machinery feature | Mixers The Mixaco
Revolution is characterised by high energy savings and very high
throughput
traditional one. Backhaus compares two combinations: an HM 1200 heating mixer with a KM 4500-H regular cooling mixer; and an HM 1500 with a KM 4000 EC Revolution. The difference in power consumption is close to 11.5 kWh per tonne of material, which in Europe equates to a cost saving of over €36,000 in one year. The Revolution is available in sizes capable of handling between 85 and 800 kg per batch. Plas Mec is one of the most well-established
suppliers of mixing equipment for PVC dry-blending, colour masterbatch and powder coatings. Since it was established in 1967, it has sold around 5,000 units worldwide. Managing director Massimo Grigolon says that with increasing competition from lower-cost suppliers in such countries as China and India, Plas Mec’s focus is on quality and service. The Italian company now provides a three-year
guarantee on non-wear parts of its equipment, starting from the delivery date. That compares with a sector norm of 18 months at best, Grigolon says. Customers can also take advantage of special service packages that will enable them, for example, to have regular visits from a technician to provide a health check, or to buy spare parts at discounted rates. “It’s a way of staying in contact with our customers,” says Grigolon. Plas Mec plans to put more focus on R&D in future,
Plas Mec now provides a three-year guarantee on non-wear parts of its equipment
as it becomes more pro-active in fine-tuning its equipment for specific existing and newer application areas such as wood-plastic composites. Grigolon says that while mixing PVC-based composites is relatively straightforward, polyolefin-based composites can be further optimized. The company is planning to collabo- rate with downstream partners to improve the process. Currently, PVC compounders account
for around 80% of business at Plas Mec. Not that the PVC business is doing badly though: Grigolon is optimistic for the future, particularly when he looks to the Middle East, Asia and South America. Italian companies have gained a good
reputation in the mixing business, with companies like Battaggion and Caccia, as well as Plas Mec, with well-established positions. Plas Mec is making the most of this reputation by providing a guarantee that all key components on its mixers are “made in Italy” (most of them in Plas Mec itself, including controls). This is more than just a label though. In South Korea now, and possibly in other countries in the near future, the company has been acknowledged with the certification “Exporters with preferential origin,” and thanks to inter-country agreements, this certification will enable customers to pay less import tax on the equipment. Caccia Engineering may be best known for its
rotational moulding equipment, but it also has a long history in mixers. In fact, it has been manufacturing turbomixers and coolers since 1959. Series CP turbomix- ers are available with capacities ranging from 10 to 1,500 litres. Caccia notes they are equipped with dynamically balanced multi-stage mixing tools coated with wear- resistant materials. Series AC/AG coolers have capacities ranging from 1,500 to 4,500 litres and are equipped with wide and ramified jackets for the circulation of the cooling water to enable high thermal exchange. Systems are available with humidity extraction, injection of liquid additives, and handling and dosing of raw materials volumetrically or gravimetrically. Caccia recently upgraded the controls on its
turbomixer, which now has an computer interface with an 8.5” touch-screen. The company says that customers can share machine information across their own corporate network, and they can also obtain tele-assis- tance from its technical department free of charge. Set to celebrate its 100th
anniversary in 2018, 58 COMPOUNDING WORLD | November 2013
www.compoundingworld.com
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