Plug-and-play system for wood-plastic composites

Cincinnati Milacron Extrusion Systems has introduced a plug-and-play extrusion system designed to help companies enter the wood-plastic composites business quickly.

Available in 1,000 kg/hr and 2,000 kg/hr configurations, the system’s key component is Milacron’s TC96 (pictured), a large, conical twin-screw extruder that brings a combination of compression and low-shear mixing capability, as well as throughput rates up to 1,182 kg/hr.

“The TC96 is the newest and biggest of our conical extruder line, and we went through a lot of testing to manufacture it” said Tom Brown, the company’s general sales manager. “It has a less severe conical angle, as well as multiple vent ports along the barrel.” The TC96 offers high head pressure capabilities, high torque capability for gentle plasticification, and is ideal for heat and shear sensitive materials, he continued.

The plug-and-play system also features new upstream technology. “The upstream unit is designed to blend the raw material together to create a uniform particle size that breaks apart easily,” Brown explained. “This makes it easier to dry, which is important because taking moisture out in any wood or natural fibre composite application is probably the most difficult part of the process.”

An additional advantage of the upstream unit is that it is standardized, Brown continued, which allows the company to offer it at an affordable cost. “We then tailor the unit in each customer’s particular application,” he added.

Cincinnati Milacron Extrusion Systems (Cincinnati, Ohio): www.milacron.com; 513-487-5000

Accuplast Solutions (Kirkland, Que.); www.accuplast.com; 866-630-0808