LFTs | TURNKEY SYSTEMS
Above: The parallel arrangement of the extruder in Feddem’s LFT production line minimises system footprint
which results in potential quality issues in the final injection moulded part, according to Hojer. The Feddem systems use actuated unwinding systems to overcome this (turn-table systems for inside unwinding or tension-regulated hubs for outside unwinding). The unwound rovings are then pre-heated and tensioned prior to entering the die. Downtime can be a major issue in LFT produc- tion as the line has to be halted when roving spools need to be replaced. Feddem claims that its system features – such as easy access to the fibre path in the tensioner and impregnation head, fast heat up times, and a computer-assisted start and restart procedure – allow typical changeover times to be halved without sacrificing pellet quality. The numerous components of an LFT line also
Below: Protec has delivered more than 20 of its LFT-G production systems to date
means they can take up a considerable amount of floor space in the compounding plant. Hojer says its design minimises footprint by arranging the extruder (Feddem is unusual among turnkey LFT system providers in using its own extruder design) parallel to the roving line. This takes the overall width of the line down to less than 3m rather than the 5-6m typically required where the extruder is placed at 90°. Feddem says it took particular care to ensure this space-saving arrangement did not compromise maintenance so all the key components — including cartridge heaters, solenoid valves and digital I/O units — can be accessed without needing to enter the space between extruder and impregnation unit. Germany’s ProTec Polymer Processing – prob- ably best known for its plastics materials handling and preparation systems — made its first move into the LFT sector in 2015 when it acquired the
German LFT equipment and technology developer PolymersNet. Since then, the company has sold more than 20 turnkey lines, according to Managing Director of Marketing Tim Rudersdorf. This year, Protec installed a production-sized line
at its plant at Bensheim, which it is making available to customers for formulation development work and for production lots. “In the case [that] you buy a line from us, you can use [our] capacities to overcome delivery time and enter your market even before your line is set up,” Rudersdorf says. Protec says thermal management of the incom- ing glass and finished pultruded strands, together with optimised die design and pelletising equip- ment, are among the key factors in achieving high output rates in LFT-G production. Rudersdorf says its lines — which can also be configured to produce continuous fibre reinforced thermoplastic tapes — now offer LFT output rates up to 1,000 kg/hr. Rudersdorf says that, in terms of materials, the main drivers in the LFT global market today are PP and PA. Interest continues to grow in Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America but the highest growth rates, he says, are expected in Asia-Pacific. Protec has already supplied LFT production equipment to Chinese compounders Suzhou Sunway and Suzhou Hechang. Germany’s IPS Intelligent Pelletizing Solutions says it decided to enter the LFT systems as a result of a growing level of enquiries for LFT pelletising systems. “Our main business is still the manufactur- ing of pelletising systems and compounding equipment,” says Managing Director Simon Weis. “We already had most devices of a LFT plant in our portfolio; due to that we decided to develop the remaining units for a complete system.” The company partnered with with Cetex Institut, which is located in Chemnitz in Germany and is a specialist developer and manufacturer of fibre handling systems. It supplies the tangential unwinding technology for the LFT HP system; IPS is responsible for the remainder of the line. The company has an 8-strand pilot plant avail- able for customer trials at its plant at Niedernberg. “We haven´t installed any production line with our customers yet, but we are optimistic to change this situation in the next few months,” Weis says. “We have a couple of LFT projects which are running.”
42 COMPOUNDING WORLD | March 2022
www.compoundingworld.com
IMAGE: PROTEC POLYMERE PROCESSING
IMAGE: FEDDEM
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