Twin screw extruders | machinery
Producers of twin screw compounding equipment are taking an incremental approach to product innovation, adding modest but signifi cant new system features and capabilities. Peter Mapleston reports on the latest introductions
Twin screw developments advance step-by-step
Manufacturers of twin-screw compounding extruders are taking what could be described as an incremental approach to equipment improvement, with the key focuses of their developments the rounding-out of their current machinery ranges and a concentration on optimised performance in specifi c application areas – most notably long fi bre-reinforced compounds. In the fi rst of these focus areas, Entek, has extended its recently developed QC3
technology (which stands for
Quick-Change, Quick-Clean, and Quality Control) features to its 27MM and 53MM co-rotating twin-screw extruders. The QC3 on the Entek QC3
launched in March last year at the US NPE 2015 exhibition. Entek says the extension to these two new models is part of its plan to integrate many of the QC3
-43MM machine features into the full Entek
twin-screw extruder product line (the company builds co-rotating twin-screw extruders up to 133mm). QC3
features include quick-align shaft-to-gearbox
couplers, shroud covers incorporating single-turn fasteners, quick-open guards for easy access to screw couplings and clutch, an air defl ector on the end of the motor, and a tool kit mounted in its own holder on the machine. The latest piece of QC3
side feeder combination unit for the QC3
www.compoundingworld.com
feature-set was originally introduced -43MM unit, which the company
requires only for cooling and vacuum hoses to be switched to change its confi guration. The stuffer barrel can stay mounted to the extruder while the rest of the unit is pulled out for cleaning, meaning the barrel can be cleaned in place and the screws will be exposed for easier cleaning. The unit can be mounted to any of the six barrel sections closest to the arm mount (three upstream, three downstream). Bolts on the combi unit are designed to be easily
removable with the built-in air ratchet. All bolts intended for frequent assembly/disassembly are the same size, and some are placed at an angle for easier assembly/ disassembly. The unit is mounted to the top deck of the extruder, which Entek says is preferable to a separate unit with casters on the fl oor (typically the case with side feeders). This mounting arrangement also makes for easier access/service than the typical vacuum stuffer arrangement of mounting above the extruder, according to the company. Entek has also been working on its software
hardware is a vacuum stuffer/ -43MM. This
offerings. One of its newest products is a program that enables customers to quickly and easily design screw and barrel layouts for their specifi c applications. The software is currently in beta test, but the company says it has already shown promise in helping cut lead times and enhance communication between it and its customers.
March 2016 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 27
Main image: Optimising system
performance is a key theme in twin screw
compounding extruder
development
PHOTO: COPERION
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