Product Spotlight: Raw Materials Handling Equipment

A FIXED MACHINE OR PORTABLE HOPPER DRYER, the Autodry is an all-stainless steel and aluminum unit with hopper sizes of 20, 40, 60 and 120 lb. The units are capable of drying material with throughput rates of 2 to 60 lb./hr. Compared to a standard 30 pph electric desiccant dehumidifying dryer, the Autodry consumes approximately 40% less energy.

The dryer has no moving parts and the machine-mounted unit is insulated and designed to be compact and modular. Drying temperatures range from 90 F to 375 F.

For typical applications the Autodry is capable of drying most resins with the standard unit running on compressed air. For applications demanding high levels of dehumidifying the optional Twin Tower Desiccant Package is available.

Hamilton Avtec 800-590-5546

ENHANCED MICROPROCESSOR CONTROL on the Wittmann Drymax 60 and 100 series portable dryers offers a new energy savings feature and higher performance operation at no additional cost to the customer.

The SmartRegen function reduces the time required for the regeneration phase of the desiccant beds to an absolute minimum, cutting energy consumption. Monitoring the temperature differential between incoming and outgoing air, for each respective desiccant bed, allows the heating phase of the regeneration cycle to be kept to a minimum. Heating is stopped as soon as the temperature data indicates a completely reactivated desiccant bed. Energy savings is typically in the range of 5 to 30%.

Nucon Wittmann Inc 888-466-5577

AN ADVANCE IN DRYER TECHNOLOGY ALLOWS the Novatec NovaDrier to improve the resin drying process while greatly simplifying dryer construction and reducing maintenance. The NovaDrier operates on any source of compressed air, providing dew points of -40 F within four minutes after start-up with no desiccant. The unit does not have a process motor, refrigeration heater, valves or cooling coil; the only maintenance required is the replacement of two filters on a semi-annual basis.

Standard plant compressed air is passed through a two-stage pre-filtering system that includes a one micron filter and a 0.01 micron filter for removal of particulate and liquid condensate. The air is then passed through a self-regenerating drying media, which removes moisture. After it is heated, the dry air is circulated uniformly throughout an insulated drying hopper. Novatec reports that over 500 NovaDriers are in use at processing plants around the world.

Plastics Machinery Inc.

905-895-5054

REPUTED TO HAVE THE SMALLEST FOOTPRINT, for comparable models, in the industry, Universal Dynamics’ GS Series of low dewpoint, twin-bed desiccant dryers provides processors with a space-efficient, reliable drying system. The dryer’s FC microprocessor control allows the operator to rapidly set up and start the drying process using a few simple keystrokes. All components are easily accessible. The dryer can be installed as a stationary, beside-the-press machine or mounted on a standard frame and beam stand with a five-wheel, easy-glide system for portability.

The unit comes with an all stainless steel hopper, solid cone and seamless interior that accommodates quick material changes. An optional Dry Air Conveying Package ensures the delivery of dry material to the injection molding machine. Drying capacity ranges from 20 lb./hr. to 250 lb./hr., while drying temperature ranges from 140 F to 350 F.

Hamilton Avtec 800-590-5546

IDEAL FOR PLASTIC-WOOD COMPOSITE MANUFACTURING, AccuRate’s Mechatron line of volumetric and gravimetric feeders are capable of precisely metering regrind, fillers, additives and colorants in feed rates ranging from 0.002 to 1,100 ft3/hr. The feeders come with optional flexible or stainless steel conical hoppers. Each unit can be disassembled from the non-process side, allowing for easy cleaning or auger diameter changes. Mechatron feeders are well-suited for feeding fillers like wood flour, thus enabling processors to decrease cots by reducing reliance on more expensive fillers and plastic resins in recipe formulations.

AccuRate 800-558-0184

A TUBE-SHAPED DESIGN MEANS NO-HASSLE LOADING with Conair’s new TLM Loader. The tube shape means that when the 4.5-in. flapper-style discharge valve opens, the entire bottom of the loader opens, allowing even difficult-to-flow materials to consistently discharge; eliminating problems such as funneling, bridging and hang-ups.

The TLM Tube Loader costs less than most self-contained motor loaders. The standard model incorporates a powerful, two-stage 3/8-hp vacuum motor to convey plastic resin up to 100 lb./hr., over distances of up to 20 ft. The loader can be used for loading into dryer, blender or machine hoppers. A direct-feed version with a material-view chamber may be mounted to machine throats, feeders and drawer magnets. The Conair MLC2 control is standard equipment, with fill and unload times preset for simplicity and security.

Stephen Sales Group 905-940-5577

Auxiplast Inc. 450-922-0282

A NEW LINE OF COMPACT DRAWER MAGNETS is targeted for processors who use smaller, portable dryers on loading systems. The FFV Series drawer magnets are made in a variety of configurations for extruders, injection molding and blow molding equipment. Mountable on the throat of a machine, the magnets are manufactured to withstand pressures up to 15-in-hg pressure and are equipped with an O-ring seal at the drawer front to prevent leaks. Top and bottom flanges are built to customer specifications.

Bunting’s FF Series Drawer Magnets are designed with a 5 to 1 safety factor and can support symmetrical compression loads of 10,000 lb. A clear polycarbonate drawer front permits monitoring of resin flow and tramp iron accumulation. The FF Series Magnets are available with Alcino, ceramic and rare earth magnets, with purger hoppers and dump tube options.

Bunting Magnetics Co. 800-835-2526

A NEW DEHUMIDIFYING DRYER-LOADER WITH A COMPACT, PORTABLE DESIGN, as well as a drying technology that is claimed to cut drying time in half, is now available from Matsui America. The Multi Jet 3 (MJ3) dehumidifying dryer and loader is ideal for injection molders with limited floor space, as well as those who are looking for a dryer/loader that can be used to feed multiple systems.

The MJ3 is comprised of a Desiccant Rotor Dehumidifying System, with primary and secondary conveying systems, all contained in a single compact cabinet. Matsui’s exclusive desiccant rotor technology features a honeycomb design with molecular sieve desiccant bonded onto ceramic paper, then baked at a high temperature, eliminating powder that can contaminate the system.

Matsui America Inc., 847-290-9680

Get your free dedusting demo

Pelletron Corporation has announced a free testing program that demonstrates the effectiveness of dedusting operations and the positive impact it can have on profit margins. Pelletron will dedust up to 50 lb. of sample material at no cost, except for shipping.

Product contamination is caused by the pneumatic conveyance of raw material — such as pellets — through the production process.

Pelletron’s dedusting system uses a flux field generator with a low power electromagnetic field to disrupt the electrostatic bond between the pellet and dust. The company claims its system is more effective than air cleaning systems.

New Tech Machinery 905-791-0307