TECHNOLOGY | MATERIALS HANDLING


Right: According to Hapman,


facilities want a single control package that can supervise both upstream and


downstream assets from multiple OEMs


islands to line-centric orchestration. Facilities want a single control package that can supervise not only conveying, but also upstream and downstream assets, mixers, feeders, packaging cells, from multiple OEMs. This requires DCS connections, third-party PLCs, and a mix of industrial communication protocols. “Consider projects where the conveying system sits mid- process: integrating the machine before, the conveyor itself, and the machine after into a single control package removes manual interventions and error-prone timing,” explained Durant. “In practice, this compresses troubleshooting time, prevents misfeeds and keeps OEE steadier across shifts.” Hapman maintains that experience across thousands of applications goes beyond informing just hardware, and extends to informing how interlocks and operator flows are structured so the line keeps running under real-world conditions. “Robust automation improves reliability, and operator-centred automation keeps a system reliable,” said Durant. “Intuitive HMIs that name the faulted device or zone cut troubleshooting from minutes to moments. Clear alarm philosophy, prioritised, actionable, and free of nuisance, prevents alarm floods that operators learn to ignore. Compatibility is the other pillar of operator- first design. Control platforms should natively support common DCS connections and the PLC families already present, so upgrades don’t force wholesale migrations. In mixed-vintage environments, that often means adding communication modules or protocol gateways and then validating handshakes thoroughly, start/stop, permissives, speed references, feedbacks, and alarms, before the first production run.” Ajax Equipment has worked with advanced materials company Mersen numerous times,


At K2025, Maguire presented a comprehensive display of its drying, blending and feeding products


supplying a carbon fibre handling system for a new production line at the company’s facility near Glasgow, UK. The system comprised of a multi- screw feeder, hopper, collecting screw conveyer with declumping features, and an inclined screw conveyor. Earlier this year, Mersen expanded carbon fibre production at the facility with storage, feeding, and handling equipment. “After working with Ajax to upgrade an existing line we were happy to work with them again,” said Scott Keil, Manufacturing Manager, Mersen. “Commissioning with the new multi-screw system went exceptionally well with production totally satisfied that the Ajax feed of product to our mill is consistent and far superior to our original silo set up.” The integrated design of the hoppers and feeders prevents any arching or hold-up of carbon fibre, and ensures a positive and regulated feed. A collecting screw serves the screw feeders, moving the carbon fibre towards an outlet which features a grille to ensure the most stable clump-free feed to the mill below. “Carbon fibre requires careful handling as the combination of low bulk density and a fibrous particle shape can make it resistant to flow,” said Eddie McGee, Managing Director, Ajax Equipment. “During development of the handling equipment, Ajax conducted flow property tests to establish the material’s needs. Using that data, we were able to design a system which would ensure flow and deliver the feed rate required.”


Upgrades and advances Maguire presented its most comprehensive display to date at last year’s K Show, unveiling advancements across its four core product groups: drying, blending, feeding, and connectivity. “K 2025 represents the next chapter in Maguire’s ongoing mission to make plastics processing simpler, smarter, and more sustainable,” said Frank Kavanagh, Global Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “Each innovation delivers measurable


32 COMPOUNDING WORLD | July 2026 www.compoundingworld.com


IMAGE: HAPMAN


IMAGE: MAGUIRE


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