Modern Plastics Worldwide - July/August 2009 - dae uptlax

PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY
Product Focus: Pelletizing
It all starts with the pellet
Well, maybe it starts with the idea, but without perfect pellets a
processor has little to no chance of success. Fortunately, there
have been a number of signifi cant developments recently in the
pelletizing machinery fi eld, including some highlighted at June’s
NPE trade show in Chicago.
There, for the fi rst time, Crown Machine uwp Inc. (Addison,
IL) revealed its newest development, a system that is truly a
one-button operation and requires no centrifugal dryer but offers
twice the efficiency of one of these, according to George Holmes,
founder and owner of the company. Speaking with MPW at NPE,
Holmes called his development “the only true auto-start pelletizer
available.” Magnets release to allow access to the die, with the
rear part of the unit returning to the rear as per the bolt on a rifl e,
so that die changeover is swift and even a change from black
Automatik recently installed four new strand pelletizing lines for a European
polyamide supplier.
to white pellets is possible in just a few minutes. The magnetic
clamp is patented and was shown for the fi rst time at NPE.
Also at NPE, Automatik Plastics Machinery GmbH (formerly
Rieter Automatik; Grossostheim, Germany) introduced its Baoli
strand pelletizer, designed specifi cally for the U.S. compounding
market. The manufacturer says the system is cost-effective
in terms of purchase price and running costs, and available
in three basic machine sizes with operating widths of 100-,
200-, and 300 mm.
In early July, Automatik announced the sale and installation
of four new strand pelletizing systems for use in a new
polyamide supply facility in Europe. The four horizontal lines
are based on the M-USG 600 H underwater strand pelletizer,
each with a throughput capacity of 3200 kg/hr. Each of the
systems includes a fl uid-headed die head to melt the feed
and extrude the strands, a horizontal strand guide section,
the pelletizer, and a Centro 300 centrifugal dryer to remove
process water from the cylindrical pellets.
The Converting Systems Group of Davis-Standard (Fulton,
NY) recently added new pelletizing technology to its Black
Clawson Converting Machinery range. Charles Crumb, business
group manager at the company, told MPW redesigned dies
with more holes per die were developed, increasing through-
mpw.plasticstoday.com
put, and the die
plates have been
strengthened to
increase service
life by 25-30%.
These dies are
retrofi ttable on
installed systems,
he said.
Innovation & Optimization Place
The company also added a new air ring pelletizer to its mix
of underwater and water ring equipment, with the new system
to help users process materials with low internal energy or
hydroscopic materials. Black Clawson’s pelletizers may be
unique in that the die is fi tted parallel to the ground.
Gala Industries Inc. (Eagle Rock, VA) has introduced
The Edge, an underwater pelletizing unit it says is able to
compete on cost with strand pelletizers, while offering the
benefi ts of an underwater system, such as no strand breakage
on highly fi lled concentrates. The Edge is compact and
suitable for throughput to 1000 kg/hr. Low maintenance
requirements and minimum operator attendance are two
of key advantages, claims Gala, along with low noise levels
and swift start-up times.
Gala also introduced its Electronically Adjusted Pelletizer
(Model EAC), with electronic motion control used to control
blade adjustment down to 0.0001 inch (patent pending),
according to Steven King, process equipment sales at the
100% employee-owned company.
In related news, Scheer Bay early this summer ended its
joint venture with CF Scheer after more than 10 years. Insolvency
proceedings for CF Scheer were opened in Germany
on Oct. 1, 2008 and its operating assets were sold. “Scheer
Bay Co. has always been independent
of CF Scheer and
was not part of the sale,”
said Tom Kernstock,
executive VP, who
added that the company
will continue
to operate under its
original name, Bay
Plastics Machinery
Co., from its facility
in Bay City, MI,
and will continue
to support its exist-
ing customers with
parts and service
for their equipment.
Matt Defosse
Crown’s George Holmes (right) and Amy Nepywoda,
design engineer, at the company’s NPE stand with
its newest pelletizing unit.
More holes per die plate, and strengthened
plates, lead to more throughput and longer service
life, says Davis-Standard’s Black Clawson
business unit.
MODERN PLASTICS WORLDWIDE • JULY/AUGUST 2009 25