low-pressure, liquid and powder electrostatic, plural component, and anodic-hydracoating models.
Complete painting and coating systems include spray booths, paint pumps, circulating systems, air-supply and exhaust systems, air compressors, protective equipment, fluid and air-handling systems, hoses, connections and fittings, pressure tanks, and air filters. Accessories include line striping systems, air brushes, extractors, air dryers, and regulators.
BOBST GROUP, INC.
Large multicolor rotogravure printing presses for high-speed coating and printing on packaging film. An unwind/rewind unit is part of the press, but may be obtained separately. Equipment handles web widths to 55 in. and has a 54-in. printing width, speeds to 1500 ft/min, and repeat range of 18-36 in. or 18-50 in., depending on model selected. Web tension is 4 to 100 lb. Options include laminating equipment, special dryers, electronic register controls for accuracy, web guiding and tension control. Automatic flying splice on unwind end and automatic rewind transfer are standard.
CASSCO MACHINES
Hot-stamping presses, heat-staking and hot-air staking machines, turntables, and accessories. Specializes in tooling for automotive, cosmetic, and appliance decoration. Silicone rubber sheets, dies, rolls, and tooling available, as well as a vacuum take-off device to speed part removal after stamping, automatic feed devices, turntables, slide tables, indexers, and parts-handling equipment.
Machines supplied with Cassco system controller, which offers digital control of machine parameters and allows all standard accessories and automation to "plug in" without additional wiring or control boxes. Presses available from 1/4 to 20 tons at speeds to 6000/hr.
Dual-speed indexing system for application of heat transfers is controlled directly from machine's controller, which allows fast, accurate placement of multicolor images on a variety of parts.
CINCINNATI PRINTING & DRYING SYSTEMS, INC.
Screen printers and dryers for decorating plastic sheets. Semi-automatic machines can print up to 20 x 40 ft; custom sizes available. Standard conveyorized, heated air-jet dryers accept sizes to 84 in. wide with unlimited length. Special conveyor accommodates embossed or drawn configurations to 4 in. deep. Also infrared-curing systems and walk-in ovens.
CMF AMERICA, INC.
Flexographic printing presses include stack and central-impression, roll-to-roll and in-line, and coating via gravure and/or laminating. Stack presses in 32- to 70-in. widths with 12- to 60-in. repeats, and up to 8 colors are standard. Central impression presses available with 50- to 90-in. drum diam. and 12- to 48-in. printing repeats; speeds to 1200 fpm; and in widths from 32 to 66 in. for a maximum of 8 colors.
COLUMBIA MARKING TOOLS INC.
Hot-stamping marking systems for serial numbers, date, plant, batch and shift codes, heat staking, test data, and part numbers. Standard, modular, hot-stamp units, with or without foil feed mechanisms can be installed in-line to mark automatically. Off-line, standalone systems for automatic or manual marking, plus hot-stamp supplies (foil, type, brass and silicone rubber dies, serial numbering heads, holders, tooling) available. Special manual and automatic machines with feed systems to fit specific applications.
CONFORMING MATRIX CORP.
Automatic and semi-automatic spray-painting equipment, vacuum-metallizing equipment for applying base and top coats (flow-coating machines), vacuum-plating machines, air-operated clamping fixtures, spindle machines, automatic mask-cleaning systems (either solventless or with solvents), machines that apply decorative and functional coatings, uv and curing systems, and spray-painting masks and shields.
CONVERTING SYSTEMS INTERNATIONAL
Distributes flexographic and central-impression presses from M.A.F. SpA of Italy for film and paper, ranging from 20 to 65 in. Up to eight colors can be printed at speeds to 1000 ft/min. Special machinery available for in-line systems with bag makers or extruders. Special features include automatic impression release, automatic temperature control, combination push-pull drying systems and solid-state, d-c, variable-speed drives. Repeats are from 10 to 60 in. All presses modified for use with water-based inks. Computerized control of stack and presses allows fully automatic registration and control at full line speeds.
CRAFTSMEN MACHINERY CO.
Model CMC hot-stamping machines have print areas from 1 x 4 in. to 20 x 30 in. and range from hand-operated to 19.2 tons. Standard flat, sliding, and rotary tables available. Units of 3 tons and over can be operated on high pressure or one-ton pressure for savings in air consumption.
Supplies accessories, plus embossing, labeling, flexographic, rotogravure, and offset lithography equipment.
CUSTOM FABRICATION & SERVICE CO.
Vacuum metallizing equipment features automatic computerized operation with natural compensation adjustment of torque tension for easy film windup, a unique wire path design that minimizes slippage and wire stoppage problems, and a single-zone system assuring a uniform vacuum environment. Closed-loop controller combines layer thickness display, process variable feedback, quality assurance reporting, and complete interactive process control in a single integrated graphical user interface.
DECO TOOLS, INC.
Masking and high-production spray-decorating machinery. Also high-production automatic flow coaters for vacuum metallizing, solvent-type mask washers, solventless mask washers, nickel electroformed precision masks, rotary spray gun spindles, combination automatic paint and mask washer machines, and automatic paint and wipe equipment.
DECORATING RESOURCES, INC. SUB. OF PERMANENT LABEL CORP.
RDI 4 heat-transfer labeling equipment designed for 360 [degrees] roll-on printing of heat-transfer labels on cylindrical shapes and those with moderate tapers. Allows for quick changeovers between jobs and may be customized to specific needs.
The 2024-S hot-stamping/sublimation printing machine for sublimation printing of large areas such as computer keyboards can print two large 122-key or three smaller 100-key keyboards in a single step. Two or three colors per key can be applied.
Also provides heat-transfer labels and a variety of decorating services.
DECORATING SUPPLIES & EQUIPMENT, INC.
Hot-stamping, silk-screening, embossing, pad-printing and spray-painting custom decorating equipment. Standard hot-stamping machines available in 1 1/2-, 5-, and 12-ton vertical presses and 12- and 18-in. roll-on presses. Special equipment meets automotive and major appliance standards.
DECORATIVE ENGINEERING & SUPPLY, INC.
Foil markers and spray-painting equipment. Foil markers with rollers from 1/2 to 1 1/2-in. use 150 watts.
Also complete spray operations include spray guns, booths, ovens and air-replacement systems, air-control equipment, fluid-handling equipment, compressors, and safety equipment.
DEFIANCE MACHINE & TOOL CO.
Automark embossing equipment includes model EMB-440, which prints characters from 3/32- to 3/36-in. high. Material can be from 1/2- to 3-in. high with any width.
Model EMW-3-40 is a keyboard-operated tube-branding device for short runs with an optional memory. Applications include PVC and shrinkable tubing. Model 7800-B-40 is also keyboard operated and marks identification tags and other objects.
DEPENDABLE MACHINE CO. INC.
Screen-printing equipment for semi-automatic and fully automatic systems, ultraviolet drying systems, small and large pad printers, hot-stamping equipment, drying conveyors, and ultra-violet ink-curing systems. Pads, plates, and doctor blades for transfer pad printing, and complete line of pad-printing inks and solvents available.
DESCO EQUIPMENT CORP.
Offset printing machinery and automated systems:
* Automated models DCP-3 three-color and DCP-4 four-color offset printing systems for 28 mm beverage closures attain rates of 4000 caps/min. Systems can be tooled for other closures such as 38 and 43 mm.
* Model DICP designed to offset print the inside of closures at rates to 2000 caps/min.
* Model DSP-12W will offset print containers from one to six gal. Automatic feeding, uv on mandrel curing, and automatic restacking for containers with handles.
* Model DHSP-6 U.V.M. with running registration, uv on mandrel curing flame treat, and automatic feed and restacking for conical containers with up to 6-in. diam.
* Model DHSP-6H U.V.M. for conical and straight-wall containers that require lacquer over coating. Features running registration, uv on mandrel curing, and automatic feeding.
* Model DLP-6 single- or dual-lane lid printer for plastic lids to 9-in. diam. Features running registration for process printing, flame treatment, uv curing, and automatic feeding and restacking.
* Model DSP-6 six-color pail printer with running registration for one- to six-gal. pails. Options include automatic feeding, flame treatment, uv curing on or off mandrel, expandable mandrels, automatic restacking, and printing with handles installed.
DESPATCH INDUSTRIES, INC.
Automatic electrostatic spray-painting equipment in either air-assisted or airless models, as well as single-station, hand-spray systems for liquid and powder coating. Also standard or custom spray booths.
DEVTRON, RUSSELL INC.
Custom multicolor dry-offset printing presses for formed plastics. Services include automation engineering.
DINAGRAPHICS, INC.
Heat-transfer equipment handles containers from 4 oz to 2 1/2 gal. Decorating speeds of 200-plus containers/min obtainable.
DIRECTED ENERGY, INC.
Computer-controlled DigiMark digital laser-marking system changes codes instantaneously and automatically while marking products indelibly on-the-fly. System suitable for marking expiration dates and codes. User has control of message content and length for each individual mark. Any part of the message may be time related, i.e., date, time, shift. DigiMark has no moving parts and no consumables except for electricity.
DUBUIT OF AMERICA, INC.
Screen-printing machines for printing and decorating plastic containers of all sizes and shapes. Models range from small semi-automatic machines to fully automatic high-speed, four-color machines, including unscramblers, orienters, flame treaters, and uv-curing units.
Also screen-printing machinery for compact disc and CD ROM industry. Fully automatic, high-speed presses up to seven colors with optional code and label inspection.
DURR INDUSTRIES, INC.
Designs, fabricates, and installs turnkey plastic paint-finishing systems. Complete systems for precleaning component, spray-booth top-coat operations, and radiant or convection curing.
Offers complete electrical controls and environmental abatement equipment capabilities.
Environmental Engineering Services Div. provides complete permitting and testing services including air and wastewater permitting capabilities, dispersion modeling, laser technology demonstrations, coating transfer efficiency testing, stack testing for pollutants, and control technology cost analyses.
EASTERN MARKING MACHINES CORP.
Standard and customized single- and multicolor offset and direct-printing machines (manual, semi-automatic and fully automatic) for decorating, marking or printing. Multicolor printing heads apply all colors at one time. Printing accessories include brass and photo-engravings, cleaners, inks, pads, polymer plates, rollers, type and wipers. Carton and label printers available.
ECLIPSE SYSTEMS, INC.
Spray-coating equipment includes light-duty to heavy-production-style hand guns, HVLP, automatic spray guns and electrostatic spray systems. Accessories include air and fluid hoses, regulators, pressure tanks and spray test panel machines.
ELECTRO-SHIELD CO.
Specialized guns, equipment, and chemicals for EMI shielding by spray-plating (silver-reduction) method.
ELECTROCAL DIV. PRODUCT IDENTIFICATION CORP.
Custom turnkey heat-transfer decorating systems provided, in addition to silk-screened heat transfers for multicolor product decoration and labeling. Also art design services, engineering assistance, custom tools and fixtures, and machining for flat, contour and roll-on applications.
ELEXON LTD.
Prism multicolor container screen-printing machine is a five-color production system for printing on cylindrical, square, and oval containers. Unique carousel configuration and vertical print heads require less space and tooling. Vertical throughput also allows seamless in-line production to further reduce handling equipment needs. Windows operating software and servo print head and indexer drive systems ensure a 0.003 in. registration repeatability and allow printing on multiple sides of square and oval containers in a single pass. In-line uv-curing units are adjustable from 100 to 600 w/[in..sup.2]. On-the-fly registration can reregister screen position in 0.001-in. increments as the machine cycles to correct color alignment.
ELVO DIV. ZUMBACH ELECTRONICS CORP.
GB89 hot-stamp marking machine features adjustable foil feed, imprint pressure and heat control; electronic dwell control; more operational imprint area (daylight); and front safety shield. Modular, interchangeable heads allow a choice from one- to seven-line type options, or a 40-digit wheel. Virtually anything can be marked from discrete and round wire, flat cable, heat-shrink sleeving and tubing to nylon, PVC, PTFE, rubber and PVDF. Standard applications include round parts with O.D.s from 0.030 in. to 0.590 in. and flat parts from 3/32 in. to 5 in. wide. Up to 22 characters, depending on material, can be imprinted. Standard font sizes include 1/16, 1/8 and 3/16 in.
EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Vacuum-metallizing equipment, vacuum instrumentation and components, water vapor cryo-pumps, closed-loop water chillers, and temperature sensors and controls.
ENTHONE-OMI INC.
Supplies processes, chemicals and equipment for electroless plating. Processes include complete systems for decorative plating, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding.
J.N. FAUVER CO.
System for in-mold coating of SMC incorporates a metering/injecting system for the coating material, hydraulic power unit, and a set of push-back cylinders for opening and leveling the press platen. Metering unit can pump material directly from storage tanks.
FORMULABS, INC.
Provides gravure offset printing systems and marking equipment. Industrial Inks Div. produces a wide range of inks and coatings for printing and decorating applications. Inks and coatings formulated for a variety of application systems, including gravure offset, screen printing, pad printing and ink jet.
FRANKLIN MANUFACTURING CORP.
Hot-stamping presses range from 1/2 to 60 tons and feature "linear-wedge drive," said to produce high pressures with minimal air consumption and compensation for part-to-part height variations. Air- and hydraulically operated roll-on hot-stamping presses transfer large-area decorating, using all types of hot-stamping foils and heat-transfer decals. High-speed peripheral hot-stamping presses with automatic loading print up to four separate colors in registration at speeds of 60/min and faster.
Machinery for credit-card industry includes signature-panel applicators, magnetic-stripe applicators, hologram applicators, and consecutive numbering units. Other systems include hot-stamping and heat-transfer on PE bottles and other hollow items; specially designed high-tonnage machines (20 tons) for marking and decorating large municipal waste containers and beverage cases; high-speed decorating for cosmetic containers, camera parts, squeeze tubes, writing instruments and specialty items; and specially designed clean room hot-stamping machines for blood bags and filter units.
Also standard and special photo-electric eye locating systems for all types of heat-transfer decals. Registration of [+ or -0] 0.005 achieved on standard units.
Also line of electric-motor-driven hot-stamp label-printing machines with capability to a 10 x 10-in. area and 40 tons of pressure with precision die cutting and multicolor capability.
GEM GRAVURE CO., INC.
Specializes in equipment for marking, coating, and coloring plastic-insulated wire, tubing, profiles, pipe, and hose. Line of marking equipment, engraving and marking wheels, inks, and coatings available, including environmentally friendly water-based printing and band-marking inks with excellent adhesion.
Exclusive distributor for the full line of Domino Amjet noncontact inkjet systems.
GRACO INC.
Manual and automatic painting systems for conventional, electrostatic, air, air-assisted airless, and airless spray. Pumping equipment for single- and plural-component coatings, sealants and adhesives provides up to 63 gpm and pressures to 4950 psi.
In-mold coating systems for SMC. Urethane coating is pumped into mold after part is formed.
HARWELL ENTERPRISES, INC.
Screen-printing and pad-printing machinery for decorating finished or unfinished products. Custom engineering services available in-house to modify existing standard machines to suit a specialized need.
Vector Plus computer-controlled pad printer prints up to a 3-in. diam. image at a cyclical rate of 30/min.
Screen printers include table-top Mini Printer, capable of printing up to a 6 x 6 in. image, with tooling available for printing rounds, flats or conical devices. Larger Sprinter 100 and HI-Q-200 screen printers capable of printing up to a 14-in. image or 42-in. image, respectively.
HIGHLAND SUPPLY CORP.
Designs and builds custom printing, coating and laminating equipment.
HIX CORP.
Heat-transfer presses for applying decals. Also hot-air dryers with conveyors, used for curing coatings, paint, ink (waterbase, plastisol, and more).
HOBART/TAFA, INC.
Arc-spray metallizing system can melt and spray nickel, stainless steel, bronze, copper, and other wire. Coatings produced reportedly have high bond strength because interparticle adhesion is high. Metals deposited are said to be resistant to chipping or cracking when machined by conventional methods. A major application is sprayed-metal mold surfaces. Spray gun is similar to those used for paint. Wires are fed automatically and, although molten deposits are applied, the substrate reportedly undergoes only a slight rise in temperature. An electric are melts the ends of two electrically isolated coating wires, and an atomizing air jet blows the fine metal particles onto the surface being decorated. Typical spray rates range from 5 to 150 lb/hr.
Attachments and auxiliary equipment include extensions for spraying internal diameters, spreaders for fanning the spray pattern, constrictors for diameter spray patterns, automated scanners, and fully automated systems.
Arc-spray technique is suitable in metallizing capacitors and similar electronic system components, in electromagnetic shielding of plastic housings, providing metal coatings on plastics for wear resistance, thermal conductivity, abrasion resistance, and in producing finely detailed molds for plastics.
IMPERIAL STAMP & ENGRAVING CO.
Standard and special hot-stamping machines with up to 75 tons of pressure, as well as roll hot stampers. Special and standard production feeds can be provided for complete automation. Also dot-matrix marking equipment for permanent identification of components, plates, etc.
IMTRAN INDUSTRIES, INC.
Pad-transfer printing and screen-printing equipment for decorating problem shapes or configurations. All equipment is U.S.-built and features microprocessor controls. Pad printers range from table-top, one-color machines through custom multicolor units. Silkscreeners range from small semi-automatic table-top models to automatic bottle printers.
Options include various indexing systems, pretreat stations, and various levels of automation and parts handling. Full line of supplies include steel and plastic printing plates, printing pads, silk screens and printing inks.
INDEPENDENT MACHINE CO.
Specializes in web-processing systems such as coaters, laminators, and other converting equipment. Modularly designed, complete systems can integrate several converting processes.
INDUSTRIAL MARKING EQUIPMENT
In-line flexographic printers from 1 to 100 in. wide with any repeat up to 72 in. Conventional three-roller systems, single doctor blade systems and enclosed double doctor blade systems available in one- or two-color versions. Options include plate cylinder lift-off, ink roller free drive, automatic registry control, and pneumatically controlled impression rollers and setup modes for quick changeover.
INTA-ROTO INC.
Line of web converting equipment includes coaters, laminators, gravure printing presses, slitters, embossers, unwinds and rewinds.
ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION
Information and catalogues offered on various types of Italian machines for decorating, printing, and finishing. Flexo printing machines up to eight colors, silk-screen and offset printing machines for bottles and containers, and hot-stamping machines.
ITW FINISHING SYSTEMS
Electrostatic liquid and powder finishing equipment for automatic and manual applications. Electrostatic process reportedly reduces overspray, minimizing coatings waste, volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, as well as cleanup and hazardous-waste disposal costs.
Developments in coatings chemistry permit application of low-bake-temperature powder coatings to plastic parts. These advances allow the benefits of powder coatings, including higher performance finishes, elimination of hazardous waste, lower energy consumption, and lower EPA compliance costs.
JEMA AMERICAN INC.
Spray metallizing equipment, chemicals, and coatings for applying both conductive and decorative coatings. Plastic surfaces can be made to simulate any polished metal such as brass, copper, chrome, gold, bronze, and pewter. Also provides base coats, topcoats and dip dyes for vacuum metallizing plastic and metal surfaces.
CHARLES M. JESSUP, INC.
Automatic and semi-automatic bottle and flat screen-printing and drying equipment, and a manual 3-D printer recommended for lab work and prototypes. Conventional and uv-curable screening inks, screen-making equipment, and color matching available.
KAMMANN MACHINES, INC.
Automatic screen-printing equipment for packaging includes machines for plastic and glass container printing ranging from one to six colors with decorating speeds up to 150 bottles/min.; machines for multicolor printing of compact discs and floppy disks up to six colors and with production rates to 80 parts/min.; and machines for printing roll to roll onto plastic films with applications that include pressure-sensitive labels, name plates, heat transfers, and flexible circuits.
KASE EQUIPMENT CORP.
Specializes in turnkey operations for decorating. Installations can send product from the forming process to the printing machine where it is pretreated, printed and dried, and then automatically packaged or sent to the next operation. Decorating equipment handles a wide range of products from small and medium parts (28 mm closures, tubes, cups, lids) to large parts up to 20-gal pails. Shapes include cylindrical, conical, rectangular, oval and others.
KENSOL-OLSENMARK, INC.
Vertical, rotary, and roll-on hot-stamping and heat-transfer equipment. Vertical presses range from 1/2 to 16 tons. Special four-posted presses available for high-pressure range requirements. For broad-area coverage, conveyor-fed, reciprocating bed and moving-head roll-on machines available.
All machines can be equipped to apply multicolor heat transfers, as well as conventional roll leaf by adding Model M precision advance unit, which can register a heat transfer to [+ or -]0.005.
Specializes in systems for decorating and finishing larger plastic components for automotive, home appliance and consumer electronics. Other finishing and decorating applications, such as spray painting and ultrasonic welding, offered as complete automated systems.
KINGSLEY IMPRINTING MACHINES
Imprinting machines and accessories available in hand-operated (M106) and air-operated (AM106) models designed for small-area stamping up to 1 x 4 in., four-line capability. Typeholders are lightweight and easy to handle. Automatic temperature control maintains constant temperature, and a tubular heating element distributes heat fast and evenly.
KREMLIN, INC.
Air-mix, air-assisted airless finishing system; and airless, air spray, plural component, electrostatic and HVLP (high-volume/low-pressure) paint and coating equipment. Specialty is high-transfer, environmentally conscious paint and coating systems.
KRONES, INC.
High-performance, cold-glue, hot-melt, pressure-sensitive, and roll-fed labeling equipment for plastic and glass bottles, jars and special containers. Other products include tamper-evident banders, bottle washers, bottle rinsers, beverage blenders, liquid/beverage fillers, container conveying and handling systems, electronic bottle inspection equipment, rejection equipment, case packers and case unpackers, palletizers and depalletizers, and turnkey system installations.
KURZ-HASTINGS, INC.
Hot-stamping presses, foils, and dies include vertical (reciprocating) and roll-on machines. Over 30 models capable of decorating parts from 1/2 to 24 in. wide, special machines for complex shapes, and machines that continuously stamp around radius corners. Also equipment for in-line stamping extruded profiles and sheets.
In-mold decorating equipment feeds the stamping foil, which has been preprinted in register, directly into the mold where it is located by photo sensor.
LEMBO CORP.
Station and U-type register and non-register gravure printing presses with in-line laminating and embossing, as well as a combination flexographic/gravure press. Full line of auxiliary equipment such as inspection tables, air-tube bars, safety chucks, and slat and noiseless web expanders. Also web-coating machinery (reverse-roll, knife, gravure) for flooring, industrial and decorative markets. Provides installation and turnkey systems supported by its oven/dryer division.
LEYBOLD TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Roll-coating metallizing systems for thermal and electron-beam evaporation, or sputtering of metal and nonmetallic coatings on plastic films for decorative, packaging and dielectric products.
Vacuum-metallizing systems for metallizing compact discs include high-throughput, in-line sputtering systems. Also batch and in-line metallizing systems for plastic parts coating. Systems can be configured with sputtering or evaporation sources and plasma polymerization for base coat and protective top coat.
LIBERTY MACHINE CO., INC.
Embossing and laminating machinery for single and multiple webs, as well as valley printing for surface decoration of embossed products. Specialties include embossing machines for floor coverings and floor tiles, embossing and finishing units for wall coverings, multi-station rotogravure, and finishing machines with in-line laminating and embossing features for wall coverings and automotive applications. Custom designs and accessories available.
LUMONICS CORP.
Standard and custom-engineered laser processing systems for cutting, trimming, drilling, profiling, marking and ablating laminar plastics, including micro-machining with excimer laser technology. All types of lasers - [CO.sub.2], excimer, Nd:YAG - can be integrated with process system.
MACDERMID, INC.
Proprietary chemicals and associated equipment for plating of plastics offered for semi-bulk, bulk and rack plating.
MARKEM CORP.
Hot-stamping ink-jet and coding machinery, pad printers, bar-code printers and related supplies, which include printing elements (brass and steel, inserts, word blocks, type bars, masterplates, etchings, and rubber plates), inks, pads, stamping foils, thinners, and cleaners. Applications include marking plastic parts, electronic components, and packaging. Systems include manual printers, direct offset, and rotogravure machines. Bar-code printers, printer-applicators, laminators, and supplies available, as well as overprinting machines for flexible film packaging that use a "touch-dry" ink system.
MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORP.
Offset printing equipment for marking extruded pipe and tubing from PVC, PE and ABS. Models include friction-driven Print-A-Mark printers for printing character sizes from 1/16 to 3 in. at speeds to 800 fpm.
Indenting systems for codes and logos use no ink. Heat-A-Mark model 2212 for cosmetic, pharmaceutical and packaging applications that need a mark on round bottles or containers heats steel type and indents a branded code into the plastic. Unit indents one line of up to eight 1/8-in. or smaller characters at a rate of 300 bottles/min. For flat parts, Heat Set unit indents a permanent melted code into part similar to the Heat-A-Mark.
Jet-A-Mark large-character ink-jet printing system used for coding information on pipe, profiles, floor tiles, vinyl siding, and films. Graphics, sequential numbers, and batch codes can be printed in sizes from 1/2 to 2 1/2 in. at speeds to 400 fpm.
Label printers and printer applicators in direct thermal and thermal transfer models for barcode labeling applications print on pressure-sensitive labels with printing speeds from 2-8 in./sec in sizes from 1/2 x 1/2 in. to 6.7 x 11 in. Printer applicators print and automatically apply label to products. Microprocessor-based, they can be controlled from a PC, keypad, hand-held terminal or mainframe computer. Touch-blo application method allows precise label placement on curved and irregular surfaces such as pipe.
METAPLAST ELECTROCHEMICALS CORP.
All varieties of conductive coatings, spray, plating and electroforming equipment offered for plating on plastics, electroforming of holograms, toy and doll decorative metallization, and EMI shielding. New methods make it possible to electroplate on virtually any nonconductor, offering design possibilities of metal on plastic and rubber.
METCO DIV. OF PERKIN-ELMER
Equipment and materials for applying thermal-spray metallic coatings. Equipment includes wire-combustion equipment for spraying, electric-arc equipment for metallizing, ThermoSpray powder combustion unit (high-velocity oxy-fuel system and gun), and Plasma Spray device that uses a high-energy plasma to melt metal powders for coatings. Water-wash spray booths available.
MEYERCORD CO.
Primary product line is heat-transfer decals; however, turnkey hot-stamping and heat-transfer systems are engineered.
MOCO THERMAL INDUSTRIES MIDLAND-ROSS DIV.
Industrial power spray washers, drying ovens, flow coaters, cure and bake ovens, and complete finishing systems. UV-curable flow coatings can be applied with U-V Flo-Coater.
MODERN ENGRAVING & MACHINERY
Embossers texture both HDPE and LDPE film in gauges from 0.7 to 4 mils. In-line embosser with matched-steel embossing rolls is for blown film extrusion lines, bag machines, or flexo printers. Cold embossing reportedly results in very high-quality texturing, particularly in HDPE.
Also embossers for blown film that use an engraved steel roll against a rubber back-up roll. Process includes preheat, chill embossing and post-cooling. Method is said to produce fine fabric texture, reduce surface reflectivity, and control stress distribution for personal-products film.
MONODE MARKING PRODUCTS, INC.
Pad-printing equipment and supplies include low-base-price Model MO one-and two-color machine, and inks, cliches and pads.
Small custom hot-stamping equipment for automated applications, along with silicone rubber hot-stamp dies.
Direct ink-marking equipment includes hand-marking devices and coding machines for code dating or marking plastic products and packaging. Model Redhead is a compact marking machine featuring an ink cartridge that feeds the marking head by a CPU controller.
Ink jet marking includes Pin Marking System, a CPU-controlled marking machine that uses a single pin to form characters and is suitable for variable information on plastic.
Also custom steel stamps, hot-stamp dies, mold engraving and hand stamps.
MORRELL INC.
Self-contained in-mold coating system for SMC incorporates metering and pumping components for injection of liquid coating material. Hydraulics, pneumatic and electrical controls supplied for operation of the coating process. Components are mounted on a single base, except for the press-connected items, including patented injector head.
Included are material supply assemblies for single- or two-component coating. Each assembly is equipped with a feed pump and elevator, optional temperature control, and material low-level control. Metering and proportioning are controlled by hydraulics, which include a valve-assembly, manifold, and power unit with nitrogen accumulator. Electrical controls are typically controlled by programmable controllers.
MSI PRECISION CORP.
Pad-printing and hot-stamping tooling and aftermarket items such as pad-printing cliches (etchings), silicone rubber printing pads, inks and thinners, ink doctor blades and brushes. Also hot-stamping supplies such as silicone rubber and metal dies, bonding film, foils and tapes, and character type.
NAZ-DAR CO.
Offers screen-printing equipment, supplies and inks.
NORWOOD MARKING SYSTEMS
Marking systems designed to become an integral part of molding, extruding or conveying lines or die cutters. Compact systems can be installed in-line and operate at production speeds to save labor or other more costly, secondary marking methods such as labels, hand stampers, etc. Hot-stamping, thermal transfer, embossing, ink and dry-ink systems available, as well as supplies.
Also off-line, standalone systems for semi-automatic or manual marking, imprinting and decorating. Imprint areas and machine speeds for most applications from one character to 4 x 4 in. or larger, up to 1000 imprints/min.
NUMBERALL STAMP & TOOL CO.
Marking equipment from hand stamps to automatic numbering machines.
Nonautomatic numbering machines include Model 70, which uses a spanner wrench to rotate wheels; Model 60 with a pin that locks wheels in place; Model 80 with a knob to rotate the unit or one wheel and a spanner wrench to rotate other wheels; and Model 85, which uses knob to rotate unit and ten wheels, and a spanner wrench to rotate other wheels. Model 83 nonautomatic, selective numbering machine rotates wheels to different sequences without use of spanner wrench.
Automatic Model 50 numbering machine used primarily for serial numbering.
All machines can be equipped for hot stamping with different character styles available.
PAD PRINT MACHINERY, INC.
Twelve standard pad-printing machines and customized systems supplied, along with all accessories such as conveyor systems, jigs, and automatic loading and unloading equipment.
System LC50 PN automatic pneumatic pad printer has a capacity of 1000 cycles/hr and a closed ceramic inkcup, which gives a 3-in. diam. imprint.
LC60LPE pneumatic bench-top model, with an electronic key command board that all LPE models have, allows controls on the pad printer, timer delays, delay front and back, timed inking, counting, machine speed automatic drying, and flaming, as well as program functions. LC130LPE and 200LPE systems can print one to four colors for sporting goods, electronics, cassettes, and CD applications.
Other systems include LC80 electromechanical cam-operated unit with vibrating feeders and rotary table; and LC 200 hydraulic unit with four-position conveyor automatic flaming, hot-air and antistatic dryers fitted when necessary.
New sealed inkcup systems with a smooth ceramic ring at the bottom of cups reduce the use of solvents and increase the number of impressions. Systems eliminate the use of ink sweepers and doctor blades, which in turn reduce setup time. Both polymer or steel cliches can be used.
PANNIER CORP.
Industrial marking equipment for printing on porous and nonporous surfaces. Offset printers available in power or friction-driven models with a flexo-graphic inking system that provides ink distribution for clean character edges.
Direct printers for in-line production mounting or manual applications are driven by the moving material or powered by external drive source. Modular Mark Point ink-jet coder system for nonporous surfaces provides variable print heights from 3/8 in. to 2 1/2 in. at speeds to 400 ft/min.
PAPER CONVERTING MACHINE CO.
Converting machinery includes flexo-graphic printing presses (four-, six- and eight-color), coaters, laminators, folders, interfolders, rewinders, slitters, embossers, diaper machines, and packaging systems.
PERMANENT LABEL MACHINERY CORP.
Roll-on hot-stamping and heat-transfer labeling equipment from the R-1 machine for banding small caps and bottles to the patented Acrobot machine, which is capable of continuous hot-stamping or heat-transfer labeling 360 [degrees] around nonround shapes as if they were round.
Acrobot 1000 microprocessor-controlled machine has an optional self-learning programming capability for customized shapes. R-1 roll-on hot-stamping machine includes electronic servo drive and microcontroller and is capable of decorating parts from 1/4- to 1-in. diam. The 30R3 heat-transfer and hot-stamping machine prints up to 360 [degrees] on rounds from 1/4- to 5-in. diam.
Control panel displays used on all machines to enter print speeds, time and sequencing features. Servo control and closed-loop accuracy ensure stable setup and printing characteristics.
Also in-mold labeling systems as well as turnkey equipment for custom applications. Heat transfer labels and a variety of decorating services available.
POLYMARK CORP.
Vertical and roll-on heat-seal presses, which can be custom designed. Custom heat-applied transfers for application onto a range of materials, including polystyrene, polypropylene and polyethylene.
POLYTYPE AMERICA CORP.
High-speed offset printing systems for preformed containers and lids (cans, cups, tubes, tubs, jars, bottles, can ends, preformed caps, closures, and lids) are decorated in one pass in up to eight colors. Line copy, halftone, and full process-color artwork can be reproduced. Materials-handling equipment and thermal or uv-drying ovens incorporated into complete decorating systems.
PRECISION SCREEN MACHINES, INC.
Screen-printing equipment for rigid, semi-rigid and flexible materials.
PRINT TECHNOLOGY INC.
Pad-printing and screen-printing equipment includes manual to fully automated systems from single- to multicolor printing on flat, round or irregular shapes. Sealed inkcup technology helps eliminate solvent loss and gives longer inkpot life and faster printing speeds. Also inks, PMS mixing, pads, doctor blades, thick and thin steel plates, photo-polymer plates, and plate etching service.
PRINTEX
Line of open-well and sealed inkcup pad printers range from small single-color units to large multihead turntable machines. All machines and systems can be augmented with feeders, part pretreatment, dryers, ejectors, and robotics. Modular design allows for integration with automated systems.
Also silicone printing pads, pad-printing inks, raw and developed photopolymer and steel cliches, plate-making supplies and equipment, and pad-printing services.
PRO/MARK CORP.
Pro/Mark decorating system consists of decals and custom designed hot-stamping equipment. Total system includes machinery, tooling, labels and any in-line automation necessary for feeding parts to the hot-stamping machine, or taking them away after decorating. Inks offer screen-printed images chemically bonded to the part for high-abrasion resistance.
R.D.N. MANUFACTURING CO.
Embossing machines range from 1 to 40 in. wide with manual and automatic controls. Machines feature a-c and d-c variable-speed drives. Backup and engraved rollers available.
RIC MOSS INC.
From Super Primex of Hong Kong, pad-printing equipment from mini models to a four-color, computer-controlled floor model. Full line of accessories available.
Hot-stamping machines range from manual to fully automatic, computer-controlled floor models with index tables for easy setup.
Silk-screening machines for flat and round printing are fully automatic, computer-controlled and range from a mini table model to the most advanced S-1000 MB machine.
W.S. ROCKWELL CO.
Custom designs turnkey coating and finishing systems for all types of paint, plastisols, powders and abrasion resistant coatings. Systems feature small footprints and low-energy consumption, high application efficiencies, low maintenance and durability. Incorporated in the systems that use solvent-based resins is a proprietary solvent-vapor recovery system. Standard batch ovens, plastisol dip elevators, and fluidized beds available.
SAKAS, INC.
Embossers and hot imprinters for pipe, sheet, and profiles.
SCHMID MACHINES USA, INC.
Semi- and fully automatic pad-transfer printing machines for marking and decorating curved, concave, convex, irregular, corrugated, and flat surfaces. Patented inking system enables rapid changeover. Image reproduction size ranges from 2.5 x 2.5 in. to 6 x 12 in. All machines available as multicolor, fully automated systems. Also inks and accessories.
Stand-up Model SP 820 has a sliding inking system for easy setup and cleaning, pneumatic controls, enlarged printing surface to 8.5-in. diam., and two ink systems. Also available is an inkwell and open-well system. A chain that converts the SP 820 to a four-color pad printer with 42 fixtures for precise repetitive printing is optional.
Also bench-model silk-screen machines: the Midget 10 for flat printing up to 8 x 8 in., Model CP10/12 for round, oval or cylindrical shapes, and thick-film screen printers from semi-automatic tabletops to fully automated systems to 15 x 15 in.
SCREEN-TECH, INC.
Semi-automatic, medium-speed rotary table and high-speed automatic screen-printing equipment for decorating 3-D parts such as containers, flat objects, vials, tubes, and jars. Maximum imprint sizes: round containers to 5-gal pails or flat objects to 27-in. stroke. Optional equipment includes unscramblers, conventional and uv dryers, automatic feeding and take-off, and pretreat stations. Also precision tooling capability.
S100 high-speed printer operates at speeds to 6000 parts/hr and comes with an interchangeable pressure sensitive labeling head or multiple printing stations.
Also customized equipment.
SERVICE TECTONICS, INC.
Pad-printing equipment from standard to specially designed machines. Supplies include inks, pads and cliches.
SIAS AMERICA EQUIPMENT, INC.
Screen-printing machinery (200 models) includes container printers, flatbed automatics, cylinder presses, flatbed semi-automatics, manual printers, web presses, and presses for close-tolerance work. Custom designs and one-of-a-kind machines available.
SILICONE PRODUCTS & TECHNOLOGY
Specialist in the design and manufacture of silicone rubber sheet, rollers, dies and total tooling for hot-stamp decorating, including systems for new and existing hot-stamp equipment.
* Silicone sheet - rigid, flex-back and "Softbelly" sheet.
* Silicone dies - flat, flex-back and contoured dies.
* Metal dies - steel, magnesium and brass dies, both flat and contoured.
* Silicone rollers - roller tubes, disposable sleeves and roller recoats.
* Auxiliaries - die-mounting bases, parts nests and support fixtures, and custom tooling.
* Total tooling - dies and fixtures designed and developed together, and integrated into a complete hot-stamp decorating system for a specific machine.
SPRAY PLATING SYSTEMS
Specialized guns, equipment and chemicals for decorative metallization and EMI shielding. "Spray Plating" system gives plastic products an appearance similar to vacuum-metallized articles.
STAMPR, INC.
Hot-stamping machines from 1/2 to 3 tons with imprint areas from 1 x 3 in. to 6 x 8 in. Also dry-offset printing machines from hand to fully automated printing, feeding, loading systems. All machines can be custom built for specific marking requirements. Automatic feeding systems, custom tooling, and complete line of accessories (roll leaf, inks, flat and concave dies, and type).
Line of hot-stamp wire/sleeve marking machines includes hand-operated, air-operated, and automatic models. Air units can be interfaced with automatic wire-cut/strip equipment. Automatic units will mark and feed wire. Air cut-off offered for flexible sleeving/tubing. Also roll leaf, flat and concave type, and dies.
STOKES VACUUM INC.
Semi-automatic vacuum-coating machines with reactor chambers varying in size from 24-in. diam. x 24 in. long to. 84-in. diam. x 110 in. long. Machines designed for production coating of thin-film metallic and nonmetallic sources onto a variety of substrates.
Traditional base/topcoat decorative metallizing with aluminum has begun to be augmented by functional applications such as EMI shielding of plastic electronic enclosures. Other functional applications range from optical coatings on plastic TV-camera lenses to multifunctional coatings for automotive head-lamps.
STORK X-CEL, INC.
Rotary screen-printing/coating and rotogravure high-production line systems used to produce wallcoverings, floor coverings, synthetic leathers, roofing products, tarpaulin, back-lit signs, awnings, decals, labels and decorative packaging. Equipment can handle a variety of polymer coatings for paper, fabrics, foils, nonwovens, plastic films and other delicate substrates. Range of coating weights are possible from 0.1 to 20 mils in widths ranging from 13 to 180 in. for coating on one side or both sides of a web simultaneously.
STRAUB DESIGN CO.
Conveying and hot-stamping machines to feed pans automatically to a powered conveyor at 30-40/min. Parts are separated and located, hot stamped or heat-transfer decorated, and automatically discharged to the next process. Machine is 5 ft long x 2 ft wide x 30 in. high.
3DT INC.
PrintFlex pad printers for manual operation or fully integrated automated production lines. PrintFlex ColorSeal systems feature a hermetically sealed ink cup, while ColorSafe systems have an enclosed ink well, which retains ink viscosity for long production runs. Systems eliminate solvent evaporation and VOC emission.
TAMPO TOOL, INC.
High-speed automated pad-printing systems include rotary indexing, in-line and over/under indexing carousels, in-line walking beams, synchronous and nonsynchronous pallet-transfer and continuous automation systems. Components include rotary and carousel indexers, pick-and-place units, linear indexing shuttles, and drying conveyors.
TAMPOPRINT GMBH
See Trans Tech America, Inc.
TECKNIT, INC.
Equipment and supplies for spraying conductive coatings and paint on plastic enclosures.
THIERICA EQUIPMENT CO.
Decorative painting systems including radiant- or gas-fired ovens, and solventless and solvent-type paint-mask washers. In addition to standard spray-paint equipment, custom designed turnkey systems range from hardcoat applications for automotive headlight lenses to pushbuttons for automobile instrument panels. Systems may include chain-on-edge conveyors, ovens, in-line fixture washing, booths, spray application equipment, and pick-and-place transferring.
TOOLTEX INC.
Hot-stamping machines in sizes from 1/2 to 20 tons with platens to 20 x 36 in. Can design and manufacture complete systems, integrating rotary tables, conveyors, indexers, and pick-and-place units. Also supplies Kent pad-printing and screen-printing systems.
TRANS TECH AMERICA, INC.
Distributor and manufacturer of line of transfer pad-printing equipment ranging from small sealed inkcup tabletop models to large hydraulically driven systems with a printing size range to 10 x 30 in. Rotary 360 [degrees] pad-printing, from manual/semi-automatic to high-speed fully automatic systems, and speeds to over 500 pieces/min.
Fully automatic ink viscosity control systems, static control, corona discharge, as well as flame treatment, and uv curing.
Decorating cells, which are self-contained, can be operated directly next to molding machine and loaded directly with unload robot.
Custom color matching and a wide range of special inks, including uv curable. Specializes in custom designed turnkey operations.
TRANSFER PRINT FOILS, INC.
Roll-on, vertical, and peripheral hot-stamping presses, foil cutters, tooling, mounts, nests, dies (rubber and metal), as well as complete systems. Develops new systems and updates existing hot-stamp systems.
UNITED SILICONE INC.
Standard hot-stamping machines include vertical-acting, peripheral-marking and roll-on decorating.
Vertical hot-stamping equipment includes pneumatically powered 1/2-, 1- and 2 1/2-ton tabletop models and 4-, 7- and 12-ton floor-standing units with force generated by a linear pneumatic cylinder coupled with a cam amplifier mechanism. Machines apply decorative foils or preprinted heat transfers to flat or slightly crowned part surfaces, and to a maximum of 90 [degrees] of the circumference of cylindrically or spherically shaped part surfaces.
Peripheral-marking machines allow decorative foil to be applied to 360 [degrees] of the periphery of parts. Models PS 1000, PS 1500 and VPC can accommodate cylindrical objects. Model VPC includes an over/under conveyor that facilitates rapid, continuous part feed. Cosmetica 2000 decorates irregularly shaped parts, and model US 2400 accurately aligns and hot stamps additional copy on already decorated cylindrical objects.
Roll-on decorating machines apply decorative foil to large-area part surfaces, configured flat or with a slight contour. Model US R8C incorporates a conveyor belt part transfer, while models US R8 BX and US R12 respectively have a reciprocating head and reciprocating table. US R13 decorates up to four sides of a component with hands-off operation.
Pad-transfer equipment prints ink on a range of part surface geometries from flat to complex shapes. Pneumatically powered models UP 303 and 505 feature sealed ink reservoir, which virtually eliminates solvent evaporation; models UP 308, 450 and 670 have a covered inkwell to minimize solvent evaporation. These features permit continuous and consistent printing for long durations with fewer rejects. Efficiency is further enhanced by synchronized, harmonic lateral machine motion, which provides smooth advance and return with minimized vibration for printing repeatability and increased rates. Also included is a DSP controller, which has a membrane switch panel and backlit LCD screen to display machine settings, status and diagnostic messages for troubleshooting.
Also, complete line of supplies includes silicone and metal hot-stamping dies as well as foil, silicone roller and sheets, pad-printing cliches, inks, transfer pads and doctor blades. (See ad p. 369.)
U.V. PROCESS SUPPLY, INC.
Screen- and pad-printing systems for flat and 3-D parts, based on uv curing, include full support equipment. Supplies include "instantly" cured inks that are scratch- and solvent-resistant, safety products, test equipment, maintenance supplies and adhesives. Systems are reportedly nonpolluting and energy efficient.
Ink-Cure-Analyzer is a PC-based test station able to read the degree of polymerization of uv-cured materials. It provides exact data on product processing and allows for periodic check of cure through the production run.
Compact, portable fiber-optic uv light systems reportedly peak at the critical uv radiation band that cures during decoration and adhesives for assembly of small parts. Multiple-wand uv spot cure system provides connections for additional flexible optic wands to cure up to three separate areas simultaneously without reducing uv intensity.
Compact, air-driven Con-Trol-Cure transfer pump transports small amounts of materials to application machines. Flow rates of up to 1.8 gal/min supply flexo, offset, screen, roller coaters and the gravure coating machines.
VAN DAM MACHINE CORP.
Dry-offset printing equipment for use with infrared or uv inks for decorating preformed plastic cups, containers, cans, jars, vials, tubes and lids. Printing speeds up to 500/min for cups, 800/min for lids, and 200/min for tubes. Equipment available with up to eight color capability.
THE WAGNER CO.
Reciprocal, peripheral, and roll-on hot-stamping equipment. Fifteen reciprocal presses are standard: M1500, 3/4-ton hand-operated; A1500, 3/4-ton air-operated; A1000, 1/2-ton air-operated; A2000, A4000, A6000, A8000, A10K, 1-, 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-ton air-operated; H10K, H15K, H20K, H24K, 7 1/2- and 12-ton hydraulically operated; and PH4-5, PH4-20, PH4-60, 5- to 60-ton hydraulically operated.
Six peripheral presses offered: PRB6, PRB12 and PRB24, for part diameters from 1/2 to 30 in.; CD3 and CD5 offer chain drive pallets for high speed; and SR3 designed to imprint irregular, square, round, oval or rectangular shapes.
Two conveyor-type, roll-on presses, R8C, and R18C, with 8 in. and 18 in. roller width capacity. Sizes are duplicated for the two reciprocating BGP roll-on moldings, the R8R and R18R. Reciprocating BGP units are hydraulically powered.
Four models of box-motion, roll-on machines with various stroke and roller-width capacities. Models BMR3, BMR6, and BMR12 box-motion machines of C-frame construction come in a variety of stroke lengths. Boxer is a large box-motion machine with 2-in. roller width and stroke of 36 to 48 in. Extrusion roll-on, hot-stamp press, model XR3, also offered.
WARNER SALES ASSOCIATES, INC.
Complete range of roll-to-roll flexo-graphic presses for flexible substrates.
WEBER MARKING SYSTEMS
Computerized printers produce labels to 16 in. wide with serial numbers and bar codes. CRT-displayed label format, machine-prompted operation, menu selection of functions, and memory retrieval are reportedly easy to use without special training. Also disk storage of variable and constant information in any label format.
Manual and electronic label imprinters, applicators and related equipment; and pressure-sensitive custom-printed labels, stencils, hand printers and other labeling supplies available.
WEBTECH, INC.
Principal product line is hot-stamp foils, specializing in rotogravure and silk-screen printed heat transfers, wood-grains, specialty patterns, and pigments. Also supplies turnkey hot-stamp systems, foil, and equipment to decorate various types of substrates and configurations. Metallized label and designs available.
WlNDMOELLER & HOELSCHER CORP.
Flexographic and gravure printing presses includes Merkur line of rotogravure machines that can print in one to 10 colors, widths to 100 in. and repeat ranges from 13 to 75 in. Merkur Helio-star prints a wide variety of substrates from thin films to heavy paper. Fully computerized press requires only one operator to set up and monitor all machine operations. Widths to 90 in. can be supplied. The machine accepts gravure cylinders from full to half-width and operates at production speeds to 1200 ft/min.
Olympia central-impression flexographic presses come in widths from 16 to 110 in. with repeat ranges from 11 to 120 in. in 4-, 6-, and 8-color versions. Olympia Starflex, modularly designed to be expandable from 6 to 8 colors, allows identical color decks to be added. The 52-in.-wide Olympia Starflex has print-repeat length from 12 to 40 in. at printing speeds to 1200 ft/min.
Olympia Stellaflex is a mid-priced, compact central-impression press featuring a modular design for six or eight color decks and widths of 44 to 52 in.
Soloflex is a quick-change, six-to-eight color, narrow-web central-impression press that is able to optimize short-run printing on a wide range of materials to 24.5-in. wide.
Alina tail-end printers (four models) available in widths from 9 to 100 in. with repeat ranges of 9 to 70 in. Models can be supplied with up to 8 colors.
WOLVERINE FLEXOGRAPHIC MFG.
Flexographic printing presses and related equipment, including stack-type printing presses, single-impression printing presses, and unwind and rewind units.
Welding and Assembly Systems
PRODUCT LINES REVIEWED
A&A ELECTRONIC DIE CO. DIV. U.S. STEEL RULE DIE CO.
Dielectric welding equipment along with electronic sealing dies, tooling, and equipment for welding supported and unsupported PVC, PET, PETG films, urethane, and coated fabrics. Latter include heat-sealing dies, articulating seal-and-cut dies, 360 [degrees] tube sealers, pushbutton automatic trays, Colpit and Kiefel dies, capping fixtures, and vacuum-form and applique dies.
ABLE ELECTRONIC DIE CORP.
Electronic heat-sealing dies and fixtures for the medical, advertising specialty, looseleaf binder, and handbag markets.
AIR HYDRAULICS CO., INC.
Heat-staking systems for thermoplastics include standard presses from 1/4 ton to 8 tons with rigid frame and positive-locking depth-control stops with sensors to prevent overheating. Replaceable tips are standard. Also offers shuttle tables and rotary systems.
Hot-air staking systems use tightly controlled superheated hot air to melt studs and an air-cooled staking peen to cold-form heads. Full range of machinery custom designed.
Cold-staking systems for thermoplastics include pneumatic and hydraulic presses from 1/2 through 60 tons. Replaceable peens and accurate speed controls are standard.
Automatic insertion systems install metal inserts such as threaded female fasteners and studs. Standard presses with interchangeable and movable heated insertion probes drive replaceable tips for multiple insert sizes. Shuttle tables are standard. Automatic insert feeding systems and rotary indexers optional.
AMTECH AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY INC.
ST40 40-kHz ultrasonic tube sealer adapts to most filling machines, seals over 80 tubes/min, and includes date-coding and trimming station.
ARMAC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
Model 1216 blister sealer automatically feeds blisters into nesting trays, picks and places cards, provides a positive seal, and ejects the finished package. Camco six-position drive reportedly ensures greater index accuracy with smoother acceleration and deceleration than a conventional Genevera drive. Toggle-activated seal head affords higher pressure for a more uniform seal. Model 1216 accepts standard tooling for other six-station blister sealers. Cycle rates to 20 cpm.
ATLAS-VAC MACHINE DIV. PLANET PRODUCTS CORP.
Equipment for heat-sealing plastic materials to each other or to coated paperboard. Machinery ranges from basic semi-automatic versions to fully automated equipment. Two sealing methods are used: 1) applying heat and pressure to the back of the lidding material or paperboard, and 2) applying heat and pressure to the face of the plastic material. Typical applications are conventional blister packages and lidded trays. Also a line of thermoforming equipment and automatic loaders.
BRANSON ULTRASONICS CORP.
A range of 20-kHz ultrasonic systems with 150- to 3000-w power handle most thermoplastic assembly requirements, including welding, staking, spot welding, inserting, swaging and degating. Equipment also used for sealing, slitting, bonding and laminating thermoplastic textiles and films.
Integrated welders and component systems available for automated production lines, along with several software packages for external control of welders and SPC. Complete ultrasonic horn manufacturing capabilities available.
Advanced power supplies provide more precise control of process variables and weld quality, reducing standard deviation and increasing Cpk (process capability index) of welding process. Major features include line/load regulation, electronic amplitude control, Autotune plus Memory (AT/M), and Auto Seek.
Current 900 Series microprocessor-controlled systems feature multiple welding modes such as time, energy, time/energy compensation, welding by distance (absolute, collapse, and ground detect activated) and continuous. Ultrasonic trim knife and hand-held units also offered.
Vibration welding equipment accommodates thermoplastic parts from 6 sq in. to 48 x 20 in. Linear friction welding process is effective on molded parts with complex geometry and resins (PP, nylon and PC) that are difficult to weld with ultrasonics.
Three other assembly processes offered: orbital welding, a friction process that uses constant-velocity orbital motion to weld thermoplastic materials with as little as 30-mil part-to-part clearance; hot-plate welding, which is suitable for flat parts and provides fast, strong, hermetic seals; and spin welding, suitable for circular thermoplastic parts. (See ad p. 373.)
BYM ELECTRONICS INC.
Ultrasonic welders for low- to medium-power applications include 100-w, 40-kHz, or 50-kHz "Gentle Touch" systems for small, delicate parts. A 125-w, 40-kHz "Model Shop 40" available for plastic model building, as is a 450-w system that can accommodate medium-sized assembly applications. Also 900-w system for larger units.
Horns and automatic assembly systems, and an ultrasonic analyzer for testing systems and horns available.
CALLANAN CO.
RF sealing equipment from 0.9 to 60 kw includes appropriate generator and press best suited to application, together with production tooling. Builds equipment for fabricating medical disposables, for clamshell and blister packaging, for automotive-OEM aftermarket, and for welding seams and letters for back-lit signs and awnings. Offers training seminars and workshops.
COHERENT GENERAL, INC.
[CO.sub.2], Nd:YAG, and Nd:glass lasers and laser systems for industrial applications. Laser applications development center is available for R&D work.
DRADER MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES
"Injectiweld" hand-held welding gun system continuously feeds and melts a rod of thermoplastic (HDPE, ABS, PP, PS) and extrudes it under pressure as a continuous bead in the weld zone. Hot tip of the gun melts the surface of the substrate to be joined (of the same polymer as the welding gun), and the extrusion pressure causes an intimate joining of the bead and substrate in what is called a "true weld."
DUKANE CORP., ULTRASONICS DIV.
Ultrasonic welding equipment for thermoplastics includes welding, staking, swaging, inserting, spot welding and degating techniques. Thermoplastic textiles and film can be continuously sealed, slit, embossed and laminated.
Equipment available in 20 and 40 kHz with wattage levels between 200 and 3000 watts. Systems include presses, thrusters, probes, hand guns, rotary tables, sound enclosures, multihead and integrated workstations. Special features include patented pulse-width modulation, linear ramp soft start, overload protection, load regulation, and heavy-duty construction with precision slide assembly for performance and reliability.
Advanced microcomputer-controlled Ultra-Com systems available for optimum control of process variables that increase Cpk (process capability index). Features include weld by distance, weld by energy or peak power, sequencing and control of force and velocity. Real-time data collection each millisecond provides graphing capabilities, analysis and interface with most SPC packages.
Also acoustical tooling (horns and fixtures), including FEA (Finite Element Analysis).
EMABOND SYSTEMS ASHLAND CHEMICAL INC.
Emaweld system for electromagnetic welding uses inductive energy to create fusion bonds between thermoplastic parts. System consists of a generator, water-cooled coils, and special magnetically active preforms. Preforms are fitted between parts and heated electromagnetically by the generator and coils. Fusion temperatures are reached in seconds. System reportedly can weld most thermoplastics, including reinforced grades, quickly and cleanly, and is said to be especially effective in attaining reliable pressure-tight structural bonds. It handles large or irregular shapes and is built as a turnkey operation, widely used in the medical, consumer, automotive, filter, battery, and container markets.
ENERCON INDUSTRIES CORP.
Compak induction cap sealer, a non-contact system, establishes a magnetic field that heats the foil in the cap liner and creates a hermetic seal. Systems have "instant on" capability and automatic frequency control, which provides constant flux density, unaffected by the number of caps under the sealing head. Various coil designs handle virtually any application, regardless of container material, size, shape or product fill. Design allows mounting of cap sealer directly over conveyor, saving floor space. Induction seals prevent product spillage, reduce spoilage and provide tamper-evidency.
ENGINEERED INSERTS & SYSTEMS
Offers Thermal equipment to stake together pieces of dissimilar materials using heat, pressure and time; and for manual, pneumatic, semi-automatic or fully automatic assembly/installation of metal inserts in thermoplastics.
Automatic assembly equipment, which can put together plastic or metal parts, electronically inspects individual parts or finished assemblies and moves them to a packaging station.
FORWARD TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRIES HYDRA SEALER DIV.
Hydra Sealer line of hot-plate welding equipment for plastic parts provides high-strength, hermetic seals, high production rates and ability to weld unusual part designs. Equipment ranges from small, low-production table models to high-production machines capable of welding parts up to 4 sq ft. Applications include appliance pumps, air-conditioning ducts, automotive batteries and reservoirs, taillight assemblies, gas tanks, and other containers. Completely automated systems available.
FORWARD TECHNOLOGY INDUSTRIES MECASONIC DIV.
Ultrasonic and spin-welding equipment includes microprocessor-controlled ultrasonic bench welders available in 20, 30 and 40 kHz with power ranging from 600 to 2500 w. Probe systems available in 20, 30 and 40 kHz with power supplies of 600 to 2500 w. Hand units are 30 kHz with power of 800 w. Bench welders equipped with a head that levels to the part, as well as pretriggering, dynamic triggering, electronic bottom stop and factory-installed wiring for semi- or automatic plug-in operation.
Continuous-welding ultrasonic system for fabric and film sealing with a rotary horn reportedly seals at speeds up to twice that of conventional methods, while maintaining a consistent quality seal.
Spin welder seals circular-axis parts made of PP, PE, PVC, nylon and most other thermoplastics.
GTE SYLVANIA
High-temperature hot-air tools include hand-held benchtop systems. Serpentine heating-element design provides temperatures to 1600 F.
HARWlL CORP.
Lightweight, low-cost hand tools for heat-sealing plastic film and bags in thicknesses from 1/4 to 10 mil. Sealing lengths extend from 7 to 36 in. Adjustable temperature is controlled over a range from 150 to 475 F. Simple operation and one-step sealing. TFE-coated sealing edge is easily changed by loosening two screws.
HELLERBOND
Equipment, bonding agents, and technology for high-speed induction bonding of thermoplastics and metal to plastics. Plastic welds achieved by magnetically generated heat produced when magnetic particles in the bonding agent are exposed to an RF field. Bonding agent is applied as a liquid, hot melt, die-cut film, molded gasket, ribbon, filament, or coextrusion. Welded bonds are achieved in TP polyester, polycarbonate, PP, HDPE, nylon, PPO/PPE blends, FEP fluoropolymer, ABS, PVC, and many TP elastomers. Accelerated curing of epoxy adhesive available for joining SMC and other thermosets.
Also offers heat staking machines and complete custom impulse sealers.
HERRMANN ULTRASONICS INC.
CNC welding machines with exclusive proportional valve provide closed-loop control over air pressure and ensure consistent trigger and weld force delivery. With this technology, pressure gauges and trigger springs are made obsolete.
Welders allow for the programming of amplitude from 70% to 100%. Unlike conventional generators, the Active Control series provides constant amplitude output regardless of voltage variation from 190 v to 240 v. Machines offered in 35 kHz, 500 and 1000 watts; and in 20 kHz, 2000 and 4000 watts.
FDA validation and ISO 9000 compliance are possible.
HIGH FREQUENCY TECHNOLOGY CO.
RF high-frequency plastic welders/sealers from 1-kw to 75-kw output with pneumatic or hydraulic presses. Also accessories such as rotary indexing turntables, side-to-side shuttle slide tables, and automatic roll-feed indexing mechanisms.
Supplies premachined brass electrode/die rule and diemaking apparatus for in-house fabrication of RF heat-sealing dies/electrodes. In addition, complete RF sealing dies manufactured for users who require professional precision diemaking services.
Imports machinery and die-supply products associated with plastic sealing.
THE INDUSTRIAL LASER SOURCE
New system for noncontact welding, designed around a sealed [CO.sub.2] laser and proprietary optical system, utilizes the intense energy of the laser and tuning parameters, producing a seal that is stronger than the virgin material. Processing speeds to 50 in./sec are typical. Noncontact process eliminates substrate deformation and induced stress, and allows simple processing of nonself-supporting materials. Processing materials on-the-fly is accomplished by computer tracking. System is suitable for cutting, sealing, and welding polymers.
ITALIAN TRADE COMMISSION
Welding equipment from Italian companies includes heat sealing for film (bag-making, wrapping; high-frequency welding for stationery, packaging, automotive parts, medical items, and inflatables; and ultrasonic welding for assembling molded and/or extruded parts.
KABAR MANUFACTURING CORP.
RF heat-sealing equipment from 1 to 50 kw features options such as computerized equipment and power control. Material aids include turntables, indexers, material feeders and board loaders. Provides complete turnkey operations with in-house die facility for the manufacture of heat-seal tooling. Also die kits, die rules, and Carmo vinyl heat-sealable components such as snap fasteners, medical fittings, grommets and valves.
KAMWELD PRODUCTS CO., INC.
Hot-air welders for tack and hand welding of all weldable thermoplastics, including high-temperature materials. Standard hand-held models require compressed air and 110-v a-c (350 to 900 w). Portable models have built-in air compressor. Units and electric heating elements are of stainless steel.
Supplies standard tips and tools for tack welding or welding with round or. triangular rods and flat strips, and a heating device for bending thermoplastic sheets.
KENSOL-OLSENMARK, INC.
Air-operated heat-sealing and welding units with electrically controlled dwell. time available in pressure ranges from 1/2 to 10 tons. Presses have thermostatic control; heated heads range from 2 x 4 in. to 20 x 30 in.
KIEFEL SYSTEMS
Contact welding, high-frequency (RF) heating-sealing, and combination RF/contact sealing machines for use in automotive, packaging, stationery and medical industries include:
* Double-shuttle tables for small-scale production of blister packs, folded boxes, videocassette cases and holders. Equipped with an automatic shuttle-table system and max. welding areas of 900 x 1300 mm (RF) and 400 x 700 mm (contact-heat).
* Two-, four- and six-station turntables for small- to medium-scale production (RF and contact-heat) of blister packs, folded boxes, videocassette cases and holders. Can be used in semi-automated or fully automated production in combination with thermoforming machines.
* Indexing machines for large-scale production of blister packs and videocassette cases with a max. welding area of 610 x 670 mm.
* RF and contact-heat indexing machines with sheet inserter for large-scale production of folded boxes. Used in RF embossing for PVC and thermocontact embossing for PET or PP.
* Contact-heat indexing machines for large-scale production of disposable liquid packs in sizes from 3 to 20 liters. Equipped with automatic material unwind, hole punch for filling tubes, automatic tube feed, crosscutter and stacking device.
LARAMY PRODUCTS CO., INC.
High-speed hot-gas welders feature six interchangeable "located-heat" elements with welding temperatures of 450 to 1150 F. Wattages are 250 to 750 with heat concentrated at tips for easy barrel handling. Also portable air compressors, extra-long barrels for high-heat applications, and a wide variety of tip configurations. Specially engineered nitrogen-saving units reportedly can cut nitrogen consumption by 50%. Also equipment to bend and weld thermoplastic sheets for fabricating tanks, hoods, etc., along with specialized contact welders for plastic pipe.
LEPEL CORP.
Induction heating power supplies and work-handling systems for bonding, and induction cap-sealing generators for hermetically sealing membranes to plastic containers.
BRIAN LYTTLE, INC.
Sur-Bon hot-wire seamer can join most thermoplastics and trim waste. Widths from 12 to 75 in. can be accommodated.
Also Engel line of heat-cutting and heat-sealing units, ranging from small hand-held units to large slitting and sealing models.
MAGNUM SONICS INC.
Hand-held, 20-kHz ultrasonic welder incorporates an automatically controlled pneumatic clamp. Unit weighs 5 lb and is powered by a 500-, 1000-, or 1500-w generator. Can be retrofitted to existing ultrasonic systems. Welding tips, anvils, timing and energy-control options available.
MASTER APPLIANCE CORP.
All-purpose industrial heat gun for applying shrink tubing and solder pre-forms; welding plastics; and bending, softening, and forming thermoplastic materials and curing epoxies. Gun available with optional pinpoint attachment for welding plastic. Built-in stand is standard. Master Model HG 501A heats to 750 F, VT750C variable-temperature heat gun to 1000 F.
MASTERSONICS, INC.
Ultrasonic welding equipment and related tooling consist of a standard 20-kHz welding press with power supplies from 350 to 1200 w. Hand-held model or tabletop press available with a 100-w power supply, thruster capabilities, and 50 kHz. A 20-kHz handgun is standard. Automated systems can be made to order. Standard rotary indexer available with multiple stations.
Also spin welding equipment can handle applications not feasible for ultrasonic welding.
MSI PRECISION CORP.
Spin welding equipment, tooling and systems for cylindrical and spherical parts hermetic assembly. Standard line of machinery includes multiple-horse, low to high torque a-c and d-c random spin drive, and fixed-spin units that weld parts to [+ or -] 2 [degrees] of part diam. Part size applications range from 1/2 diam. and up with part indexing via turntable or lineal conveyor.
NATIONAL INSTRUMENT CO.
Thermal-impulse sealers for thermoplastic film. Sealing lengths to 24 in., producing 2-mm-wide flat seals.
OLSEN MANUFACTURING CO.
Spin welders range from bench-type models for small parts to free-standing machines that weld up to 24-in.-diam. parts. Options include tachometer, trimmers, automatic loaders and unloaders, and test stations. Welders have dual palm buttons for operator safety when initiating weld cycle and a solid-state programmable controller to monitor all functions of machine operation. Basic spin welder is designed as a modular unit, which can be incorporated into automated lines. Also designs and builds dial-index and in-line machines to automate welding processes.
PILLAR TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Foiler induction capsealing systems are 100% solid-state, air-cooled generator designed specifically for heating a foil inner seal to the mouth or opening of plastic containers for the purposes of safety, freshness and spillproofing. System comes in 2- and 4-kw versions and is adaptable to all sealing lines. Sealing capability of over 300 ft/min handles closures and shapes of all kinds. Features include remote control panel, unique coil and coil support designs, autostart capability, and power supply.
PLASTICS ASSEMBLY CORP.
Offers custom-manufactured contact heat-welding equipment.
RADIO FREQUENCY CO., INC.
Induction machines provide localized heating for plastic forming, coating, and foil sealing. Fully automated, turnkey, or manual-handling systems offered from 1 to 300 kw and 450 kHz to 5 mHz. Dielectric systems feature patented Macrowave process. Automated or manual systems range from 1 to 200 kw and 12 to 120 mHz.
RADYNE CORP.
RF heat-sealing equipment ranges from hand-held units to rotary turntables 28 ft in diam. Presses available to 30 tons. Generators are frequency-stabilized, FCC-certified, and available in power outputs from 500 w to 100 kw. Individual presses and generators are offered.
Specializes in tray-type shuttles, roll-feeding, and rotary systems, usually sold as an integrated unit to ensure reliability and accuracy. All generators incorporate a completely solid-state arc-sensing unit. Other accessories match generator output to the workload. Integral electric and seal-checking units alert operators when sealing quality deteriorates.
SEELYE INC.
New Seelye 63 Ultra hand-held welder designed for high-speed, high-temperature welding of UHMW and other thermoplastics.
Electrical plastic welding equipment for industrial and automotive applications includes a hot-air welder, assorted tips and elements, welding rod stock, and three models of heat guns. Welders, with a variable heat range of 400-900 F, capable of welding PVC, ABS, PP, PE and other thermoplastics at speeds of 4 ft/min. Also a portable, self-contained unit.
SENCORP SYSTEMS, INC.
Products include laboratory heat sealers and formers; high-frequency sealers; and in-line and turntable systems for stationery and office supplies, medical devices, blister sealing, inflatables, and other plastic-to-plastic heat-sealing applications.
SERVICE TECTONICS, INC.
Offers a versatile fusion-bonding machine. Side platens are accessible so that tooling can be moved in and out of the equipment easily. Setup is said to be easy, and changes from one tool to another can be kept to a minimum.
Hot-air staking machine in various sizes reportedly makes heat staking more efficient and simpler. Tooling also available.
SERVPAK CORP.
Line of table-top heat-sealers can seal precut heat-sealable lids or films on a roll onto rigid or semi-rigid containers. Manually operated systems available for low-volume production. Also pneumatically operated systems for lab applications. Special units designed to fit inside lab hoods for medical and biomedical applications.
SONIC EASE, INC.
Offers ultrasonic horns, tooling equipment, and the RX 1000 microprocessor controller, which is retrofittable and can be installed on any ultrasonic welder. Complete systems can include index tables, shuttles, hot stamping, pad printing, automatic loading and unloading, spin welding, heat sealing, and automatic insertion.
SONICS & MATERIALS, INC.
Ultrasonic assembly systems can weld, insert, stake and reform thermoplastic components. Equipment available in three frequencies (15, 20, and 40 kHz) and power outputs from 200 to 4000 w. Microprocessor-controlled systems monitor conditions during each process cycle and compensate for variables for consistent results. Operating parameters such as time, energy and trigger force are easily entered through the microprocessor keypad. Up to nine jobs can be stored and sequenced. Options include CRT monitor, hard-copy printer, linear encoder (which allows accurate welding by distance), and SPC and PC interface capabilities. Welders with conventional timer controls also available.
In addition to bench-top welders, company offers the 1096S slimline actuator for use in automated systems where space is at a premium. Compact hand-held welders, available with many accessories, are suited to assembling large parts or those with hard-to-reach joint surfaces.
SONOBOND ULTRASONICS, INC.
Ultrasonic assembly equipment for welding, staking, inserting and degating. Welders include conventional 20 kHz systems with power levels from 600 to 3000 w; 35 kHz systems from 200 to 900 w; and a small 70-kHz, 90-w unit. Because of their lower amplitude of vibration, the 35-kHz and 70-kHz units allow for welding small precision parts.
Sureweld 20 and 35 come equipped with a built-in leveling fixture in the base and a "T" slot and toe clamps to secure fixtures. Sureweld 20 has a rectangular support column for extra rigidity. Microprocessors control the weld by time, energy or distance.
Line of equipment for cutting and sealing films and fabrics includes an ultrasonic "sewing" machine, slitters, and a hand-held cutter.
Company retains the old Cavitron style SW 800 (formerly Cavitron's 150) along with spare parts and repair.
S.P. INDUSTRIES
RF heat-sealing and thermal heat-sealing equipment and accessories. RF heat sealers available from 4 through 30 kw. Accessories include side-to,side shuttles, rotary and in-line indexers, and heated platens. The "Current Monitor" uses current, not time, to control the welding cycle. It prevents under- and over-welded parts. Customized systems available.
SPIROL INTERNATIONAL CORP.
Produces heat/ultrasonic, self-tapping and expansion inserts, as well as insert installation equipment. Automation product line includes vibratory parts-feeding equipment, pin installation equipment, and nonsynchronous conveyor components and systems.
STRAUB DESIGN CO.
Automatic plastic heat-riveting machine seals up to 50 rivets simultaneously. Unit automatically feeds parts on a powered conveyor, then separates, locates, rivets up to 50 projections simultaneously, and discharges items on the conveyor to the next operation. Cycle time is 24-30 sec. Automatic web unwind/rewind stands, weld/scrap winders and automatic splicing machines with speeds to 800 ft/min also available.
TAMPO TOOL, INC.
High-speed automation systems for assembly and ultrasonic welding. Type include rotary indexing, in-line and over/under indexing carousels, in-line walking beams, synchronous and non-synchronous pallet-transfer and continuous automation systems. Components include rotary and carousel indexers, pick-and-place units, linear indexing shuttles, and drying conveyors. Serves automotive, electronics, medical, sports, toys, and consumer products industries.
T.A. SYSTEMS INC.
Manufactures special machinery for its hot-air staking ("hot-cold upset") process. A hot-air gun blows flow-controlled air across the plastic boss, which is then upset with a cold rod that extracts the heat from the plastic to form any shape head desired. Because the boss is thermally reformed with hot air and not mechanically formed, there reportedly is no tendency to delayed stress-cracking, as may be caused by ultrasonic staking or orbital riveting. Higher strength assemblies are said to result, since material around the boss reportedly is undamaged by the assembly process. Machinery cost is said to be 40-60% less than for ultrasonic staking and 10% less than for conventional heat staking. Any number of bosses on various planes and/or angles can be upset at the same time. Assembly time is less than 10 sec, regardless of the number of bosses.
Also offers hot-plate fusion equipment, ultrasonic systems, and secondary equipment involving clip pressing, degating, pinching, and laminating dies.
THERMEX THERMATRON INC.
High-frequency dielectric heat-sealing equipment from 1 to 100 kw is designed for welding, heat sealing, embossing, and die cutting supported and unsupported vinyls and other thermoplastics. Solid-state, harmonic-free units, custom or standardized, are frequency stabilized to meet and surpass FCC requirements. Accessories include board feeders, indexers, inserters, shuttles, turntables, quick-disconnect features, temperature-controlled platens and tools, dies, and fixtures. Looseleaf binders and disposable medical products reportedly can be produced at rates up to 80,000/day with one operator. F-series models feature circuitry said to require an average of 32% less energy than comparable heat sealers.
TOOLTEX INC.
Specializes in automated ultrasonic welding systems. Can build complete assembly line incorporating equipment with pick-and-place units, indexers, conveyors and specialized testing. Specialized horns, tooling and fixtures for most any assembly available.
ULTRA SONIC SEAL CO.
Ultrasonic welding equipment in 15-, 20- and 40-kHz. Also tooling for welding, staking, forming, spot welding, inserting, tube sealing, and continuous film sealing. Equipment ranges from small hand-held units to large automated systems. Welding can be continuous, timed, depth-controlled, or microprocessor-controlled with q-c functions. All power supplies incorporate variable power control for fine amplitude adjustment between normal booster ranges.
VALAD ELECTRIC HEATING CO.
Electric-impulse heat sealers with 14-and 18-in. jaws, manual heat sealers with 6-in. jaws, heat-sealing irons with heat controls, and heating elements for specialized sealing.
VERTROD CORP.
Semi-automatic thermal-impulse heat-sealing machines for films, foams, fabrics and laminates used in both packaging and fabricating. Sealing capacity ranges from 4 to 240 in. and seal widths extend from 1/8 to 4 in. Over 250 models of 13 basic machine types are built, with modified and custom equipment available. Sealers can be integrated into automatic packaging systems. Units can seal contours and trim in open or closed, symmetrical or irregular shapes.
VINTON INC. SUB. OF BRANSON ULTRASONICS
Linear vibration welders, hot-plate welders, and tooling for joining thermoplastics. Cycle times generally range from 6 to 30 sec, depending on size or complexity. Vibration welders feature variable high frequency, small amplitude ([+ or -]30 mil), and hydraulic clamping for parts up to 55.5 x 25 in. Hot-plate welders feature smooth, controlled motions for delicate assemblies, complex parting lines, or flexible components. Parts to 24 x 48 in. can be accommodated. Both processes can be fitted to conveyors, rotary tables, or pick-and-place robot loaders.
WEGENER NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Hot-air hand welding systems for rigid sheet and pipe fabrication; hot-air hand welders and automatic welders for industrial fabrics and single-ply roofing systems; and hot-air extrusion welders for rigid sheet and pipe fabrication, as well as geomembrane liner materials.
WEST COAST PLASTICS EQUIPMENT
Distributes Vertrod Corp.'s thermal impulse sealers and welders for bags, film and sheet; Packaging Aids Corp.'s impulse sealers and vacuum baggers; Multivac vacuum chambers; PackRite continuous-band and hot-jaw sealers; and AIE and TEW simpler, low cost packagers. Spare parts and full repair services maintained.
ZED INDUSTRIES
Blister heat-sealing machines offered with platen areas ranging from 10 x 10 in. to 25 x 50 in. Over 36 different types of blister sealers available, from manual-feed units to completely in-line automatic heat sealers, rotary-type heat sealers, belt and tray sealers, and special units that heat seal and trim at the same station. Seal and Trim machines offered up to 200 tons with platen areas from 8 x 10 in. to 36 x 48 in.
Newest line of sealers utilize impulse sealing technology and are available in shuttle and rotary designs. Capable of welding plastic/plastic parts in sizes exceeding 15 x 18 in. to 12 in. tall.
Also offers complete in-line, form-fill seal units with platen areas from 5 x 7 in. to 25 x 36 in., serving food and drug, medical, and retail markets.
Blowing Agents
PRODUCT LINES REVIEWED
ACCURATE COLOR INC.
Chemical blowing agent dispersions in concentrate, liquid, or dry-powder form. Up to 12.5% azo and hydrazide active ingredients in a universal carrier permit letdowns from 100:1 to 40:1. Suitable for injection molding and extrusion of all polyolefins and styrenics.
AKROCHEM CORP.
Exothermic and endothermic chemical blowing agents. Endothermics contain acid and carbonate components treated to provide stable mixtures and generate carbon dioxide on decomposing. Azodicarbonamide exothermics generate nitrogen gas on decomposition and produce three to five times more gas than endothermics. Concentrates also available in activity levels from 5% to 60%, customized for resin compatibility and decomposition temperature.
ALLIED COLOR INDUSTRIES, INC.
Pelletized concentrates of blowing agents such as benzene sulfonyl hydrazide, azodicarbonamide, and modified azodicarbonamide in a variety of thermoplastics.
AMERICHEM INC.
Custom-formulated concentrates for most thermoplastics can include a nontoxic blowing agent for food-contact applications. Can contain color and other additives. (See ad p. 397.)
AMPACET CORP.
LDPE-based foaming-agent concentrates are specially designed for thin blown, cast, or coextruded films. Grade 10123 is for LDPE, HDPE or PP hom*opolymers. Grade 10112 is for PE/EVA copolymers. Universal 10349 concentrate is for engineering resins (either polar or nonpolar).
BAYER CORP.
Porofor ADC azodicarbonamide chemical blowing agents are for rigid and flexible vinyls, crosslinked PE foam, ABS, and PS. (See Insert pp. 551-574.)
B.I. CHEMICALS, HENLEY DIV.
Hydrocerol is an endothermic blowing- and nucleating-agent system manufactured in Germany by Boehringer Ingelheim. Powder and concentrate forms available for most thermoplastics. Liquid grade is for high-temperature polymers such as PC. Self-nucleation yields finer cells, which improves surface appearance and physical properties. Acts as an efficient nucleator in direct-gassed systems, regardless of type of gas used to foam.
Azodicarbonamide exothermics for structural-foam molding and extrusion of sheet and wire/cable offer high gas pressure for sink removal and maximum density reduction. Products can be formulated to a specific decomposition range from 270 F to 420 F. Also in liquid form.
BIDDLE SAWYER CORP.
Distributes azodicarbonamide products from Otsuka Chemical Co. of Japan for producing PVC foams with expansion ratios of 9:1 to 25:1. Onifine C is a combination of modified azodicarbonamide, Ba/Zn stabilizer, and a crosslinkable PVC resin. The latter is said to improve mechanical strength and chemical and heat resistance in calendered flexible PVC foam. Onifine CC for flexible crosslinked PVC foam provides 1025:1 expansion. Onifine CE is for highly crosslinked, extruded PVC foam. All three products supplied in powder form. Onifine P decomposes by an endothermal instead of an exothermal reaction.
BOEHRINGER INGELHEIM
See B.I. Chemicals, Inc.
CHROMA CORP.
Dry powders or pelletized concentrates of blowing agents and colors or other additives.
COLORCO INC.
Colored or noncolored concentrates for most thermoplastics contain blowing agents.
CYLATEC CORP.
Cylacell is a predictable, environmentally safe, and equipment-friendly chemical blowing agent for thermoplastics, rubber, silicone, and thermoset polyester bulk molding compounds. Product is azide-free and reportedly up to seven times more effective than azide agents. No nitrosamine formation during processing. Fume- and odor-free, it will not discolor resins. Endothermic in nature, it allows shorter molding cycles without postblow. Molded parts do not exhibit outgassing, and painting can be done immediately.
Compared with some fluorocarbon, hydrocarbon, or other liquid physical foaming agents, Cylacell reportedly can show improved cell structure, lighter foam densities, and sometimes higher flame retardancy and smoke suppression. It can also obviate the need for nucleating agents. Tests have shown that Cylacell can increase useful life of foams by eliminating any potentially reactive blowing-agent byproducts that can degrade elastomers.
DONG JIN CHEMICAL INDUSTRY CO.
See Stanchem.
DOW CHEMICAL CO.
Methylene chloride, urethane grade is a modified methylene chloride for flexible PU slabstock foam. Contains an inhibitor that minimizes foam oxidation and scorching. Can be used as sole auxiliary blowing agent. Reportedly offers high volatility, low flammability, low raw-material and handling costs, and relatively low toxicity. Said to be non-polluting.
For PS foam sheet, Dow Plastics is licensing technology for using 100% [CO.sub.2] to produce foam sheet in thicknesses up to 1/4 in. and densities comparable to those produced with hydrocarbon or HCFC-22 blowing agents (2-10 pcf). It may require some retrofitting of existing extrusion lines, but throughputs can be the same as with other blowing agents.
DUPONT CO.
Freon line of fluorocarbon blowing agents includes Formacel S-Food Grade, a highly purified form of HCFC-22 for PS food-packaging foams. Has low ozone-depleting potential and is intended to substitute for CFC-12. DuPont has filed a Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) petition with FDA on this product.
EASTMAN CHEMICAL CO.
Foamable concentrates in a PP base are supplied for blending with PP in foam molding or extrusion. (See ads pp. 386, 583.)
ELF ATOCHEM NORTH AMERICA INC.
Isotron line of CFCs and HCFCs is used as physical blowing agents for PUR, PS, and PE. (See ad p. 6.)
EPI ENVIRONMENTAL PRODUCTS INC.
Endothermic, exothermic, and endothermic/exothermic chemical blowing agents available in powders and resin concentrates. Concentrates come with compatible resin carriers for polyolefins, PS, ABS, PPO, PPE, PET, PVC, nylon, and PC. Concentrate activity levels from 30 to 55%.
EPIcor endothermic chemical blowing and nucleating agents reportedly offer better dispersion and physical properties, faster cycle times and extrusion rates, higher gas volumes, smooth surfaces, and fine cell structure with thick skins.
EPIcell exothermic chemical blowing agents include azodicarbonamide, OBSH concentrates, and non-plateout grades.
POLYcor endothermic/exothermic hybrid chemical blowing agent is compounded in one pellet. Offered in structural-foam molding grades for high-temperature resins such as PPO, PC, and PC/ABS alloys. POLYcor combines surface property benefits of EPIcor and higher gas pressure typical of EPIcell along with fast degassing and part paintability. Various grades provide finer cell structures and smooth surfaces.
Also offers customized products such as acid scavengers for CBAs.
EXPANCEL INC.
Expancel expandable thermoplastic microspheres are used as blowing agents in systems exposed to 200-400 F. Microspheres are white, spherical polymeric particles. Thermoplastic shell encapsulates a gas and softens when heated, allowing sphere expansion from, the increased internal vapor pressure. Expansion factor is 40-60 times the original volume. Other features include defined pore size, closed-cell structure, and a suede surface. Alternative grades and particle sizes available. Suitable as a blowing agent in plastisols, elastomers, thermosets, and thermoplastics.
FERRO CORP., LIQUID COLORANTS & DISPERSIONS DIV.
Spectraflo liquid chemical blowing-agent dispersions are activated or modified to suit a particular requirement. One nonactivated, modified ABFA-type is designed specifically for ABS foam-core pipe. Other blowing agents are used as nucleating agents in conjunction with nitrogen. (See ad p. 402.)
GE PLASTICS
Blowing-agent concentrates for all GE structural-foam resins - Lexan polycarbonate, Noryl PPE alloys, and Valox thermoplastic polyesters.
HARWlCK CHEMICAL CORP.
Azodicarbonamide-based blowing agents in various plasticizers foam acrylics, EVA, PE, and vinyl.
HITECH POLYMERS, INC.
Concentrates of blowing agents in pelletized form can be incorporated into a variety of elastomers, engineering thermoplastics, and commodity polymers.
HOECHST CELANESE CORP. SPECIALTY CHEMICALS GROUP
Masterbatch Business Unit offers Hostatron endothermic foaming systems, supplied in pelletized concentrates based on proprietary carriers compatible with most thermoplastics. Systems are odorless, physiologically harmless, and FDA sanctioned. Hostatron Systems P1933 and P1941 are for fine-celled extrusion applications such as HIPS and PP sheet. Hostatron P9947 is mainly for structural-foam molding of HIPS, SMA, ABS, HDPE and PP. (See ads pp. 454, 475, 491, 507, 576, 579, 641.)
J.M. HUBER CORP., CHEMICALS DIV.
Chemical foaming agents for injection molding and extrusion.
KUM YANG CO., LTD.
See Plastics & Chemicals, Inc.
LAROCHE CHEMICALS, INC.
CFC- 11 and - 12 physical blowing agents.
LNP ENGINEERING PLASTICS INC.
Foam concentrates include Foam-Kon 20 for resins processed below 450 F, such as ABS, SAN, PP and acetal. Foam-Kon 28 is for resins processed above 450 F, such as nylons, PPS, polysuffone, and polyethersulfone.
OTSUKA CHEMICAL CO.
See Biddle Sawyer Corp.
PLASTICS & CHEMICALS, INC.
Represents Kum Yang Co., Ltd. of Korea, which produces Cellcom chemical blowing agents. Over forty products are formulated for virtually all rubbers and plastics, and processes including calendering, extrusion, blow molding, transfer/compression molding, plastisols, and injection molding.
PMC SPECIALTIES GROUP DIV. PMC INC.
Supplies chemical blowing agents said to produce no corrosive by-products. KemTec 500 is for nylon, polyesters, ABS, and polycarbonate.
PMS CONSOLIDATED A UNIT OF M.A. HANNA CO.
Blowing-agent concentrates (solid or liquid) can contain colors and other additives.
POLYCOM HUNTSMAN INC.
Supplies foaming concentrates. (See also Colorants.)
POLYVEL INC.
Custom-formulated blowing-agent concentrates for thermoplastics:
* BA20T is for EVA and LDPE foamed at 290 to 340 F.
* BA210 is for LDPE, HDPE, and PS foamed at 350 to 400 F.
* BA20 is for PP, PE, PS, PPE alloys, and ABS foamed at 380 to 440 F.
* BA205PT is for nylon, polyester, PC, and PPE alloys foamed at 440-540 F.
* BA2575 is for high-temperature polymers foamed at 700 F.
QUANTUM CHEMICAL CORP.
Chemical blowing-agent pellet concentrates with loadings of 10-40% are based on exothermic, endothermic, or chemically reactive systems. Formulated for injection molding, wire and cable, and other extrusion. Proprietary system of activating, nucleating agents reportedly provides complete decomposition of blowing agents, consistently uniform cell structure, and minimal die and mold buildup. Exothermic systems are based on azodicarbonamide.
Concentrates FM-1037-H, FM-1035-H and FM-1039-H are for injection molding. FM-1276-H is for PS and structural foam. FM-1062-F is for foamed blown film. Wire and cable uses FM-1253-WC (or FM-1237-NC where a nucleating agent is required). Products are compatible with polyolefins, PVC, PS, and ABS. Letdown ratios from 40:1 to 100:1.
Endothermic system (FM-1570-H) for polyolefins, PS, and modified PPE reportedly gives improved surfaces, faster degassing, and more uniform cell size.
The 1770 series, based on a chemically reactive system, offers optimal surface appearance, degassing, and cell-size uniformity. Recommended where significant weight reduction is required.
High-temperature CBA concentrate contains 5-phenyl tetrazole in a proprietary carrier with nucleating agent. Decomposition temperature is 450-550 F and use levels are 1-1.5% in PC and ABS.
REEDSPECTRUM DIV. SANDOZ CHEMICALS CORP.
Custom-formulated blowing-agent concentrates for thermoplastic molding and extrusion. Multifunctional concentrates contain both blowing agents and colorants.
REEDY INTERNATIONAL CORP.
Safoam endothermic chemical nucleating and blowing agents for thermoplastics are produced from naturally occurring materials and are said to be environmentally safe and nontoxic. Available as flee-flowing powder or concentrate for extrusion and injection molding, Safoam absorbs heat during decomposition and improves process cycle time. It produces a microcellular structure that reduces internal stress, eliminates sink marks, and improves surface finish. Depending on desired microcellular structure and surface finish, Safoam is available as a regular or very fine powder. Fast outgassing aids rapid production.
Compatible thermoplastics include ABS, PS, EVA, HDPE, LDPE, and PPO/PPE alloys. Grades also available for flexible and rigid PVC and moisture-sensitive resins such as nylon, PET, PC, and PC/ABS blends.
Concentrates come in a variety of activity levels and contain special carrier resins that improve melt flow, tensile strength, and impact properties.
Reedy International in partnership with Genpak Corporation, offers licenses for a new foam-sheet extrusion process that reportedly meets current and future global emission requirements without major equipment changes and without compromises in product quality, density, or production rates. This new technology is specially designed to replace CFC's and HCFC's in production of PS foam food packaging.
REGENCY SALES INC.
Endothermic chemical blowing agent does not leave residual mold deposits. Special formulations available for most thermoplastics.
RTP CO.
Offers concentrates for various resins:
* FCX 27301 for PP, PE, acetal, and nylons 11 and 12.
* FCX 27310 for nylon 6, 66 and 612, PBT, and PET.
* FCX 27312 for PC and its alloys.
* FCX 27314 for PS, ABS, and SAN.
SAFR COMPOUNDS CORP.
Safr-Cell chemical blowing-agent concentrates for ABS, polyolefins, polystyrene, and flexible and rigid PVC produce uniform, fine cell structure. These are blends of organometallic coupling agents and endothermic and exothermic chemical blowing agents.
A. SCHULMAN INC.
Polybatch additive concentrates include different carriers and other additives as required.
STANCHEM A BUSINESS UNIT OF MCI, INC.
Distributes azo-based chemical blowing agents manufactured by Dong Jin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. in Korea:
* Unicell D - azodicarbonamide in particle sizes from 2 to 25 microns.
* Unicell DX - multiple grades of modified azo for moderate and low foaming temperatures.
* Unicell D300 SD - modified azo for self-dispersing applications.
* Unicell NP - modified azos for nucleating, nonplating applications in injection molding and extrusion.
* Unicell FF - modified azos for injection molding; inhibit undesirable by-products and die build-up.
* Unicell OH - oxybis-benzene sulfonyl hydrazide for LLDPE, PVC, and plastisols.
* Unicell TSH - toluene solfonyl hydrazide for polyester, PVC, and rubber.
* Unicell AD - modified azo mixture for EVA and other elastomers.
* Unicell TS - toluene sulfonyl semi-carbazide for high foaming temperatures.
SYNTHETIC PRODUCTS CO. COOKSON SPECIALITY ADDITIVES
Concentrated dispersions of organic blowing agents or sodium bicarbonate.
TEKNOR COLOR CO. SUB. OF TEKNOR APEX CO.
Blowing-agent concentrates in solid and liquid forms can include color. Color Crystals are special highly loaded concentrates of blowing agent and colorant for letdown ratios up to 100:1.
THERMOFIL, INC.
Thermofoam foam concentrates for most thermoplastics include:
* Thermofoam I for styrenics and polyolefins.
* Thermofoam II for nylons, TP polyesters, and other resins with processing temperatures of 405-600 F.
* Thermofoam III (more highly concentrated) for nylon and TP polyester structural foams.
* Thermofoam VI for PPE alloys does not release ammonia.
UNIROYAL CHEMICAL CO., INC.
Celogen family of azodicarbonamide chemical blowing agents includes products to foam plastics at temperatures from 200-650 F:
* Celogen AZRV and AZ 3990 for extruded profiles (rigid and flexible PVC, ABS, and HIPS).
* Celogen AZ 130 for pipe (rigid PVC, ABS, HDPE, and PP).
* Celogen AZNP 130 for sheet (ABS, HDPE, and rigid and flexible PVC).
* Celogen AZ 760A for wire and cable (LDPE, HDPE, PP, flexible PVC, and TP rubber).
* Celogen AZNP 130, RA for injection molding and structural foam (EVA, LDPE, HDPE, PP, HIPS, ABS, TP rubber, acetal, flexible and rigid PVC, PPE alloys, nylon, TP polyester, PC, and polysulfone).
* Celogen AZ 3990 for rotational and expansion casting (LDPE, HDPE, PP, PVC, ABS, and PVC plastisols and calendering).
* Celogen AZ 754, a formulated azo used traditionally in rubber, can be used in extruding skinned, flexible PVC and TP elastomers.
* Celogen XP-100, a proprietary sulfone hydrazide powder, is relatively safe to use, requiring no special equipment for spray-up of unsaturated (thermoset) polyesters and vinyl esters. Can be mixed with resin in advance and reacts with standard MEK peroxides in the presence of cobalt and copper promoters. Foaming, gelling and curing take place within 1-2 min.
* Celogen OT 4,4' oxybis (benzenesulfonehydrazide) for LDPE coaxial cables and elastomer-resin blends in pipe insulation and sporting goods. Yields nondiscoloring, odorless products and is nontoxic and suitable for FDA-regulated applications. Foaming range is 260-300 F.
* Expandex tetrazoles for high-melting thermoplastics such as nylon, ABS, polycarbonate, acetal, PPS, SAN, and PPE alloys. Expandex 5-PT has a foaming range of 464-482 F; Expandex 175 foams at 720-730 F. (See ads pp. 391, 427.)
WASHINGTON PENN PLASTIC CO.
PE-8FC foam concentrates are for dryblending with ABS, acrylic, EVA, HDPE, LDPE, PP, and impact PS.
WILSON COLOR INC. A UNIT OF M.A. HANNA CO.
Wil-Foam chemical blowing-agent concentrates are for vinyls, polyolefins, styrenics, acrylics, polyesters, and nylons. Custom-made, multicomponent concentrates feature high concentration and excellent dispersion. Concentrates offered for wire and cable, fibers, film, sheet, profile extrusions, injection and blow molding, and structural foam. (See ad p. 405.)
WITCO CORP. POLYMER ADDITIVES GROUP
Chemical blowing agents in nondusting powders, paste dispersions, and masterbatches. Coarse and fine particle sizes. Special formulations are ammonia-free and nonplating. Preactivated products produce whiter-than-normal foams.
Polyester Curatives
PRODUCT LINES REVIEWED
ABCO INDUSTRIES, LTD.
Abcure S-40-25 sprayable 40% emulsion of BPO in water is recommended as an alternative to MEKP in applications that can tolerate introduction of water with the catalyst. Can be stored at room temperature in large quantities. Does not require yellow label for transportation.
AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS INC.
Polyester promoters for rapid cure of SMC and BMC.
AKZO NOBEL INC.
NL-accelerators - cobalt organometallic complexes - promote unsaturated polyester resins. Other metal complexes offered for specialty uses in polyester systems requiring ambient and elevated-temperature cures.
Organic peroxides for curing polyester resins over a wide range of temperatures and processing conditions. Ketone peroxides and range of BPO granular, paste, and emulsion grades. Peroxyesters and peroxyketals for SMC and BMC. Also peroxides for high-temperature molding and a medium-range difunctional peroxide.
Photoinitiators available for uv curing of polyesters.
Other products include di-t-butyl peroxide, t-butyl hydroperoxide, peroxydicarbonates, and specialty organic peroxides.
AZTEC PEROXIDES, INC.
Peroxide initiators include dialkyl peroxides, diacyl peroxides, alkyl-hydroperoxides, peroxyesters, peroxyketals, and custom blends.
Peroxyesters include t-butyl peracetate, t-amyl peracetate, t-butyl peroxybenzoate, t-amyl peroxybenzoate, t-amyl peroxypivalate, t-butyl peroxypivalate, t-amyl peroxyneodecanoate, t-butyl peroxyneodecanoate, t-amyl peroctoate, and three solutions of t-butyl peroctoate. Also offers a peroxyketal/peroxyester blend (Aztec TKB) and other peroxyketals.
Grades of benzoyl peroxide: dry, 97% minimum; 70% in water; 75% in water; and 77% in water. Dialkyl peroxides include 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di (t-butylperoxy) hexyne-3 and dicumyl and di-t-butyl peroxides.
BUFFALO COLOR CORP.
Dimethyl aniline and diethyl aniline promoters for molding-grade polyester resins.
CATALYST SYSTEMS INC. U.S. CHEMICAL & PLASTICS
Water-Wet benzoyl peroxide in both paste and granular formulations. Granulars offered in 70%, 75%, and 78% concentration. Standard paste products from 40-55%, are smooth, nonseparating creams (pigmented or unpigmented) for marine repair and polyester or acrylic adhesives. Specialty formulations available. Pourable/Pumpable pastes at 40% by weight for use where granular or high-viscosity pastes are not applicable. Lower concentrations on request.
Mono-Pak custom additive packages for elevated-temperature molding of reinforced plastics may contain catalysts, mold releases, thickeners, and pigments. Preweighed mixtures of additives are supplied in a soluble package that can be dropped unopened into the resin mix, eliminating preweighing, saving labor, simplifying inventories, and eliminating rejects caused by weighing errors involving critical additives.
Specializes in custom pastes to meet requirements in assay, viscosity, pigmentation, and stability.
COOK COMPOSITES & POLYMERS CO.
Peroxide initiators include MEKP and other ketone peroxides, t-butyl perbenzoate, t-butyl hydroperoxide, cumene hydroperoxide, dicumyl peroxide, and BPO paste.
DUPONT CO.
Vazo 52, 64, 67, and 88 nitrile-based compounds can be used in polymerization of unsaturated polyesters.
EASTMAN CHEMICAL CO.
Ethyl acetoacetate, methyl acetoacetate, dimethyl acetoacetamide, monomethyl acetoacetamide, and acetoacetanilide are low-color copromoters for room-temperature cure of unsaturated polyesters. (See ads pp. 386, 583.)
ELF ATOCHEM NORTH AMERICA INC.
Peroxide initiators for curing polyesters processed by contact molding (hand lay-up, spray-up, filament winding), cold molding, pultrusion, and other methods. Products include ketone peroxides, peroxyketals, peroxyesters, dialkyl and diacyl peroxides, and hydroperoxides. (See ad p. 6.)
HERCULES INC.
Di-Cup dicumyl peroxide and Vul-Cup a,a'-bis (tertiary butylperoxy) diisopropylbenzene are used to cure unsaturated polyester at temperatures over 250 F and with other peroxides to improve performance.
HULS AMERICA, INC.
Organometallic promoters for polyesters include:
* Copac cobalt/potassium complex, which can extend more costly cobalt promoters and reduce color.
* Nuxtra Cobalt-12%, a standard cobalt promoter.
* Nuodex Cobalt 254 cobalt modifier-promoter, which helps control speed of gel promotion and prevents gel-time drift.
MONTEDISON USA INC.
Peroximon curing agents for polyester resins include MEK peroxides (K1 and K10), methylisobutyl ketone peroxide (K2), acetylacetone (K3), and cumene hydroperoxide (CH).
NORAC CO., INC.
Room-temperature-cure initiators, include organic peroxides such as MEKP, AAP and BPO. Higher-temperature peroxyesters such as TBPB and TBPO offered for SMC/BMC.
Also preweighed, custom peroxyester/stearate mixtures and pumpable blends of initiators and mold releases for automatic metering.
OM GROUP, INC.
Promoters for polyesters include cobalt octoate, cobalt naphthenate, and other cobalt compounds. Also potassium octoate, Poly-Cure 503 (containing cobalt plus proprietary synergists), and manganese-based compounds.
REICHHOLD CHEMICALS, INC. REACTIVE POLYMERS DIV.
Line of 13 MEK peroxides and benzoyl peroxide in wet granules, paste dispersions, and a 40% liquid dispersion.
WITCO CORP. POLYMER ADDITIVES GROUP
Organic peroxide initiators for polyesters include ketone peroxides, peroxyesters and peroxyketals for SMC, BMC, and TMC, and USP-90PD peroxyketal, which offers enhanced efficiency.
Urethane Curatives
PRODUCT LINES REVIEWED
AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS INC.
Additives for all types of polyurethane foam include amine, morpholine, and organometallic catalysts, crosslinkera and chain extenders.
* Dabco 33-LV and BL-11 for flexible slabstock and flexible molded systems. These tertiary amine catalysts provide precise control of gelling and blowing.
* Dabco 8154 and BL-17 delayed-action catalysts for flexible slabstock and flexible molded foams.
* Polycat 77 100%-active amine catalyst promotes gelling and blowing reactions in flexible and semi-flexible molded foam.
* Polycat 8 industry-standard catalyst for spray systems and pour-in-place rigid applications.
* Polycat 46 catalyst (potassium acetate) and Dabco K-15 catalyst (potassium octoate) for isocyanurate lamination systems.
* Dabco TMR catalysts used alone or in conjunction with polyurethane catalysts to customize reactivities of polyisocyanurate foam systems.
* Dabco T-9, T-12 and 120 tin-based catalysts useful in a variety of foam systems.
* Dabco NEM, NMM and NCM, morpholine-based catalysts, and Dabco B-16 catalyst for polyester slabstock foam.
AKZO NOBEL INC.
Stanclere TL dibutyltin dilaurate provides better hydrolytic stability than stannous catalysts in premixes containing polyol, water, and silicone, giving the premix a longer storage life. In molded flexible PUR foams, Stanclere TL promotes faster gassing while delaying gelation to allow complete filling of the mold before the foam begins to set. Dibutyltin bis IOTG also available.
Liquid potassium acetate and potassium octoate catalysts supplied at various concentrations in DEG or PEG. Normally more cost-effective than amines for rigid urethanes. Can be blended with amines for various end-use properties.
ANDERSON DEVELOPMENT CO.
Curene urethane curatives include Curene 442 standard MBOCA-type material; Curene 185 for reduced hardness; and Curene 3005 liquid curative for polyester-based prepolymers.
BASF CORP., CHEMICALS DIV.
Amine-based catalysts for flexible and rigid applications include PM-DETA, TM-PDA, TM-HDA, N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine, N-methylmorpholine, N-ethylmorpholine, 1-methylimidazole, 1,2-dimethylimidazole, dimethylethanolamine, and triethylamine. (See ads pp. 459, 471, 478, 507.)
BUCKMAN LABORATORIES, INC.
Bulab 600 and Bulab 693 tertiary amine catalysts and TMEDA (tetramethylethylene diamine). Bulab 600 and TMEDA are said to be fast, stable catalysts for rigid and flexible urethanes. Bulab 693 is a delayed-action catalyst for large-cavity applications.
CALGON CORP. SUB. OF MERCK & CO.
Metasol 57, a specially prepared form of phenylmercuric propionate, catalyzes urethane elastomers and foams. Supplied as a free-flowing powder or 20% solution in dipropylene glycol (Metasol 57/DPG) for automatic metering equipment. These products specifically catalyze the isocyanate/hydroxyl reaction and do not catalyze the isocyanate/water reaction. They are said to be stable, economical, and able to function at low ambient temperatures with rapid gelling to permit fast demolding. Delayed induction period at low viscosity is followed by rapid cure, along with good demolding properties.
CARDINAL STABILIZERS, INC. CARDINAL CAROLINA CORP.
Tin catalysts for flexible and rigid urethanes include CC-1 (dibutyltin dilaurate), CC-3 (dibutyltin diacetate), and stannous octoate in various solutions. Low-freezing-point version of CC-1 for use in colder climates.
CASCHEM, INC.
Cocure organomercury compounds function as polymerization or straight-chain catalysts for castable two-component PUR elastomers. Applications include industrial tires, conveyor belting, shock absorbers, printing rolls, wire sheathing, electrical insulation, seals, gaskets, and sporting goods. Available as liquids in a range of induction periods and cure times. Cocure products reportedly impart superior elongation and tensile strength, are not affected by humidity, and can give satisfactory cures even at low ambient temperatures.
Cotins line of standard and proprietary organotins includes dibutyltin dilaurate and stannous octoate for urethane elastomers and rigid and semi-rigid foam.
Coscat 83 organobismuth catalyst for two-component urethane elastomers is an alternative to lead, mercury, or tin-based catalysts when reduced catalyst toxicity is needed.
CONAP INC.
Curatives for high-performance, heat-cured polyurethane elastomers:
Conacure AH-33 MBOCA polyol curative has equivalent weight of 280, functions as a liquid MCOCA alternative.
Conacure AH-40 non-MBOCA liquid aromatic diamine curing agent has equivalent weight of 133.3.
* Conacure AH-50 low-viscosity polyol curative has equivalent weight of 90.
DOW CHEMICAL CO.
Proprietary metal-salt complexes include Curithane 51 and 52 for controlled reaction of polyisocyanurate foams.
ELF ATOCHEM NORTH AMERICA INC.
Dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE) is said to be an effective, economical amine catalyst for flexible and rigid PUR foams. Reportedly reduces viscosity of the polyol mix, offers solvent properties to help disperse polyol-mix components, and provides good latitude in adjusting cream and rise times. When combined with tin catalysts, DMAE is said to give better independent control of the foaming reaction than other amine catalysts. (See ad p. 6.)
ENTERPRISE CHEMICAL CO.
Quincat CQ-330 amine catalyst is a 33% solution of quinuclidene (1,4-ethylene piperidine) in dipropylene glycol. It reportedly shows activity equal to triethylenediamine-based catalysts, but at significantly lower use levels and lower cost. Foam properties are said to be comparable to those obtained with standard catalysts. Recommended for use in RIM, high-resilience (HR) foams, conventional flexible slabstock, and rigid spray, pour-in-place, and refrigeration foams.
FERRO CORP. BEDFORD CHEMICAL DIV.
Cata-Chek line of PUR catalysts includes stannous and alkyl tin systems used in PUR foams and elastomers. Cata-Chek 860 series of stannous octoate in various concentrations. Also standard dibutyltin dilaurate (Cata-Chek 820) and dibutyltin diacetate (Cata-Chek 867). (See ad p. 402.)
FOCUS CHEMICAL CORP.
Triethylenediamine and other amine catalysts for urethanes.
HUNTSMAN CORP.
Jeffcat amine catalysts (formerly Texacat) for a range of PUR foams:
* Jeffcat TD-33A, 33.3% solution of tri-ethylenediamine in dipropylene glycol is for flexible, semi-flexible and rigid foams and elastomers.
* Jeffcat DME, N,N-dimethylethanolamine is used with other Jeffcat catalysts to promote gas-blowing reaction or to serve as an acid scavenger.
* Jeffcat TD-20 blend of 80% Jeffcat DME and 20% triethylenediamine is for a wide range of rigid foams.
* Jeffcat DM-70 for flexible polyethers, polyesters, and HR molded foams; offers high reactivity, good surface cure, and low odor.
* Jeffcat NEM (N-ethylmorpholine) promotes good top-skin cure in polyester foam molding.
* Jeffcat NMM (N-methylmorpholine) for high-rise rigid foam panels and polyester foams.
* Jeffcat M-75 low-odor catalyst used chiefly for polyester slabstock. Reduced bun discoloration and broader processing latitude result in more open-celled foams.
* Jeffcat DPA low-odor catalyst contains reactive hydroxyl groups; primarily for low-density packaging foams.
* Jeffcat E-40 low-odor, highly efficient amine catalyst for polyester-based flexible foams.
Also Jeffcat polyether catalysts:
* ZR-70 dimethylaminoethoxylethanol for specialty packaging and other applications where strong blowing is advantageous.
* ZF-22, 70% bis-(2-dimethylaminoethyl) ether diluted in dipropylene glycol, used in flexible polyether slabstock foams and flexible molded foams.
* ZF-23 blend of tertiary amines is for non-CFC, Maxfoam processes.
* ZF-51 formulated amine catalyst is used in flexible slabstock to promote higher block yield; especially useful in methylene chloride-blown foams.
* ZF-52 delayed-action, formulated amine catalyst for flexible stabstock foams.
* ZF-54 formulated amine for automotive seat molding. Delayed activity allows better flow. Useful as a co-catalyst with stronger gelation catalysts. Demold time is reduced.
Specialty catalysts include:
* DMDEE high-boiling tertiary amine with a balanced reactivity to blowing and gelation reactions.
* DMP (N,N-dimethylpiperazine), a general-purpose catalyst for flexible and semi-flexible polyether foam.
* PMDETA (pentamethyldiethylene triamine) for HCFC/water-blown rigid foams.
* ZF-10 hydroxyl-containing catalyst, a strong blowing catalyst especially useful in foams molded against vinyl skins.
KENRICH PETROCHEMICALS, INC.
Organotitanates act as urethane catalysts via a polyol-alcoholysis/NCO-alkylation mechanism. In a two-component RIM polyurethane, KR 55 titanate produces a faster gel than dubutyltin dilaurate. KR 44 amino titanate reportedly provide higher ultimate tensile strength at significantly lower cost than dibutyltin dilaurate. Tg for urethane cured with KR 44 is much higher than when cured with tin. Neoalkoxy titanates reportedly provide increased thermal and solvolytic stability.
MERCK & CO., INC.
See Calgon Corp.
MILLIKEN CHEMICAL CO.
Amine curing agents include phenyldiethanolamine and phenylethylethanolamine.
OM GROUP, INC.
Organometallic urethane catalysts include dibutyltin dilaurate, potassium octoate, zinc octoate, lead neodecanoate, bismuth octoate, bismuth neodecanoate, tin neodecanoate, and lithium neodecanoate.
OSi SPECIALTIES, INC.
Supplies broad line of catalysts, surfactants and Geolite modifiers, including its patented Sert mold-release technology.
SHEPHERD CHEMICAL CO.
Urethane catalysts include ferric acetyl acetonate, and zinc and nickel acetyl acetonate. Also BiCAT metal carboxylates based on bismuth and zinc for controlled activity and selective polymerization.
SLOSS INDUSTRIES CORP.
Potassium octoate compounds in diethylene glycol for isocyanurate foams. Potassium from 12.8% to 15% by weight and viscosities from 5000 to 7000 cp.
THOR CHEMICALS, INC.
Proprietary organomercury catalysts for elastomers and some foams. Thor 535 is a solvent-free, low-viscosity catalyst containing 35% metal, said to give a long pot life and ambient cure.
UNION CARBIDE CORP.
Niax amine catalysts for all types of urethane foams.
WITCO CORP. POLYMER ADDITIVES GROUP
Fomrez tin-based compounds for rigid, flexible, high-resilience, and micro-cellular foams, as well as cast elastomers, RIM, and RRIM.
Colorants
PRODUCT LINES REVIEWED
ABATRON, INC.
Epoxy pastes in custom-mixed colors.
ACCURATE COLOR INC.
Liquid and pellet concentrates, dry colors, and dustless dry colors available for most polymers. High pigment loadings and multifunctional additive dispersions available in batches of 200 to 20,000 lb.
ACTION COLOR, INC.
Custom-matched color concentrates, liquid colors, and dry colors can include antioxidant and uv stabilizer.
ADELL PLASTICS, INC.
Custom color concentrates in all thermoplastics, especially engineering materials. Also multifunctional concentrates containing more than one additive.
ADVANCE COATINGS CO.
Offers 9911 Dis-Res dispersions for polyester resins, polyurethanes, and epoxies.
AKROCHEM CORP.
Concentrates, powders, and pastes for vinyls, cellulose buryrates, polyolefins, acrylics, and other resins.
ALLIED COLOR INDUSTRIES, INC. A UNIT OF M.A. HANNA CO.
Custom-formulated colorants for thermoplastics are dry blends or pelletized concentrates. Applications include engineering resins, TPEs, and most commodity resins. Pearlescents and other unusual effects are a specialty.
ALLIED PRODUCTS CORP.
See Coz Corp.
AMCO PLASTICS MATERIALS INC.
Custom-matched dry colorants and color concentrates for PE, PP, PS, ABS, PC, acrylic, SAN, nylon, acetal, NAS, BDS.
AMERICAN COLORS, INC.
Liquid color concentrates in standard or matched colors.
AMERICHEM INC.
Color concentrates for acetal, acrylics, ABS, cellulosics, EEA, EVA, nitrile barrier resins, nylons, PC, TP polyesters, polyolefins, PS, TP urethane, PVC, SAN, and other thermoplastics. Matched custom colors or single-pigment concentrates. Cubes, pellets, or powders for all processes and applications, including special effects. (See ad p. 397.)
AMETEK WESTCHESTER PLASTICS DIV.
Color concentrates for LDPE, HDPE, PP, PBT, and most engineering thermoplastics in bottles, films, profiles, and coextrusions.
AMPACET CORP.
Color and additive concentrates include over 7000 standard and proprietary formulations on file. Specializes in concentrates for polyolefins. Pigment/additive multifunctional concentrates tailored for granular and pelletized LLDPE. Universal concentrates available for engineering thermoplastics.
Applications include extrusion coating, blown and cast film, injection and blow molding, pipe, profile, fiber mono- and multifilament, and automotive uses.
AVECOR, INC. A UNIT OF M.A. HANNA CO.
Thermoplastic colorants for PE, PS, acrylic, nylon, and PVC include pelletized concentrates, liquid and blended dry colors. Serves food-packaging industry and complies with ISO 9002 certification.
BASF CORP. COATINGS & COLORANTS DIV.
Pigments include phthalocyanine blues and greens, organic azo reds, diarylide yellows and oranges, and high-performance reds, maroons, violets, yellows and blues. Also inorganic reds, oranges, yellows, greens, blues, browns, and line of dyes and dispersions in polyethylene. (See ads pp. 459, 471, 478, 507.)
BAYER CORP.
Organic pigments and dyes include Macrolex dyes said to offer heat stability, high tint strength, and clean shades. Suited for engineering thermoplastics, they can be used with opacifying agents to replace heavy-metal pigments.
Ceres oil dyes can be used to color waxes and polymers processed at intermediate temperatures and reportedly offer economy, brilliant shades, and high tinting strength.
High-performance organic pigments include perylenes from red to maroon, quinacridone reds, magentas and violets, specialty yellows and oranges, and phthalocyanine blues and greens.
Bayferrox synthetic iron oxide pigments provide superior hiding power and are easy to disperse and migration-resistant. Produced in multiple shades of red, yellow, and black. Reds have unlimited heat stability, whereas yellows and blacks are stable under 375 F.
Bayferrox 3950 zinc ferrite is used where processing temperatures to 450 F restrict or limit standard yellow iron oxides. Other yellows include Colortherm 10, 20 and 30 for systems with even higher processing temperatures - from 450 to 600 F. (See Insert pp. 551-574.)
MD BOTH INDUSTRIES
Metallic pigments of bronze, copper, and aluminum powders and pastes in shades of gold and bronze. Includes tarnish-resistant grades.
BREEN COLOR CONCENTRATES, INC.
Vinyl, EVA, and PE color concentrates for wire and cable, profile extrusion, injection and blow molding are available pelletized or diced in any size lot. Custom color matching.
BURNS & RUSSELL CO. SPECIALTY CHEMICALS DIV.
Colorpac pigments for polyester systems provide precise control of pre-weighed volumes of pigment for improved color control, 100% transfer of the color into a batch, easier inventory maintenance, and better production control.
CABOT CORP. SPECIAL BLACKS DIV.
Regular, medium, and high-color carbon blacks in both fluffy and pellet forms.
CANADA COLORS & CHEMICALS, LTD.
Color concentrates for polyolefins and PVC film extrusion, wire and cable, and blow molding. Liquid colorant systems available.
CAROLINA COLOR CORP.
Custom concentrates, dry, and liquid colors for most thermoplastics, including engineering resins. Computer color matching services and custom formulations can include uv stabilizers, antistats, and antioxidants.
CDI DISPERSIONS
Custom pigments and paste dispersions for PVC film, plastisols and organosols, urethane foams, and polyester foams.
CERDEC CORP. DRAKENFELD PRODUCTS
Joint venture of Ciba-Geigy's Drakenfeld Colors Div. and Degussa AG's Ceramic Color and Special Products Div. offers pigments for PVC siding and profiles, polyolefins, and engineering plastics. ISO 9001 certified.
CHROMA CORP.
Line of standard black, white, and 25 other opaque and transparent color concentrates for most thermoplastics. Ten FDA-approved black concentrates available for polymers from ABS to PE. A special line of colorants is said to offer superior dispersion in fast-cycling processes.
CHROMA-TEK SUB. OF ALPHA CORP.
Chroma-Tek liquid color dispersions for thermosets includes masstones and custom color matching in monomer-free reactive unsaturated polyesters, epoxies, and urethanes.
CHROMATICS, INC.
Color concentrates for all fluoropolymers.
CIBA-GEIGY CORP. PIGMENTS DIV.
Heavy-metal-free organic pigments include Filester products for extruded and injection molded polyester; Microlith pigment dispersions (based on Cromophtal and Irgazin pigments); and Orasol dyes for transparent acrylic and styrenic polymers. Cromophtal line of 1.3 pigments is FDA-approved for food-contact applications and toys. Monastral quinacridone pigments include violet, magenta, maroon, red, scarlet, and gold.
CLEVELAND PIGMENT & COLOR CO.
Dry pigments include synthetic natural iron oxides, fluorescents, and ultramarines. Custom blending and packaging available.
COLONIAL PLASTICS
See M.A. Hanna Engineered Materials.
COLOR FORMULATORS, INC.
Pigment dispersions in pellets or non-dusting powders for PP, nylon, and PET fibers and plastics. Organic pigment loadings up to 50%.
Flushed colors dispersed in LDPE offer easy dispersion and fine particle size. They provide an alternative to dry color in manufacture of PE color concentrates.
COLOR TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Non-heavy-metal concentrates for XT polymers and DR acrylic are designed specifically for outdoor applications.
COLOR-CHEM INTERNATIONAL CORP.
High-performance polymer-soluble dyes for engineering thermoplastics, rigid PVC, ABS, PS, and acrylic. Offer brightness, clarity, high tint strength, and heat and light stability. Some dyes may be used in PP.
COLORCO INC.
Liquid and dry color concentrates are custom-matched for most engineering thermoplastics for extrusion, injection molding, and blow molding. From everyday reds and blues to exotic metallics, pearls, fluorescents, phosphorescents, and speckled granite. Formulations meet individual specifications regarding toxicity, lightfastness, weathering, or rheology.
COLORCON
FD&C certified aluminum lake pigments for plastic food packaging. Pigments reportedly eliminate color migration and other problems associated with non-food-approved colorants. Colorcon HT (high tint) Lakes are said to deliver intense colors.
COLORFLO, INC.
Liquid colors, including FDA-approved products, can contain additives such as uv stabilizers, blowing agents, lubricants, and antioxidants. Also flushed line of nondusting 50% pigment dispersions suitable for all thermoplastics.
COLORIT, INC.
Custom-matched color concentrates and dry color in PP, LDPE, HDPE, nylon, PS, SAN, cellulose acetate, and PET.
COLORMATRIX CORP.
Specializes in highly concentrated, heavy-metal-free liquid colorants for injection, extrusion, and batch blending. Vehicle systems designed for PE, PS, PP, ABS, PVC, PET, and TPR. Standard tints and opaque colors using FDA-acceptable pigment systems. Multifunctional concentrates containing antistats, blowing agents, mold releases, and uv stabilizers available in combination with custom colors.
COLORS PLUS CORP.
Primarily services small injection and blow molders with dry colors, liquid colors, and color concentrates.
COLORTECH INC.
Color and additive concentrates for blown film, blow molding, injection molding, and extrusion (including extrusion coating). Over 1000 standard concentrates available in addition to custom matches. Polyolefin-based additives and color concentrates that meet specific regulations such as FDA approval, heavy metal-free (CONEG) compliance, and non-diarylide requirements also offered. (See ad p. 401.)
COLORWEL CONCENTRATES LTD.
Custom color concentrates and dry colors for all thermoplastics include custom additive packages and specialty colors (pearlescents, fluorescents, phosphorescents, and metallics). Computer-assisted color matching.
COLUMBIAN CHEMICALS, CO.
Raven carbon blacks for pigmenting, conductive applications, and uv protection include high-purity grades. Conductex 975 Ultra and SC Ultra are for conductive applications. Raven 2500 Ultra is for high jetness and Raven 430 for high-quality concentrates. Raven C Ultra is for uv protection.
Mapico Div. supplies Mapico yellow and black iron oxides in a range of shades, plus a unique line of heat-stable tan pigments.
CONAP INC.
Conap DS-1830 series color pastes for epoxies and urethanes contain inorganic pigments for resistance to heat and light. Designed to mix equally well with either low- or high-viscosity systems.
COOKSON MATTHEY CERAMICS INC. PIGMENTS DEPT.
Offers pigments including cadmium types, complex inorganics, ceramic colors, cobalt pigments, and transparent iron oxides.
COOKSON PIGMENTS, INC.
Organic and inorganic pigments include low-dust lead chromate yellows and lead molybdate oranges. Products include encapsulated Krolor heat- and chemical-resistant types, Watchung BON and Red 2B azos, phthalocyanine greens and blues, Dalamar Hansa and toluidene yellows. Other pigments include:
* Four quinacridone pigments - Enduroquin Magenta HP-4202 pigment red 202, Enduroquin Violet HP-4330 pigment violet 190, Enduroquin Red HP-4500 pigment red 122, and Enduroquin Red HP-4510 pigment red 112.
* Perylene maroons (pigment red 179) - Enduralene HP-5179 yellow shade and Enduralene HP-5180 blue shade.
* Enduronone HP-7177 opaque anthraquinone pigment red 177; Naphthol Red; Naphthanil Reds RT-172-D and RT-170-D with bright masstone; and a pigment red 170 for PE and PP.
COZ CORP. SUB. OF ALLIED PRODUCTS CORP.
Computer-matched color concentrates for PS, polyolefins, and other thermoplastic molding and extrusion resins, including engineering resins.
CUSTOM CHEMICALS CORP.
Color concentrates supplied as micro-pulverized powder, granules, pellets, random chips, cubes, and dustless powders of classified particle size. Used in PVC, CAB, PE, PP, TP polyesters, ABS, nylon, acrylic, polycarbonate, or other resins. Also paste concentrates with such carrier vehicles as plasticizers, polyols, acrylics, unsaturated polyesters, plastisols, organosols, or proprietary liquid carriers. Color-matched and single-pigment products.
DAICOLOR-POPE INC.
Range of organic pigments and Nigrosine dyes.
DAY-GLO COLOR CORP.
Daylight fluorescent pigments and dyes include ZQ-Pigments for injection molding at 375 to 550 F; extra-strength ZX-Pigments for injection molding; extra-strength, low plateout NX-Pigments for blow molding; lightfast, heat-stable dyes for PC, styrenics, acrylics, and engineering resins; lightfast, heat-stable VC-Pigments for rigid and semirigid PVC calendering and extrusion; and A- and AX-Pigments for plastisols and organosols.
DEGUSSA CORP. PIGMENTS DIV.
High-color channel- and furnace-type carbon blacks. (See ad p. 411.)
DISCAS, INC.
Kraton elastomeric-based color concentrates for HDPE, PP, EVA, and SBS.
DOMINION COLOUR CORP.
Color pigments include chrome yellow, molybdate orange, hansa and diarylide yellows and oranges, and azo reds and maroons. Chrome yellows and molybdate oranges include fiber grades, low-soluble leads, and products with improved heat stability or resistance to chemicals and sulfur dioxide. Also heat-resistant and highly transparent organic pigments.
DUNLOP PLASTICS CANADA INC.
Color concentrates for film, injection and blow molding, sheet, pipe, and profiles.
DUPONT CO.
Several grades of Ti-Pure titanium dioxide.
EASTMAN CHEMICAL CO.
Color concentrates for PP and PE. Also Eastobrite OB-1 optical brightener for PE, nylon, PET, PVC, and PS. (See ads pp 386, 583.)
EBONEX CORP.
Bone black pigments are specialty products characterized by high masstone, easy dispersibility, low oil absorption, and low cost. Cosmic Black FCG-1 is FDA-approved for food contact.
EM INDUSTRIES, INC., PIGMENTS DIV.
Afflair Lustre pearlescent pigments come in many colors and particle sizes. Products exhibit good luster, opacity, and chromacity and are nontoxic, heat-stable, lightfast, nonconductive, and nonarcing. (See ad p. 399.)
ENGELHARD CORP. SPECIALTY MINERALS & COLORS
Color pigments include:
* Harshaw Meteor and Meteor Plus Complex inorganic pigments for applications requiring heat resistance and exterior durability.
* Harshaw organic pigments in a wide spectrum of colors.
* Harshaw low-soluble cadmium pigments for uses requiring good heat and light stability.
* Harshaw lead chromate and moly orange pigments for cost-effective coloring. (See ad p. 412.)
FEDERAL PLASTICS CORP.
Custom color concentrates for PE, PS, PC, PP, and ABS injection molding and extrusion. UV stabilizers, antioxidants, lubricants, and mold releases can be included.
FERRO CORP., COLOR DIV.
Geode complex inorganic pigments - heat-stable, light-stable, weatherable, and chemically resistant - are suitable for coloring most thermoplastics and thermosets. Recommended for engineering resins and rigid PVC. Products include nickel titanate yellows, chrome titanate yellows, iron-free browns, infrared-absorbing blacks, chrome-copper blacks, chrome-iron-zinc browns, and cobalt blues and greens. Nickel and chrome titanates, when combined with organic pigments, provide alternatives to lead and cadmium colors. Also distributes nontoxic, FDA-acceptable ultramarine pigments for Nubiola S.A. of Spain. (See ad p. 402.)
FERRO CORP. LIQUID COATINGS & DISPERSIONS
Liquid and paste dispersions for all thermoplastics and thermosets can include various processing additives. Pigments dispersed in six standard vehicles compatible with thermoplastics, unsaturated polyesters, epoxies, urethanes, and other resins. Also offers custom systems with specified vehicles. Pigments can include pearlescent and fluorescent types. High pigment loadings (30 to 85%) provide high letdown ratios and maximum tinctorial strength. Multifunctional colorant packages can include antioxidants, uv stabilizers, clarifiers, and other functional additives.
Single-pigment base colors are stocked for rapid custom blending of color matches in any quantity. Computer matches colors for batch-to-batch consistency. (See ad p. 402.)
FERRO CORP., PLASTICS COLORANTS & DISPERSIONS DIV.
Thermoplastic color concentrates in pellet, liquid, and powder form for PP, PE, PS (g-p, impact, and flame-retardant), and ABS (g-p, transparent, and flame-retardant). Concentrates for flame-retardant resins offered in more than 20 colors, including wood tones, and reportedly do not affect the resin's UL flammability rating. Additive concentrates available with uv stabilizers, slip or antiblock agents, antistats, antioxidants, nucleating agents, and special lubricants. Products shipped in bulk, gaylords, or bags. Liquid-color dispersions also available. (See ad p. 402.)
FM GROUP INC.
Specialty pigments and masterbatches include granites, marbles, pearlescents, and metallics. SpinCol colorants impart visual texture to materials.
GENERAL COLOR & CHEMICAL CO.
Custom dry-color blends and color concentrates provide thermoplastics with uv protection, temperature stability, and nonreactivity. Color computer ensures quality and batch-to-batch repeatability. JIT-compatible delivery programming and fast turnaround on orders as small as 5 lb and up to 80,000 lb.
Also offers a "universal" concentrate for use in all resins, including styrenics, ABS, PE, and PP. Dry color is provided in standard and low-dusting versions.
Serves extruders, rotomolders, blow molders, and injection molders. Equipped to handle difficult and fluorescent matches, high-gloss products, and other special requirements. Material shipped in bulk, gaylords or bags.
GENERAL COLOR CO.
Offers selected organic pigments, FDA-certified pigments and dyes for food, drug, and cosmetic packaging; heat- and light-resistant cadmium toners and lithopone pigments; and dry color matching in bulk and unit packaging.
GLS PLASTICS DIV., GREAT LAKES TERMINAL & TRANSPORT
Pigment paste concentrates in a vehicle compatible with polyester, epoxies, and vinyl plastisols.
M.A. HANNA ENGINEERED MATERIALS
Black and white concentrates for LDPE, LLDPE, PP, and PS. Specific grades for film, sheet, profiles, pipe, and injection molding. Also offers a universal carrier.
HANOVIA
Offers P1000 glow-in-the-dark phosphorescent pigments.
HARWlCK CHEMICAL CORP.
Stan-Tone pigment dispersions in a range of vehicles and forms include paste and liquid types with vehicles such as plasticizers, liquid epoxies, urethane polyols, polyesters, silicones, etc. Also vinyl cubes and powders and masterbatch colorants for TP elastomers. Custom color matching services.
HILTON DAVIS CHEMICAL CO.
Organic pigment toners and high-solids presscakes include phthalo blue and green, diarylide and Hansa-type yellows, and various azo oranges and reds. Inorganic transparent iron oxides screen out harmful uv radiation, help meet FDA requirements for food contact, and provide an inexpensive means of pigmenting plastic bottles, medicine vials, film, and fiber.
Auracote flushed colors are pigments dispersed in plasticizer for use in plastisols and flexible vinyls. They reportedly offer advantages in degree of dispersion, high gloss, and economy.
Polytone colors are pigments flushed in an unsaturated polyester vehicle. They are recommended for gel coats and fiberglass-reinforced thermoplastic and thermoset resins. Reported advantages include higher gloss, brightness, tinting strength, cleanliness, and degree of dispersion over traditional three-roll-milled color systems.
Microspin color powders are nondusting, free-flowing, resin-encased pigment particles for thermoplastics. Available in an F series to meet certain FDA requirements for food contact.
Also markets chromium oxide green, anticorrosive pigments, chrome yellow, and moly orange dry colors made in Spain by Nubiola S.A.
HOECHST CELANESE CORP.
Wide range of organic pigments and melt-soluble dyes includes yellows and reds with sufficient heat stability to substitute for many inorganic pigments. Also offers quinacridone and perylene reds, phthalocyanine blues and greens, and diarylide yellows and oranges. Extensive listing of FDA-approved colorants. (See ads pp. 454, 475, 491, 507, 576, 579, 641.)
HOECHST CELANESE CORP. SPECIALTY CHEMICALS GROUP
Masterbatch Business Unit offers highly loaded color concentrates for PET, nylon, and PP, as well as single-pigment concentrates for PE and PP, and custom color/additive masterbatches for blow molding, injection molding, and extrusion. (See ads pp. 454, 475, 491, 507, 576, 579, 641.)
HOLLAND COLORS AMERICAS INC.
Holcobatch is a nondusting and free-flowing granular pigment dispersion for coloring a range of plastics and elastomers. Spherical particles of 500-700 micron diam., consist of pigment coated with thin layer of non-polymeric, universal carrier that melts at 180 F. No predrying is required. Letdown ratios are often above 100:1.
O. HOMMEL CO.
Distributes inorganic pigments, including titanium dioxide, zirconium oxides, and iron oxides.
J.M. HUBER CORP. ENGINEERED CARBONS DIV.
Line of carbon blacks for coloring, uv protection, improved physical properties, and conductivity. High-performance Arosperse grades provide easy incorporation into plastic concentrates. Non-conductive Arosperse 15 thermal carbon black is recommended for low-voltage wire insulation.
HULS AMERICA, INC.
Polytrend EST paste dispersions color polyester SMC, BMC, and gel coats. Vehicle is an unsaturated yet stable resin said to be completely reactive and compatible with polyesters. Pastes reportedly have minimal effects on physical properties of molded parts and permit latitude in use level for producing colors from pastels to deep tones. Can be used in epoxies, castable urethanes, RIM, rigid PVC, and polyolefins.
ICI POLYMER ADDITIVES
Phthalocyanine green and blue pigment toners and high-solids presscakes in 10 shades. Indanthrone vat blue for specialty applications, and Waxoline polymer-soluble dyes for use in acrylics and styrenics.
INDOL CHEMICAL CO.
Color concentrates and organic pigments include CAB and PP color concentrates for automotive. Custom concentrates for acrylic, cellulose acetate, PP, nylon, polyester fibers, and PP ribbon and slit film. High-performance pigments in universal dry-color concentrates are said to be particularly heat- and light-resistant.
Organic pigments include a complete azo line, as well as flavanthrones, indanthrones, diazos, quinacridones, and phthalocyanine blue and green. Press-cakes also available.
INTERPLASTIC CORP. COMMERCIAL RESINS DIV.
Pigment paste concentrates for polyester or epoxy systems. Polyester vehicle is compatible with polyesters, epoxies, and vinyl esters; especially recommended for polyester SMC/BMC.
JOHNSON MATTHEY INC.
See Cookson Matthey Ceramics Inc.
KEMIRA PIGMENTS, INC.
Unitane titanium dioxide pigments include Unitane OR-450 and OR-460 for vinyls, polyolefins, ABS, PS, and acrylics. Products are listed with National Sanitation Foundation (NSF).
KERR-MCGEE CHEMICAL CORP.
Tronox titanium dioxide opaque white pigments include:
* Tronox CR-800 for general use with a less blue undertone than other Tronox grades. NSF approval.
* Tronox CR-800PG general-use pigment with blue undertone and NSF approval.
* Tronox CR-822 blue undertone pigment for products requiring outdoor durability.
* Tronox CR-834 high-tinting, blue-undertone pigment with good heat resistance, suitable for PVC and ABS.
* Tronox CR-837 low-treatment pigment with high tint strength and blue undertone for thin films.
KORLIN CONCENTRATES
Color and additive concentrates contain pigments, stabilizers, fillers, modifiers and other additives. Over 3000 formulations available. Computerized laboratory for color matching and quality control. Extrusion and molding equipment available for development and testing.
KRONOS, INC.
Titanox titanium dioxide pigments include Titanox 2073 with high brightness and tint strength plus blue color tone. Titanox 2101 and 2160 promote good weathering, minimize chalking and gloss loss, and maximize retention of color and physicals. Titanox 2020 is for plastisols. Titanox 1070 and 1072 anatase grades are for fiber delustering.
LANCER DISPERSIONS, INC.
Custom color concentrates are dispersed in PS, CAB, CA, CAP, PE, ABS, SAN, acrylic, and vinyl. High pigment loadings.
LANDERS-SEGAL COLOR CO., INC.
Lansco heat-resistant pigments for LLDPE, HDPE, PS, PP, PVC, and ABS include lightfast mixed-metal-oxide yellows, blues, greens, and blacks; chrome yellows and molybdate oranges; iron oxide reds; special tans, browns, blacks, and yellows; ultramarine blues; chromium green oxides; and leafing aluminum paste. Inorganic and organic pigments also available for applications not requiring high heat stability.
Smithchem Div. supplies Ti[O.sub.2] extenders such as PPT ATH, ATH, blanc fixe (PPT barium sulfates), barium sulfate, calcium carbonates, and talcs.
LILLY INDUSTRIES
Pigment paste concentrates are high-solids dispersions in a reactive vehicle for coloring unsaturated polyester, epoxy, and polyurethane. Offer high heat and light stability and consistent concentration, color, and grind for easy batch-to-batch color matches.
MAGRUDER COLOR CO., INC.
Dry-color organic pigments, press-cakes, flushed-color dispersions, fluorescent pigments and dispersions, and acrylic-chip and polyolefin color concentrates.
Concentrates are high-strength dispersions in LDPE with superior melt theology. Compatible with a wide range of thermoplastics including LDPE, HDPE, ABS, PP, TP rubber, nylon, and polyester. Used in film extrusion, injection molding, and elsewhere. Coarse granulate or uniform, cryogenically ground, nondusting powder. Base-color line includes phthalo blue, phthalo green, diarylide yellow, Red Lake C, permanent red 2B, quinacridone, and carbazole violet.
MARCHEM CORP.
Liquid and paste colorants for urethane applications.
MARCO COLOR LABORATORY, INC.
Specializes in custom color concentrates and dry color for thermoplastics. Colorants for most engineering resins and all applications. Other additives such as lubricants, slip agents, fragrance, blowing agents, antioxidants, and uv stabilizers can be incorporated with pigments for multifunctional concentrates. Computerized color matching and quality control.
MARVAL INDUSTRIES, INC.
Dry color and color concentrates for PE, PS, PP, ABS, and SAN. Serves pharmaceutical, medical, housewares, and cosmetics industries. Computerized color matching and quality control.
MEADOWBROOK INVENTIONS INC.
Reflective aluminum and metallic polyester color glitters and sparkles.
THE MEARL CORP., PIGMENTS DIV.
Mearlin and Mearlite pearlescent and iridescent pigments include lusters from soft satin to high brilliance, and particle textures from smooth to sparkled. Standard white pearl lusters, non-metallic silver, gold, copper, bronze, russet, and antique colors are nonreactive, nontoxic, nontarnishing, and nonarcing. Available in powders for easy handling and blending, and paste formulations. Other synthetic pearl pigments include exterior grades and natural pearl essence. (See ad p. 404.)
MERECO PRODUCTS DIV. METACHEM RESINS CORP.
Metre-Chrome 1500 series liquid epoxy color dispersions contain heat- and chemical-resistant pigments dispersed in epoxy resin. Colorants are said to provide smooth, even textures, be compatible with virtually any epoxy, and require no high-speed dispersion equipment. Package sizes from half pints to drums.
J. MEYER & SONS INC.
Color concentrates for polyolefins, PP, PS, SAN, ABS, vinyl, TP elastomers, and PVDF fluoropolymers. Specializes in custom formulations to comply with USDA and FDA requirements for food, drug, and cosmetic packaging. Computer color matching. Additive packages can include lubricants, antistats, uv stabilizers, and antioxidants. Supplied in granular and pelletized form from 50 lb to truckloads.
MICA-TEK, INC.
Mica-Lyte special-effects colorants and nondispersing pigments produce a granite-like or speckled appearance in thermoplastics and thermosets. Certain products produce a glittering effect in selected polymers and composites. These CONEG-compliant, nondusting, dry pigments compete with colored fibers, colored thermoplastic/thermoset chips, and metal-flake pigments. Available in black, blue, brown, bronze, and champagne, and in sizes ranging from 75 to 450 microns.
MIDWEST COLOR
Concentrates and dry color for all thermoplastics. Meet UL and FDA standards and heavy metal-free (CONEG) requirements.
MILLIKEN CHEMICAL CO.
Liquid colorants for polyurethane include Reactint colorants, which are reactive, polymeric products for ether and ester urethanes. They are hom*ogeneous, low-viscosity solutions said to be easier to use than pigments.
BondTint reactive, polymeric colorants are for bonded urethane carpet underlay. Can be preblended or used with three-stream, blend on-the-fly equipment.
ClearTint transparent colorants for polyolefins are pellet concentrates. They reportedly are bright, clear, non-bleeding, and nonmigrating. Because they are non-nucleating, shrinkage or warpage is reportedly eliminated.
Advantage opaque color concentrates for polyolefins do not nucleate and do not affect part dimensions or cause warpage.
MINERAL PIGMENTS CORP.
Inorganic pigments include synthetic and natural iron oxides designed for maximum ease of dispersion, and high-heat-stable browns and tans specially formulated for thermoplastics. The latter are noncadmium types and reportedly offer cost savings over cadmium sulfide pigments. Recommended for PVC, PE, PS, polycarbonate, and PP when used with proper stabilization. Three types include standard, FDA, and electrical grades. Comparable types available in high-heat-stable olive greens.
MODERN DISPERSIONS, INC.
Black concentrates for film, pipe, geo-membranes, wire and cable, and engineering plastics. Other additives can be combined into multifunctional concentrates.
MORTON INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Injecta Color Systems are liquid colorant dispersions for injection, extrusion, and blow molding. Reportedly ensure uniform color without agglomeration, streaking, migration, splay, or plate-out. They are said to be unaffected by variations in shear and provide machine-to-machine color uniformity. Available in a 5-gal gravity-feed package, 30-gal fiber or steel drums with optional agitator, or 150-gal tote system.
Products include fluorescents, metallics, and pearlescents. Multifunctional colorants available with other additives such as lubricants, heat stabilizers, anti-stats, and uv stabilizers.
Micro-86 metering system automatically adjusts color to machine output, detects regrind and compensates color, and stores up to seven color formulations.
MRS CHEMICALS, INC.
Liquid and paste pigment dispersions for coloring PVC plastisols, urethanes, epoxies, calendered PVC film, and other polymers. Also custom multi-functional dispersions with other additives in liquid vehicles. Color matching in standard or specified vehicles.
NEW HAMPSHIRE PLASTICS, INC.
Solid color concentrates and custom computerized color matching.
NORTH COAST COMPOUNDERS, INC.
Fluorescent and opaque color concentrates for polyether and polyester TP urethanes.
NUBIOLA S.A.
See Hilton Davis Chemical Co. and Ferro Corp., Color Div.
OBRON ATLANTIC CORP.
Aluminum pigments in powders, pastes and granules for thermosets and thermoplastics. Standard grades and refined products with very narrow particle-size distribution to optimize brightness and sparkle for demanding applications such as automotive products.
Two treated aluminum pigment series, PCR silica and PCA polymer encapsulated, offer very high resistance to chemicals, excellent outdoor durability, and improved heat stability. Recommended for chemically aggressive resins like PVC, catalytically cured systems, and resins requiring better heat stability.
Encapsulated resist bronze pigments can be used in thermoplastics and thermosets and display much better heat resistance and storage stability than regular bronze pigments. Do not cause a catalytic degradation of PVC.
Specialty pigments like nontarnish sparkles and particulate pigments for granite effects also available.
PASSAIC COLOR & CHEMICAL CO.
Organic solvent dyes in yellow, orange, red, brown, blue, and black.
PAWNEE COLOR
Dry color and pellet concentrates for ABS, PS, SAN, PP, PE, acrylic, weatherable styrenics, flexible and rigid PVC, and flame-retardant compounds. Custom color matches for injection and blow molding, sheet, and film. Lot sizes from 50 lb to truckloads.
PENN COLOR, INC.
Concentrated liquid and solid pigment dispersions for vinyl hom*opolymers and copolymers, plasticizers, nylon, cellulosics, acrylics, polyester, epoxy, urethane, PE, PP, ABS, and PS.
PERMUTHANE COATINGS A UNIT OF ICI AMERICAS
Color dispersions for vinyl, acrylic, cellulose butyrate, urethane, and epoxy. Include KXV color chips for vinyls, 18-000 soft pigment pastes for epoxy resins, and plasticizer pigment pastes for organosols and plastisols.
PLASTIC MATERIALS CO., INC.
Color concentrate pellets for nearly all thermoplastics include standard colors in stock and custom color matching. Specializes in colors for high-temperature engineering plastics. Concentrates for all types of nylon 66, including natural, impact-modified, filled, and glass-reinforced.
PLASTICOLORS, INC.
Pastes, granular pigments, and additive dispersions for unsaturated polyester, urethane, phenolic, epoxy, acrylic, and PVC. Plastisperse highly loaded, low-dusting, free-flowing colorants can be formulated with additives such as blowing agents, uv enhancers, and stabilizers. Designed to replace dry color and other color concentrates in thermoplastics, thermoset polyesters, and thermoplastic elastomers. Custom color matching available. Line of heavy-metal-free colors available.
PLASTICOLOUR, INC.
Full spectrum of color and additive concentrates. Color matching for a variety of polymers in blown film, injection molding, sheet, profiles, and blow molding.
PLASTICS COLOR-CHIP, INC. DIV. OF PMC CORP.
Dispersions for styrenics and polyolefins. Concentrates for thermoplastics can contain colorants and additives such as processing aids formulated to meet specific needs.
Fine-grind, micropulverized dry colors offer economy with optional convenience of unitized quantities that eliminate the need for weighing. An alternative to concentrates, particularly on small production runs.
PLUESS-STAUFER INTERNATIONAL
Tytanpol titanium dioxide pigments in rutile and anatase grades are available in 50-lb or semi-bulk bags. LTL quantities available from local distributors.
PMS CONSOLIDATED A UNIT OF M.A. HANNA CO.
Dry colorants, color concentrates, Freeze-Dri, and universal colorants compatible with most thermoplastics. Conventional shades and special effects such as pearlescents, phosphorescents, metallics, irridescents, low plate-out fluorescents, marbles, and granites.
Dry colors produced in lot sizes from small quantities through bulk containers; may be purchased in preweighed packages for easy handling and in-plant metering and blending. Pigments provided with free-flow additive for use in dry-color metering equipment.
Pellet color concentrates produced for any thermoplastic. One-pack systems can include uv stabilizers, antioxidants, fire retardants, etc. Custom pellet dimensions, letdown ratios, and FDA or CONEG certifications available. Super concentrates highly loaded with pigments in a universal carrier can be used economically with a variety of polyolefins, styrenics, and engineering resins.
Specialty tint products include nine standard colors of PPROtint concentrates, which are high-chroma, transparent colorants for clarified PP. Edgeglo fluorescent concentrates are tailored to give a light tint to flat, transparent parts and impart a glowing color to the edges of molded PS, acrylic, polycarbonate, PET, and other transparent resins.
Liquid color dispersions are custom formulated for most thermoplastic resins. Designed to prevent settling during storage, they meet stringent viscosity requirements for liquid metering equipment and can include a variety of performance additives.
POLYCOM HUNTSMAN, INC.
Color concentrates include blacks and whites for molding and extrusion. Custom matching available for PS, ABS, PE, and PP. Certain stock color concentrates available.
White concentrates contain as much as 80% pigment. Contain either titanium dioxide or a mixture with other pigments that reportedly provides the same opacity at the same letdown ratio as a standard 50% white.
POLYMER CONCENTRATES, INC.
Color concentrates for automotive, cosmetic, commodity, film, medical, sporting, toys, wire/cable, and fiber industries. Concentrates in PE, PP, HIPS, PVC, ABS, nylon, fluoropolymers, and engineering resins. Customizes light-stable, high-temperature, and chemical-resistant colors.
PRIME COLORANTS
Heavy-metal-free color concentrates, liquid colorants, and dry powder colorants have diverse colorant-loading levels and additive packages. Products are used in foamed decorative ribbon, extrusion, injection molding, blow molding, and rotomolding.
Specialty lines for almost every thermoplastic include various fluorescent, pearlescent, metallic, phosphorescent, granite, and speckle pigments. Also available with uv inhibitors and antioxidants.
PROGRESSIVE POLYMERS
Color concentrates and dry-color blends for most thermoplastics. Custom formulations and additive packages. Color Spheres are very concentrated, very fine pellets are designed for maximum color dispersion. Typical letdown ratios are 100:1 to 300:1.
P.S.H. INDUSTRIES, INC.
Liquid colorants for epoxy and urethane resins.
PYLAM PRODUCTS CO.
Distributes complete line of commercially available dyes, specializing in solvent colors.
QUANTUM CHEMICAL CORP.
Spectratech color concentrates contain no heavy-metal pigments (as identified by CONEG). Offered in stock and custom colors for most thermoplastics. Letdown ratios from 20:1 to over 50:1. Clean, uniform pellet size, suited to bulk handling and conveying. Applications include extrusion of film, sheet, profiles, extrusion coating, and injection and blow molding.
Concentrates may include other additives such as slip and antiblock agents, uv stabilizers, blowing agents, and flame retardants.
Line of high-performance white concentrates for applications requiring non-yellowing characteristics in sub-mil and embossed film and extrusion coating. Formulated to withstand elevated processing temperatures.
REEDSPECTRUM DIV. SANDOZ CHEMICALS CORP.
Custom-formulated color and additive concentrates for thermoplastics. Colorants cover a range of pigments with emphasis on FDA-approved and UL-approved systems. Custom-designed colorants for engineered or performance resins and multifunctional concentrates that combine color with uv stabilizers, lubricants, antistats, antiblock agents, and others.
Reedlite heavy-metal-free color concentrates for nylon 6 and 66, polyolefins, PET, PS, and PC. Heat stability and color consistency comparable to heavy-metal-based pigments.
Liquid color and dry color for all thermoplastics and processing methods, as well as RIM and other urethanes.
REGENCY SALES, INC.
Offers color masterbatch and dry-pigment systems. Superdry colorant masterbatches for rigid PVC bottles and cables.
Multifunctional masterbatches with a variety of other additives available.
REYNOLDS METALS CO.
Plasticized pastes of aluminum flake pigments in DIDP or other vehicles can be customized. Products range from extremely fine, high-coverage aluminum flakes to coarser, brighter flakes. Plasticized pastes are cleaner, safer and easier to handle than dry flake powders.
RIVERDALE COLOR MANUFACTURING
Custom-matched liquid colorants and solid concentrates for most thermoplastics. Liquid products supplied in 5-gal pails, 30-gal drums, or returnable tote bins. Pellet concentrates supplied in drums or gaylords.
Colorcurve computer system utilized for matching and color development work on over 2195 shades. Colorants formulated with high performance organic and inorganic pigments, or dyes in a universally compatible vehicle system, which meets FDA requirements. Specialty colors utilizing fluorescent, pearlescent, photochromatic, and granite (speckled) pigments available.
Multifunctional dispersion produced in both liquid or pelletized concentrate form.
RONDY & CO.
Econo-Blak general-purpose black concentrate has 50% carbon black in LDPE. Pelletized concentrate is compatible with polyolefins and PS.
RTP CO.
Color concentrates for most major resins and cube blends of natural resin pellets and color concentrates.
W.J. RUSCOE CO.
Color-Max pourable liquid dispersions of pigments in DINP, other plasticizers, or solvents reportedly blend quickly with PVC plastisols and organosols. Suitable for liquid-color metering in injection molding and extrusion.
SANDOZ CHEMICALS CORP.
Sandorin organic pigments provide excellent lightfastness, uv stability, and high-temperature processing stability. Graphtol and Graphtol Fast organic pigments offer good-to-excellent properties similar to Sandorin.
Cadmium replacements for nylon resins include Sandofil yellow RL (pigment yellow 192), Sandorin orange 6RL (pigment orange 68), and a line of polymer soluble dyes.
Estofil S polymer-soluble dyes for polyester fibers are also recommended for other resins such as nylon.
NitroFast polymer-soluble dyes are for transparent plastics.
FDA-approved Leucopure EGM optical brightener is for PP, polyester, and other thermoplastics. Thermally stable to 662 F, with excellent lightfastness, polymer solubility, and compatibility. Also chemically stable to oxidizing/reducing media and a broad pH range.
A. SCHULMAN INC.
Polybatch color and additive concentrates and Polyblak carbon black concentrates. Polybatch concentrates come in a range of colors and polymers. Multifunctional types combine pigments and additives in one product. Polyblak concentrates contain different carbon black types at various loadings in such carriers as LDPE, LLDPE, PP, EVA, PS, and ABS.
SCM CHEMICALS INC.
Inorganic pigment line includes Tiona rutile titanium dioxide. Tiona RCL-4 is an easy-dispersing pigment with high tint strength and opacity and resistance to PE yellowing. Tiona RCL-6 offers durability in vinyl siding and window profiles. Tiona RCL-69 blue tone, general-purpose pigment is for engineering resins such as ABS and many PVC applications.
Cadmolith colors are red and yellow lithopone cadmium surfides and selenides with good hiding power, good resistance to light and heat, inertness, and insolubility in organic media. Full-strength pure yellows, oranges, reds, and maroons recommended for use in color concentrates. Tinting strength and hiding power are double those of lithopone types and recommended for coloring film and sheet when minimum pigment content and maximum opacity are needed. Certified as nonhazardous for waste disposal under current EPA regulations.
SEEGOTT INC.
Inorganic pigments include aluminum powders, flakes, and paste. Also black, brown, red, green, and yellow oxides; and titanium dioxide.
SHEPHERD COLOR CO.
Complex inorganic color pigments include cobalt aluminate blues, cobalt chrome aluminate turquoises, cobalt titanate greens, nickel titanate yellows, chrome titanate buffs, iron titanate browns, iron-free titanate browns, copper chromite blacks, cobalt violets, and manganese violets, all supplied in dry powder form. Produced by high-temperature calcination process, pigments are inert and stable to light, heat, weathering, and chemical attack. Typical applications are in rigid and flexible PVC (including siding), PE, PP, PS, nylon, ABS, polycarbonate, and reinforced plastics.
SlLBERLINE MANUFACTURING CO. Silvex aluminum flake pigments range from very fine particle size for a satin metallic appearance to larger-sized particles for a sparkle effect. Give metallic appearance when combined with transparent pigments. Product consists of aluminum flakes enveloped by a suitable plasticizer or mineral oil to minimize hazards of dust, contamination, and fire. Sparkle Silvex series has small flakes that can give the brightness of coarse flakes and produce the same effects as metallic paint coatings. Very large aluminum flakes also available to produce a glitter effect.
Silvet pelletized aluminum pigment concentrate with 80% aluminum flakes in a polymeric carrier offer safety, cleanliness, ease of handling, compatibility with most resins, and stability.
SPECTRA SCIENCE CORP.
Specialty dyes for polymers include narrow-notch absorbers for laser-protective eyewear and plastic optical filters. Also full line of broad-band and narrow-notch infrared dyes.
SPIRAL PLASTICS & COLORS DIV. WASHINGTON PENN PLASTIC CO.
Standard black and white concentrates in addition to custom concentrates and dry blends for injection molding, extrusion, film, and fibers.
STANDRIDGE COLOR CORP.
Color concentrates for fibers and film. Single-pigment, custom color-matched, and additive dispersions in PE, PP, nylons, and polyesters available in any quantity.
SUN CHEMICAL CORP., PIGMENTS DIV.
Organic pigments include azo reds and yellows, quinacridones, carbazole violet, and phthalocyanine. Also FD&C and D&C pigments for applications requiring certified color. In addition to standard dry powders, many pigments are available as high-solids presscakes or PE flushes.
SYNTHETIC PRODUCTS CO., DIV. OF COOKSON SPECIALTY ADDITIVES
Inorganic pigment dispersions for silicones. Vehicles based on silicone oils or gums.
TEKNOR COLOR CO. SUB. OF TEKNOR APEX CO.
Color concentrates for PS, PE, PP, ABS, SAN, TPE, TPR, EVA, polycarbonate, acrylic, and flexible and rigid PVC. Standard and custom colors. Specialty products include granite/speckled and sparkle/glitter color effects, FDA-sanctioned ingredients, fluorescents, pearlescents, and edge-glow/neon colors.
Color Crystals are highly loaded, specialty concentrates for PE, PP, HIPS, ABS, TPE, EVA, and flexible PVC.
Wire and cable and profile colors available for PVC, PE, and XLPE. Typical letdown ratios are 100:1 and 50:1.
Instex micropulverized PVC color concentrates are single-pigment dispersions or composite colors. Recommended for compounders and processors of PVC dryblends in extrusion and calendering.
THERMOCOLOR CORP.
Custom color concentrates in pellets or dustless granules for all processes and commodity and engineering resins. Services automotive market extensively. Pigment loadings can be up to 90% for letdown ratios as high as 200:1. Universal carrier suited to a variety of resins. Multifunctional concentrates available.
TIOXlDE AMERICAS INC.
Tioxide titanium dioxide pigments disperse easily in a variety of thermoplastics and give a high degree of whiteness, opacity, and tinting strength. Undertones range from blue (FC2, FC6) to neutral (TR61, TR63, TR92, HD6X, TR90).
FC6 is silane-treated for low moisture content and ease of dispersion. FC6, TR92 and HD6X are for rigid PVC building products and have NSF approval for use in PVC potable-water pipe. HD6X used at relatively high pigment concentrations in opaque flexible PVC. TR61, TR63 and TR92 recommended for colored PVC siding, profiles, and polyester gel coats that require high weathering resistance.
TRI DELTA COLOR
Concentrates, dyes, and pigments supplied as powders or pellet dispersions in PE, PP, PS, and ABS. Computer color matching.
UNIFORM COLOR CO.
Color concentrates supplied for thermoplastics, specializing in automotive, furniture, electronic, and appliance markets. Fluorescent, phosphorescent, pearlescent, and metallic concentrates. Antistat, lubricant, uv-stabilizer, and antioxidant packages available.
UNITED MINERAL & CHEMICAL CORP.
Cadmium pigments in yellows, oranges, reds, and browns (CP and lithopones) for heat-stable applications. Organic pigments include Red Lake C, Red 2B, and phthalocyanine blues; nontoxic phosphorescent pigments for glow-in-the-dark applications; and fluorescent pigments.
U.S. GYPSUM CO.
CAS-20-4 anhydrous calcium surfate (gypsum) is recommended as a low-cost Ti[O.sub.2] extender. With a 4-micron average particle size, it has high brightness, good opacity, low abrasion, and food-contact approval.
U.S. SYNTHETICS CORP.
Concentrates and dry colorants available in stock or custom colors for most thermoplastics. Special color concentrates for food packaging and high-heat applications. Custom uv-stabilized formulations for outdoor applications.
WARNER-JENKINSON CO.
FD&C and D&C pigment lakes include technical grades and low-moisture products, supplied in all hues and a range of concentrations. Custom and stock pigment blends available, as is custom batch packaging.
Line of uncertified natural colorants, such as annatto, carmine, tumeric, titanium dioxide, grape-skin extract, and natural beta carotene available.
WASHINGTON PENN PLASTIC CO.
Range of concentrates formulated to customer specifications.
WHITTAKER, CLARK & DANIELS, INC.
Inorganic pigments include:
* Cadmium sulfide - custom heat-stable pigments from yellow to maroon, available as pure, concentrate, and lithopone.
* Manganese violet - heat-stable pigments with reportedly excellent brightness, redder than alternatives.
* Iron oxides - full range, distributed regionally.
* Titanium dioxide - full range, distributed regionally.
* Titanium dioxide - BC, USP for special pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications.
* Ultramarine blue, pink, violet - heat-stable, lightfast, and easy-dispersing pigments; FDA-approved for food packaging. (See ad p. 407.)
WILSON COLOR INC. A UNIT OF M.A. HANNA CO.
Color concentrates for all thermoplastics and vinyls. Supplies wire and cable and other dispersion-critical industries. Concentrates based on PVC, PE, all fluoropolymers, TPU, nylon, PBT, XLPE, acrylic, and PET. Many Munsell, NEMA, and J1128 standard colors in stock. Some concentrates contain heavy-metal pigments. (See ad p. 405.)
Fillers
PRODUCT LINES REVIEWED
ABRASIVE MACHINE & SUPPLY CO.
Glass bead fillers increase mechanical and dielectric strength. Can be supplied coated with resin.
ADELL PLASTICS, INC.
Custom filler concentrates with up to 75% loading available in all thermoplastics. Also multifunctional concentrates containing more than one type of additive.
AGRASHELL, INC.
Walnut-shell flours are low-density fillers for phenolics and cast polyesters. Standard grades (WF-5, -200 mesh; and WF-7, -325 mesh) are light in color, free-flowing, nontoxic, low in resin demand, and easily dispersed.
AKROCHEM CORP.
Calcium carbonates, kaolin clays, alumina trihydrates, wood and fiber flocks, wood flours, micas, magnesium carbonates, and precipitated amorphous silica.
ALLIED CUSTOM GYPSUM
Gypsum is a flame-retardant filler. (See also Flame Retardants.)
ALLIED PRODUCTS CORP.
See Coz Corp.
ALUCHEM INC.
Ground hydrated alumina, calcium carbonate, and magnesium oxide fillers. Twenty-one particle-size distributions from 65% to 100% minus 325 mesh with median particle sizes of 4 to 30 microns. Also "super-fine" ground fillers with a median particle size of 1.5 microns and top size of less than 10 microns. Also 12 grades of hydrated alumina/calcium carbonate blends.
ACM-MH 95 magnesium hydroxide serves as a flame-retardant filler, releasing water of hydration like alumina trihydrate, but is able to withstand processing temperatures to 625 F vs. 425-445 F for ATH. Both 7-micron and 3-micron grinds with or without surface treatment.
AMERICAN METAL FIBERS, INC.
Stainless-steel, brass, low-carbon-steel, and copper fibers available in long-strand fiber reels, needle-punched blankets, and chopped fibers. Products exhibit high strength, high modulus, ferromagnetic properties, good corrosion resistance, and high electrical and thermal conductivity.
AMERICAN WOOD FIBERS
Hardwood and softwood flours are low in density and have particle sizes of 20-200 mesh. In bulk or bagged form.
AMERICA'S BEST BUILDING PRODUCTS
Micro-Mix custom-engineered, multi-component reinforcement and filler system consists of specific proportions of rods, flakes, spheres, and irregular particles. Dryblend is formulated for high loadings (60-80% by volume) without sacrificing physical properties of polyesters, vinyl esters, epoxies, and thermoplastics. Can be poured, sprayed, extruded or injection molded. Sprayed compounds need no rollout. Different systems provide varying degrees of strength, density reduction, flame retardancy, and cost savings in applications such as gelcoat backup, sandwich cores, coatings, tooling, and casting compounds.
ASPECT MINERALS, INC.
Wet-ground, high-aspect-ratio muscovite mica for applications such as RIM auto fascias. AlbaShield is a general-purpose series of highly delaminated products in a range of particle sizes. AlbaFlex is an ultra-high-aspect-ratio line, also in a range of sizes, that offers higher purity and narrower particle-size distribution. Surface-treated grades available.
BAKER RUBBER INC. (BRI)
Granulite ground rubber ranges in size from 3/4 in. to minus 80 mesh. Comes in several forms including tread material, shaved buffings, whole tire with a small percentage of polyester fiber, and polyester fiber itself. Can be used as flexibilizers, anti-skid additives, extenders, and impact modifiers.
BEKAERT CORP.
Beki-Shield fibers made from extremely fine stainless-steel wire provide electrical conductivity, EMI/RFI shielding, and static dissipation. High conductivity allows lower loadings than competitive additives. Provides good EMI shielding without significantly affecting mechanical properties of the compound. Available as slivers (chopped-fiber bundles with no twist), continuous roving, yarn, blended yarn (textile fiber blended with metal fibers), and chopped fibers (packages of parallel cut fibers held together by an adhesive that will dissolve during compounding). Products can be treated with an appropriate sizing.
BURGESS PIGMENT CO.
Hydrous, anhydrous, and thermo-optic aluminum silicates (clays). Hydrous and calcined clays provide physical strength, impact and compression resistance. Custom silane-treated products for applications from nylon to crosslinked PE. For opacity and tint strength, Optiwhite and Optiwhite MX permit up to 50% reduction in Ti[O.sub.2] loadings. Burgess No. 30 and 30P in PVC offer high electrical resistivity. Burgess KE in medium-voltage cable provides maximum long-term wet electrical resistance.
BURNS & RUSSELL CO. SPECIALTY CHEMICALS DIV.
Low-cost, medium-to-large particle-size surface-modified silicas improve stain and abrasion resistance and weatherability. F-200 (70-75 mesh), and F-400 (42-45 mesh) silicas permit exceptionally high loadings without severe loss of physical - or chemical properties.
F-Series silica fillers are compatible with FRP backup layers, gel coats, epoxy flooring, and other thermosets and thermoplastics. In epoxy and polyester systems, F-400 and F-200 replace up to 75% of resin and can substitute for glass beads and microspheres.
F-1200 and F-1500 are high-purity, surface-modified ground silicas with multifunctional surface characteristics. Provides strong, dense, chemical-resistant composites. Compatible with many polymers, such as polyester, polyethylene, and polypropylene. Consistent whiteness provides batch-to-batch color uniformity.
CABOT CORP., CAB-O-SIL DIV.
Cab-O-Sil fumed silica is a processing aid, thixotrope, and viscosity-control agent in unsaturated polyesters, epoxies, silicone rubber, and PVC. Controls polyester viscosity and prevents sagging or running in gel coats and laminating resins. In liquid resin systems it can also help keep solids in suspension and evenly dispersed.
In PVC plastisols and calendering it soaks up excess plasticizer, provides thixotropy, prevents plate-out, and keeps dry compounds free-flowing. Dielectric properties and heat stability also make it a suitable reinforcement for silicones and PVC electrical insulation.
CANCARB LTD.
Thermax medium thermal carbon black is produced via thermal decomposition of natural gas in the absence of oxygen. It has low-level structure and particle size and comes in several grades. Can be compounded at high loadings without degrading polymer properties. Provides very low abrasion, good dielectric properties, chemical and heat resistance, and low sieve residue values (typically 2 ppm on 325 mesh). Applications include XLPE wire and cable insulation, heat-shrinkable connectors, and general pigmentation.
THE CARBORUNDUM CO. BORON NITRIDE DIV.
Boron nitride, which has a structure similar to graphite, is a specialty multi-functional additive available in various mesh sizes. It adds lubricity and thermal conductivity, but unlike graphite, is electrically insulating rather than conductive.
THE CARBORUNDUM CO. FIBERS DIV.
Fiberfrax alumina-silica fiber is a reinforcing filler with low thermal expansion, thermal stability, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and resistance to moisture absorption. Available in a variety of lengths, diameters, surface areas, and chemistries, which are modified by surface treatments.
CATAPHOTE INC.
Solid glass microspheres in a range of sizes-reinforce and extend all thermosets and most thermoplastics used in injection molding, extrusion, compression molding, and open-mold casting. Treated with silane or other coatings. Said to increase flow and ease of extrusion; raise compressive strength, stiffness and abrasion resistance; reduce creep, water absorption and shrinkage; and give better mold fill and more uniform cooling, which can cut injection molding cycles by 20%.
CELITE CORP.
Diatomaceous silicas (diatomite) are used as antiblock agents in LDPE, LLDPE, and HDPE films. Use levels can range from 0.1% to 1%. Diatomite lends itself well to masterbatching at levels of 50% by weight. Super Floss grade is used for antiblocking and offers good optical properties at an economical cost.
CLAREMONT FLOCK CORP.
Cotton, nylon, polyester, rayon, and other synthetic and natural flock fillers. Both random- and precision-cut fibers can be processed to meet fiber type, length, or dispersion requirements.
COLORCO INC.
Colored or noncolored concentrates containing talc, calcium carbonate or other fillers available for most thermoplastics.
COMPOSITION MATERIALS CO., INC.
Organic fillers include:
* Nut shells - walnut, pecan, and apricot pit (flour and grits, all mesh sizes).
* Flock - cellulose (bleached and unbleached), cotton, leather, synthetics.
* Cellulose K - treated; an asbestos replacement.
* Wood flour - hardwood and softwood (40-325 mesh), sawdust and shavings.
* Reclaimed rubber dust.
* Rice hulls - flour and grits.
* Corn cobs - flour and grits.
Plasfi-Grit flour - crosslinked polymer filler, available in urea, polyester, and melamine for compression molding and extrusion.
Also hollow and solid glass and ceramic microspheres.
CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY DIV. INVESTMENT HOLDINGS GROUP
Marketing agent for expanded glass spheres from 0.5-1 mm to 10-20 mm. Used as a lightweight filler and reinforcement. Also increase thermal insulation values.
COZ CORP. SUB. OF ALLIED PRODUCTS CORP.
Concentrates contain different levels of clay and talc for use in styrenics, polyolefins, and most other thermoplastics.
CUSTOM GRINDERS SALES, INC.
Ground alumina trihydrate, alumina trihydrate/calcium carbonate blends, and calcium sulfate. Custom grinds and blends available. (See also Flame Retardants.)
DEGUSSA CORP.
Aerosil 130, 200, 300 and 380 pyrogenic fumed silicas are thixotropes and reinforcing fillers for silicone rubber and as additives to prevent plateout in calendered PVC. Aerosil R 972 hydrophobic pyrogenic silica is a reinforcing filler for silicone rubber and a free-flow additive used where moisture pickup can cause caking problems.
Aluminum oxide C pyrogenic alumina is an antistatic agent for granular plastics.
Sipernat 22LS, FK500LS, and Sipernat 44 precipitated silicas are anti-blocking agents in blown PP film (also Aerosil OX50 and Aerosil FLM). Sipernat 22LS and FK500LS also used to prevent plateout in PVC calendered films. Sipernat 22, 22S, 50, and 50S act as anticaking aids or can be used to convert liquids into easy-to-disperse powders. Hydrophobic Sipernat D17 and D11 are anticaking agents for extremely hygroscopic powders, and FK140 and FK160 are reinforcing fillers in silicone rubber. (See ad p. 411.)
D.J. ENTERPRISES INC.
Econ-Glass PER solid glass beads come in nominal 50-mesh size. Silllum PL-200 is a flame-retardant filler blend of alumina and silica. Sillum-200 Q/P is a noncombustible, chemically stable, inert alumina silicate processed to eliminate any organic tramp elements that could modify performance. Free-flowing bead (standard 44-75 micron screen analysis) blends easily with liquids or powders. Product is insoluble, non-thixotropic, and nonhygroscopic; gives superior suspension and dispersion; reduces shrinkage; and improves hardness.
Metallic beads in 44-75 microns are used where additional weight is required, such as nylon counterweights or compounds for lawn furniture. Also used as an antistatic additive.
Micro P resin extender is noncombustible, chemically stable, inert amorphous mineral silicate. It reduces shrinkage and exotherm temperature and is nonconductive, compatible with flame retardants, and insoluble in water and organic acids. Has high filler-loading capability and low moisture content. Is nonthixotropic and nonhygroscopic.
DODGE-REGUPOL, INC.
Cork supplied in spherical, cubical, elongated, and shredded forms. Particle sizes of 1 in. to 150 mesh and densities from 3-12 lb/cu ft. Is an inert filler used to lower cost and density, to build viscosity, and to boost dimensional stability and coefficient of friction. Reportedly can increase thermal, acoustical and impact-absorption properties when used in sufficient quantities.
DRAVE NATURAL RESOURCES CO. OYSTER SHELL PRODUCTS DIV.
SF-4 ground and fractionated mollusk shells are 97.5% calcium carbonate by weight. Is a general-purpose filler said to disperse well and impart smoothness to calendered and extruded products with less property loss than with other fillers of comparable size.
DRY BRANCH KAOLIN CO.
Kaolin clays include hydrite water-washed grades in different particle sizes and resin demand. Suitable for thermosets and thermoplastics; pH control assures proper cure and stability. Glomax calcined kaolin extenders give optimum electrical properties in wire coatings. Partial Ti[O.sub.2] replacement is said to be possible in many sheet and molded products with Altowhite TE, a 93% brightness, high-opacity extender. Kaopaque delaminated aluminum silicate reportedly offers improved physical properties in most thermoplastics.
EAGLE QUALITY PRODUCTS CO., INC.
Mica products include Micaflex R and M used in all thermoplastic and thermoset resin systems as reinforcing fillers. R series exhibits low viscosity buildup in polyester and liquid epoxies; reduces shrinkage and sinks; and is reportedly a superior partial replacement for short-glass fiber. In polyolefins, Micaflex R reportedly produces higher elongation and unnotched Izod impact than other micas at comparable concentrations.
Micaflex M series is white and compatible with all plastic systems. It produces clean, consistent colors, particularly in PP and thermoplastic polyesters.
ECC INTERNATIONAL
Fine-ground calcium carbonates are specifically designed for PVC, PP, and PE. Supercoat grade provides impact and gloss properties. Snowflake PE affords low viscosity in SMC and BMC. MLPA products are mineral-based shrink-control additives for unsaturated polyester compounds. MLPA 1 and MLPA 2 thermoplastic-coated calcium carbonates act as low-profile agents in Class A moldings.
Also offers high-brightness hydrous kaolins, silane-treated kaolins, and calcined kaolin.
ECOSTAR INTERNATIONAL
Ecostar hydrophobic starch provides matte finish in PVC plastisols. Also used as a biodegradation enhancer in extruded polyolefins. Provides low-gloss finish and good antiblock properties in extruded film.
EMERSON & CUMING, INC. W.R. GRACE & CO.
Eccospheres are free-flowing, thin-walled, hollow glass spheres ranging from 0.13 to 0.60 g/cc and produced in various strengths and compositions. Special grades available with tightly controlled size distribution. Can enhance electrical and thermal properties and reduce weight while improving strength-to-weight ratios. Applications include thermal shielding, high-speed circuitry, and syntactic foams.
ENGELHARD CORP., SPECIALTY MINERALS & COLORS GROUP
Mineral reinforcements include:
* Translink surface-modified calcined kaolin.
* Satintone calcined kaolin extenders and reinforcements; inert, fine-particle-sized products with low residue and moisture.
* ASP-Buca-Catalpo hydrous kaolin; various particle sizes and modifications, including surface treatments and delamination.
* Emcor 66 ultra-short whiskers used in phenolic molding compounds for brake linings and non-asbestos gasketing. (See ad p. 412.)
EXPANCEL INC.
Thermoplastic microspheres are ultra-lightweight, flexible, and resilient. Average density between 0.025 and 0.060 g/cu cm, average particle diam. of 20 to 140 microns. Uniform cell structure and compatibility with resins such as polyurethanes, epoxies, PVC, and PE allows for consistent density. Also used in polyesters as a lightweight filler that imparts enough flexibility to the composite to reduce cracking and brittleness.
Also available unexpanded for in-situ foaming. RIM applications incorporate Expancel DU (dry, unexpanded) to achieve target densities and reduce shrinkage. PVC plastisols use Expancel DU for uniform, controlled voids in foaming. Grades available at expansion temperatures from 176 to 266 F.
FIBER SALES & DEVELOPMENT CORP.
Solka-Floc cellulose filler improves impact strength and wear characteristics in moving parts. Low specific gravity, controlled bulk, and good thermal properties. Filled urea compounds reportedly withstand temperatures to 170 F; melamine compounds withstand 210 F; and darker colored phenolics take even higher temperatures.
FRANKLIN INDUSTRIAL MINERALS
Amical NSF-listed calcium carbonate in a range of particle sizes includes surface-treated products. This oolite material can be used in vinyl, polyester, and urethanes, minimizing mold wear.
Also offers alumina trihydrates and calcium sulfate dihydrates. (See also Flame Retardants.)
FRANKLIN MINERAL PRODUCTS DIV. THE MEARL CORP.
Wet-ground muscovite mica consists of tiny, extremely thin flakes of a potassium/aluminum silicate crystal with traces of other elements. Flakes have a silvery, off-white color, average thickness of 0.5-2 microns, and 2 to 150 micron diam. Available in nominal 100, 160 and 325 mesh grades and in 1000-mesh and finer special grades. Can increase stiffness, modulus, yield stress, breaking stress, and heat-deflection temperature. High dielectric strength and low power factor make it useful in electrical applications.
FUJIMI AMERICA INC.
High-purity alumina and silica powders. Customizes ultra-tight particle-size distributions down to submicron levels.
GENERAL CHEMICAL & PLASTIC SERVICES CO.
PumaSil noncarcinogenic, non-quartz crystalline silica offers all the property advantages of quartz crystalline silica, but without the hazards. Product is amorphous and ground from volcanic glass. Has excellent resistance to many chemicals and high temperatures, is readily dispersed, generally reduces resin demand, and offers high brightness and low color.
GENSTAR STONE PRODUCTS CO.
Fine-ground limestone (calcium carbonate) products are said to be exceptionally white. Camel-Wite particle size ranges from 0.2 to 12 microns (average 3 microns). Aids viscosity control and glass dispersion in polyester SMC, BMC, prepreg, PVC, PE, and PP. Low-cost Camel-Fil for SMC/BMC provides particle-size distribution for high loading and/or low viscosity. Camel-Tex and Camel-Carb coarser grades are used in BMC. Camel-Cal ultrafine grade is 90% smaller than 2 microns. Camel-Fine ultrafine grade has average particle size of 2 microns. Camel-Wite, Camel-Cal and Camel-Fine available with stearate coatings. (See ad p. 416.)
GEORGIA MARBLE CO.
Finely ground, crystalline white marble fillers with a high percent of calcium carbonate designed specifically for polyesters, PP, PVC, epoxies, and elastomers. Stearate-coated grade approved for high-pressure potable-water PVC pipe. Also several grades of alumina trihydrate. (See ad p. 415.)
GLS PLASTICS DIV., GREAT LAKES TERMINAL & TRANSPORT
Fumed silica can be used for viscosity control or as a drying agent, reinforcement, or thixotrope. Soda-lime-borosilicate glass bubbles reduce density of polyester castings and cost of cultured marble.
W.R. GRACE & CO. GRACE DAVISON
Syloid and Sylobloc pure, chemically inert, nontoxic synthetic amorphous silicas are used in PVC, PE, PP, PVDC, EVA, CAB, and acrylics. When used in amounts from 1% to 3%, they act as processing aids, absorb excess plasticizer, prevent caking of molding powders and plate-out, and promote printing-ink acceptance. Controlled particle-size distributions and good particle integrity. Are efficient flatting and antiblocking agents that yield high-clarity films.
Combinations of Sylobloc silicas and oleamide or erucamide slip aids also available. Combinations of antiblock and slip aids show improved efficiency over separate addition of two additives.
GREFCO INC.
Inert mineral fillers made from diatomaceous silica and perlite. Dicalite diatomite multifunctional fillers are used for antiblocking in PE films. In filled plastics they give dimensional stability. Dicalite perlite functional fillers help reduce weight and increase impact resistance through nondirectional reinforcement.
Dicaperl hollow glass microspheres improve impact resistance and machining properties and reduce weight in some formulations.
Also distributes Solka-Floc cellulose fiber fillers, which improve impact strength and dimensional stability in molded thermosets.
C.P. HALL CO.
Fillers include micas and clays. Shell flour can be used as a low-density filler in phenolics and cast polyesters.
HARWICK CHEMICAL CORP.
Silicas, clays, calcium carbonates, micas and bituminous coal. Some grades surface-treated for ease of dispersion and improved reinforcing properties. Silane coupling agents also available.
J.M. HUBER CORP., CHEMICALS DIV.
Zeothix precipitated hydrated silicas offer thixotropy and viscosity control. Zeothix 265 prevents sagging or running during cure of polyester laminating resins, gel coats, epoxies, and PVC plastisols and coatings. Helps suspend and disperse solid fillers in liquid resins. As a processing aid in PVC plastisols and calendering, it prevents plate-out, dries up excess plasticizer, and acts as a free-flow conditioner where dry compounds are prone to caking or sticking. Also antistat and antiblocking properties.
J.M. HUBER CORP. ENGINEERED MINERALS DIV.
Functional filler/extenders include calcium carbonate and barytes in particle sizes from 1.0 micron average partial size to 40-mesh granular. Surface-treated materials improve dispersion and permit increased filler loadings. "W" series suited to SMC, BMC and RTM. NSF-approved PVC pipe grades available, along with products for PVC (flexible, rigid, plastisols, floor tile), polyester, PP, epoxies, elastomers, urethanes and PE.
Several types of water-washed, air-floated and calcined kaolin clays reduce cycle times, extend resins without sacrificing physical properties, reduce pound-volume costs, improve processing and reinforcing properties, reduce mold shrinkage and creep, and improve heat-distortion temperature, electrical properties, surface smoothness, and printability.
Also line of standard and surface-treated hydrated alumina fillers. Micral series of mechanically produced ultrafine hydrated alumina replaces precipitated ATH in most applications. Extremely fine particle distributions of Micral products provide a high degree of active surface area for enhanced flame retardance, excellent surface profile, and high physical properties. Custom-engineered ATH products recommended for thermoset polyester, polyolefins, PVC, urethane, epoxy, phenolic, and rubber. Also blends of hydrated alumina and calcium carbonate for certain thermoset polyester applications. (See ad p. 423; data sheets pp. 450-452.)
ICI POLYMER ADDITIVES
Winnofil S is an ultrafine (75-millimicrons), surface-coated, precipitated calcium carbonate that reportedly improves impact strength of rigid PVC and can be used alone or with polymeric impact modifiers. Designed for low-shear compounding. Applications include rigid PVC conduit, pipe, gutters, and profiles.
IMI LTD.
Surface-treated hollow ceramic microspheres for epoxy, phenolics, polyester, polyimide, PVC, PPS, nylon, PEEK, PP, and HDPE. Holospheres line includes seven grades with average particle size of 100 microns. For liquid thermosets Metaspheres hollow alumino-silicate spheres come in two grades with average particle sizes of 100 microns and 150 microns.
Hi-K proprietary filler blend is a conductive additive for thermal conductivity. Graf-Lite, a form of low-density graphite, is used in EMI/RFI shielding compounds. High-aspect-ratio flake reinforcements with or without special surface treatments also available.
KAOPOLITE INC.
Kaopolite anhydrous aluminum silicates are used as antiblocking agents. Full range of particle sizes and surface-treated grades.
Siltex fused silica provides outstanding electrical properties. Magotex fused magnesium oxide improves thermal conductivity.
KMG MINERALS DIV. FRANKLIN INDUSTRIES
Ground muscovite mica products are produced by dry grinding, wet grinding, and micronizing techniques. Reinforcement properties in thermosets and thermoplastics include improved flexural modulus, tensile modulus, HDT, and dimensional stability. Also reduces shrinkage and improves electrical properties.
Products range in average particle size from 18 to 800 microns and maintain a platelet structure with a high diameter-to-thickness ratio.
Used in polyurethane automotive exterior panels and fascia to minimize war-page and maximize HDT and surface quality. Used in HDPE, PP, nylon, PBT, and PPS to minimize warpage, reduce shrinkage, and maximize HDT, flexural modulus, and tensile modulus. Also surface-modified products.
K-T FELDSPAR CORP.
Several grades of micronized fillers are used in coatings, polymer, sealant and adhesive applications. Minspar feldspar is used in translucent or clear plastics because of its low tint strength and reportedly excellent abrasion resistance.
LUNDY TECHNICAL CENTER DIV. TRANSTECHNOLOGY CORP.
Romhoglas thermal and electrically conductive aluminum-coated glass fiber is available as rovings of various sizes, woven fabric, milled fiber and nonwoven conductive mat.
LUZENAC AMERICA
High-purity talc fillers include organophilic and hydrophobic products in various particle-size distributions. Chemically modified grades available.
MALVERN MINERALS CO.
Novacite silica products are a type of quartz having an average particle size of 3-7 microns. Differs from other silicas in its low sorptive properties and low abrasiveness. Used as an extender/filler in silicone rubber, various thermosets, and engineering thermoplastics.
Novakup surface-modified silica reinforcements can be treated with silanes, titanates, sulfonyl azides, or glass resins.
Other surface-modified inorganic extenders, pigments, and fillers are Trikup (alumina trihydrate), Monykup (antimony oxide), Titankup (titanium dioxide), Wollastokup (wollastonite), Carbokup (calcium carbonate), Silikup (silica), and Klakup (aluminum silicate).
THE R.J. MARSHALL CO.
ATH, calcium sulfate (gypsum), calcium carbonate, and lightweight fillers. Available separately or in combination with guaranteed properties such as viscosity, gel time, and color. Special-effect fillers available for cast polymer products.
MICROCEL TECHNOLOGY, INC.
Ceramcel low-cost, lightweight hollow ceramic spheres available in alpha-alumina, mullite, and porcelain compositions. Range in size from 1.5 to 7.0 mm and come with 10-20% continuous inter-granular porosity. A second family of spheres is available with engineered porosity on the order of 100 [[micro]meter] extending through the shell wall. Because Ceramcel spheres do not have the extensive inner porosity of solid catalyst pellets, surface-active substances remain at the surface, maintaining maximum effectiveness.
MILWHITE INC.
Mineral fillers/extenders include celestite, barytes, calcium carbonate, attapulgite clay, bentonite clay, kaolin clay, talc and slate.
Celestite high-specific-gravity filler is said to have excellent loading characteristics. Product can be used for sound abatement and acid resistance, and in foams and plastics where weighting properties are needed. Barytes, available from several locations, are both white and off-white. Custom-designed products available.
MINERAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC. DIV. OF PFIZER SPECIALTY MINERALS
Mineral fillers include fine-ground limestones, precipitated calcium carbonates, talcs and a line of surface-treated calcium carbonates of varying particle sizes. Hi-Pflex 100, Super-Pflex 200, and Ultraflex are surface-treated calcium carbonates for filling and reinforcing PVC, PP, PS, PE, and other resins.
Surface-treated talcs include Microtuff 1000 for polyolefin reinforcement, MicroPflex 1200 for nylons, and Microtuff-F for FDA-approved applications.
ABT2500 and Microbloc are antiblock talcs for polyolefin films.
THE MONTANA TALC CO.
Four lines of ground talc. Grinds in each line range from a relatively coarse (200 mesh), economical filler to superfine products with 1.5-micron median particle size used as reinforcements.
Nicron line provides high dry brightness and exceptional quality.
Silverline line provides lower dry brightness.
Steriline line is for all USP, cosmetic, food and medical applications. Certified to meet USP, CTFA, and Food Chemical Codex specifications, as well as English, French, and German pharmacopoeia specifications.
"Jet Stream" products with controlled top size provide vertical particle-size distribution. Suited for applications that must have maximum loadings for economy but still meet high performance standards.
NYCO MINERALS INC.
Wollastonite or calcium metasilicate, a naturally occurring mineral, is used in thermosets and thermoplastics as a reinforcing, functional filler and additive. Untreated and surface-modified products in a variety of particle sizes and aspect ratios of 3:1 to 20:1.
Wollastocoat surface-modified wollastonite provides improved bonding between polymer and filler; better mechanical and physical properties such as flexural modulus, elongation, and impact; improved dispersion of mix; and improved surface appearance (DOI). Product is a cost-effective milled-glass replacement.
OMYA, INC.
Dry- and wet-ground calcium carbonate. Wet-ground Omyacarb in fine and ultrafine grades comes with or without surface treatment. It's a high-purity, high-brightness grade used in rigid and flexible PVC siding, pipe, profile, calendering and wire/cable compounds, polyolefin film and injection molding. Dry-ground Omyacarb from 5 to 20 microns in mean diam. is for plasticized PVC, elastomers, epoxies, polyurethanes, and polyesters. Produced in California for markets west of the Rockies.
PLASTIC FILLER SALES, INC.
Various grinds of calcium sulfate, alumina trihydrate, and calcium carbonate fillers available in 50-lb bags, bulk bags, and bulk truckloads. Custom blends available.
PLUESS-STAUFER INTERNATIONAL
Pluswhite precipitated white alumina trihydrate available with 8, 25, 50 and 75 micron average particle sizes. Also low-viscosity grades. Because products are precipitated, very controlled particle-size distributions are possible, resulting in consistent viscosities. All grades essentially free from contaminants.
PMS CONSOLIDATED A UNIT OF M.A. HANNA CO.
Specialty additive concentrates in either solid or liquid form, with or without colorants, available containing fillers and other additives.
POLAR MINERALS
Premium grades of highly pure, low-iron, platy talcs, high-purity calcium carbonates, and ground white barium for high-density compounds. Automotive markets are a key focus. Rigorous SPC/SQC programs ensure consistency of products.
POTTERS INDUSTRIES INC.
Solid and hollow glass spheres improve processing and flow, reduce cost, and produce isotropic, dimensionally stable molded parts. Maximum bonding with resin is obtained and properties improved with coupling agents. Spheres aid dispersion and reduce orientation of fibers in glass-filled compounds. Silver-coated spheres offered for electrical and EMI-shielding applications.
PPG INDUSTRIES FIBER GLASS PRODUCTS
Hi-Sil ultrafine precipitated silicas are reinforcing fillers.
PQ CORP.
Q-Cel hollow microspheres are fine, inorganic spherical particles developed as low-density fillers/extenders for thermosets. Can be used in polyurethanes, plastisols, polyester casting, spray-up, SMC, BMC, and syntactic foams. Said to reduce part cost and/or weight, and to improve structural and performance properties. Applications include simulated-wood furniture parts, boat construction, synthetic marble, body putties, bowling-ball cores, SMC and FRP panels, and other composites. Glass and ceramic microspheres available in a range of particle sizes and densities, and with a variety of metallic or organic coatings.
Also surface-modified hollow ceramic microspheres using a patented surface-modification technology. Bubblekup Extendospheres come in three grades from 57- to 100-micron average particle size and 0.7 specific gravity. XOL-200 Bubblekup, with 100-micron average size and 0.24 density, is used in liquid resins.
PREMIER SERVICES CORP.
Offers magnesium oxide and magnesium carbonate.
PROGRESSIVE POLYMERS, INC.
Mineral filler concentrates available in a variety of thermoplastic resin carriers and in a range of filler loadings. Custom filler concentrates with additive and processing-aid packages available. Concentrates eliminate nuisance dust problem of conventional powder fillers.
PROTEIN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL
Poly-Soy organic reactive extender for polyesters, PUR, PVC, and epoxy. Derived from soybeans and readily available. True density is the same as most resins (1.2), yielding hom*ogeneous blends without thickeners. Gel time and exotherm are reduced. Flame retardancy improved, especially in PUR. Current mesh sizes of -20/+60, -60, and -100. Extension up to 40% is possible.
P.S.H. INDUSTRIES, INC.
Epoxical Core Fill expanded shale aggregate is a lightweight filler for glass-reinforced epoxy laminates and low-density cores for foundry patterns and plastic tooling, including thermoforming models and molds. Two sizes and densities: Smaller particles have bulk density of 8 lb/cu ft; larger particles (random oval size of 1/4- to 1/2-in.), are 40 lb/cu ft.
READE ADVANCED MATERIALS
Advanced metal, ceramic, and intermetallic particulate fillers and reinforcements for high-performance applications. Products can be made almost 100% pure, and in sizes down to 10 angstroms (nominal).
Also chemically surface-modified fillers, platelets, fibers, whiskers, microspheres (monoclinic and stabilized), conductive additives, borides, carbides, and nitrides.
REYNOLDS METALS CO.
Regular and dedusted atomized and flake aluminum powders are said to improve physical properties and machining characteristics.
RMc MINERALS, INC.
Magnesium hydroxide fillers reportedly improve smoke suppression in PVC and PE. Magnum-White and MGH-93 are milled to mean particle sizes of 2, 10 and 30 microns.
Magnum-White contains a minimum of 35% magnesium hydroxide and MGH- 93 a minimum of 85% (average 93%). Reportedly reduces or eliminates need for antimony oxide.
H.M. ROYAL, INC.
Hydrophilic and hydrophobic fumed silica; airfloated, waterground, and ultrafine precipitated, surface-treated calcium carbonates; fine-particle talcs in light to dark shades including extremely white, fine-particle platy talc for modulus improvement and reinforcement; narrow-particle-range precipitated calcium carbonate (0.1-micron average size); and flame-retardant fillers, including magnesium hydroxide for flame and smoke suppression in halogenated and nonhalogenated systems.
Other products include filler-coated microspheres at 0.12 specific gravity for light weight. Also micronized fillers, both talc and calcium carbonate, under 1 micron size with very close top particle cuts, specifically designed for engineered plastics and fibers.
SCM CHEMICALS INC.
Silcron amorphous, fine-particle silica gel comes in a variety of grades and performs as a thixotropic and flatting agent, in addition to preserving clarity and smoothness of finish. Improves pigment dispersion and moisture control; eliminates blocking and plate-out; improves mar resistance or pencil and ink receptivity; and ensures smoother, uninterrupted flow of dry powders. It is a nontoxic, chemically inert powder averaging 4 to 8 microns and can be dryblended with resin or pigment powders, compounded into resin melts, or incorporated into a masterbatch or concentrate. Compatible with a range of thermoplastics.
SEEGOTT INC.
Offers diatomaceous silica, synthetic hydrous calcium silicate, calcium carbonates, talcs, and surface-treated calcium carbonates and talcs, plus a line of aluminum flake and atomized powders.
SHAMOKIN FILLER CO. INC.
Carb-O-Fil is a low-cost, black, inert carbon filler ground from coal with a specific gravity of 1.47. Disperses readily and is used in PS, phenolics, urethane coatings, and polyesters.
SHERWOOD DIVERSIFIED INC.
Alumina trihydrate, calcium carbonate, and talc fillers. Services include custom blending, custom coating of fillers with stearates, and matching particle-size ranges.
SILBRICO CORP.
Sil-Cell, a low-density, hollow inert filler, displaces up to six times its weight in resin and can be used to replace up to 40% of the resin in a compound. This cellular mineral filler has an average particle size of 45-75 microns and is typically used in epoxies, polyester cultured marble, FRP tub/shower enclosures, decorative plaques, joint compounds, and furniture parts. Can be pumped and sprayed in liquid resin systems. Available with various surface treatments to control viscosity.
SLOSS INDUSTRIES CORP.
PMF fiber, a mineral-fiber filler/reinforcer, generally improves properties and/or lowers cost (compared with milled glass) in nylon 66, PP, phenolics, and PBT. Can be used in greater amounts than short asbestos fibers without causing overly high viscosities and can be added along with other dry ingredients. PMF consists of short fibers for filling inside corners, in molded in-hole areas and molded-in pin areas, which are usually fiber-poor. Shortness of the fiber allows it to flow well with the resin and reduces flow-line segregation.
SOUTHERN CLAY PRODUCTS
Supplies bentonites and talc as antisagging/setting agents, gelling agents, thickeners, and suspension agents.
STEEP ROCK RESOURCES, INC.
Snowhite high-purity, dry-ground calcium carbonates in tightly controlled particle-size distribution reportedly allow optimized filler levels.
SUZORITE MICA PRODUCTS INC.
Suzorite-brand mica reportedly gives good flexural strength, heat-distortion resistance, high modulus of elasticity, and resistance to weathering, corrosion, high temperatures, warping, and electricity. Available in grades from fine powders to highly delaminated and coated flake. Can be injection molded, sprayed, and rolled. Suzorex surface-treated grades available.
Suzorite E-Mica is an electroconductive mica produced by plating mica flakes with pure nickel. Offers effective EMI shielding, low density, good processability, and a smooth surface that can be painted without further processing. High-aspect-ratio flakes are said to increase flexural strength, improve heat-distortion temperature and resistance to warpage.
3M CO.
Industrial Tape and Specialties Div. offers hollow microscopic glass spheres with average particle size under 70 microns. Density, strength, packing fraction, particle size, and percent of floaters are controlled. Scotchlite Glass Bubbles reportedly allow for design of a compound or composite for best cost, weight, texture, shrinkage, and sanding time. Applications include autobody putty, automotive plastisols, urethane foam, polyester SMC, BMC, spray-up, and hand lay-up.
TRANSMET CORP.
Aluminum flakes and fibers supplied for plastics requiring electrical and/or thermal conductivity. Applications include EMI shielding, and electrostatic and heat dissipation.
UNIMIN SPECIALTY MINERALS INC.
Offers silica, nepheline syenite, and feldspar. Whole-grain and ground silica offered for polyester and epoxy systems.
High-quality nepheline syenite is appropriate for thermoplastics in which color is important. Nepheline also used in PVC and polyester gel coats to maintain color clarity; and in BMC for patio furniture or microwave cookware that's resistant to staining. Also a proven antiblock for PE where clarity is important; and an alternative to diatomaceous silica and talc.
U.S. GYPSUM CO.
Anhydrous calcium sulfate in two particle sizes: Snow White filler (8-micron average) and CA-5 (2-micron average). Snow White filler is primarily used in PVC resins and plastisols, and BMC. It is particularly useful when acid resistance, high loadings and white color are needed. CA-5 is successful in thermoset polyesters targeted for electrical applications.
Both fillers can be used to extend rigid and flexible thermoplastics, and reinforced and unreinforced thermosets. They are relatively soft (2.5 to 3.0 Mohs scale), which results in reduced equipment wear, and are very white in color (averaging 98 on the Beckman scale).
Also a calcium sulfate microfiber called Franklin Fiber filler. Available in two forms: hemihydrate (H-30) and anhydrous (A-30). Used primarily as a reinforcing filler or thixotrope in thermoset polyesters, epoxies, phenolics, and urethanes, it can serve as a partial or total replacement for asbestos, milled glass, or wollastonite. Offers superior color, wear properties, dimensional stability, and surface qualities. In polyester spray-up systems such as shower stalls and spas, H-30 offers blister resistance in boiling water because of its ability to rehydrate.
CAS-20-4 anhydrous calcium sulfate is an extremely white, finely divided particulate filler with average particle size of 4 microns and top size of 20 microns. Manufactured by controlled calcination, fine grinding, and air separation of high-purity gypsum rock. Calcination process substantially reduces its moisture affinity. Recommended for thermoplastics, thermosets, and plastisols. Approved for food-packaging applications because of its high purity and food-acid resistance. Suitable for plastics systems requiring high filler loadings and balanced physical properties. As an extender, it can partially replace titanium dioxide because of its high brightness. CAS-20-4 is nonabrasive to processing equipment.
U.S. SILICA CO.
Offers Min-U-Sil micronized silica from 5 to 40 micron top size; Sil-Co-Sil ground silica from 40 to 125 micron top size; Snow*Tex calcined kaolin clay; and Imvitone/Imvisperse organoclay rheological additives.
Min-U-Sil and Sil-Co-Sil are used in epoxies and unsaturated polyesters. Snow*Tex is reportedly an excellent Ti[O.sub.2] extender for PVC systems. Imvitone/Imvisperse are effective rheological additives in plastisols and thermosets.
R.T. VANDERBILT CO. INC.
Nytal talcs in five grades have average particle sizes of 2.3 to 38 microns.
Wollastonite (calcium meta-silicate) for polyesters, nylon and other resins. Three grades offered: Vansil W-10 (2% retained on 200 mesh), Vansil W-20 (2% retained on 325 mesh), and Vansil W-30 (0.06% retained on 325 mesh).
Clay product lines in different particle sizes are Dixie Clay (0.2-micron average) and McNamee Clay (2-micron average).
Also Canadian-mined platy talc for filling PP. Particle sizes from median 2.2 to 13 microns.
WASHINGTON PENN PLASTIC CO.
Filler concentrates supplied for PP, PE, and PS.
WHITTAKER, CLARK & DANIELS, INC.
Line of fillers and functional pigments includes clays (water-ground kaolins and bentonites), mica (muscovite and biotite), barytes (natural white and off-white grades), calcium sulfate, calcium carbonate, and Polytal platy talcs designed specifically for polyolefins. (See ad p. 407.)
ZEELAN INDUSTRIES, INC. SUB. OF 3M CO.
Zeeospheres - thick-walled, high-compressive-strength hollow ceramic microspheres - used as specialty extenders in thermoset and thermoplastic systems such as SMC, BMC, RIM, RTM, compression molding, injection molding, extrusion, and potting/casting. Variety of particle sizes, including grades fine enough for use as antiblocking agents for films. Products contribute to high filler loadings, increase flow, improve surface finish and hardness, reduce shrinkage and warpage.
Also offers Z-Light Spheres, low-density (0.6-0.7 g/cc), hollow ceramic microspheres with moderate strength (4000-6000 psi compressive strength) and white color. Reduces density and enhances performance of cultured marble, SMC, and BMC. Can be used in syntactic foams, marine construction materials, engineering and aerospace composites, and lightweight molded parts.
Flame Retardants
PRODUCT LINES REVIEWED
ACCURATE COLOR INC.
Flame-retardant concentrates. Customized formulations available.
ACETO CORP.
Phosphate flame retardants for flexible and rigid polyurethanes: tris(betachloroethyl) phosphate and tris(betachloropropyl) phosphate.
ADELL PLASTICS, INC.
Flame-retardant thermoplastic concentrates on a custom and proprietary basis. Specializes in engineered applications. Concentrates of other additives and multifunctional concentrates available.
AKROCHEM CORP.
Alumina trihydrates, magnesium hydroxide and magnesium carbonates, and chlorinated paraffins.
AKZO NOBEL INC.
Fyrol halogenated phosphate ester flame retardants for flexible and rigid urethanes. Products meet numerous industry and governmental standards, and reportedly allow urethane foam producers to produce FR foams cost-effectively.
ALBEMARLE CORP.
Saytex line of flame-retardant brominated additives and reactives for plastics and elastomers. Saytex 120 tetradecabromodiphenoxy benzene is said to offer outstanding heat stability in engineering thermoplastics. Additional flame-retardant products include:
* Saytex RB-100 tetrabromo-bisphenol-A for epoxy.
* Saytex 111 octabromodiphenyl oxide, a low-cost, melt-blending flame retardant for ABS, PS, and nylons.
* Saytex RB-79 and RB-49 brominated polyols for rigid urethane foam.
* Saytex 102E decabromodiphenyl oxide for engineering plastics.
* Saytex BCL-462 and Saytex HBCD for EPS and foamed PS.
* Saytex RB-49 tetrabromophthalic anhydride for unsaturated polyester.
* Saytex BN-451 for low-cost UL 94V-2 PP.
* Saytex BT-93 ethylene-bis (tetrabromophthalimide) for PS, polyolefins, and polyesters.
* Saytex VBR vinyl bromide, a reactive monomer for low-cost bromine addition.
* Saytex 8010 flame retardant for HIPS and ABS applications, especially in electronic housings. (See ads pp. 419, 441; data sheets pp. 448-449.)
ALBRIGHT & WILSON AMERICAS
Phosphorus- and chlorophosphorus-based organic flame retardants for use in rigid and flexible polyurethane foams, textiles, rigid RIM, unsaturated polyesters, epoxy- and phenolic-based laminates, and epoxy resins.
Coated red phosphorus, ammonium polyphosphates and full range of phosphate ester flame-retardant plasticizers available for PVC, urea/formaldehyde, elastomers, engineering plastics, polyolefins, and epoxy resins.
ALCAN CHEMICALS
Alumina trihydrates for use as flame-retardant and smoke-suppressant fillers in rubber and plastics. Low-viscosity and coated grades available.
Flamtard H and Flamtard S, inorganic flame-retardant additives used in conjunction with chlorine or bromine, either as a part of the polymer backbone or in additive form. Features of Flamtard H and S include low smoke and carbon monoxide evolution, and low toxicity.
Also Flamtard Z ultrafine zinc borate. (See ad p. 420.)
ALLIED CUSTOM GYPSUM
Valu-Fil gypsum filler acts as a flame retardant by releasing bound water at temperatures above 230 F. Unlike alumina trihydrate, it's nonabrasive and less expensive. Median particle size is 16.8 microns. Typical applications in unsaturated polyester spray-up.
ALUCHEM INC.
Hydrated alumina flame-retardant/smoke-suppressant fillers. Twenty-one standard grades in particle-size distributions from 65-100% minus 325 mesh, with median particle sizes of 4-30 microns. Also specialty superfine ground aluminas with median particle size of 1.5 microns and top size of less than 10 microns.
Also twelve grades of cost-effective hydrated alumina/calcium carbonate blends.
North American agent for Ultracarb, a high-temperature flame retardant/smoke suppressant mineral filler from Britain for use in thermoplastics.
ALUMINUM CO. OF AMERICA (ALCOA)
Series of ground white hydrated alumina fire retardants/smoke suppressants in a range of particle sizes. Typical applications in polyester spray-up and molding compounds, epoxy, phenolic, flexible PVC, urethane foam, and some rigid urethanes. Also two extremely fine precipitated white aluminas, Hydral 710 and 705, with median particle sizes of 1.0 micron and 0.5 micron, respectively. These ultrafine grades are said to be particularly beneficial where finished product flexibility is critical.
AMERIBROM, INC. SUB. OF DEAD SEA BROMINE GROUP
Ameribrom's flame retardants are represented exclusively in North America through AmeriHaas, a joint marketing venture with Rohm and Haas.
Brominated flame retardants include decabromodiphenyl oxide, dibromoneopentyl glycol and tribromoneopentyl alcohol (reactives used in urethanes and unsaturated polyesters), hexabromocyclododecane (for specialty styrenics and coatings), tetrabromobisphenol-A (reactive used in epoxies and unsaturated polyesters), and tribromophenyl allyl ether (for foams). F-2000 series brominated epoxy resins available in molecular weights of 700 to 45,000.
For engineering polymers, in addition to decabromodiphenyl oxide, company offers a white, melt-blendable brominated acrylic polymeric flame retardant (FR-1025) with excellent uv stability, permanence, improved flow and flame-retardant efficiency. FR-1025M monomer pentabromobenzylmonoacrylate also available on a developmental basis.
Several new products emerging from commercial development can be applied with engineering resins, such as tribromophenyl maleimide (FR-1033) for styrenic resins and grafting on olefins, and a tribromostyrene (FR-803) for styrenic-based systems. Products are suitable for standard reaction systems, and as stable powders at ambient temperatures, allow reaction extrusion.
AMERICHEM INC.
Flame-retardant concentrates available in standard formulations or custom made. Pellets, cubes and powders available for use in most thermoplastics. Concentrates can incorporate color and/or other additives. (See ad p. 397.)
AMERIHAAS See Ameribrom, Inc.
AMPACET CORP.
Flame-retardant concentrate No. 11341 used in polyolefin film extrusion and injection molding. Product reportedly meets ASTM test D-635.
Concentrate FR 11371 reportedly can be processed at 600 F without adverse side effects and is suitable for HDPE, LDPE and their copolymers. Applications include extrusion coating of scrims for canvas replacement, construction paper and films, disposable clothing, and oil-can stock.
Concentrate FR 40173 with a maximum operating temperature of 520 F aimed primarily at untilled PP. Its ability to disperse thoroughly and uniformly throughout the polymer reportedly makes it suitable for mono- and multifilament extrusion. Other applications are carpet backing, face yarn, rope, injection molded chairs, pipe fittings, and extruded film, sheet, and profiles.
AMSPEC CHEMICAL CORP.
Antimony oxide in high-tint, low-tint, and high-purity grades. Flame-retardant solid concentrates and organic-based liquid dispersions of flame retardants and other polymer additives provided in various carriers as custom made value-added products.
ANZON INC.
Grades of antimony oxide include high-tint TMS, low-tint Trutint, and submicron Microfine. Available as dry powders; damped with oils, water or plasticizers; as dispersions in oils, water or plasticizers; or predispersed in nondusting forms under the tradenames of Fyrebloc for pellet concentrates and Envirostrand for a high-loading patented strand product.
Fyrebloc and Envirostrand products can incorporate other flame retardants, such as halogens, in addition to antimony, and can be tailored to suit application requirements. Range of standard products available to suit most polymer applications.
Other antimony flame-retardant products include Oncor, which has a silicate core to give lower tint strength, specific gravity and costs, with easier dispersion than antimony oxide alone; and SAP products designed primarily for PET and very low-tint applications.
Smokebloc smoke suppressants and inorganic flame-retardant synergists primarily designed for PVC, but have application in other polymer areas. Products include Ongard 2 magnesium/zinc complex with strong smoke suppressancy and flame-retardant synergism; AZ products, which incorporate both antimony and zinc chemistry; and Smokebloc Eleven and Twelve, which incorporate antimony and molybdenum chemistry.
Distributes Ultracarb, a nonhalogenated flame retardant/smoke suppressant manufactured in Britain.
ASARCO INC.
Four grades of antimony oxide include low-tint, high-tint, very-high-tint, and ultra-pure types. Odorless, fine white crystalline powder produced in 30,000-lb lots for more consistent processing. Products packaged in 50-lb multiwalled bags, palletized and stretch-wrapped for easy handling.
BAYER CORP.
Disflamoll phosphoric acid esters serve as flame-retardant plasticizers in PVC. Line includes various aryl, alkyl, and alkylaryl esters. (See Insert pp. 551-574.)
BUCKMAN LABORATORIES, INC.
Busan 11-M1 modified barium metaborate is used as a synergist in most plastics. As with antimony trioxide, halogens are usually required for the additive to function. Levels of 8-12 phr are recommended for initial evaluation; levels as low as 2 phr reportedly have worked in some PVC formulations. According to the company, Busan 11-M1 can be used as an extender or replacement for antimony trioxide. It is also said to be an afterglow suppressant and to help reduce the amount of toxic fumes and/or smoke during combustion, and to impart uv stabilization to films, coatings, and plastics. It is a registered biocide for long-term control of fungal growth.
BURNS & RUSSELL CO. SPECIALTY CHEMICALS DIV.
Offers S/G 84 Type 34 additive for flame and smoke suppression when used in BMC, SMC and spray-up processes utilizing polyester, PVC, PP, PE and other resins. Halogen free, but compatible with halogenated systems. Works through a combination synergistic mechanism, which includes dehydration, among other things. Does not cause significant loss in physical property performance.
CAMPINE AMERICA L.L.C.
Joint venture company between Dover Chemical and Campine S.A. of Belgium offering Mastertek complex flame retardant systems intended for dispersion in various thermoplastic resins. Products provide an optimal combination of active ingredients, are easily metered and dust free.
CLIMAX PERFORMANCE MATERIALS SUB. OF AMAX INC.
Molybdenum trioxide, ammonium octamolybdate and a range of zinc borates as smoke suppressants and flame retardants in rigid and flexible PVC and halogenated polyesters. Recommended use levels are in the 1-4 phr range.
Selection of zinc borates depends on the maximum processing temperature and specific formulation. Applications include plastisols and coatings, as well as compounded thermoplastics and elastomers. Recommended use levels are in the 2-6 phr range.
Molybdenum compounds and zinc borates reportedly effective in some systems as the sole synergists and may be combined with antimony oxide, phosphates, alumina trihydrate and magnesium hydroxide. Primary applications in transportation and construction.
Also Hydramax alumina trihydrate and magnesium hydroxide ultrafine flame retardants and smoke suppressants. Small particle sizes down to one micron in diam. provide protection at lower loading levels and have less deleterious effect on physical properties of the polymer. MgOH grades are for use in polymers (nylon, PBT, PP) processed at temperatures above 480 F. ATH grades are for materials (polyethylene) processed at lower temperatures; wire and cable is a major market. Both provide endothermic fire-retardant action. All ultrafine products can be supplied with special surface treatments that avoid agglomeration and promote dispersion.
COZ CORP. SUB. OF ALLIED PRODUCTS CORP.
Flame-retardant concentrates in PS, ABS, and polyolefin bases supplied for varying letdown ratios.
CUSTOM GRINDERS SALES, INC.
Standard grades of alumina trihydrate between 5% minus 325 mesh (average particle size about 55 microns) and 100% passing 325 mesh (average, about 1.5 microns). Available in 50-lb bags, bulk bags, and bulk truckloads.
White and Bayer hydrates available, as well as custom grinds and blends of hydrate and calcium carbonate and/or calcium sulfate.
CYTEC INDUSTRIES INC.
Has experimental, nonhalogenated, phosphorus-based products for polyolefins and specialty polymers.
D.J. ENTERPRISES INC.
Offers Sillum PL-200 (SPL-200) flame-retardant filler blend of alumina and silica; and Ferro-Char B-44M organo metallocene compound for smoke suppression, which can be used with other flame retardants. Recommended for thermoplastics, PVC, urethane, epoxy and other polymers.
DOVER CHEMICAL CORP.
Chlorinated paraffins include Chlorez resin grades (70% chlorine) and Paroil and Chloroflo liquid grades (20-70% chlorine). Liquid grades serve dual function of plasticizer and flame retardant in plastics and elastomers. Resin grades serve as low-cost flame-retardant extenders for chlorinated rubber, epoxies, etc. High halogen content offers maximum flame retardancy in polyolefins, urethanes, and unsaturated polyesters. Also offered is Chlorez 760, a 74% chlorine resin with ultra-high melt point of 320 F. It is recommended for polyolefins and styrenics.
DSM MELAMINE AMERICAS, INC.
Melamine crystal and products such as melamine cyanurate, melamine phosphate, di-melamine phosphate and melamine di-borate are used in flame-retardant systems for plastics, coatings, elastomers, and foams.
ELF ATOCHEM NORTH AMERICA INC.
Thermoguard series of antimony-based products includes Thermoguard S high-tinting antimony oxide, Thermoguard L low-tinting grade, Thermoguard S-800 nondusting antimony oxide, and Thermoguard FR antimonate for engineering plastics. Thermoguard CPA is a proprietary flame retardant designed specifically as a low-cost replacement for antimony oxide. Concentrates of antimony oxide and decabromobiphenyl ether, as well as custom concentrates also available.
Thermoguard 200 series of brominated epoxies is miscible and reactive with engineering thermoplastics and thermosets. They are high-molecular-weight products and nonblooming, non-migratory and noncorrosive.
Pyronil 45, a 45%-aromatic bromine liquid, is for use in PVC, HIPS, ABS, PC, PBT, modified PPE, epoxy, urethane and unsaturated polyester. Said to have very low levels of acute or cumulative toxicity, it is marketed both as a replacement for phosphate esters in flexible PVC because of its high heat stability and low effect on product color, and as a full or partial replacement for other brominated flame retardants in other thermoplastics. (See ad p. 6.)
FERRO CORP. KEIL CHEMICAL DIV.
Thermally-stable, brominated, polymeric additives for engineering thermoplastics and styrenics include Pyro-Chek 68PB AND Pyro-Chek LM flame retardants based on brominated polystyrene. Also Bromoklor bromo-chlorinated aliphatic compounds effective as high-halogen plasticizers. (See ad p. 402.)
FMC CORP.
Reofos triaryl phosphate esters are flame-retardant plasticizers for PVC, cellulosics, and other thermoplastics. Reofos 50 and 65 provide property/cost benefits compared to TCP, TXP or mixed alkyl-aryl phosphate esters; offer rapid fluxing in calendering compounds; and good viscosity, stability and rapid fusion in plastisols.
Reofos 3600, a mixed alkyl-aryl phosphate, offers superior low-temperature plasticizer efficiency in vinyl. Also produces less than half the volume of smoke than typical triaryl phosphates and finds use in wire and cable jackets, vinyl-covered fabric, and general-purpose vinyl compounds requiring low smoke and good flame resistance.
Reoflam PB-460, a solid brominated aromatic phosphate ester, is aimed at PBT, PET, polycarbonate, PPE alloys and engineering resin alloys of polyesters and polycarbonate. Uses include computer and business machines, electronic components, printed circuit boards and fibers. Characteristics include melt-blendable processing (melting point at 230 F); thermal stability, retaining its transparent colorless appearance to 575 F; and high flame-retardant efficiency, which reduces or eliminates the use of antimony oxide or other flame-retardant additives. Reoflam PB-460 also finds application in epoxy paper-based laminates, polyester fiber required to meet flame-retardant specifications, and clear polycarbonate sheet and film.
Reoflam PB-370, a solid brominated aliphatic phosphate ester, is melt blendable at 355 F and has primary applications in PP, molding and fiber grades, and as a replacement for decabromodiphenyl oxide. Reoflam PB-370 with a high bromine and phosphorous content, and good thermal properties offers color stability or clear colorless compounds. Also finds use in styrenic compounds such as HIPS.
FOCUS CHEMICAL CORP.
Halogen/phosphorus compounds, both reactive and additive, for use primarily in polyurethane and polyester formulations. Products include dimethylmethyl phosphonate and triethylphosphate.
FRANKLIN INDUSTRIAL MINERALS
Alumina trihydrate in particle sizes from 3.5 to 33.0 microns. Also calcium sulfate for use as a flame retardant in polyester spray-up. Custom blends of either ATH or calcium sulfate with Amical calcium carbonate serve as cost-effective systems for spray-up.
GENERAL COLOR CO.
Aluminum phosphohydrate, which contains substantial moisture, may be used as a flame retardant. It is said to mix readily with powders or pellets prior to fabrication.
GEORGIA MARBLE CO.
Alumina trihydrate with flame-retardant and smoke-suppressant properties when used as a filler in polymeric materials. Recommended for SMC, BMC, PVC, thermosets, thermoplastics, elastomeric copolymer, and wire and cable. Available in fine to medium grades, white and off-white. (See ad p. 415.)
GE SILICONES
SFR 100 high-viscosity silicone fluid may be used as a flame retardant in polyolefins and needs no antimony oxide when compounded properly with a Group IIA metal organic salt and other ingredients. Will improve impact resistance of olefins, especially at low temperatures. Also results in easier mold fill and lower-temperature processing. When properly formulated, the flame-retarded plastic can meet UL 94V-0/V5 flammability criteria.
GREAT LAKES CHEMICAL CORP.
Additive brominated flame retardants for thermoplastic and thermoset resins. Additive types include decabromodiphenyl oxide (DE-83R), bistribromophenoxyethane (FF-680), octabromodiphenyl oxide (DE-79), pentabromodiphenyl oxide (DE-71), dibromopolyphenylene oxide (PO-64P), polydibromostyrene in two molecular-weight variations (PDBS-10 and PDBS-80), and two carbonate oligomers of tetrabromobisphenol A (BC-52 and BC-58), which are compounded into thermoplastics such as HIPS, ABS, PP, PE, nylon, and polyester. Products also used for LDPE and EPDM wire and cable insulation. Tetrabromophthalate ester (DP-45) recommended for flexible PVC. Pentabromodiphenyl oxide (DE-60F Special, DE-61 and DE-62) and Firemaster 642 (a proprietary halogenated phosphate ester) may be used as an additive system for flexible urethane foam. Hexabromocyclododecane (CD-75P) and tetrabromobisphenol A-bis allyl ester (BE-51) recommended for expanded polystyrene foam.
Reactive brominated flame retardants include tetrabromobisphenol A (BA-59P), bishydroxyethyl ether of TBBA (BA-50P), and tetrabromophthalic anhydride (PHT-4) for epoxies and unsaturated polyesters. Dibromostyrene can be reacted into any polymer system to replace styrene monomer. For rigid urethanes, a diol of tetrabromophthalic anhydride (PHT-4 Diol) is used as a reactive flame retardant.
Intumescent flame retardants available as alternatives to conventional brominated products. NH-1511 and NH-1197 are phosphorus-based flame retardants for polypropylene, polyethylene, thermoplastic polyester and epoxy resins.
Products available in liquids or solids, and with a wide range of organic bromine content, melt points, and organic solubilities.
M.A. HANNA ENGINEERED MATERIALS
Flame-retardant concentrates for use in PE and PP. At proper letdowns, products meet UL, NFPA, and SAE specifications.
HARWlCK CHEMICAL CORP.
Offers antimony oxide, zinc borate, solid and liquid chlorinated paraffins, alumina trihydrate, magnesium hydroxide, and phosphate ester plasticizers. Fyraway flame retardants are proprietary blends of various flame-retardant additives for ease of handling and lower flame-retardant costs. Custom blends and concentrates available.
ho*rCHST CELANESE CORP.
Several grades of Hostaflam ammonium polyphosphate-based flame retardants for polyurethane foams, thermoplastics, elastomers, and thermosets. (See ads pp. 454, 475, 491, 507, 576, 579, 641.)
HOWARD INDUSTRIES
Flame-retardant concentrates with additive loadings up to 98% for PE, PP, nylon, HIPS, and other resins.
J.M. HUBER CORP. ENGINEERED MINERALS DIV.
Products consist of standard and surface-modified alumina trihydrate and Zerogen flame retardants. ATH available in particle distributions from 0.8 to 65 microns average diam. Surface treatments used to improve processing and performance properties of ATH-filled compounds include silanes, stearates, and proprietary wetting agents. Micral series of mechanically produced ultra-fine ATH with extremely fine particle distributions said to provide excellent-flame retardance, along with high physical properties.
Zerogen magnesium hydroxide-based flame retardant/smoke suppressant with processing temperature stability to 630 F can be processed in PP, TP polyesters and other engineered thermoplastics. Available in particle distributions from 1 to 6 mircrons average diam.. (See ad p. 423; data sheets 450-452.)
KENRICH PETROCHEMICALS INC.
Ken-React pyrophosphate-derived titanate coupling agents are said to act also as flame retardants. When used with mineral fillers, they reportedly enhance flame resistance without an increase in cost or handling difficulty or loss of physical and rheological properties relative to untilled or lightly filled compounds. Product is said to prevent splaying or exudation of antimony oxide/halogen-type systems from polymeric binders.
LAROCHE CHEMICALS, INC.
High-purity hydrated aluminas used as flame retardants/smoke suppressants in thermosets and thermoplastics, such as polyester SMC, BMC, and spray-up. Various particle sizes available for specific applications.
LAUREL INDUSTRIES INC.
Ultrafine II antimony oxide with an average size of 0.20 to 0.40 microns improves physical properties in most thermoplastics, elastomers, and thermosets.
Fireshield L and H grades, in particle sizes of 2.5-3.5 and 1-1.8 microns respectively, offered. Fireshield L has lower tint strength and Fireshield H is less degrading of physical properties.
Provides HPM high-purity antimony oxide for fiber, electronics, and specialty applications.
Also supplies LSFR proprietary low-smoke, flame-retardant synergist for PVC and other polymers.
Specialty Compounding Div. provides toll compounding and custom compounding services. Product capabilities include precolor, color concentrates, FR concentrates and additive concentrates. Can process a variety of resins including ABS, PC, nylon, PET, PBT, PP and PE. (See ad p. 421.)
THE R.J. MARSHALL CO.
Alumina trihydrate, calcium surfate (gypsum) and magnesium hydroxide, separately and in combinations, provide controlled flame-retardant and smoke-suppressant properties at various effective temperatures.
MELAMINE CHEMICALS, INC.
Superfine nontoxic melamine crystal used in intumescent coatings as a blowing agent and fire retardant. Product is not used in foams. Unground and some ground used in foam. Melamine, a basic monomer (2,4,6-triamino 1,3,5-s-triazine), is 66.6% nitrogen, sublimes at 660 F, and will not ignite. With a mean particle size of 10 microns, the crystal is reportedly the finest grind available.
MERECO PRODUCTS DIV. METACHEM RESINS CORP.
Metagel 166FRN flame-retardant epoxy-based resin also aids in moisture resistance and electrical properties. Can be used for electronic-component and integrated-circuit applications and comes in colors. Reportedly provides thixotrophy and viscosity control in component dip-coating operations. Products also offered for casting or coating operations.
MONMOUTH PLASTICS INC.
See M.A. Hanna Engineered Materials.
MONSANTO CO.
Santicizer nonhalogenated phosphate ester plasticizers and resin modifiers for PVC, cellulose acetate, and engineering thermoplastics offer properties such as low smoke, low-temperature flexibility, fast fusion, low volatility, FDA acceptability, and improved flowability for glass-filled polymer systems.
Phos-Chek, P/30 and P/40 ammonium polyphosphate-based flame retardants traditionally used for intumescent surface coatings. Also low-smoke, nonhalogen additives specifically designed for PP, PE (LDPE, HDPE, and crosslinked), and polyurethanes. Phos-Chek can be used in textiles and building materials (wall coverings, ceiling tiles, roofing products, and chip board).
Tetrathal tetrachlorophthalic anhydride is a reportedly versatile, permanent, low-cost flame retardant for polyester resins used in construction, transportation, and chemical and food preparation equipment.
MONTEDISON USA INC.
MF-80 polymeric flame retardant imparts an intumescent char-forming action to polyolefins and urethane foams when blended with ammonium polyphosphate. Provides UL 94V-0 and non-smoking and nontoxic properties. Available in powder form and does not contain halogens or metallic compounds. Typical application is in PP. With higher loading levels, system can be used in ethylene-propylene copolymers, PE, PS, and polybutylene. Mechanical and physical properties of the base polymer are said to be unaffected because of low loadings required.
MORTON INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Versamag magnesium hydroxide and Elastocarb magnesium carbonate for various polymers as flame retardants and smoke suppressants. Versamag Tech powder and Elastocarb Tech Light for rigid PVC and polyurethanes in 25-40 phr for smoke suppression. Special grades of Versamag used in PE and PP at 50-60% loadings to achieve UL 94 V-0 and maintain polymer melt flow and physical properties. Also treated grades of Versamag and Elastocarb.
OCCIDENTAL CHEMICAL CORP.
Dechlorane Plus chlorinated organic flame retardant is an aliphatic, nonplasticizing, nonreactive, low-density, thermally stable product, which provides char formation for nondripping flame-retardant formulations. It has applications in nylon, PBT, ABS, polyolefins, elastomers, HIPS and epoxy, and is well suited to formulations where colorability, hydrolytic stability, electrical properties, uv stability, and flammability performance are important. Char-forming characteristic of Dechlorane Plus allows for low-smoke formulations. Synergist packages for wire and cable formulations also significantly reduce the corrosivity of the smoke. Flame-retardant formulation technology provides high CTI values in both nonglass and glass-reinforced nylon. Non-antimony oxide synergist formulations for flame-retardant nylon and epoxy are available.
Dechlorane Plus 35 available for applications where fine particle size is critical.
Also a range of liquid Chlorowax chlorinated paraffins and alpha olefins.
PLASTIC FILLER SALES, INC.
Flame-retardant line of ground calcium sulfate in 50-lb bags, bulk bags, and bulk truckloads. Custom blends and calcium carbonate available.
PMS CONSOLIDATED A UNIT OF M.A. HANNA CO.
Specialty concentrates in solid or liquid form contain fire retardants, colorants, fillers, antioxidants, uv stabilizers, silicones, blowing agents, slip agents, or antistats.
POLYCOM HUNTSMAN INC.
UL-recognized flame-retardant polystyrene concentrates available.
PPG INDUSTRIES
Flame-retardant concentrates in pelletized nylon, TPE, PE, ABS, PP, SAN, PS, and EVA at loadings to 90%.
PQ CORP.
Nyacol colloidal antimony pentoxide in liquid dispersion or powder forms for thermoplastic and thermoset resins. Advantage of the pentoxide is its ability to obtain translucent plastics or dark color with minimum colorant. Fine ultimate particle size of 0.03 microns and low refractive index account for low tinting. Easy-to-handle liquids rapidly stir in. Engineering plastics reportedly can be made with high impact and no coloration using colloidal dispersions. Grades include Nyacol APE 1540 for unsaturated polyester laminates; Nyacol ZTA for vinyl; Nyacol A1588LP and AP50 for epoxies; and Nyacol ADP480 for ABS or PP.
QUANTUM CHEMICAl, CORP.
Spectratech CM 11053 chlorinated/antimony oxide flame-retardant concentrate for molding and extrusion offers a maximum processing temperature of 380 F and a recommended letdown ratio of 6:1-8:1. Spectratech CM 10768 with a brominated component also used for molding and extrusion.
Spectratech FR 10107 nonhalogenated, hydrated mineral system, flame-retardant concentrate formulated for sheet extrusion.
Other specially formulated Spectratech flame-retardant concentrates provided for production of disposable draperies and other materials used in hospitals and areas where combustible materials may be handled.
RMc MINERALS, INC.
Magnesium hydroxide fillers reportedly improve smoke suppression in PVC and PE applications. Magnum-White and MGH-93 milled to mean particle sizes of 2, 10 and 30 microns.
Magnum-White contains a minimum of 35% magnesium hydroxide and MGH-93 a minimum of 85% (average 93%). Company says users are reporting significant reduction or elimination of antimony in their applications.
SAFR COMPOUNDS CORP.
C 70 nonhalogen flame-retardant concentrate for polypropylene and polyethylene achieves UL 94V-0 ratings down to 1/32 in. Compounds with C 70 are nonblooming, nonmoisture-sensitive, and have relatively low density (1.03-1.10 g/cc) when combined with untilled resins.
A. SCHULMAN INC.
Polyflam flame-retardant concentrates include Polyflam RS 425C3 for 3:1 letdown in high-heat, high-impact PS to give UL 94V-0; and highly stable Polyflam RCP 770 for LDPE and HDPE film with letdown ratios from 10:1 to 4:1.
SHERWOOD DIVERSIFIED INC.
Supplies alumina trihydrate and other fillers. (See also Fillers.)
STANDRIDGE COLOR CORP.
Flame-retardant concentrates for fibers and film. Available in custom or standard formulations. Colorants or other additives can be included.
SYNTHETIC PRODUCTS CO., DIV. OF COOKSON SPECIALTY ADDITIVES
Synpro-Ware dispersions of antimony oxide, zinc borate, and halogenated additives supplied in phosphate esters or halogenated vehicles. Custom formulations available.
TEKNOR COLOR CO. SUB. OF TEKNOR APEX CO.
Flame-retardant concentrates for PE and PS at various letdown ratios.
U.S. BORAX INC.
Firebrake ZB zinc borate offered as a partial or complete replacement for antimony oxide. Can also function as a smoke and afterglow suppressant, reduce the rate of heat release of flexible PVC and polyphenylene oxide, and has been used in conjunction with alumina trihydrate, magnesium hydroxide, or a silicone source in halogen-free systems.
Firebrake 500 anhydrous zinc borate designed for engineering polymers processed at temperatures above 554 F, which is the upper temperature limit for Firebrake ZB. Material reported to be an effective smoke suppressant in fluoropolymers and very effective in reducing rate of heat release in polyether ketones and polysulfones.
Experimental Firebrake 415, a newly patented zinc borate, has a uniquely high dehydration temperature of 415 C. Water given off at high temperature helps the formation of a foamy and insulative char. This hydrated zinc borate has been reported to be an effective fire retardant in nylons and polyesters. Can also function as an effective smoke suppressant in flexible PVC.
U.S. GYPSUM CO.
USG LP Filler #2, the dihydrate form of calcium sulfate, is made by fine grinding select gypsum containing about 17% water of crystallization. Because of that water, LP Filler #2 can provide fire retardancy in a room-temperature curable system such as unsaturated polyester spray-up. Depending on the resin system, LP Filler #2 allows over 50-55% loading levels and is finely divided, non-abrasive, nontoxic, and easily dispersed.
USI DIV.
See Quantum Chemical Corp.
VELSICOL CHEMICAL CORP.
Chlorendic anhydride solid reactive flame retardant has a stable bicyclic structure. An acid anhydride with a chlorine content of 54.5%, it is used as a flame retardant and corrosion-resistant agent for unsaturated polyester and alkyd resins, and as a crosslinking agent in epoxy. Systems containing chlorendic anhydride can be formulated to obtain a range of responses in the ASTM-E84 tunnel test, as well as the UL 94 tests, and to meet military specifications. Product available in technical and refined grades, and in a free-flowing crystalline form that is reportedly easy and safe to handle.
WITCO CORP. POLYMER ADDITIVES GROUP
Flexchlor chlorinated normal paraffins are secondary plasticizers that provide flame retardancy and low-temperature performance. Range of viscosities and chlorine contents include special grades for compatibility at high levels in PVC.
Also Fyarestor brominated-chlorinated paraffins for applications requiring additional flame-retardancy. Recommended for fabric coatings, urethanes, PVC, and epoxies.
Impact Modifiers
PRODUCT LINES REVIEWED
AMOCO POLYMERS
Polybutenes improve impact resistance of many thermoplastics (crystal PS, high-impact PS, PP hom*opolymer and copolymer). Butenes are clear and heat-stable viscous polymers with little or no odor. Available in a range of viscosities.
In PS, polybutenes can improve impact resistance and melt flow. When used in place of mineral oil, physical properties of PS are less affected and impact resistance is improved.
In modified PP and resin that has been modified with a TPE, polybutenes are said to dramatically improve impact resistance. Partial replacement of more expensive TPE may be possible.
BAKER RUBBER INC. (BRI)
Granulite Ground rubber from recycled auto and truck fires comes in a variety of particle sizes down to minus 80 mesh. Can be used as flexibilizers, anti-skid additives, extenders, and potentially as impact modifiers.
BAYER CORP.
Baymod ABS powder modifiers for PVC include products for both rigid indoor and exterior weatherable applications. Provide improved impact resistance and heat-distortion temperatures for PVC alloys used for injection molding and extrusion. Applications include business-machine housings, profile extrusions, and semi-flexible or rigid calendered thermoformable sheets.
Baymod EVA copolymers can be used as weatherable impact modifiers for rigid vinyl extrusions such as window profiles, or as "permanent plasticizers" for flexible compounds requiring improved extraction resistance and aging properties. (See Insert pp. 551-574.)
DEXCO POLYMERS
SBS and SIS block copolymers for olefinic and styrenic thermoplastics, engineering resins, thermosets, and blends and alloys. Proprietary technology allows production of block copolymers with virtually no diblock residuals. Diblock-free copolymers reportedly offer superior mechanical properties and color stability.
Certain grades of Vector SBCs are designed to be components of engineering resins. Others are tailored to overcome the deleterious effects of additives such as flame retardants. Can also be used to compatibilize dissimilar plastics in alloys and blends.
DOW CHEMICAL CO.
Chlorinated polyethylene is a weatherable modifier for rigid vinyls.
DSM COPOLYMER, INC.
Several types of elastomers for toughening thermoplastics include Keltan EPDM and EPR for polyolefins, and NYsyn NBR and Copo SBR products for styrenic thermoplastics. NYsynblak NBR black masterbatches are used as combination impact modifiers and black concentrates for ABS and nylon.
Keltan EPDMs range from semi-crystalline to amorphous types and from low to high Mooney viscosity. Oil-extended terpolymers available in high and ultra-high molecular weights for high-hardness applications and crosslinked thermoplastic elastomers. Also functionalized EPM products for toughening engineering thermoplastics. Most products available in pellet and bale form. Pelletized amorphous grades supplied in customized masterbatches.
New Keltan products:
* Keltan DE291 pellets for applications requiring high flow and high impact strength, particularly at low temperatures. PP hom*opolymer can be upgraded to impact-copolymer grade. Recycle streams can also be upgraded.
* Keltan DE298 pellets for applications requiring improved impact strength without undue loss of hardness or tensile strength. Has exceptionally low Mooney viscosity, which results in higher flow than with conventional EPR.
DUPONT CO.
Company's toughening technologies involve ethylene terpolymers, ionomers, grafted polyolefins, and elastomers.
Ethylene terpolymers provide impact resistance over a broad temperature range, particularly at low temperatures, for a variety of thermoplastics and thermosets. In thermoplastics, ethylene terpolymers improve impact resistance of PVC, ABS, SAN, SMA, thermoplastic polyesters (including recycled materials), and polycarbonate. In PVC they offer two additional benefits: improved weatherability and easier processing resulting from a reduction in melt viscosity. Weatherability is also improved in ABS. Thermoset applications include phenolics, polyesters and epoxies.
Surlyn ionomer resins provide low-temperature impact properties in nylon 6. In TPOs, ionomers enhance abrasion resistance and paintability.
In reinforced PP and PE compounds, Fusabond anhydride-grafted polyolefin modifiers improve toughness by increasing adhesion between reinforcements and the resin matrix. Another polyolefin, VLDPE (very low-density PE), has potential as a low-cost toughener for filled and recycled PE materials.
In SMC and BMC, Neoprene rubber functions as both a low-profile additive and impact modifier.
ELF ATOCHEM NORTH AMERICA INC.
Metablen MBS impact modifiers for rigid PVC bottles, sheet, film, and injection molding. FDA-approved for food-grade PVC.
Metablen S weatherable silicone-acrylic impact modifiers for high-performance rigid PVC applications such as sheet, profiles, and injection molding. Metablen P acrylic processing aids are used in any rigid PVC applications as well as flexible PVC.
Durastrength 200 weatherable acrylic impact modifier is for rigid PVC siding, profiles, and injection molding.
Series of Durastrength and Thermocel multifunctional is systems used for weatherable rigid siding, profiles, and PVC foams. (See ad p. 6.)
EXPANCEL-NOBEL INDUSTRIES
Expancel expandable thermoplastic microspheres, used as blowing agents and low-density fillers, also serve as impact modifiers for thermosets and elastomers. Resilient nature of spheres allows deformation without breakage, thereby improving impact resistance and reducing stress. In elastomeric materials, the resiliency of Expancel improves compatibility between filler and matrix material.
EXXON CHEIMICAL CO.
Exact polyolefin plastomer impact modifiers for PP, PE, and styrenic block copolymers. Exxelor reactive polymers are functionally grafted polyolefins used for impact modifying engineering thermoplastics and polyolefins. Can also be used as coupling agents in reinforced polyolefin blends.
Exxpro specialty elastomers with bromine functionality are durable and weatherable. Provide impact enhancement in a number of different polymers for extreme environments.
Other impact modifiers include Escor acid terpolymers, Iotek ionomers, and Optema ethylene methyl acrylate (EMA) polymers.
FINA OIL & CHEMICAL CO.
Finaprene styrenic block copolymers improve impact strength, elongation, and flexibility of PS, polyolefins, and ABS. Also enhance low-temperature properties of PP and increases tear and impact resistance of thin-gauge film. Products are easy to blend and heat-stable for rigorous processing.
FlRESTONE SYNTHETIC RUBBER & LATEX CO.
Stereon block copolymers of styrene and butadiene are used for impact modification of thermoplastic resins. Stereon 721A and 730A are effective in HIPS, ABS, and engineering resins. Available in baled form and usually incorporated directly into the polymerization stream. Stereon 840A pelletized multiblock copolymer is dryblended with PS, PP, or PE to improve impact, flexibility, and tear strength. Also can be used to upgrade regrind streams and provide impact improvement for degradable plastics.
GE SPECIALTY CHEMICALS
Blendex polymer modifier resins improve toughness and heat distortion in PVC and other polymers. Also Blendex color concentrate carriers and processing aids.
* Blendex 336 ABS impact modifier for calendering provides good processability and disperses easily.
* Blendex 338 ABS modifier reportedly has superior impact efficiency even at low temperatures. Provides toughness to opaque sheet, profile, electrical conduit, and injection molding compounds. Can also be used to minimize notch sensitivity of polycarbonates and TP polyesters.
* Clear impact Blendex 405 ABS impact modifier for general-purpose clear PVC. Processes easily, has good impact efficiency, good clarity, and low stress-whitening characteristics.
* Blendex 467 ABS impact modifier for clear applications requiring chemical resistance.
* Blendex 131 ABS modifier imparts excellent melt strength to flexible PVC and has good melt mixing and fusion characteristics.
* Blendex 703 alphamethylstyrene ABS modifier with high flow improves melt strength and processability. Especially useful in foamed PVC.
* Blendex 586 poly (alphamethylstyrene-SAN) modifier increases heat distortion temperature of rigid PVC. Compatible with PVC at all concentrations.
KANEKA TEXAS CORP.
MBS, ABS and acrylic impact modifiers for PVC and other thermoplastic polymers. Provide good stress-whitening characteristics and clarity. FM-10, 20 and 23 are weatherable modifiers.
NOVA POLYMERS, INC.
Specialty TPOs, TPRs, TPEs, and a cured thermoplastic vulcanizate (TPV) called Novalast. Novalast reportedly has excellent compression-set properties and is available in natural or black and various durometers.
Novalene TPO can be used as an impact modifier for PP and PE. Can raise Izod levels to the no-breaking point, even at very low temperatures.
RICON RESINS INC.
Ricon liquid 1,2-polybutadienes and 1,2-polybutadiene-styrene copolymers are low-temperature impact modifiers in polyolefins, styrenics, and TPEs.
ROHM AND HAAS CO.
Paraloid all-acrylic and MBS impact modifiers for vinyl and other engineering resins, plus a line of related specialty modifiers:
* Paraloid KM 300 series all-acrylic impact modifiers add toughness, color retention and weatherability to vinyls for long-term outdoor exposure. KM 390 includes processing aid.
* Paraloid BTA 700 series MBS impact modifiers give superior toughness in non-weatherable applications. BTA 730 offers high impact efficiency with excellent clarity and good resistance to crease whitening. BTA 751 gives maximum toughness at ambient or low temperature in general-purpose opaque vinyl. Also for clear containers when using Paraloid HT 100 for heat resistance. BTA 753 adds high impact to opaque vinyl at ambient and low temperatures.
* Paraloid EXL 3300 series acrylic tougheners are for weatherable applications of engineering resins requiring good color retention. EXL 3330 offers good inherent thermal stability, resistance to uv degradation, and balance of toughness. EXL 3361 gives enhanced thermal stability and good balance of properties. EXL 3387 is specifically for glass-reinforced nylon.
* Paraloid EXL 3600 series MBS tougheners for engineering resins give superior low-temperature impact resistance. EXL 3611 is a reactive toughener for nylon. EXL 3691 is a general-purpose toughener. EXL 3647 is for improved thermal stability.
* Paraloid EXL 5375 acrylic concentrate improves impact and nucleation specifically in C-PET for dual-ovenable trays.
SHELL CHEMICAL CO.
Elastomers Business Center provides SBS and SEBS block copolymers for impact modification of PS, engineering thermoplastics, and alloyed products.
SBS Kraton D polymer series modifies PS, PPE blends, and polyolefin blends. SEBS Kraton G polymer series impact modifies PPE blends and polycarbonate. Kraton G 1901X, a functionalized polymer, impact modifies engineering thermoplastics and compatibilizes polar and nonpolar polymers.
UNIROYAL CHEMICAL CO., INC.
Grafted EPDM modifiers include Royaltuf 465 and 465A (maleic anhydride grafted) for all types of nylon; it also compatibilizes nylon/PP blends and recycle mixes of polar and nonpolar polymers. Royaltuf 372P20 SAN-grafted EPDM is a weatherable impact modifier for PC, PC alloys, and SAN. Royaltuf 330 SAN-grafted EPDM is a weatherable impact modifier for PBT; it increases HDT and does not reduce stiffness.
Polybond grafted polyolefins improve impact and strength properties by chemically coupling glass fiber and other fillers. Polybond 1001 and 1002 (acrylic acid-grafted PP) are used in reinforced PP. Polybond 1009 (acrylic acid-grafted HDPE) and Polybond 3009 (maleic anhydride grafted PE) are for reinforced PE. Polybond 3001, 3002, and 3150 (maleic anhydride-grafted PP) strengthen and toughen PP. They also compatibilize PP/nylon blends and recycle mixes of polar and nonpolar resins. (See ads pp. 391, 427.)
ZEON CHEMICALS, INC.
Specialty synthetic rubbers include Nipol nitrile rubber (NBR), Zetpol hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR), Hytemp polyacrylate (ACM), Hydrin epichlorohydrin (ECO) and Parel propylene oxide polymer (PO).
Specific grades tailored are for use as impact modifiers, plasticizers, processing aids, and lubricants for flexible and rigid PVC, ABS, nylon, TPEs, blends/alloys, epoxies, and phenolics. Applications include calendered and extruded PVC, wire and cable, pipe, molded machine housings, aerospace and industrial composites, and friction products.
Lubricants And Processing Aids
PRODUCT LINES REVIEWED
ACCUMETRIC INC. See Meter-Mix Inc.
ACCURATE COLOR INC.
Lubricant powder, pellet and liquid dispersions can function as slip and antiblock agents, mold releases, pigment dispersants, and gloss modifiers. Can be compounded with other additives.
ADELL PLASTICS, INC.
Proprietary concentrates of silicone fluids for all thermoplastics reportedly improve mold release, reduce overall cycle time, reduce rejects, and improve part wear and bearing properties. Also multifunctional concentrates.
AKCROS CHEMICALS AMERICA
Armoslip slip agents also serve as internal mold releases. Reportedly speed molding and extrusion, and give products a smooth surface, high gloss, and close conformity to mold details. Products are high-molecular-weight fatty acid amides and dissolve in resins at processing temperatures but migrate to the surface of finished products as the resins cool.
Interstab G-8257 internal/external lubricant is for rigid and semi-rigid PVC, ABS, PS, acetals, and polyolefins. Interstab G-140 fatty acid ester serves primarily as an internal lubricant for clear rigid PVC. Interstab CA-18-1 calcium stearate and Interstab ZN-18-1 zinc stearate suggested for PVC, PS, and polyesters. Products said to be suitable for food-contact uses.
AKROCHEM CORP.
Vegetable and petroleum waxes, calcium and zinc stearates, and silicone fluids available under the Akrochem name.
ALLIED PRODUCTS CORP. See Coz Corp.
ALLIEDSIGNAL INC.
A-C polyethylenes and copolymers are low-molecular-weight, ethylene-based polymers for use as lubricants, flow modifiers, release aids, and dispersion aids. Reportedly improve release properties of thermoplastic resins, increase output, improve surface quality of the finished product, control melt temperature, increase thermal stability, reduce machine torque, and decrease power consumption. Also said to wet and disperse inert materials such as pigments, carbon black, flame retardants, and fillers.
AMERICAN INGREDIENTS CO. See PATCO Polymer Additives Div.
AMERICHEM INC.
Specialty lubricant concentrates for most thermoplastics reportedly improve wear resistance and mold release, reduce warpage and rejects, lower material and energy costs, make finishing easier, and reduce tool wear. Available in cubes, pellets or as powders, alone or in multi-functional concentrates with other additives and/or colors. (See ad p. 397.)
ASTOR WAX CORP.
Lubricating waxes, both petroleum (paraffin) and synthetic-based, in conjunction with Huls AG. Oxidized lubricants include:
* Vestowax C-60 external synthetic lubricant for smooth, glossy surfaces.
* Vestowax AS-1550 PE wax containing a calcium soap, essentially internal acting.
* Loobwax 0598 low-cost, pure ester wax for internal lubrication of resins.
* Loobwax 0651 PE for high-shear applications usually used with a paraffin wax. Meets PPI TR3/4 requirements. NSF approved.
* Loobwax 0682 ester-based, internal lubricant for replacing or extending more costly synthetic ester waxes.
* Loobwax 0761 esterfied, oxidized PE wax.
Nonoxidized lubricants include:
* Loobwax 0597 intermediate paraffin wax (generically 165 wax) used singly or in combination with other Loob-waxes. Meets PPI TR3/4 requirements. NSF approved.
* Loobwax 0605 synthetic hydrocarbon and paraffin waxes for higher shear application.
* Loobwax 0740 synthetic hydrocarbon-based wax for single-screw extrusion.
Combination lubricants include:
* Comboloob 0609 balanced synthetic and hydrocarbon wax system for processing under moderate to high temperature and shear conditions.
* Comboloob 0856 high-grade saturated hydrocarbon providing internal and external lubrication through its captive metal stearate and range of component melting points.
* Comboloob 0827 for promoting impact resistance by aiding and controlling fusion.
* Comboloob 0827/1 combination PE wax with Comboloob 0827.
AXEL PLASTICS RESEARCH LABORATORIES INC.
Mold Wiz internal lubricants and processing aids are complex polymeric blends containing no wax, silicone or metallic stearate. Non-exuding additives are mixed into thermoplastics, thermo-sets and rubbers at levels of 0.1-1% by weight.
Products compounded into thermoplastic resin or dry blended by end user. Synergistic effects reduce melt temperatures and increase melt flow index for faster cycle times at lower temperatures. Improved resin flow results in easy fill of deep draw cavities, with smooth release of thin-walled parts. No warpage when releasing parts from cores or threaded molds. Better wetting of reinforcements and aided elimination of buildup, flow marks and weakness in the weld line. Molds remain clean; no solvent vapors are released. Molded parts ready for painting, bonding, printing or plating without degreasing. Many products FDA approved.
For thermosets Mold Wiz internal lubricants are mixed into gelcoat or resin and partially crosslink with resin, enhancing physical properties. Products will not diminish bond strength between laminates. Resin has better wetting properties of reinforcements and substrates, improved flow in closed molds, and easy continuous release from metal molds. While composite molds require surface treatment to seal porosity, Mold Wiz internal lubricants reportedly augment releasing properties, prolonging mold life.
BASF CORP., CHEMICALS DIV.
Luwax polyethylene and montan waxes designed for use as lubricating, wetting and mold-release agents. In extrusion they reportedly allow control over plastication time and maximum torque. Also said to reduce tack and improve gloss of finished products. When used in film processes, Luwax reportedly reduces tack without affecting film transparency and does not plate out. (See ads pp. 459, 471, 478, 507.)
BUCKMAN LABORATORIES, INC.
Busperse 47 dimethyl amide of an unsaturated fatty acid functions as a lubricant in extrusion processes, and a pigment dispersant and viscosity depressant in many resins.
CAMIE-CAMPBELL, INC.
Offers a variety of release agents and specialty lubricants for all types of processes.
THE CARBORUNDUM CO. BORON NITRIDE DIV.
Boron Nitride, which has a structure similar to graphite, is a specialty multi-functional additive available in various mesh sizes. It adds lubricity and can serve as an extrusion processing aid. Unlike graphite, it is electrically insulating rather than conductive. (See also Mold-Release Agents.)
CARDINAL STABILIZERS, INC. CARDINAL CAROLINA CORP.
Paraffin wax, calcium stearate and blends of wax/stearate include C-Wax 100 for PVC extrusion; S-Waxes 1, 2, 3, and 4 blends of C-Wax 100 and calcium stearate; and S-Wax 3, 50% paraffin wax and 50% calcium stearate. Oxidized PE also can be added. Products supplied ds flakes or prills.
CASCHEM, INC.
Internal and external lubricants produced from castor-oil fatty acids. Hydroxyl group on the fatty portion of the molecule improves dispersibility, compatibility, and wetting of pigments, dyes and other additives.
Paricin 285 and 220 amide waxes recommended for ABS and PVC molding and extrusion. At levels of 0.5-1%, they provide internal and external lubrication, improve gloss, and act as anti-stats.
CHEMAX, INC.
Lubricants used as a processing aids reduce friction, which reportedly leads to lower melt viscosity and results in lower energy output during processing.
CHEM-TREND, INC. PLASTICS & RUBBER DIV.
Lubricants include water-based and CFC-free external release agents for flexible and rigid polyurethanes, reinforced polyester, rotomolding, thermosets and thermoplastics molding. Perma-Mold releases specifically for rigid urethane foam. Mono-Coat semi-permanent formulations can double mold productivity, while giving multiple releases. Product reportedly does not build up on mold or transfer to part. Also custom formulating. (See also Mold-Release Agents.)
CHROMA CORP.
Dry powders (unitized or bulk packaged) or pelletized concentrates contain lubricants and other additives for use in commodity or engineering thermoplastics.
CIVIERA & SILVER INT'L. INC. (CSI)
Zinc and calcium stearates for use as lubricants and pigment dispersants for manufacturing color concentrates and dry colors. Clear-melting zinc stearate for use in crystal polystyrene also available.
CLIMAX PERFORMANCE MATERIALS SUB OF AMAX INC.
Molysulfide line of molybdenum disulfide is a solid lubricant supplied in three grades: technical, technical fine and super fine. Used in nylon, acetal, phenolics, PTFE, epoxy and other resins at loadings of 2% to 40%. Although its prime function is to modify external friction and enhance wear properties of the base resin, Molysulfide is also used to give internal lubrication and improve the physical and mechanical properties of many resin systems.
COZ CORP. SUB. OF ALLIED PRODUCTS CORP.
Concentrates containing lubricants and heat and light stabilizers supplied in PS, polyolefins and most other thermoplastics.
CRODA UNIVERSAL, INC.
Crodamide lubricants impart slip, antiblock, and mold release to polyolefins, PS, PVC, nylon, ABS and specialty engineering resins.
Crodamides are fatty acid amides, which include primary amides (erucamide, oleamide, behenamide and stearamide) and secondary amides (stearyl erucamide and oleyl palmitamide). Secondary amide line has superior thermal stability for use where process temperatures do not allow conventional lubricants. Crodamide lubricant additives for thermoplastic elastomers and various engineering resins, alloys and blends also available.
Products also serve as organic antiblock agents without affecting film clarity.
CUSTOM COMPOUNDING INC.
PTFE micropowders as processing aids for thermoplastics and thermosets range in particle size from less than 2 microns to 75 microns, in a variety of shapes (filaments, irregular, and round). Most significant property is low-friction characteristics. When added at 5-20% levels, products improve wear, rub resistance and slip properties.
DOW CORNING CORP.
Silicone fluids, silanes and modified polymers include antifoams, coupling agents, internal and external lubricants, process modifiers and surfactants.
Silicone fluids can be compounded into thermoplastics to reduce friction/wear and increase load-speed capabilities. Function as internal lubricants to lower melt viscosity. Benefits often include reduced cycle times, less warpage, fewer rejects and improved surface appearance and gloss. Reportedly excellent internal mold-release agents that often eliminate the need for external releases.
Antifoams used in shredding and recycling operations, and during polymerization. Powdered materials help eliminate voids in injection molding.
Coupling agents - aminofunctional, methacrylate, styrylamine cationic, epoxy or chloralkyl functional - used to couple fibers to resins in reinforced plastics and as a surface pretreatment of fillers and reinforcers.
Process modifiers include fluids to encapsulate or coat dry particles for improved flow, hydrophobicity and anticaking properties. Silane chemicals can be used during polymerization to modify catalyst activity and polymer tacticity.
Surfactants produce foams with improved resistance and allow foam fusing at low temperatures. Low odor compared to alkali metal soap surfactants.
DUPONT CO.
Teflon fluoro-additives increase lubricity and wear resistance of thermoplastics and elastomers. Teflon MP 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400 and 1500 grades said to show an unusual degree of color, particle size, and property consistency. Reportedly do not agglomerate and thus are more easily dispersible. One reportedly unique property of Teflon MP 1500 is that it can increase tear resistance of elastomers. At use levels of 20 phr, it reportedly increases tear resistance of silicone rubber two to three times.
Products, which come in white powders, have similar chemical and temperature resistance and low coefficient of friction, but each has a slightly different molecular weight and particle size (from 1 to 50 microns). (See also Mold-Release Agents.)
EASTMAN CHEMICAL CO.
Offers Epolene low-molecular-weight polyolefins and glycerol monostearates waxes as extrusion lubricants for rigid PVC. Also useful as processing and mold-release lubricants for ABS, polyesters, polycarbonates, nylons, polybutylenes and PE. (See ads pp. 386, 583.)
FERRO CORP., PLASTICS COLORANTS & DISPERSIONS DIV.
Several additives can be incorporated in Spectraflo liquid dispersions, primarily internal mold releases. Silicone and nonsilicone products offered for polyolefins, styrenics and nylon parts. Calcium, aluminum and zinc stearates available as internal lubricants for nylon.
A liquid purge compound runs in a wide variety of resins, such as nylon, polycarbonate, ABS, PE, PP, HIPS, GPPS, etc. FDA approved. LDR is 8-10%. Can run at any temperature range and cycled through hot-runner mold. Vehicle system stable from 350 F to 700 F. (See ad p. 402.)
GARLOCK INC. PLASTOMER PRODUCTS
Offers PTFE powders to reduce friction and improve antistick properties.
GE SILICONES
Offers silicone mold-release additives.
GLS PLASTICS DIV., GREAT LAKES TERMINAL & TRANSPORT
Markets calcium, zinc, aluminum, magnesium and barium stearate lubricants for thermoplastics.
C.P. HALL CO.
Fatty acid esters act as internal lubricants, antistats, antifogging agents and defoamers. Also polyethylene waxes, metallic stearates, silicone fluids, and emulsions.
HALSTAB DIV. HAMMOND GROUP INC.
Two lead-based lubricants, Hal-Lub-N and Hal-Lub-D, are for PVC wire and cable, extruded profiles, and molding compounds.
HAMPSHIRE CHEMICAL CORP.
Daxad dispersants are used as emulsifiers in polymerization, as well as dispersants for additives and colorants.
HARWICK CHEMICAL CORP.
External and internal lubricants for rubber and plastics include:
* Silicones - fluids, emulsions, and specialties for all release applications.
* Low-molecular-weight PE in pellets, powders, and emulsions.
* Stearic acid.
* Metallic stearates.
* Glycerides with slip, antistatic, and antifog properties.
* Powdered fluoropolymers for low-friction compounds.
* Lubrex proprietary mold-release treatments for thermoplastics.
Also various esters, amorphous polypropylene, fatty acids, petrolatum, and PTFE powders.
HENKEL CORP.
Loxiol ester wax additives include internal and external lubricants:
* Glycerol esters for co-stabilizing effect and flow.
* Simple esters such as Loxiol G-30 series for thermal stability, low water sensitivity, and replacement of amide waxes.
* Partial esters of polyfunctional alcohols such as Loxiol HOB 7121 for balancing properties of ester internal lubricants.
* Polymeric polyfunctional alcohol fatty acid compounds for metal release, and as economical replacements for montan esters.
* Ester-based co-stabilizing lubricants for improvement in thermostability of PVC formulations, reducing stabilizer levels. Recommended for opaque, rigid PVC fittings, profiles, siding, sheet, and foamed PVC.
Most have FDA approval for use with food. Impart good clarity to transparent articles such as vacuum formable blister-pack sheet and bottles. Applications in PVC, rigid molded pipe fittings, extruded PVC siding, window and door frames, and high-speed wire and cable extrusion. Products may also be used in semi-rigid and flexible PVC, polycarbonates, phenolics, acrylics and nylons. Advantages include good printability, water-blush resistance, reduction of die swell, prevention of sinks in injection molding, superior melt flow, lower plateout, and improved compatibility.
Emery Group offers glycerol fatty esters in solid or liquid forms as internal or external lubricants for PBT or PET polyesters and PVC formulations. Help increase production rates, reduce melt temperatures, and reduce power consumption.
HIMONT U.S.A., INC.
Xantrix additive delivery system (ADS) concentrates allow incorporating loadings up to 25% by weight of liquid or low melting additives into polyolefins, while remaining dry and free-flowing. Based on reactor technology, concentrates undergo minimal heat history during manufacture, which results in uniform dispersion even at high letdowns. Custom-formulated concentrates available in any quantities and may contain single additive components or combinations in all additive categories.
HOECHST CELANESE CORP. SPECIALTY CHEMICALS GROUP
Full line of montan and/or paraffin-based lubricants for PVC. Hoechst Wax E or Wax OP lubricants for processing rigid PVC film. Hostamont TP ET 141 and TP ET 132 provide lubricity for demanding applications for engineering resins. Also multicomponent lubricant systems for PVC pipe siding and profile. Hostalub CAF 486 and CAF 470 designed for use in PVC siding formulations. Custom formulations offered. (See ads pp. 454, 475, 491, 507, 576, 579, 641.)
ICI SURFACTANTS
Atmer 129 and Atmer 1010 internal lubricants for rigid PVC promote polymer flow through the extruder, increasing thermal and color stability and giving better processing latitude. A 1-2 phr addition results in 10-20% reduction in fusion torque, reducing shear, dwell time and heat build-up. Equilibrium times are lengthened three- to eight-fold, providing improved thermal stability and a wider processing window. Both products have broad food contact approvals.
Atmer 122, Atmer 129, Atmer 7300 and Atmer 8103 processing aids for polyolefin foams act as gas diffusion aids, virtually eliminating the need to store foams after manufacture to allow for shrinkage. Their use leads to enhanced overall foam physical and mechanical properties, increased productivity, plus the functionality as an internal lubricant. Atmer 122 and Atmer 129 are 100% active powder/bead products and can be used at levels of 0.4 to 1.0 phr to achieve desired properties. Atmer 7300 and Atmer 8103 are 50% active pellet concentrates in LDPE carder resin. Recommended usage level would be 0.8 to 0.2 phr. Products have broad food contact approvals.
INOLEX CHEMICAL CO.
Variety of monoester, diester, and polyester lubricants for thermoplastics and elastomers. Products offer broad ranges in viscosities, melt points, volatilities and lubricant properties. Custom high-performance products made on proprietary basis.
KANEKA TEXAS CORP.
Kane Ace acrylic processing aids for use in PVC. Varying molecular weight from ultra-low to ultra-high. Products include PA-10, PA-20, PA-30, PA-50, PA-100 and PA-101. PA-100 and PA-101 function to minimize sticking to metal surfaces.
KENRICH PETROCHEMICALS INC.
Titanate coupling agents said to be highly effective lubricants at use levels below about 2% of filler content. In filled systems they reportedly cut need for processing lubricants by 75-90%. Titanate and zirconate coupling agents also said to increase flow of unfilled polymers.
Kenplast ESB cumyl phenol benzoate, a solid processing aid, said to improve molding and extrusion characteristics and enhance physical properties of finished product. Used in PVC extrusion, RIM urethanes, and nylon processing.
LONZA INC.
Fatty-based, internal and external lubricants mostly used at low levels (around 0.5-2 phr). Many approved for food-contact applications.
Bisamide waxes include Acrawax C, Glycolubes, and Glyconol for extruding and molding PVC, ABS, polyurethanes, nylons, and other engineering thermoplastics. Glycolube line has applications as internal/external lubricants, mold releases, antifogs and antistats for many polymers.
Proprietary products such as Glycolube P and TS suggested for engineering resins and polymer alloys. Glycolube PG and Vinylubes used in PVC bottles, sheets, and profiles when clarity and throughput are critical. (See also Mold-Release Agents.)
MALLINCKRODT SPECIALTY CHEMICALS
High-purity metallic stearates as internal/external lubricants include:
* Hy Dense calcium stearate HP granular, and RSN powder for rigid PVC pipe and siding lubrication.
* Calcium stearate RSN 248D for clean neutralization of residual catalysts in polyolefins.
* Magnesium stearate RSN 1-1 for lubricating ABS resins.
* Zinc stearate RSN 131 HS for superior clarity/color stability in crystal PS.
* Hy Dense zinc stearate XM powder for low viscosity and good mold release in polyester SMC and BMC.
* Hy Dense zinc ultrafine as a dispersion and for color concentrates.
METER-MIX, INC. SUB. OF ACCUMETRIC INC.
Silicone fluid lubricants are said to enhance resin moldability, decrease stress marks, and improve finish of molded parts.
M. MICHEL AND CO., INC.
Cachalot plastic additive S-53T3 higher-alcohol-based extrusion, casting, and calendering aid designed primarily for flexible PVC to prevent sticking.
MORTON INTERNATIONAL, INC. MORTON PLASTICS ADDITIVES
Advawax processing lubricants, slip, and antiblocking agents for use in ABS, PVC, PS, and other polymers. Bisamide waxes, Advawax 240, 280, and 290, are FDA-approved for food packaging. Advawax 140 flaked ester also FDA-approved. Advapack multifunctional additives offer lubricants for pipe extrusion, siding and profile extrusions and molded fittings.
NORAC CO., INC.
Precipitated and modified fusion-process metallic stearates include aluminum octoate and stearate; barium, calcium, lithium, magnesium, sodium, and zinc stearate (including clear-melt, polymer, and granular types).
NOVACOR CHEMICALS INC. CLEAR PERFORMANCE PLASTICS
P210-G acrylic copolymer processing aid for improved processing characteristics for PVC without affecting physical properties. Faster fusion, increased production output, and lower cost said to be typical advantages.
OSi SPECIALTIES, INC.
Silicone fluids in a range of viscosities, plus organomodified fluids. Both used as internal lubricants and mold releases for thermoplastics. Typical product is L-45, used at viscosities of 10,000 to 60,000 cst.
Silicone fluids reduce coefficient of friction, improve wear resistance, and may improve surface appearance and gloss of molded parts. Also provide lower melt viscosity, resulting in better mold fill-out and reduced cycle times in injection molding. Reportedly excellent internal mold releases, reducing or eliminating the need for externally applied mold-release agents.
PATCO POLYMER ADDITIVES DIV. AMERICAN INGREDIENTS CO.
Range of glycerol esters for lubrication of PVC and as antifogs, antistats and antiblocks in polyolefins.
Distilled mono glycerides in various physical forms include Pationic 900, 901 and 902 fine beads; Pationic 909 very fine beads; and Pationic 907 semi-solid.
Mono/di glycerides include Pationic 1042 and 1052 fine flakes, Pationic 1042B and 1052B beads, and Pationic 1064 and 1074 semi-solids.
Glycerol tri-stearates include Pationic 1019 fine flake and Pationic 919 fine bead.
PENRECO DIV. PENNZOIL PRODUCTS CO.
Line of white mineral oils, petrolatums, and other specialty petroleum products. White mineral oils in a wide range of viscosities used as plasticizers, internal lubricants, catalyst carriers, mold-release agents, extender oils and dispersing agents.
Specializes in high-molecular-weight, high-distillation, low-volatility products such as Drakeol 34, White Mineral Oil, USP and Drakeol Supreme. (See also Mold-Release Agents and Plasticizers.)
PETROLITE CORP. POLYMERS DIV.
Microcrystalline waxes and synthetic polymers as lubricants, mold-release agents, dispersing aids in color concentrates, nucleating agents (EPS), and antiblocks (PP film) for thermoplastic resins. Microcrystalline waxes derived from petroleum are high-molecular-weight mixtures of straight and branched-chain hydrocarbons with melting points from 170 to 200 F. Many suitable for food contact.
Polywax PE waxes are low-molecular-weight, high-density, crystalline polymers. Melting points from 185 to 260 F. Many meet FDA requirements, are used to improve EPS appearance, and to optimize cost/performance of rigid PVC pipe. Zylac lubricants for rigid PVC lower cost/linear ft of pipe and profile extrusions.
Vybar polymers are low-melting (125-165 F) hydrocarbons used modifiers for paraffin wax, mold-release agents, and lubricants in rigid PVC.
Also Zylac polymers for improving impact in hom*opolymer PP, dispersing organic pigments in PP and PE, and lubricants and processing aids for HDPE and LLDPE.
PMS CONSOLIDATED A UNIT OF M.A. HANNA CO.
Specialty colorant concentrates in solid or liquid form, with or without special additives, available with silicones, fillers, antioxidants, uv stabilizers, fire retardants, blowing agents, slip agents or antistats.
POLYVEL INC.
Specialty additive concentrates in powder or pellet form:
* CR5 recommended for PP to reduce viscosity, increase melt-flow rates, and allow for decreased process temperatures and reduced cycle times during molding at use levels of 0.25-1.0%.
* RZ40 recommended for nylons, ABS and PS. Said to develop excellent mold-release properties and lubrication at use levels of 0.5-1.0%
* RE40 for PP, PE and EVA. Reportedly functions to reduce mold sticking and improve part release at use levels of 0.5-1.0%.
* PA10FP 10% active fluoroelastomer concentrate specifically for use in LLDPE film applications.
Custom lubricant and processing-aid concentrates contain as much as 60% additive.
PROGRESSIVE POLYMERS, INC.
Lubricants and processing aids including slip, antiblock and internal mold-release additive concentrates available in a variety of thermoplastic resin carriers. Formulations combine custom color with processing aids.
ROGER A. REED INC.
Manufactures synthetic wax internal lubricants and mold releases.
REEDSPECTRUM DIV. SANDOZ CHEMICALS CORP.
Custom-formulated multifunctional additive concentrates include lubricant, processing aids and mold-release agents.
RHONE-POULENC INC.
Alkalube line includes glyceryl, simple, and complete esters that function as internal, external, or intermediate lubricants and flow modifiers for rigid PVC, polycarbonates, phenolics, acrylics, and nylons.
ROHM AND HAAS CO.
Paraloid K 100 series acrylic processing aids produce rapid fusion, hom*ogeneous melt, increased melt strength, and easy thermoformability in rigid vinyls. Applications include those requiring weatherability for long-term outdoor exposure, such as building products, and nonweatherable clear and opaque uses, such as containers, film, and sheet.
Specialty processing aids for foam vinyl products include Paraloid K 120ND for superior clarity and dispersibility, Paraloid K 125 for high efficiency, Paraloid K 130 for balance of clarity and efficiency, Paraloid K 147 for low-molecular-weight vinyl, and Paraloid K 175 for lubricating to reduce sticking and plateout.
SEEGOTT INC.
Line of internal/external lubricants made from castor oil fatty acids. Also silicone mold-release additives for molded parts.
SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CO.
External and internal mold releases for thermosets and reinforced plastics. Products consist of waxes, liquid releases, semi-permanents, mold cleaners, and sealers, including products for layup/sprayup, RTM, filament winding, SMC, BMC, and compression molding. Also external releases for thermoplastics.
Evergreen line includes environmentally friendly water-based release agents, non-ozone depleting aerosols, and a styrene suppressant additive for polyester resins.
KantStik Q Powder and KantStik S Powder internal lubricants for thermoplastics improve production efficiency by increasing resin flow into deeper recesses and sections of mold cavities.
STEPAN CO.
Drewplast glycerol and partial glycerol esters are primarily internal lubricants for rigid PVC that promote fusion and lower melt viscosity. Said to exhibit excellent thermal stability and resist hydrolysis, and have FDA food-additive or food-adjunct status.
Drewplast polyoxyethylene external lubricants reportedly have antistatic and moisture-coalescing properties, particularly in PVC food wraps. Have FDA food-additive or food-adjunct status.
Kessco butoxyethyl stearate (BES) used as an external lubricant in audio, video and computer tapes.
STRUKTOL CO.
Polydis TR products act as wetting agents, internal and external lubricants, and proprietary modifiers, depending on the polymer system. Polydis TR 016, TR 041 and TR 071 are fatty acid derivatives for use with colorants, fillers and flame retardants. Function by hydrogen bonding, lubrication and occupation of free volume.
Polydis TR 060 and TR 065 with wide solubility parameters and physical properties designed to cut process times and improve dispersion during polymer mixing. Products use their solubility and shear-transfer properties to improve surface appearance, dispersion and physicals of compound materials. Uses include polymer alloys and dissimilar blends such as those present in recycling.
Polydis TR 121 and TR 131 are primary fatty amides used as slip agents and antiblocks.
New Polydis 251 designed for excellent blending and dispersion in color concentrates and other high-filled systems. It can be used more economically and with higher efficiencies than EBS in certain applications.
SYNTHETIC PRODUCTS CO., DIV. OF COOKSON SPECIALTY ADDITIVES
Synpro metallic stearate lubricants offer grades tailored for specific applications:
* For flexible and rigid PVC, calcium stearate 15F, calcium stearate 12B, Synpro-Flo 91, and Synpro-Flo 92. Calcium stearate lubricants come in easily dispersed, low-dusting, high-bulk, granular products or fine, free-flowing powders.
* For ABS, magnesium stearate 90 and magnesium stearate Type M.
* For HDPE and LLDPE, calcium stearate 114-36, calcium stearate 114-40, and zinc stearate 8.
* For PP, calcium stearate 114-36 and 114-40.
* For impact and expandable PS, zinc stearate ACF.
* For crystal PS, zinc stearate Type 8 and Petrac zinc stearate 44 HS.
* For polyester, zinc stearates ABG, FRP, S-1058, and D. Zinc stearate XRP mold-release agent for reinforced plastics features more efficient release, improved surface, more rapid wet-out, lower mix viscosity, and improved handling characteristics.
* For phenolics, calcium stearate 12B and zinc stearate S-1271.
* For melamine, zinc stearate ACF and zinc stearate S-1271. (See also Mold-Release Agents.)
TEKNOR COLOR CO. SUB. OF TEKNOR APEX CO.
Lubricant concentrates for commodity resins at various letdown ratios.
THERMOFIL, INC.
Thermolube processing-aid concentrates for all thermoplastics from PS to PPS. Advantages are said to include faster cycle times, better mold release, lower energy consumption due to lower stock temperatures, and cycle-time reductions of over 10%. Also reported to be more economical than aerosol spray release agents.
3M CO.
Industrial Tape and Specialties Div. offers Dynamar fluorocarbon elastomer processing aids to ease extrusion and blow molding of LLDPE, HMW-HDPE, PP, PET, EVA and PVC. At typical levels of 25-1000 ppm, they reportedly improve processing without altering or detracting from mechanical properties associated with high-strength plastics.
TIOXlDE AMERICAS INC.
Tilcom organic titanates and zirconates manufactured by Tioxide Specialties Ltd. Recommended for use as lubricants and processing aids in filled and unfilled systems, and as adhesion promoters for some ink systems used on plastic packaging.
UNION CAMP CORP.
Uniflex products include several grades of butyl stearate suitable for use with molded or extruded processes. Said to be compatible with PS and polyvinyl butyral, and partly compatible with PVC.
WACKER SILICONES CORP.
Silicone fluids and emulsions in several viscosities recommended as internal lubricant additives for thermoplastics. Dimethylpolysiloxane fluids with viscosities of 12,500 and 30,000 cst reportedly are most effective when added to most thermoplastics, including nylons and styrenics.
Thermoplastics internally lubricated with silicones are said to show lower coefficients of friction, improved wear resistance, easier demolding, and in many cases, lower melt viscosity, which can speed injection rate and reduce cycle time.
Special functional silicone fluids and emulsions reportedly give unique lubricity and multiple release effects, or allow easier paintability. (See also Mold-Release Agents.)
WILSON COLOR INC. A UNIT OF M.A. HANNA CO.
Silicone concentrates in 15-20% loadings for ABS, acetal, nylon 6, 66, and 612, polycarbonate, PBT polyester, PP, PE, PS and SAN.
Offers Wil-Lube stearate concentrates or other lubricants in a multipurpose resin compatible with a variety of thermoplastics, including vinyls, polyolefins, styrenics, acrylics, cellulosics, polyesters and nylons. They are nonstaining, noncorrosive, and low in volatility. (See ad p. 405.)
WITCO CORP. PETROLEUM SPECIALTIES GROUP
Fully refined Sonneborn line of USP and NF grade of white mineral oils, petrolatums and microcrystalline waxes for use as internal and external lubricants. Plastics Oils available in a range of viscosities and tailored with low volatility. Also FDA-approved compressor lubricants.
WITCO CORP. POLYMER ADDITIVES GROUP
Several families of lubricants include:
* Kemamide E, S, B, and U primary fatty amides for PE, PP, PS, PVC, PU, and elastomers for slip, antiblock, and mold release.
* Kemamide W-40 ethylene bis-stearamide mold-release additive for acetal, PBT, phenolic resins, and a lubricant for PVC.
* Kemamide S-180, E-180, P-181, S-221 and E-221 secondary amide slip and antiblock agents can withstand processing temperatures surpassing 550 F.
* Hystrene fatty acid lubricants and mold-release agents for polystyrene.
* Kemester 5721 and 5822 fatty ester lubricants for engineering resins.
* Atmos 150, Atmul 84, and Dimul S food-grade, mold-release, antistatic, and antifog agents for polyolefins and PVC.
* Atmos 300 and Atmos 695 antifog agents for polyolefins and PVC, and antistats for flexible PVC. Reduce viscosity of vinyl plastisols.
* Atmos 150, Atmul 84, Dimul S, and Kemester GMB as slip and antiblock agents in polyolefins.
* Moldpro internal mold releases and processing aids for polyolefins, engineering resins and elastomers.
Metallic stearates include:
* For Rigid PVC - Calcium stearate FP, F, and extra dense; magnesium stearate D; and sodium stearate T-1 internal lubricants. Sunolite 160 refined petroleum wax used as an external lubricant.
* Calcium stearates F and FP for flexible PVC.
* Zinc stearate Ed-Heat stable for crystal PS.
* Zinc stearates 11 and polymer grade for expandable PS.
* Calcium stearate FP, heat-stable sodium stearate, and sodium stearate T-1 for high-impact PS.
* Calcium stearates FP, F, and regular, and potassium stearate for PP.
* Calcium stearates FP and F; zinc stearates 11 and Ed-Heat stable for HDPE.
* Magnesium stearates D and DM, and calcium stearate FP for ABS.
* Zinc stearate 11 for cellulosics.
* Heat-stable sodium stearate and zinc stearate 11 for nylon.
* Calcium stearates F, FP, and extra dense for phenolics.
* Zinc stearates 11 and regular, Lubrazinc W, calcium stearates regular and P-Coarse for unsaturated polyester.
Mold-Release Agents
PRODUCT LINES REVIEWED
ACCURATE COLOR INC.
Lubricant powder, pellet, and liquid dispersions can function as slip and antiblock agents, mold releases, pigment dispersants, and gloss modifiers. Can be compounded with other additives.
ADELL PLASTICS, INC.
Proprietary silicone fluid concentrates for all thermoplastics. Said to improve mold release, reduce overall cycle time, reduce rejects, and improve part wear and bearing properties. Also multifunctional concentrates.
AIR PRODUCTS AND CHEMICALS INC.
Water-based external release agents are said to allow excellent release and reduced build-up on molds, and eliminate VOC emissions. Also sprayable release-agent concentrates, which reduce VOC emissions by lowering release agent use.
AIRTECH ADVANCED MATERIALS AIRTECH INTERNATIONAL INC.
Release All "environmentally friendly" release agents for metal and plastic molds contain no CFCs, low VOCs, and are non-Red Label. Products can work up to 900 F and clean off easily. Water-based formulas also offered.
AKZO NOBEL INC.
Interstab G-8257, an additive-type internal mold-release agent, for use in a number of polymer applications. FDA-approved, physical properties include a melting point of 288-295 F. In rigid PVC, G-8257 improves melt-flow characteristics and yields products with reportedly good surface finish, color and physical properties. In flexible PVC and plastisols, G-8257, at levels of 0.20-1.50 phr, provides good external lubrication or mold-release properties.
Armoslip slip agents add slip and antiblock characteristics, and serve as internal mold releases. Products reportedly speed up molding and extrusion, and give a smooth surface, high gloss, and close conformity to mold details. These high-molecular-weight fatty acid amides dissolve in resins at processing temperatures but migrate to the surface of finished products as the resins cool.
ALLIEDSIGNAL INC.
A-C polyethylenes and copolymers are ethylene-based, low-molecular-weight polymers for use as lubricants, flow modifiers, release aids, and dispersion aids. Products reportedly improve release properties of thermoplastic resins, increase output, improve surface quality of finished product, control melt temperature, increase thermal stability, reduce machine torque, and decrease power consumption. Said to wet and disperse inert materials, such as pigments, carbon black, flame retardants, and fillers.
AMERICHEM INC.
Specialty lubricant concentrates for most thermoplastics reportedly improve wear resistance and mold release, reduce warpage and rejects, lower material and energy costs, make finishing easier, and reduce tool wear. Available in cubes, pellets or as powders, offered alone or in multifunctional concentrates with other additives and colors. (See ad p. 397.)
AXEL PLASTICS RESEARCH LABORATORIES, INC.
Mold Wiz external mold releases, proprietary complex polymeric blends, contain no wax, silicone, metallic stearate, and no CFCs or 1,1,1-trichloroethane.
Water-based releases for polyurethanes, rubbers, composites molded with polyester, epoxy, vinyl ester, phenolic and melamine resin systems. Available in high solids and 100% water-based, or with small amounts of solvents for faster evaporation.
Paste Wiz polymer and wax blend release agent is for all types of mold surfaces.
Solvent-based releases and aerosols for injection molding and applications that require rapid evaporation of mold-release carriers.
Mold Wiz internal release agents are non-exuding complex polymeric blends with no wax, silicone or metallic stearate. Mixed into thermoplastics, thermosets and rubbers at 0.1-1% levels by weight. Perform as processing aids and mold releases. Flow marks and buildup eliminated. Resin flow improved, promoting better wetting of reinforcements, substrates and mold surface. Also allows faster cycles at lower temperatures and added antistatic properties. Molds remain clean; no solvent vapors released. Molded parts ready for painting, bonding, printing or metallizing without degreasing. Some products FDA-approved. (See ad p. 435.)
BASF CORP., CHEMICALS DIV.
Luwax polyethylene and montan waxes for use as lubricating, wetting and mold-release agents, as well as dispersants for pigments and fillers. Compatible with a wide variety of TPUs, nylon, polycarbonate and ABS. Can be extruded, injection and blow molded. In extrusion, products reportedly allow control over plastication time and maximum torque, and reduce tack and improve gloss of finished goods. In film processes, these waxes reportedly reduce tack without affecting film transparency and do not plate out. (See ads pp. 459, 471, 478, 507.)
CAMIE-CAMPBELL, INC.
External release agents, primarily for injection molding, but including compression molding, extrusion and RIM.
Also a range of paintable and silicone-based products from very light-duty film-forming sprays to heavy products specifically designed for rigid polyurethane foams. Paintable releases available as dry, lecithin-based lubricants, as well as light-duty and heavy-duty. Products available in aerosol packages or in 5-gal or 55-gal bulk containers.
THE CARBORUNDUM CO. BORON NITRIDE DIV.
Boron nitride is an inorganic mold-release agent that maintains its properties through numerous mold cycles and at elevated temperatures. In liquid form it can be applied as is or diluted and sprayed onto molds to reduce sticking and improve release characteristics.
CEARA PRODUCTS, INC.
Offers mold-release waxes made from refined No. 1 carnauba wax. The process to compound carnauba into mold-release products uses no acid, or borax additives, and no silicone, acetate or paraffin fillers. Build-up is said to be reduced and color transfer eliminated.
Waxes thoroughly cured before shipment and ready for immediate use in fiber-reinforced plastics, cultured marble, and polymer concrete.
CHEMAX, INC.
Chemstat HTSA-1A and HTSA-3B, specially synthesized nitrogenous organic compounds, for use in most thermoplastics as mold-release additives, and slip and antiblocking agents.
Chemstat HTSA-1A imparts improved release properties in polypropylene film and provides slip and antiblocking characteristics at low use levels (0.05-0.50%) for extrusion of film and sheet.
Chemstat HTSA-3B, a white free-flowing powder, is effective in a variety of thermoplastic resins such as cellulosics, polyolefins, PVC and nylons. It can reportedly be incorporated into high-clarity thermoplastic film without impairing optical properties. Film subjected to high-humidity environmental tests remains clear with no evidence of slip additive plate-out. Effective at low use levels - 0.05-0.40%
CHEM-TREND INC. PLASTICS & RUBBER DIV.
External mold-release agents include water-based and CFC-free products for flexible and rigid polyurethanes, reinforced polyester, rotomolding, thermosets and thermoplastics molding. Perma-Mold releases designed specifically for rigid urethane foam. Mono-Coat semi-permanent formulations can double mold productivity while giving multiple releases, with no build-up on the mold or transfer to the part. Custom formulations available.
CLEARCO PRODUCTS CO., INC.
New high-performance silicone spray release agent for molded materials is formulated without methylene chloride or trichloroethane. Product dries instantly, meets FDA specifications, is nonflammable, and does not contain any Class I ozone-depleting chemicals.
CRODA UNIVERSAL, INC.
Crodamide lubricant additives used to improve mold flow and mold release in PE, PP, PET, PS, PVC, nylon, and other specialty engineering resins. These high purity additives do not contribute to mold build-up.
DEXTER CORP.
Frekote mold-release products for elastomeric, thermoset, and thermoplastic molding applications include:
* Frekote 44 NC semi-permanent, non-transferring releasing interface for molding fiberglass, graphite, and boron reinforced epoxy and BMI composites.
* Frekote 700 NC general-purpose semi-permanent release agent for operations requiring high slip, as in filament winding.
* Frekote FRP NC semi-permanent releasing interface for molding polyester boats, tubs, shower stalls, and cultured marble sinks.
* Aqualine water-based products provide performance equal to traditional solvent-based releases and stand up well in a variety of high temperature molding applications.
* Frekote CFC-free mold sealers and release agents for polyester, rubber, composite, epoxy and rotomolded polyethylene applications where safety and environment are concerns.
D-M-E CO.
Three grades of low-build-up, spray-on mold-release agents available in 16-oz cans. All-purpose economical silicone grade provides dependable performance for most applications. Premium silicone grade available for tougher sticking problems and FDA-approved for food industry applications. The third grade, a paintable mold release, available for parts to be painted, plated or hot-stamped. It is silicone-free and suitable for use with PS and most other resins. (See ads Cover II, p. 262.)
DOW CORNING CORP.
Silicone fluids, coatings, dispersions and emulsions as internal and external mold-release agents. Available for use with most plastics, urethane, metal and rubber mold materials.
Silicone fluids in a range of viscosities are essentially nontoxic and present a very low environmental hazard. Thermally stable, they are available in industrial, food and medical grades.
Release coatings include quick-curing silicone resins, paintable materials, 100% silicone fluids and resin/fluid blends. Some products approved for food processing and packaging operations.
Dispersion products include room-temperature vulcanizing elastomers that cure to a tough, rubbery coating. Good release from sticky materials, and effective from -57 to 204 C.
Emulsions may be non-ionic or anionic, and can generally be applied by brushing, spraying or wiping. Offer good lubricity, stability and water-repellency. Used with acrylics, epoxies, elastomers and castings.
DUPONT CO.
Vydax fluorotelomer dispersions for use as external mold-release agents and dry lubricants. Said to be virtually unaffected by mold materials, even those made of difficult-to-release materials such as epoxy resins. Six grades available, differing mainly in active ingredient content, molecular weight and dispersity in water. Low molecular weight of Vydax imparts lubricity, thermal and chemical stability, nonflammability, and antistick and release properties, which maintain integrity in a broad range of operating conditions. Vydax is clean and nonmigrating. (See also Lubricants and Processing Aids.)
EASTMAN CHEMICAL CO.
Epolene waxes, low-molecular-weight polyolefins and glycerol monostearates, offered as extrusion lubricants for rigid PVC. Also useful as processing and mold-release lubricants for such polymers as ABS, polyesters, polycarbonates, nylons, polybutylenes and PE. (See ads pp. 386, 583.)
FRANKLYNN INDUSTRIES, INC.
Diamondkote and Aqualift solvent-free, water-based release agents bond to the tool surface, enabling multiple releases and increased productivity. Products decrease build-up on tool surfaces and parts and extend tool life between cleanings. Nonsettling and freeze-thaw stable. Applications include rigid polyurethanes, RIM, and integral-skin foams; polyester FRP for bathtubs, spas, showers, cultured marble, and boats; thermoplastics; and epoxy and polyimide.
GE SILICONES
Offers silicone mold-release additives for molded plastics.
HATCO INC.
External spray and wipe-on mold-release agents.
HENKEL CORP.
Glycerol fatty esters as internal or external lubricants for PBT or PET polyesters and PVC formulations. Supplied in solid and liquid forms. Help increase production rates, reduce melt temperatures and reduce power consumption.
Also polymeric polyfunctional esters, such as Loxiol G70S for mold release in rigid and flexible PVC.
Other esters, such as Loxiol HOB 7119, suitable mainly for PVC, but also effective as mold releases for acrylics, acetals and polycarbonate. Simple esters include Loxiol G33 and Loxiol G47 for polycarbonate.
IMS CO.
External mold releases in EPA-current aerosol cans and aerosol tanks, or as bulk concentrates for use with solvent carriers or compressed air. Silicone releases stocked in various concentrations. Paintable releases include organic oil, water-soluble ester spray, DuPont Vydax, dry PTFE, and zinc stearate.
Recently developed Econo-Cube system, a preplumbed, turnkey package for applying pure mold-release fluid using compressed air. (See ads pp. 22, 315.)
KRAS CORP.
External mold-release agents include a spray-on, carnauba wax-based product.
LILLY INDUSTRIES
Two grades of internal release agents for unsaturated polyester compounds for FRP. One is for steel molds and the other for aluminum or plastic tools.
LONZA INC.
Acrawax C ethylene bis-stearamide wax additive in a range of particle sizes, including a dispersion grade. Product provides an exceptional balance between internal and external lubricity, as well as release properties.
Also Glycolube esters (ranging from glycerol monostearates and oleates to pentaerythritol tetra-stearate) as internal lubricants and mold-release agents. (See also Lubricants and Processing Aids.)
MALLINCKRODT SPECIALTY CHEMICALS
High-purity metallic stearates for use as internal/external lubricants include:
* Hy Dense calcium stearate HP granular and RSN powder for rigid PVC pipe and siding lubrication.
* Calcium stearate RSN 248D for clean neutralization of residual catalysts in polyolefins.
* Magnesium stearate RSN 1-1 for lubricating all ABS resins.
* Zinc stearate RSN 131 HS for superior clarity/color stability in crystal PS.
* Hy Dense zinc stearate XM powder for low viscosity and good mold release in polyester SMC and BMC.
* Hy Dense zinc ultrafine as a dispersion and for color concentrates.
GEORGE MANN & CO.
Aqualease 2802 water-based external mold release for polyurethanes reportedly eliminates break-in problems common to water-based release agents. A proprietary emulsion eliminates sticking problems, which can happen during the first few cycles because of urethane build-up on mold surface. The need to season molds with silicone greases or other substances is eliminated, resulting in faster start-ups.
Ease Release 200 and 300 are topical release agents for urethane and epoxy casting and molding. Permalease 3000 and 3500 are semi-permanent coatings for rubber, polyester, and epoxy composites. Permalease 2264 is for urethane HR foam and urethane elastomers where nontransfer and multiple release is needed.
A. MARGOLIS & SONS CORP.
Offers silicone mold releases.
MERECO PRODUCTS DIV. METACHEM RESINS CORP.
Metapart 7521 (silicone) and Metapart 7582 (fluorocarbon) external mold-release lubricants available in bulk packaging.
MERIX CHEMICAL CO.
Mold-Ease PCR liquid external release agent can be used in very small amounts (0.01-0.05%). It is said to be nonflammable, odor- and color-free and to contain no silicones, so that products can be painted, printed, or metallized without costly wash-up.
M. MICHEL AND CO., INC.
Cachalot plastics additive S-53T3 higher-alcohol-based extrusion, casting, and calendering aid primarily for flexible PVC prevents plastic from sticking to molds and dies.
Michel XO-24 integral processing additive for use in resins such as linear polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride. Components are FDA-approved for food-contact applications and can be used as a release agent inherent in its functions as an antistatic agent Michel XO-24 improves mold release and de-staticizes without significantly reducing surface resistance of molded or cast resin.
PARK CHEMICAL CO.
External release agents for polyurethane molding include conventional solvent-based and water-based agents for flexible, semi-rigid, rigid, integral skin, pour-in-place, microcellular, and RIM foams. Custom-designed products for specialty applications include automotive modular glass, steering wheels and interior trim.
PENRECO DIV. PENNZOIL PRODUCTS CO.
White mineral oils and petrolatums as external or internal mold releases. All USP and NF grades meet FDA regulations for food-contact use.
PETROLITE CORP. POLYMERS DIV.
Microcrystalline waxes and synthetic polymers as lubricants, mold-release agents, dispersing aids in color concentrates, nucleating agents (EPS), and antiblocks (PP film) for thermoplastic resins. Microcrystalline waxes derived from petroleum are high-molecular-weight mixtures of straight and branched-chain hydrocarbons with melting points from 170 to 200 F. Many suitable for food contact.
Polywax PE waxes are low-molecular-weight, high-density, crystalline polymers. Melting points range from 185 to 260 F. Many meet FDA requirements and are used to improve EPS appearance, and to optimize cost/performance of rigid PVC pipe. Zylac lubricants for rigid PVC lower the cost/linear ft of pipe and profile extrusions.
Vybar polymers are low-melting (125-165 F) hydrocarbons used as modifiers for paraffin wax, mold-release agents, and lubricants in rigid PVC.
Zylac polymers available for improving impact in hom*opolymer PP, dispersing organic pigments in PP and PE; and as lubricants and processing aids for HDPE and LLDPE.
PLASTIC PROCESS EQUIPMENT, INC.
Food-grade mold-release agents include silicone, paintable, Hi-Line for styrenes, Vydax, zinc stearate, Teflon, lecithin, and carnauba wax.
Aerosolv aerosol-can recycling system allows disposing used cans as non-hazardous scrap steel. (See ad p. 337.)
POLYVEL INC.
Specialty additive concentrates in powder or pellet form include:
* RZ40 for nylons, ABS and PS reportedly develops excellent mold-release properties and lubrication at use levels of 0.5-1.0%
* RE40 for PP, PE and EVA reportedly reduces mold sticking and improves part release at use levels of 0.5-1.0%.
PRICE-DRISCOLL CORP.
Aerosol mold releases include Bomb-Lube Yellow Label universal multipurpose release; and Bomb-Lube Blue Label paintable, multipurpose release. Urethane, epoxy and polyester Parafilm releases offer a blend of active ingredients, which create a "parting film" for good release. Anti-Stik release is FDA-approved for primary and secondary food contact.
Products are nonflammable, nontoxic, noncombustible, and non-CFC. They contain no chlorinated solvents, are competitively priced, and comply with EPA regulations for elimination of ozone-depleting substances. Available as Ultra 1 line in 18-oz cans, Encore series in 12-oz cans, or in economical 50-lb cylinders.
PROGRESSIVE POLYMERS
Internal mold-release concentrates in a variety of thermoplastic and engineering resin carriers. Can include other additives. Custom concentrates simplify handling and eliminate multiple weigh-up errors.
ROGER A. REED INC.
Offers synthetic wax internal lubricants and mold releases.
REEDSPECTRUM DIV. SANDOZ CHEMICALS CORP.
Custom-formulated mold-release concentrates for thermoplastics. Multifunctional concentrates contain mold releases and colorants. Come in powdered or pellet form.
RHONE-POULENC INC.
Alkalube glyceryl, simple, and complete esters function as internal, external, or intermediate lubricants and flow modifiers for rigid PVC, polycarbonates, phenolics, acrylics, and nylons.
SHERWIN-WILLIAMS CO. SPRAYON/KRYLON SPECIALTY DIV.
Two lines of mold-release agents in non-ozone, depleting formulations contain no CFCs or HCFCs. Premium 800 series and Economy 300 series are safe on most plastics, have low or no odor, and are fast-evaporating for less mess and no residue. Products include food-grade silicone, heavy-duty paintable, dry film Vydax, dry powder zinc stearate, paintable lecithin, urethane and styrene silicone, and heavy-duty silicone formulas. USDA- and FDA-approved.
SLIDE PRODUCTS INC.
Releases in a variety of formulations, all of which are 100%-free of ozone depleting chemicals.
Light-, medium- and heavy-duty formulations include E/S environmentally-safe water-based releases, economical Econo-Spray releases, silicone and non-silicone releases, releases for medical products, food-approved releases, and releases for post decoration.
Products come in aerosol and bulk formulations.
SPECIALTY PRODUCTS CO.
Line of external mold-release agents and lubricants for reinforced-plastics. Internal release/lubricant processing aids for layup, SMC, BMC and pultrusion eliminate need for costly application prior to molding. Also semi-permanent releases and mold sealers for RTM, filament winding and press molding.
KantStik products provide total release systems for most applications. KantStik Sealer for elimination of mold porosity on any mold surface can be used with KantStik SPC or KantStik 94 for multiple releases with no transfer.
STONER, INC.
External mold-release agents meet UL and FDA requirements. Non-silicone and paintable release agents also available. Products packaged in ozone-friendly aerosols and bulk liquid containers.
SYNAIR CORP.
Line of release agents prevents adhesion in casting and molding. Synlube 531, 1000, 449 and 1711 products range from wax-based to silicone-based.
SYNTHETIC PRODUCTS CO., DIV. OF COOKSON SPECIALITY ADDITIVES
Synpro metallic stearate lubricants include Synpro calcium stearate 15F and Synpro-Flo 92 for flexible and rigid PVC, which are easily dispersed, low-dusting, high-bulk and granular; and Synpro calcium stearate 114-36, 114-40, and Synpro zinc stearate for HDPE, LLDPE and PP. (See also Lubricants and Processing Aids.)
THERMOFIL, INC.
Thermolube processing-aid concentrates for use with all thermoplastics. Advantages reportedly include faster cycle times, better mold release, lower energy consumption due to lower stock temperatures, and cycle-time reductions of over 10%.
THRIFT PRODUCTS DIV., IMS CO.
Silicone and paintable external mold releases in aerosol cans comply with EPA ozone-depletion standards.
TIODIZE CO., INC.
Tiolon X20 PTFE external mold-release agent and lubricant for injection molding. Dries in minutes and increases service life with no transfer or build-up. It is translucent with a very thin film thickness of 0.0002 to 0.0007 in. and resistant to fluids, chemicals, abrasion, and corrosion. Product can also be used to lubricate anodized aluminum by impregnating the oxide layer, which reportedly extends wear life and provides excellent release characteristics. Supplied in aerosol or bulk form.
UNION CARBIDE CHEMICALS & PLASTICS CO.
Silicone fluids in a range of viscosities, plus organomodified fluids. Both are used as internal lubricants and mold releases for thermoplastics. Typical product is L-45 used at viscosities of 10,000 to 60,000 cst.
Silicone fluids reduce coefficient of friction, improve wear resistance, and may improve surface appearance and gloss of molded parts. Also provide lower melt viscosity, resulting in better mold fill-out and reduced cycle times in injection molding. Reported to be excellent internal mold releases, reducing or eliminating need for externally applied mold-release agents.
WACKER SILICONES CORP.
Range of silicone external release agents provide defect-free surfaces for better quality and low rejection rates. Features include temperature stability, low surface tension, and uniform wetting on a variety of mold surfaces. Products said to provide multiple releases and excellent shelf life. (See also Lubricants and Processing Aids.)
WILSON COLOR INC. A UNIT OF M.A. HANNA CO.
Silicone concentrates in 15-20% loadings for use with ABS, acetal, nylon 6, 66, and 612, polycarbonate, PBT polyester, PP, PE, PS and SAN.
Also Wil-Lube concentrates of stearates or other lubricants in a multipurpose resin compatible with a variety of thermoplastics, including vinyls, polyolefins, styrenics, acrylics, cellulosics, polyesters and nylons. They are nonstaining, noncorrosive, and low in volatility. (See ad p. 405.)
WITCO CORP. POLYMER ADDITIVES GROUP
Internal mold-release additives include:
* Kemamide E, S, B and U primary fatty amides for PE, PP, PS, PVC, PU and elastomers as mold-release, slip and antiblocking agents.
* Hystrene fatty acids recommended as mold-release agents and lubricants in PS.
* Atmos 150, Atmul 84 and Dimul S food-grade, mold-release, antistatic and antifogging agents for polyolefins and PVC.
* MoldPro internal mold-release agents and processing aids for polyolefins, engineering resins and elastomers.
ZENITH CUTTER CO.
Chemical release agents for uses ranging from light-duty to heavy-duty. Bulk quantities available for some products.
ZlP-CHEM PRODUCTS
Environmentally driven products offered to meet high-tech specifications for markets such as pharmaceuticals, electronics, and aerospace. Products available with FDA and UL ratings. Specializes in environmentally safe maintenance products developed to maximize productivity and life of molds. Mold-release agents, cleaners and corrosion preventatives available from local stacking distributors nationwide.
Plasticizers
PRODUCT LINES REVIEWED
ADVANCE COATINGS CO.
Offers N-butyl benzenesulfamide for nylon resins.
AKZO NOBEL INC.
Nonhalogenated phosphate esters known as Phosflex flame-retardant plasticizers include isopropylated triaryl phosphates, alkyl diphenyl phosphates, t-butyl triaryl phosphates, natural triaryl phosphates, and specialty products.
ALBRIGHT & WILSON AMERICAS
Phosphate ester plasticizers compatible with a wide variety of resins and polymers include triaryl and trialkyl phosphates (2-ethylhexyl, octyl, and butyl and 2-butoxyethyl derivatives).
AMERICAN CHEMICAL SERVICE
Epoxidized vegetable oil plasticizers include Epoxol 9-5, epoxidized linseed oil; Epoxol 7-4, epoxidized soybean oil; and Epoxol 8-2B, epoxidized butyl ester of linseed. FDA-sanctioned.
ANDERSON DEVELOPMENT CO.
TGD plasticizer for urethanes is stable in polyether and polyester urethane elastomers at levels up to 20%. Lowers hardness of polyurethanes, and at low levels reduces the viscosity of prepolymers.
ARISTECH CHEMICAL CO.
Phthalate, adipate, trimellitate, and maleate plasticizers include:
* PX 139 di-isononyl phthalate (DINP) for g-p PVC.
* PX 138 di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DOP) for g-p PVC.
* PX 104 dibutyl phthalate for specialty applications where quick solvency is desired.
* PX 914 butyl octyl phthalate for g-p PVC.
* PX 120 di-isodecyl phthalate (DIDP) for higher temperature applications such as electrical wire insulation.
* PX 126 di-tridecyl phthalate for extremely high-temperature PVC processing.
* PX 239 di-isononyl adipate for low-temperature vinyl food wrap.
* PX 238 di-2-ethylhexyl adipate (DOA) for g-p low-temperature processing of vinyl film for food applications.
* PX 316 mixed n-alkyl 6-10 phthalate for superior performance in low-temperature processing of vinyl.
* PX 336 and PX 338 trimellitates for extremely high-temperature vinyl applications such as wire and cable.
* PX 504 and PX 538 maleates for coatings.
BASF CORP., CHEMICALS DIV.
Adipate, trimellitate, and phthalate plasticizers include octyl, nonyl and decyl phthalates, octyl and nonyl adipates, TOTM, several proprietary products (Palatinol 91P), and fast-fusing dialkyl phthalates (Palatinol FF21 and FF31). DBP and DOM also produced.
A linear C9 phthalate plasticizer, Palatinol 711, provides lower volatility and fogging in automotive vinyls and could be useful in roofing membranes, pond liners, and wire and cable jacketing. (See ads pp. 459, 471, 478, 507.)
BAYER CORP.
Mesamoll plasticizer based on an alkyl sulfonic ester of a phenol is said to have excellent compatibility with PVC, resulting in flexible vinyls with good mechanical, thermal and electrical properties. Mesamoll and Mesamoll II lower-volatility versions also used in polyurethane caulk/sealant compounds where properties of low viscosity, hydrolysis resistance, extraction resistance, and good solvency are desired.
Baymod L EVA copolymers can be used as permanent plasticizers for PVC requiring improved extraction resistance and aging properties. Baymod L trial product, KL3-2418 is a high-vinyl-acetate content resin that acts as a highly permanent flexibilizer for PVC in such applications as automotive crash pads.
Unimoll 66M, a micronized powder version of dicyclohexyl phthalate, can be useful in improving the storage stability and fusing characteristics of low-temperature-fusing vinyl plastisols. Disflamoll phosphate esters are used to impart flame retardance and flexibility to plasticized vinyls. Products include a range of aryl, alkylaryl and alkyl esters. (See Insert pp. 551-574.)
CAMBRIDGE INDUSTRIES CO. OF AMERICA
Resoflex R-296, R-446, R-460, R-766, R-804 and R-446 resinous plasticizers for use with film-forming resins that are generally incompatible with other plasticizers. Also said to be compatible with nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate, nylon, certain grades of polyvinyl alcohol, and other natural and synthetic film-forming materials. Polyvinyl acetate is a primary application.
CASCHEM, INC.
Flexricin ricinoleate-based plasticizers include a low-temperature plasticizer for PVC plastisols and a grade for polyvinyl butyral.
Series of acetoxy stearates includes Paricin 8 for PVC plastisols, which boasts nonexudation, easy deaeration, and maintenance of low viscosity, and can partially replace polyester types in UL 105 C compounds.
Castor oil products offered for use in epoxy, phenolic and urethane systems.
CROWLEY CHEMICAL CO. INC.
Viplex plasticizers, low-cost aromatic hydrocarbons derived from petroleum and used primarily in vinyl plastisols and organosols where color is not a factor. Meet a variety of volatility standards. Colors range from tan to green to black.
Viplex 895, the most widely used of the series, provides high solvency and excellent gel. Viscosity of a plastisol using Viplex 895 is higher than with DOP alone, and much higher than one with dodecylbenzene. Replacement levels for phthalate plasticizer are 70% or more.
Viplex 885, a low-viscosity plasticizer/extender for epoxies, can be added at levels around 20% to resin or catalyst prior to combining. Sprayability is improved.
For urethanes, Viplex 525 and Viplex 885 are low-viscosity flexibilizer/extenders added to resins or polyols before combining to yield viscosity reductions, good wetting of pigment, fillers and glass, less pinholing, reduced exotherm, and improved moisture resistance.
Viplex 885 for polyester improves tensile strength and impact resistance, reduces mold shrinkage, and markedly reduces water absorption. (See ads pp. 394, 439.)
DOVER CHEMICAL CORP.
Extensive line of liquid chlorinated paraffins designed as secondary plasticizers for flexible PVC.
DUPONT CO.
Elvaloy resinous "permanent plasticizers" for PVC include grades suitable for impact modification. Products have an extremely high molecular weight (250,000), which is said to make PVC compounds more durable. Reportedly have near zero extraction and essentially zero volatility, migration, and exudation, and provide heat and oil resistance. Have been used commercially for calendered, extruded and injection molded products. Applications include footwear, office chair mats, pond liners, single-ply roofing, automotive interior applications, upholstery, wire and cable insulation, floor tile, hose and tubing. Available as free-flowing pellets and in powder form.
EASTMAN CHEMICAL CO.
Kodaflex plasticizers for PVC include phthalates as well as adipates and trimellitates. Unique in the line is Kodaflex DOTP, dioctyl terephthalate, offered as a replacement for DOP and similar plasticizers in applications requiring improved durability, good electrical properties and improved automotive fogging resistance. Product allows use of PVC in contact with furniture finishes, because it has little tendency to migrate and soften nitrocellulose lacquers.
Other Kodaflex grades include TXIB for applications requiring low plastisol viscosity and PA-5, which promotes adhesion to metal. (See ads pp. 386, 583.)
ELF ATOCHEM NORTH AMERICA INC. VIKING PRODUCTS DIV.
Vikoflex 7170 epoxidized soybean oil and Vikoflex 7190 epoxidized linseed oil are high-oxirane, FDA-sanctioned products that reportedly combine optimum heat and light-stabilizing action with true polymeric plasticizer performance. Low odor, low migration, and resistance to extraction reportedly make them suitable for all flexible, semi-rigid and rigid PVC compounds. Vikoflex 7190 recommended for food-contact and medical applications where very little or no metallic stabilizer is used.
Also Vikoflex 4050 low-temperature epoxy ester plasticizer and low-viscosity esters of epoxidized soybean and linseed acids. (See ad p. 6.)
EXXON CHEMICAL CO.
Jayflex plasticizers, used alone and in combination as custom blends, include: linear and branched phthalates such as dihexyl (DHP), diisoheptyl (77), diisononyl (DINP), diisodecyl (DIDP), ditridecyl (DTDP), diundecyl (DUP), diheptyl nonyl undecyl (7911), dinonyl undecyl (911) and diundecyl (DUP); trimellitates such as triisononyl (TINTM); and adipates, extenders and specialty plasticizers.
Linear C9 phthalate plasticizer, Jayflex L9P, provides lower volatility and fogging in automotive vinyls and could be useful in roofing membranes, pond liners, and wire and cable jacketing.
FERRO CORP. BEDFORD CHEMICAL DIV.
Plas-Chek 775 epoxidized soybean oil for use as a secondary plasticizer and secondary heat stabilizer in flexible PVC. Sanctioned for use in FDA applications such as food-wrap film. (See ad p. 402.)
FOCUS CHEMICAL CORP.
Ortho/para toluene sulfonamide and dioctyl sebacate plasticizers.
C.P. HALL CO.
Monomeric and polymeric plasticizers suited for many polymer applications. Can provide a wide range of desired properties by utilizing a range of acids (such as adipic, azelaic, glutaric, phthalic, and sebacic) in combination with a variety of alcohols or glycols.
Polymeric plasticizers, with molecular weights of 800 to 8000 and viscosities from 1200 to 160,000 cps, can impart low-temperature flexibility and resistance to extraction by water, oil and solvents. Monomeric products range from standard phthalates to proprietary special-purpose materials.
Epoxidized soybean oil, Paraplex G-25, G-60 and Plasthall ESO, as well as epoxidized tallates and dioleate, available as stabilizers/plasticizers for PVC and other halogenated polymers. Materials offer resistance to light and heat, and impart minimal odor and taste.
HARWlCK CHEMICAL CORP.
Plasticizers include phthalates, adipates, sebacates, chlorinated paraffins and proprietary diesters for PVC or acrylonitrile-based resins.
HATCO CORP.
Plasticizers for PVC meet requirements for high purity, high ester content, low color, odor and taste, superior stability, and high uniformity. Products include numerous phthalates, adipates, trimellitates and sebacates.
HENKEL CORP.
Distributes Edenol epoxy plasticizers and specialty plasticizers from Henkel in Germany. Edenol is useful as a flexibilizing agent and heat stabilizer in flexible PVC.
Emery Group offers Plastolein low-temperature plasticizers to solve cold-weather flexibility problems, polymeric plasticizers to impart permanence and durability, and epoxy plasticizers for stability against light and heat.
HERCULES INC.
Hercorex 707 proprietary monomeric-type plasticizer recommended for flexible vinyl applications requiring high-temperature performance and good processability. Hercoflex 600 is a pale, high-boiling liquid with extremely low volatility and reportedly excellent resistance to heat, light, and moisture. Product exhibits good electrical characteristics and recommended for use wherever high performance after extended aging is required.
HOECHST CELANESE CORP.
Offers Uresin B carbamate resin for plasticizing PVC and other plastic films. (See ads pp. 454, 475, 491, 507, 576, 579, 641.)
HULS AMERICA, INC.
Plasticizers for PVC include:
* General-purpose phthalates (DOP, DIDP, DTDP) and proprietary blends.
* Specialty low-temperature types (DOA, DIDA and a proprietary type, Nuoplaz 6934) and trimellitates (TOTM).
* Nonstaining products for flooring, dip coating, low shrinkage, and metal adhesion.
ICC CHEMICALS CORP.
Markets Oxypar SA's diisononyl phthalate (DINP) and diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP) plasticizers.
INOLEX CHEMICAL CO.
Mono, di, tri, and tetra esters, as well as polymeric plasticizers. Lexolube line used in vinyl, polyurethanes, thermoplastic elastomers, and other plastics. Also high-performance products on a proprietary basis.
KENRICH PETROCHEMICALS INC.
Low-cost, proprietary plasticizers include aromatic hydrocarbons compatible with PVC, rubber, acrylonitrile, and SAN.
Kenplast G, a low-viscosity mixture of alkylated naphthalenes and phenanthrenes, is an extender for epoxies, a secondary plasticizer for PVC and an excellent compatibilizer for PVC/vinyl acetate combinations. When used in place of DOP, Kenplast G reportedly is more solvating than ester-type plasticizers, thus contributing to build in plastisols, as well as enhancing elongation.
Kenflex resins are derived from formaldehyde condensation of aromatic hydrocarbons. These nonvolatile, very high-flash-point solids reportedly impart in-process flexibility at elevated temperatures without detracting from the finished product's properties once it has been cooled. Kenflex resins available in a variety of solvent and compounded forms for specific uses such as compatibilization of rubbers and plastics, and enhancing of mold release of hard-to-handle materials.
Another line of plasticizers is derived from cumyl phenol and available as either glycidylether or acetate for use as a reactive diluent and flexibilizer for epoxies, PVC, and urethanes. Higher temperature forms, such as the benzoate (Kenplast ESB), are useful in extrusion of PVC, urethane RIM, and in processing nylons. Cumyl phenyl benzyl ether is said to be an effective processing aid for extrusion of styrenics, SAN, polysulfones and phenylene oxide-based resins, as well as a compatibilizer for elastomers in PS, nylon, polyester and ABS.
MONSANTO CO.
Specialty plasticizers for use in PVC and other resins. Benzyl phthalate types include Santicizer 160 (butyl benzyl), Santicizer 261 (C 7-9 alkyl benzyl), and Santicizer 278 (C 12 alkyl benzyl). All benzyl phthalates reportedly offer outstanding compatibility with a variety of resins.
Also adipates (DOA and linear types) and a variety of phosphate ester plasticizers. (See also Flame Retardants.)
MORFLEX INC.
Citric acid ester plasticizers as a replacement for Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) in PVC for medical device applications. Products exhibit a low order of toxicity and provide good processing properties with PVC and other polymers. Citroflex A-6, Citroflex B-6, and ATBC, PG have Drug Master Files and are manufactured under Current Good Manufacturing Practice (CGMP) conditions. Citroflex B-6 does not induce hepatic peroxisome proliferation and all three can be formulated to provide gamma stable compounds.
MORTON INTERNATIONAL, INC.
TP-95 highly compatible plasticizing agent designed to impart maximum low-temperature flexibility to elastomers, including urethane. TP-759 mixed ether/ester-type plasticizing agent exhibits low volatility and retains plasticizing action after heat aging. TP-90B highly compatible plasticizer designed to give maximum low-temperature flexibility to various elastomers.
OXYPAR SA
See ICC Chemicals Corp.
PENRECO DIV. PENNZOIL PRODUCTS CO.
White mineral oil in a range of viscosities as a plasticizer for PS. Products are high-distillation, low-volatility Drakeol 34, White Mineral Oil, USP and Drakeol Supreme. All USP and NF grades of white oil meet FDA regulations on food contact. Also can be used as internal lubricants, dispersing agents, catalyst carriers, and mold-release agents.
PERMUTHANE COATINGS MEMBER OF THE ICI GROUP
KPL-10-308 high-molecular-weight polymeric plasticizer has a moderately high viscosity and is said to have excellent resistance to extraction by detergent, oil, gasoline, and soapy water. Also good electrical properties.
RHONE-POULENC INC.
NP-10, NP-25, CB-4-34, X-743 and aromatic oil 745 plasticizers are aromatic, chemically inert, and nonsaponifiable. Reportedly exhibit low reactivity and resistance to alkalis, acids and moisture. NP-10, NP-25, CB4-34 and LX-1235 plasticizers are viscous materials with Ring and Ball softening points of 50 F, 77 F, 82 F, and 91 F, respectively. X-743 and aromatic oil 745 are dark-colored, medium-viscosity plasticizing oils.
SEEGOTT INC.
Several castor oil products for use in epoxy, phenolic and urethane systems.
STANCHEM A BUSINESS UNIT OF MCI, INC.
Staniciser plasticizers for use in PVC, as well as DOP, DOA and epoxidized soy bean oils as secondary plasticizers.
STEPAN CO.
Kessco fatty acid derivatives usable as plasticizers include n-butylstearate, butoxyethyl stearate, and glycerol mono-oleate, all of which are compatible with PS; diethylene glycol distearate, isopropyl myristate, and isopropyl palmitate, which are generally compatible with cellulose nitrate and ethyl cellulose; oleic and lauric acid esters, compatible with PVC; and PEG400 dilaurate, which may be used with PVC and PVC/vinyl acetate copolymers.
UNION CAMP CORP.
Line includes polymeric plasticizers with a wide range of molecular weights, dioctyl adipate (DOA), dioctyl and dibutyl sebacates, trimellitates, and dicapryl phthalate, a product said to be similar to DOP but offering improved viscosity stability in plastisols.
UNION CARBIDE CHEMICALS & PLASTICS CO.
Solvents and Coatings Materials Div. supplies Flexol epoxy plasticizers: EPO (epoxidized soybean oil), EP-8 (octyl epoxy ester), and LOE (epoxidized linseed oil).
Specialty Chemicals Div. offers Flexol 4GO, a secondary PVC plasticizer (glycol ester type) that imparts low-temperature flexibility and viscosity stability to plastisols.
UNITEX CHEMICAL CORP.
Offers benzoate, adipate, phthalate, citrate, maleate, fumarate, trimellitate and sebacate esters; benzene and toluene suffonamides; and other specialty plasticizers.
VELSICOL CHEMICAL CORP.
Benzoflex benzoic acid esters for PVC include Benzoflex 9-88 dipropylene glycol dibenzoate, Benzoflex 2-45 diethylene glycol dibenzoate, Benzoflex 50 - a blend of 9-88 and Benzoflex 2-45, and Benzoflex 284 propylene glycol dibenzoate. These high-solvating plasticizers provide low fusion temperatures, improved stain resistance, good stability, relatively low volatility, good oil and solvent extraction resistance.
Benzoflex 9-88 SG special grade is for low durometer polyurethane rolls used in graphic arts.
Benzoflex P-200, low in volatility, used in vinyl and phenol-formaldehyde resins.
Benzoflex 400 polypropylene glycol dibenzoate used in flexible PVC, acrylics, nitrite rubber, polysulphides and polyvinyl acetate.
Benzoflex 131, isodecyl benzoate, low viscosity, moderate volatility plasticizer used in plastisols for good solvating and low high-shear viscosities.
Benzoflex 354 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-petanediol dibenzoate low stain type plasticizer used in plastisol silk screen inks for exceptional dye migration.
Benzoflex S-312, S-404, S-552 and 352 solid benzoate esters useful as process aids for engineering plastics.
WITCO CORP. GOLDEN BEAR PRODUCTS
Aromatic and naphthenic types of petroleum hydrocarbon oils for use as secondary plasticizers for vinyl compounds.
WITCO CORP. PETROLEUM SPECIALITIES GROUP
Sonneborn line of fully refined white mineral oils, petrolatums, and microcrystalline waxes. White mineral oils in a range of viscosities include custom-tailored high-viscosity, low-volatility plastic oils designed to meet manufacturing requirements of PS, PP and PE resin producers. Low volatility and low vapor pressure enable them to "stay put" in plastic. Aids in passing HACKE FOG test.
Also used as external and internal lubricants, catalyst carriers, pigment dispersing agents, and mold-release agents in PVC, PP, PE, vinyl acetate and PVC foam.
WITCO CORP. POLYMER ADDITIVES GROUP
Drapex plasticizers include epoxidized types and polymerics. Epoxidized oils and esters include Drapex 4.4 (octyl epoxy tallate), Drapex 6.8 (epoxidized soybean oil), and Drapex 10.4 (epoxidized linseed oil). Drapex 4.4 said to impart excellent low-temperature flexibility to PVC. Used in plastisols and organosols, it offers low viscosity and solvating action. Drapex 6.8 and 10.4 epoxies, resistant to extraction and migration, are FDA-regulated for food-packaging use.
Drapex P-7 polymeric plasticizer has good migration resistance, high-humidity compatibility, and reportedly excellent dielectric strength and nonfogging characteristics. Provides flexibility, permanence and heat stability. Suited for electrical tape and refrigerator gaskets, wall coverings and automotive interiors.
Antioxidants
PRODUCT LINES REVIEWED
ACCURATE COLOR INC.
Primary and secondary antioxidant concentrates for most thermoplastics.
ACETO CORP.
Polyphenols for plastics and rubber.
AKROCHEM CORP.
Antioxidants include hindered phenols, mercapto-benzimidazoles, dihydroquinoline, butylated paracresol, amines, and unsaturated acetals.
ALBEMARLE CORP.
Ethanox 702 sterically hindered diphenolic reportedly provides excellent temperature stability in thermoplastics. A crystalline powder that melts at 309 F, it is FDA-approved for food-contact use in several substrates.
Ethanox 330 high-performance premium phenolic is non-coloring, extraction resistant, and FDA approved. A crystalline powder, it melts at 471 F and is essentially biologically inert.
Ethanox 398 is a unique non-hygroscopic, hydrolytically stable fluorophosphonite secondary antioxidant. (See ads pp. 419, 441; data sheets pp. 448-449.)
ALBRIGHT & WILSON AMERICAS
Trialkyl and dialkyl hydrogen phosphites are heat, light, and color stabilizers in polymers. Most popular are tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphite, triisopropylphosphite, trimethylphosphite, and bis (2-ethylhexl) hydrogen phosphite. Offer high solvency, slow oxidation, low volatility, and ability to combine with metal halides. Are useful either alone or as part of a stabilizer system in acrylonitrile, polyolefins, polystyrene, ethyl cellulose, PVC, and alkyds.
ALLIED COLOR INDUSTRIES, INC.
Standard and custom formulations of antioxidants in pelletized concentrates for thermoplastics.
ALLIED PRODUCTS CORP.
See Coz Corp.
AMERICHEM INC.
Concentrates contain antioxidants, uv absorbers, and other stabilizers. Available for almost all thermoplastics in cubes, pellets, and powders. Can contain stabilizer alone or with color and/or other additives as required. (See ad p. 397.)
AMETEK WESTCHESTER PLASTICS DIV.
Supplies special concentrates of uv stabilizers, antioxidants and antistatic agents.
CAROLINA COLOR CORP.
Custom formulations of antioxidants and metal deactivators in concentrates for most thermoplastics. Can be compounded with other additives as specified.
CHROMA CORP
Short-run, custom orders (25 lb to truckload) of pellet antioxidant concentrates.
CIBA-GEIGY CORP., ADDITIVES DIV.
Irganox high-molecular-weight hindered phenolics provide long-term oxidative and thermal stability. Irganox 1010 and 1076 have good compatibility with polyolefins and styrenics and are FDA-regulated. Irganox MD-1024 is a metal deactivator and all-purpose antioxidant. Irganox 1035, 1010 and MD-1024 are for wire and cable.
Irganox B-225 and B-215 are low-volatility, heat- and hydrolysis-resistant additive blends that reportedly offer excellent processing and long-term stability in polyolefins.
COZ CORP. SUB. OF ALLIED PRODUCTS CORP.
Concentrates contain antioxidants, heat and light stabilizers, and lubricants in PS, polyolefins, and most other thermoplastics.
CYTEC INDUSTRIES INC.
Primary phenolic antioxidants include Cyanox 425 and 2246 for polyolefins and styrenics. Cyanox 1790 high-performance phenolic is said to offer excellent activity at one-half to one-third typical loadings for other primary phenolics. It reportedly offers excellent gas-fade resistance, melt stabilization, and low hot-water extractability.
Cyanox 2777 high-performance phenolic/phosphite blend is based on Cyanox 1790 and hydrolysis-resistant tris (2,4-di-t-butylphenyl) phosphite.
Secondary thioester antioxidants, such as Cyanox LTDP, STDP, MTDP, 1212, and Cyanox 711 liquid, synergize with primary phenolics for in-service stabilization of polyolefins and other polymers.
DOVER CHEMICAL CORP.
Line of organophosphites are heat stabilizers in PVC, ABS, and polyolefins. They also improve color stability in polyesters, polyurethanes, and alkyds.
EASTMAN CHEMICAL CO.
Hydroquinone derivatives are antioxidants for polyether polyols. Eastman Inhibitor OABH is a copper deactivator for polyolefins, especially in wire insulation. Tenox TBHQ and Tenox BHA are food-grade antioxidants for PE packaging. (See ads pp. 386, 583.)
EVANS CHEMETICS HAMPSHIRE CHEMICAL CORP.
Evanstab thioester antioxidants for polyolefins, ABS, and other polymers are generally used with phenolic antioxidants for improved color stability, extended product life, improved melt stability, and reduced color formation during compounding. Products include dilauryl thiodipropionate, distearyl thiodipropionate, dimyristyl thiodipropionate, and ditridecyl thiodipropionate. Dilauryl and distearyl esters are FDA-approved for food packaging.
FAIRMOUNT CHEMICAL CO., INC.
Mixxim AO-20 and AO-30 high-molecular-weight hindered phenolic antioxidants provide processing and in-use thermal stability and color stability to plastics and elastomers.
Mixxim CD-12 metal deactivator retards degradation of polyolefin wire and cable. Also reduces extruder corrosion by halogenated flame-retardant polymers.
FERRO CORP., LIQUID COLORANTS & DISPERSIONS DIV.
Liquid antioxidant/slip/antiblock concentrate for reprocessing film scrap contains over 85% active ingredients. (See ad p. 402.)
GE SPECIALTY CHEMICALS
Weston polymer additives include various liquid and solid organic phosphites that function as hydroperoxide decomposers, metal-complexing agents, and antioxidants. When used with primary antioxidants, phosphites offer increased resistance to heat and light. Weston 619 distearyl pentaerythritol diphosphite reduces discoloration in polyolefins and improves molecular-weight control.
Ultranox 626 and 627A pentaerythritol diphosphites are high-performance secondary antioxidants. They offer cost-effective, optimum processing stability (color and melt flow) and gas-fade resistance to polyolefins, HIPS, ABS, PET, and other polymers.
Weston 619, Ultranox 626 and 627A have broad regulatory approval in PP, PE, PVC, and polycarbonate for food packaging. Weston TPP (triphenyl phosphite) is used primarily in PVC and epoxies. Weston TNPP (tris nonylphenyl phosphite) improves processing and properties in many polymers and has broad regulatory approval for food packaging.
Ultranox 200 series of phenolics includes Ultranox 276 high-molecular-weight hindered phenol.
Standard blends of phosphite and phenolic antioxidants available, as well as custom phosphite/phenolic/neutralizer blends, are easy-handling, one-pack systems.
THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER CO.
Non-staining, non-discoloring Wingstay phenolic antioxidants provide long-term protection against aging and degradation during storage. Suitable for food-contact applications. Wingstay amine antioxidant/antiozanants provide low volatility and resistance to side reactions. Products include ones for high-temperature applications and resistance to weather and high ozone levels.
GREAT LAKES CHEMICAL CORP.
Offers phenolic and organophosphite antioxidants.
HARWlCK CHEMICAL CORP.
Offers antioxidants and metal deactivators in plasticizer and PVC resin concentrates.
HIMONT U.S.A., INC.
Xantrix ADS (additive delivery system) concentrates incorporate loadings up to 25% by weight of liquid or low-melting additives into polyolefins while remaining dry and flee-flowing. Based on reactor technology, these concentrates undergo minimal heat history during manufacture, resulting in a product that disperses uniformly even at high letdowns. Custom formulations may contain one or more additives of all types.
HITECH POLYMERS INC.
Pelletized concentrates of antioxidants, pigments, and other additives for elastomers and engineering thermoplastics are custom-made to specification.
HOECHST CELANESE CORP.
Offers Hostanox SE 10 sulfur-containing costabilizer, Hostanox 03 phenolic, Hostanox OSP 1 metal deactivator, and Hostanox PAR 24 phosphite. (See ads pp. 454, 475, 491, 507, 576, 579, 641.)
HOFFMANN-LAROCHE INC.
Ronotec high-performance primary phenolic antioxidants and proprietary formulations are designed for specific end uses. Ronotec 202 liquid USP alphatocopherol (vitamin E) provides good processing and color stability. Safe and acceptable for food contact.
Ronotec 201 technical-grade vitamin E offers a cost-effective method to stabilize polyolefins, polyols, TPEs, and unsaturated polyesters. Exceptional thermal stability alleviates volatility problems and cuts down on gel formation in films and coatings. Eliminates taste and odor problems.
Ronotec OP-120 liquid tocopherol-based formulation provides color stability and superior melt-flow control. It's phosphite-free and eliminates hydrolytic instability and black specks. (See ad p. 764.)
KENRICH PETROCHEMICALS INC.
Titanate coupling agents provide antioxidant metal deactivation. Reported to be highly dispersible and about 25 times more efficient than products such as alkyl triaryl phosphites.
MAYZO, INC.
Manufactures and imports hindered phenolic antioxidants.
MONSANTO CO., CHEMICAL GROUP
Phenolic antioxidants include Santonox and Santonox R for PE and other plastics; and Santowhite Powder for PP, PE, nylon molding powders, and other polymers.
MORTON INTERNATIONAL, INC. MORTON PERFORMANCE CHEMICALS
Carstab thioester synergists for PP, HDPE, and ABS. Carstab DLTDP (dilauryl thiodipropionate) and DSTDP (distearyl thiodipropionate) provide highest performance when combined synergistically with hindered phenolics to retard color formation and embrittlement during processing or long-term heat aging. FDA-approved for food wraps and containers.
PATCO POLYMER ADDITIVES DIV. AMERICAN INGREDIENTS CO.
Lactate-based neutralizers are for use with all common antioxidant systems in polyolefins. Pationic 1230, 1240, 1250, 930, and 940 provide effective neutralization of residual metal catalysts. They improve color, water carry-over, and gas-fade properties.
PMC SPECIALTIES GROUP DIV. PMC INC.
Hindered phenolic and other antioxidants include:
* CAO-3, food-grade BHT. Can be used for technical-grade applications.
* CAO-5 (antioxidant 2246), a tert-butylphenol.
* CAO-14 polymer-grade, ultra-high-quality CAO-5.
* Prodox-500 butylated hydroxy ethyl benzene (BHEB).
* Prodox-3114, tris-(di-tert-butyl hydroxy benzyl) isocyanurate.
* Prodox SCR tert-butyl-metacresol.
* Prodox 120 styrenated phenol.
* Prodox 1010, tetrakis (methylene di-tert-butyl-hydroxyhydrocinnamate) methane.
PMS CONSOLIDATED A UNIT OF M.A. HANNA CO.
Specialty additive concentrates, liquid or solid, with or without colorants available with antioxidants and other additives.
PROGRESSIVE POLYMERS, INC.
Antioxidant concentrates can include other additives and processing aids. Specialty is custom concentrates with various thermoplastic carrier resins.
QUANTUM CHEMICAL CORP.
Spectratech concentrates include antioxidants, colorants, and other additives.
REEDSPECTRUM DIV. SANDOZ CHEMICALS CORP.
Custom-formulated antioxidant concentrates for thermoplastics include multifunctional pellet concentrates of antioxidants and metal deactivators for olefin polymers. Colorants may be included.
RHONE-POULENC INC.
Phenolic antioxidants include a crystal form of DBPC (di-tert-butyl-paracresol) and BHT for use as an additive approved for food contact. Use levels range 0.01% to 0.2%.
SANDOZ CHEMICALS CORP.
Sandostab P-EPQ high-molecular-weight phosphonite is stable to 662 F and especially soluble and compatible in polyolefins with very low densities. Broadly FDA-approved with reportedly low migration, it synergizes with both sulfur and phenolic antioxidants, and is not deactivated by fillers. Especially suited to low-water-carryover applications and clarified polyolefins requiring long-term clarity retention. Used in all polyolefins, styrenics (PS, HIPS, and ABS), polycarbonate, polyester, and engineering thermoplastic blends.
In engineering thermoplastics and polyolefins, Sandostab P-EPQ reportedly maintains excellent retention of physical properties of recycled resins and extends uv stability. It also inhibits "burnout" of pigments and aids in dispersion.
H.W. SANDS CORP.
Tert-butyl hydroquinone antioxidant is used in nylon, PE, and PP.
SCHENECTADY CHEMICALS INC.
Isonox 129 high-performance hindered phenolic crystalline antioxidant provides process stability to polyolefins and styrenics. Has broad FDA approval for indirect food contact.
Isonox 132 low-cost, liquid hindered phenolic antioxidant is for stabilizing liquid polyols. Also effective in PVC.
A. SCHULMAN INC.
Polybatch antioxidant concentrates include different carriers and other additives as required.
STANDRIDGE COLOR CORP.
Custom-formulated antioxidant concentrates for nylon, PP, and polyester fibers are available as single dispersions or in combination with other additives or colorants.
SYNTHETIC PRODUCTS CO., DIV. OF COOKSON SPECIALTY ADDITIVES
Concentrated dispersions of all standard antioxidants come in a choice of compatible vehicles.
TEKNOR COLOR CO. SUB. OF TEKNOR APEX CO.
Custom-formulated antioxidant concentrates for commodity resins.
UNIROYAL CHEMICAL CO., INC.
Naugard antioxidants include hindered phenolics, aromatic mines, and phosphites. Phenolics include Naugard BHT, Naugard 76, and Naugard 10 for polyolefins, styrenics, etc.
Liquid phenolic antioxidants include Naugard 536 for use in emulsion polymerization such as of ABS. Naugard 529 FDA-regulated liquid is for polyolefins. Naugard SP is an economical general-purpose antioxidant.
Naugard XL-1 high-molecular-weight phenolic antioxidant and metal deactivator is reported to be the only FDA-regulated product to provide both anti-oxidant and metal-deactivation stabilization.
Aromatic amines include Naugard Super Q for carbon-black systems such as wire and cable, and geomembranes. Naugard 445 is a white, non-staining secondary amine for ABS, polyolefins, nylon, and polyether polyols. Naugard SA is a high-temperature, high-performance stabilizer. Naugard HM11 and HM22 are phenolic/amine blends.
Phosphites include Naugard P and Wytox 312 general-purpose secondary antioxidants; Naugard 524 high-performance solid phosphite; and Naugard 492 phenolic/phosphite blend. (See ads pp. 391, 427.)
R.T. VANDERBILT CO. INC.
Vanox phenolic and aromatic-amine antioxidants are for PE, PP, nylon, and flexible urethane polyols. Vanox synergistic antioxidant systems improve high-temperature stability of filled PP compounds.
WILSON COLOR INC. A UNIT OF M.A. HANNA CO.
Antioxidant concentrates in pellets, chips, granules, and pulverized form for commodity and engineering thermoplastics. (See ad p. 405.)
WITCO CORP. POLYMER ADDITIVES GROUP
Phenolic, phenolic-phosphite, and alkyl and aryl phosphite antioxidants for polyolefins, ABS, and other polymers include general-purpose and FDA-regulated grades offering a range of cost/performance.
Metal deactivators are particularly effective in PP and PE.
ZENECA INC.
PTZ phenothiazine stabilizes unsaturated polyester, polyolefins, styrenics, PUR, and vinyls.
PVC Heat Stabilizers
PRODUCT LINES REVIEWED
ADELL PLASTICS, INC.
Heat-stabilizer concentrates on a custom and proprietary basis for engineering thermoplastics. Also concentrates of other additives, including multifunctional concentrates containing more than one type of additive.
AJINOMOTO USA, INC.
Plenlizer ST-210 polyol ester costabilizer for PVC resins used in conjunction with zinc stabilizer for improved heat stability and weatherability.
AKCROS CHEMICALS AMERICA
Metallic-based Interstab and Stanclere lines of stabilizers formulated for calendering, extrusion, injection molding, and various plastisol operations.
Barium/cadmium/zinc stabilizers for general-purpose flexible PVC applications reportedly provide exceptional initial color, as well as excellent heat and light stability. Air-release and dry-blending characteristics said to be excellent, as is resistance to viscosity buildup and plateout. Available in solid and liquid forms.
A non-cadmium-containing series of Interstab products for a wide range of processing and product-life requirements. Products are liquid barium-zinc-phosphite and calcium-zinc-phosphite complexes that impart exceptional thermal and dynamic stability.
Stanclere organotin stabilizers for rigid PVC reportedly offer excellent long-term heat stability and early color control, plus improved processing. Available in liquid or solid form, either mercaptide or sulfur-free, products include butyltins for pipe, siding, window profiles and other rigid applications; and an octyltin mercaptide for FDA bottles and sheet.
Nontoxic calcium and zinc stabilizers for food-contact PVC, especially for rigid or flexible compounds, available in solids, pastes and liquids. Generally used with phosphite chelators and epoxy secondary plasticizers.
Organophosphite auxiliary stabilizers for FDA-approved and general-purpose uses include improved early-color control and long-term stability.
BAERLOCHER USA
PVC heat stabilizers primarily for flexible vinyl include line of mixed-metal stabilizers (barium/cadmium, barium/zinc, calcium/zinc).
Also imports from its parent in Germany lead stabilizers used predominantly for wire and cable. Packaging options minimize environmental and health concerns.
Prosper specialty tin stabilizers primarily for rigid PVC exhibit low-odor and high-heat stability.
CARDINAL STABILIZERS INC. CARDINAL CAROLINA CORP.
Low-cost, liquid organotin stabilizers for PVC include CC-7711, CC-7711A and CC-7712 for rigid pipe and profiles that reportedly show excellent cost-performance; CC-101-110 and CC-101FC for injection molding with reportedly superior cost-performance and excellent color hold; CC-1015M for siding and window profiles; and CC-11, particularly recommended for high-gloss sheet extrusion.
For general-purpose rigid PVC bottles and containers, CC-400 series is recommended; and CC-100 series for non-sulfuric-containing products.
CIBA-GEIGY CORP., ADDITIVES DIV.
Irgastab T-265 octyltin mercaptide for food-grade PVC such as bottles. Irgastab T-634 tin carboxylate said to be particularly effective when used with a light stabilizer in dark PVC siding.
EAGLE-PICHER INDUSTRIES INC. CHEMICALS DIV.
EPIstatic lead stabilizers for PVC, including tribasic lead sulfate, basic lead silico-sulfate, and dibasic lead phthalate. Materials available with organophilic surface modification to improve dispersion and reduce energy requirements during processing. Also nondusting grades.
Products used as primary stabilizers in both rigid and flexible PVC and in PVC foams. Stabilization properties and efficiency are due in large part to a higher specific surface than other similar products.
ELF ATOCHEM NORTH AMERICA INC.
Organotin stabilizers offered for rigid PVC. Thermolite 175, 175C, 310 and 310C are liquid organic stabilizers. Thermolite System 4 is a multifunctional stabilizer-lubricant for PVC pipe extrusion. Thermolite 176, based on tin technology, is a part-for-part replacement for Thermolite 175C and Thermolite 310C. Superior cost/performance, color hold, and odor are among Thermolite 176's reported advantages.
Thermolite T-133 and T-137 are for injection molding, while T-137, T-34, and T-31 Super are for siding and profiles. Thermolite T-149 is for foam profiles. Thermolite 31 is used in every process (profile, sheet, pipe), as well as any PVC or CPVC polymer or copolymer.
For rigid PVC containers and extruded sheet, Thermolite-31, 66 and 108, are recommended depending on formulation and equipment variables. General-purpose bottle stabilizers with improved cost/performance are in development.
Thermolite-350 and other customized organotin maleate stabilizers are for calendered rigid PVC film/sheet where resistance to sulfide staining is required. Tin mercaptides are available for applications not requiring sulfide stain protection.
A line of radiation and heat stabilizers for PVC medical devices and packaging is said to offer resistance to color degradation and loss of physical properties upon exposure to gamma irradiation.
Thermolite 831 and 813 octyltins remain the major stabilizers for use in food-grade bottle and sheet applications. New octyltins based on a mono-octyltin derivative and approved by FDA also available. (See ad p. 6.)
FAIRMOUNT CHEMICAL CO., INC.
Mixxim DBM beta di ketone with reportedly excellent heat stability and color is used in lead-free and cadmium-free stabilizer systems. Replaces heavy metals.
FERRO CORP. BEDFORD CHEMICAL DIV.
Therm-Chek noncadmium mixed-metal liquid, powder or paste heat stabilizers for rigid and flexible PVC applications and processes such as flooring, wall covering, packaging, and automotive.
Specialty Therm-Chek organotin stabilizers offered for PVC, ABS/PVC, and other polymer blend applications.
EZn-Chek stabilizers with dynamic stability designed for lead replacement in wire and cable applications. (See ad p. 402.)
HALSTAB DIV. HAMMOND GROUP INC.
Lead stabilizers for PVC include lead sulfates, phthalates, carbonates and co-precipitate complex types - all in lubricated and nonlubricated forms. Used for wire and cable, rigid and flexible profiles, conduit, nonpotable pipe, foam, rigid and flexible sheet, moldings, plastisols, organosols and weather-resistant applications.
HARWlCK CHEMICAL CORP.
Offers plasticizers and PVC-based concentrates of various heat stabilizers.
HENKEL CORP.
Stabiol calcium/zinc heat stabilizers are suited for PVC rigid containers intended for food-contact applications, such as bottles for drinking water.
LUBRIZOL CORP.
Offers Lubrizol products as intermediates in the production of heat stabilizers.
Lubrizol 2106 overbased barium phenate features high barium metal content in liquid form without the use of volatile solvent.
Lubrizol 2116 is an overbased barium carboxylate complex. In liquid form it provides a typical 34% barium metal content in a light amber color.
Lubrizol 2117 is an overbased liquid calcium carboxylate, which has a light color and is free of any toxic heavy metals. Studies indicate that 14%-calcium Lubrizol 2117 offers significant formulating advantages in development of liquid calcium-containing stabilizer packages. Product is in compliance with FDA regulations for indirect food contact.
MORTON INTERNATIONAL, INC. MORTON PLASTICS ADDITIVES
Organotin heat stabilizers for rigid PVC include Advastab TM-181 high-performance stabilizer for siding, profiles, injection and blow molding; TM-692 for pipe; TM-694 low-cost stabilizer for pipe; TM-604 for injection molding; and TM-948 for general-purpose bottles.
Advastab TM-2080 is a high-performance, FDA-approved stabilizer for rigid PVC in food-contact applications. Advapak LS-203 "one-pack" multifunctional lubricating stabilizer recommended for high-output PVC pipe production on twin-screw extruders.
Advastab TM-404 methyltin heat stabilizer for clear rigid PVC food packaging offers less odor and better early and mid-range color hold.
MRS CHEMICALS, INC.
PVC stabilizers offered in liquid form for standard and nontoxic applications in plastisols, calendered films and other PVC compounds. Special stabilizers available for mechanically frothed or chemically blown foams. Also stabilizers for retarding or accelerating chemical blowing agents such as azodicarbonamide.
OM GROUP, INC.
Line of mixed metal, liquid and powder stabilizers for flexible PVC, including solvent-free liquid stabilizers that allow low emissions and are suitable for automotive, low-flame spread, and plastisol coating applications.
Line includes proprietary calcium-zinc and barium-zinc stabilizers, many FDA sanctioned.
Also low-odor tin carboxylates.
SHEPHERD CHEMICAL CO.
Offers cerium octoate (2-ethyl-hexanoate) for PVC, silicone rubber, and various other polymers.
SYNTHETIC PRODUCTS CO., DIV. OF COOKSON SPECIALTY ADDITIVES
PVC heat stabilizers include barium/cadmium, barium/zinc, calcium/zinc, tin, antimony, and lead custom designed for flexible PVC, including plastisols and organosols.
For rigid PVC pipe, antimony mercaptides are said to have an economic advantage over tins. Also offered are high-efficiency barium/cadmium powders with improved early color for outdoor use; organotins for general-purpose bottles; and nontoxic calcium/zinc and calcium/stannous/zinc powders and pastes for food-contact use. Dispersions of lead, barium, cadmium, tin and zinc-based compounds as concentrates or as pumpable pastes for automatic metering available.
Synpron 350 lead-free heat stabilizers for PVC wire and cable jacketing and insulation are barium-zinc powders and direct replacements for most lead-based stabilizers, providing excellent color, long-term heat stability and good electrical properties.
WILSON COLOR INC. A UNIT OF M.A. HANNA CO.
Heat and light stabilizer systems in concentrate form. Heat-stabilizer compositions for rigid vinyl siding and profiles available in multifunctional concentrates. (See ad p. 405.)
WITCO CORP. POLYMER ADDITIVES GROUP
Mark stabilizers include solid and liquid mixed-metal types for clear and pigmented, flexible and semi-rigid PVC, as well as plastisols, organosols and vinyl solutions.
Organotins include butyls, methyls and octyls, solids and liquids, sulfur and nonsulfur types for both high-impact and unmodified rigid compounds, including weather-resistant systems. Materials used in bottles, water pipe, fittings, siding, rigid foam and window profiles.
FDA-regulated stabilizers include octyltins, methyltins, calcium/zincs and phosphites for food-wrap films, beverage bottles and vacuum-formed sheet. Phosphites offered for use as auxiliary stabilizers with mixed-metal systems.
Special-purpose systems include one-package stabilizer/antifog additives for meat and produce wrap, stabilizer/activators for plastisol and calendered foams, and flooring stabilizers.
Antimony-based stabilizers for more economical stabilization of rigid PVC available for pipe and conduit.
ZINC CORPORATION OF AMERICA
Zinstabe zinc-based foam activator/stabilizers in powdered form for calendered PVC and plastisol foams. Said to combine heat and uv stabilization with catalytic activation of chemical blowing agents such as azodicarbonamide. Zinstabes reportedly control rate of cell formation and provide overblow protection. They contain no heavy metals and are not prone to sulfide staining.
UV Stabilizers
PRODUCT LINES REVIEWED
ACCURATE COLOR INC.
UV stabilizers in powders, concentrates, and liquids can be compounded with other additives.
ACETO CORP.
Offers salicylate and benzophenone-based stabilizers.
ADELL PLASTICS, INC.
Custom concentrates of stabilizers in all resins. Other concentrates, especially in engineering thermoplastics include multifunctional concentrates with more than one additive.
ALLIED COLOR INDUSTRIES, INC.
UV inhibitors include hindered amines and benzophenones in pelletized thermoplastic concentrates. Standard and custom formulations.
ALLIED PRODUCTS CORP.
See Coz Corp.
AMCO PLASTICS MATERIALS INC.
UV stabilizers in dry concentrates for PP, PE, PS, ABS, PC, and styrenebutadiene block copolymers.
AMERICHEM INC.
Concentrates contain uv stabilizers, antioxidants and any other required stabilizing additive. Can be made for almost any thermoplastic as cubes, pellets, or powders. May be single-function or contain more than one active ingredient, including color. (See ad p. 397.)
AMETEK WESTCHESTER PLASTICS DIV.
Concentrates of uv stabilizers, antioxidants and antistatic agents in specific resins.
AMPACET CORP.
UV-absorber concentrate 10057 for polyolefin film and injection molding recommended for clear and heavier-gauge products. UV concentrate 10071 with a nickel stabilizer intended for pigmented, thin-gauge films. Product 10154 multifunctional concentrate containing a uv quencher, uv absorber and antioxidant in an LDPE copolymer resin carrier specifically designed for agricultural and greenhouse film applications.
Products 10407 and 10478 contain hindered amine light stabilizers and offer equivalent protection at lower concentrations than traditional absorbers such as benzophenones and nickel-based products. Product 40559 contains 20% of a hindered amine light stabilizer in PP. Product 10561 contains 20% of a HALS in PE.
BUCKMAN LABORATORIES, INC.
Modified barium metaborate monohydrate, Busan 11-M1, functions as a uv stabilizer. It is believed to perform this function through the mechanism of radical stabilization. Optimum levels are usually in the 8-12 phr range.
CABOT CORP.
Offers several carbon black grades in the 16-20 millimicron size range for use in plastics as uv absorbers.
CAROLINA COLOR CORP.
Custom formulations in concentrate form for most thermoplastics. Also with other additives for specific requirements.
CHROMA CORP.
Line of uv stabilizers from hindered amine to benzophenone systems available as dry powder (unitized or bulk-packed) and pelletized concentrate. Systems for use in commodity to engineering thermoplastic resins.
CIBA-GEIGY CORP., ADDITIVES DIV.
Products include uv stabilizers for all polymer applications. In the hindered amine family, Tinuvin 770 reportedly imparts weatherability to polyolefins, polyurethanes and styrenics beyond levels obtainable with conventional uv stabilizers. Tinuvin 765 liquid hindered amine specifically designed for coatings; Tinuvin 622 LD approved by FDA for food-contact applications recommended for polyolefins; Chimassorb 944 FL (FDA-approved) for synthetic fibers and PE film; and Chimassorb 119 HALS for polyolefins.
Tinuvin P, one of several substituted hydroxyphenyl benzotriazoles, is effective in polyesters, PVC, impact PS, PC and acrylics. Tinuvin 326, 327, 328 and 571, other substituted benzotriazoles, provide long-term protection against uv light for polyolefins, coatings, urethanes, and other substrates.
COLORCO INC.
Additive concentrates may contain light or heat stabilizers, colors, slip and blowing agents. Available for most thermoplastics.
COZ CORP. SUB. OF ALLIED PRODUCTS CORP.
Concentrates containing uv stabilizers supplied in PS, polyolefins and most other thermoplastics.
CYTEC INDUSTRIES INC.
Cyasorb uv light stabilizers include UV-531, UV-24 and UV-9 benzophenone absorbers; UV-5411 benzotriazole; UV-1084 nickel energy quencher; UV-2908, a flee-radical-trapping product; and UV-2126, a nonextractable polymeric absorber.
Cyasorb UV-3346 hindered amine light stabilizer (HALS) is FDA-approved for use in polyolefin food packaging at levels not to exceed 0.3%. Provides a high level of light stability at low concentration for potential cost savings and reportedly significant thermal protection at high ambient temperatures.
DUPONT CO.
Rylex NBC stabilizer (nickel dibutyl-dithiocarbamate) is an economical uv stabilizer for polyolefins. As little as 0.25 phr increases the outdoor life of polyolefins substantially.
EASTMAN CHEMICAL CO.
Eastman Inhibitor HHBP reactive-type benzophenone uv absorber especially useful for PVC, as well as styrenic plastics. Also Eastman Inhibitor RMB, especially for cellulosics. (See ads pp. 386, 583.)
FAIRMOUNT CHEMICAL CO., INC.
Mixxim BB/100 and Mixxim BB/200 high-molecular-weight benzotriazole dimers offer exceptionally low volatility and intense uv energy absorption for use in high temperature plastics such as polycarbonate, PET, PBT and nylons. Volatile fumes significantly reduced.
FERRO CORP., BEDFORD CHEMICAL DIV.
UV-Chek light stabilizers include AM105 and AM205 nickel organics that function by a quenching mechanism. AM104 is a strong uv absorber and hydroperoxide decomposer. Traditional uv absorbers include AM300, AM320, and Permyl B-100.
UV-Chek AM340 hydroxybenzoate ester is an effective uv stabilizer of the free-radical terminator type. It is particularly effective in combination with uv absorbers and hindered amine light stabilizers (HALS).
UV-Chek AM806, a patented oligomeric HALS, is very effective in polyolefin films, fibers, and molded products.
UV-Chek AM595 acid scavenger for halogen-containing polymers reportedly offers excellent heat and light stabilization. (See ad p. 402.)
FERRO CORP., LIQUID COLORANTS & DISPERSIONS DIV.
Synergistic benzophenone-type liquid stabilizer concentrate (not a uv inhibitor) has reportedly demonstrated comparable performance to flake-type counterparts. Designed to be metered directly onto the screw of the processing machine and to be one component of a multifunctional additive system. System could include color and internal mold release. (See ad p. 402.)
GE SPECIALTY CHEMICALS
Ultranox 626 and Weston 619 solid phosphites used as secondary antioxidants and stabilizers provide processing and color stability, but also act as synergists when combined with uv absorbers, thioesters and phenolic stabilizers.
GIVAUDAN CORP.
Supplies Givsorb, based on a phenylformamidine stabilizer. Used primarily in urethanes, Givsorb UV-2 is a fine, white powder with high thermal stability (572 F) and a relatively low melting point (120-149 F). Givsorb UV-1 is a nonaqueous liquid form of UV-2.
GREAT LAKES CHEMICAL CORP.
Offers a variety of benzophenone uv stabilizers.
M.A. HANNA ENGINEERED MATERIALS
Specialty concentrates include uv stabilizer in PE or PP base. Other uv, antioxidant, and copper deactivator concentrates available on a custom basis. Level of activity, base resin, and preferred choice of additive may be specified.
HARWICK CHEMICAL CORP.
Produces plasticizer-based and PVC-based concentrate dispersions of uv stabilizers.
HIMONT U.S.A., INC.
Xantrix ADS (additive delivery system) incorporates up to 30% by weight of liquid or low-melting additives within a spherical PP granule. This is done by an in-reactor process that does not involve extrusion compounding. The result is that the PP carrier resin (20 MFR) reportedly has lower crystallinity and melts faster for easier dispersion. Custom-formulated Xantrix ADS concentrates in quantities as low as 70 lb may contain uv stabilizers, antioxidants, and other additives.
HOECHST CELANESE CORP. SPECIALTY CHEMICALS GROUP
Offers a monomeric hindered amine-type uv stabilizer (Hostavin N20), an oligomeric type (Hostavin N30), and a benzophenone stabilizer (Hostavin AR08). Products and combinations can also be supplied in pellet concentrate (masterbatch) form. (See ads pp. 454, 475, 491, 507, 576, 579, 641.)
M.A. INDUSTRIES INC. POLYMERS DIV.
UV-249 multicomponent stabilizer system contains the synergistic combination of a HALS, a hindered phenolic antioxidant and a secondary phosphite. Ready-to-use pelletized concentrate generally used in PP fibers, film and other outdoor molded products where extreme resistance to uv radiation is needed. Typically used at a letdown ratio of 20:1. Tailored formulations available for a variety of specific applications, or custom formulations can be developed.
Also uv/antioxidant/lubricant concentrates, which include precolor and filler concentrates, for outdoor furniture.
MAYZO, INC.
Manufactures and imports hindered amine, benzophenone, and benzotriazole light absorbers and stabilizers.
MONMOUTH PLASTICS INC.
See M.A. Hanna Engineered Materials.
NORAMCO, INC.
Norbloc 7966 benzotriazole uv stabilizer has a methacrylate ester substituent, which will copolymerize efficiently with a variety of vinyl monomers. Exhibits good solubility in vinyl monomers and common organic solvents. Volatilization and/or exudation during fabrication or end use does not occur. In most cases, problems of compatibility can be readily overcome. Norbloc covalently bonds to the polymer backbone, eliminating release into the environment. (See ad p. 388.)
NOVACOR CHEMICALS INC. CLEAR PERFORMANCE PLASTICS
LSC-50 light-stable polystyrene concentrate designed to blend with high-heat PS in a ratio of 1:50. The finished product reportedly meets generally accepted lighting industry performance of not more than 15 points yellowness factor at 1000 hr on an Atlas fadeometer. Resulting lighting panels are reportedly equivalent to those made with commercially available light-stable PS. Base material for LSC-50 is a high-molecular-weight crystal PS.
PMC SPECIALTIES GROUP DIV. PMC INC.
Hindered amine light stabilizer, is effective in uv light stabilization of PP, HDPE, EPDM, and all styrenic polymers.
PMS CONSOLIDATED A UNIT OF M.A. HANNA CO.
Specialty additive concentrates in solid or liquid form, with or without colorants available containing uv stabilizers and other additives.
POLYCOM HUNTSMAN INC.
Concentrates containing uv inhibitors and other additives as specified for a variety of thermoplastics.
POLYVEL INC.
High-loading uv stabilizer concentrates offered for easy dilution in polyolefins. Also custom-formulated systems containing primary and secondary stabilizers and antioxidants with up to a 50% active ingredient. Concentrates available in pellet and powder form.
PQ CORP.
Nyacol colloidal zinc oxide in organic and inorganic liquid dispersions, powder, or concentrated forms for various applications allows finished materials to remain translucent.
PROGRESSIVE POLYMERS, INC.
UV stabilizer concentrates in thermoplastic and engineering carrier resins. Custom concentrates and multifunctional concentrates tailored to simplify handling and weigh up.
QUANTUM CHEMICAL CORP.
Spectratech concentrates contain uv inhibitors and other additives as specified.
REEDSPECTRUM DIV. SANDOZ CHEMICALS CORP.
Custom-formulated uv inhibitor concentrates for thermoplastic molding and extrusion. Also multifunctional concentrates containing uv inhibitors and colorants in pellet form.
RHONE-POULENC INC.
Syntase substituted benzophenone uv light absorbers for polyolefin stabilization are generally incorporated at the 0.1-0.5% level. Also protect plastic and coating systems based on vinyls and urethanes.
SANDOZ CHEMICALS CORP.
Sanduvor VSU white, free-flowing oxalanilide-type ultraviolet absorber with reportedly excellent thermal stability recommended for PVC, unsaturated polyesters, styrenic resins, PC, polyacetal, polyamides, polymethyl methacrylate, polyurethane and coating related resins. Suited for applications requiring sustained uv stability of fluorescent pigments for outdoor use. Sharp uv cut-off prevents destruction of pigment and its fluorescence.
A. SCHULMAN INC.
Polybatch additive concentrates include different carriers and slip and antiblock, antistatic and uv resistant, antifogging, foaming, antioxidant, etc.
SHEPHERD CHEMICAL CO.
Offers calcium, cadmium and zinc compounds for incorporation into stabilizer systems.
STANDRIDGE COLOR CORP.
Custom-formulated uv stabilizer concentrates for nylon, PP and polyester fibers, and for film. Additives available as single dispersions or in combination with other additives or colorants.
TEKNOR COLOR CO. SUB. OF TEKNOR APEX CO.
UV inhibitor and antioxidant stabilizer concentrate packages in various resins offered separately or with color.
USI DIV.
See Quantum Chemical Corp.
WASHINGTON PENN PLASTIC CO.
Offers uv concentrates for use in PE, PP, and PS.
WILSON COLOR INC. A UNIT OF M.A. HANNA
UV stabilizer concentrates for a variety of thermoplastics. Special uv stabilizer formulations for PE, PP and polybutylene films. Combination additive packages custom formulated for engineering resins, in addition to light-stable and/or weatherable color formulations. (See ad p. 405.)
WITCO CORP. POLYMER ADDITIVES GROUP
Mark uv absorbers include substituted benzophenones for rigid and flexible PVC, polyolefins and other resins. Products include Mark 1413 powder and Mark 1535 liquid.
ZINC CORPORATION OF AMERICA
Horse Head French-process zinc oxides, such as Kadox-911 and its surface-treated counterpart, Kadox-911C, enhance uv stability in HDPE, LDPE, PP, and flexible PVC. Studies reportedly have shown that polyolefins containing zinc oxide and organic synergists (certain antioxidants) exhibit significantly better uv resistance than those with conventional organic uv stabilizers. Company sources say that, although adequate use life can be obtained with organic stabilizers at 0.3-0.6 phr, at least three times greater protection can be attained with Kadox-911 or Kadox-911C zinc oxide systems.
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Copyright 1995, Gale Group. All rights reserved. Gale Group is a Thomson Corporation Company.
