SIMULATION | PROCESSING
Compounding process simulation tools can save materials, time and money. Mark Holmes reports on some developments in computer modelling techniques
Getting inside the process
Optimising the compounding process is a time- consuming task that can result in loss of productiv- ity and output. So doing as much of the analysis and optimisation before committing to production equipment makes absolute sense as it can both save money and improve quality. Widely used in the plastics injection moulding sector, software- based process simulation tools can also play a major role in the plastics compounding industry. Sigma computer modelling software developer
Kunststofftechnik Paderborn (KTP), which is based at the University of Paderborn in Germany, recently commenced its Sigma13 project, which is intended to provide new simulation solutions for increasingly complex compounding applications. “The main task for process engineers in com- pounding is screw design based on experience and specific product requirements. Software should support the user in this task and provide a tool for design, including simple screw assembly within the software and evaluation based on reliable simulation results. This can save testing in the laboratory and improve the design process,”
www.compoundingworld.com
says Hatice Malatyali, Group Leader Compounding at KTP. “The plastics industry continues to grow due to
various trends, such as lightweight construction, and product requirements are increasing. As a result of these changes, processes are becoming more complex. Software can help to reduce this complexity, as well as support the development of new products,” Malatyali says. According to KTP, numerical simulations are becoming increasingly important because material flow can be calculated much more accurately. The current Sigma3D software solution can be used with numerical simulations to perform individual process analyses for fully filled screw zones, such as the mixing and pressure build-up zones. However, at present only fully-filled zones can be simulated. To get a complete numerical description of the screw, the 3D module must be supplemented by the partly filled screw zones. For this purpose, it is necessary to implement a two-phase model that describes the interaction between the melt and ambient air.
Main image: Buss is part of a consortium developing a simulation tool to model the complex co-kneader compounding process
� March 2021 | COMPOUNDING WORLD 37
IMAGE: BUSS
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62
