PROCESS CONTROL | IN-LINE MEASUREMENT
Right: Collin has launched a range of pellet inspection systems for small scale production lines
creates constant elongational flow (Leistritz claims a first for this in an in-line elongational rheometer). Melt delivery to the die is controlled by an internal gear pump, so is independent of the compound- ing extrusion process conditions, and the meas- ured material is transferred back into the process. The rheometer provides online measurement of
shear viscosity (a measure of fluid flow between melt layers) covering shear rates from 10 to 10,000 s-1
and elongational viscosity (a
measure of the resistance to stretching) covering elongation rates from 5 to 75 s-1
.
Elongational viscosity is particularly sensitive to fibre length variation, which makes the system useful in analysis and control of reinforced compounds or formulations containing highly anisotropic fillers (such as nanocomposites). Leistritz says the rheometer can be used to quickly obtain viscosity curves through targeted variation of shear and elongational rates. It can also determine melt flow index, IV value and melt density, making it useful for product and process quality control as well as for monitoring reactive compounding processes.
Below: Schematic showing key components in Sikora’s in-line Purity Scanner pellet
inspection system
Pellet inspection Germany-based Collin Lab & Pilot Solutions has introduced three new systems for quality measure- ment of polymer granules and powders. They can be used as stand-alone devices or combined into an all-in-one system. The PGSS (Powder Granulates Shape & Size) Analyzer is a CMOS camera-based system that quantifies the shape and size of each granule. The PGC (Powder Granulate Contamina- tion) Analyzer uses CMOS camera and LED strobe technology can detect contaminants and impuri- ties. The CMS (Colour Measuring System) meas- ures colour using a spectrometer. The devices can run at up to 25 kg/h for granulated material and
up 2 kg/h of powder material. Collin says the new devices can be used for quality control of both incoming materials and finished goods. According to the company, they can also be used — alone or in combination —for measurement of production quality through a bypass line that takes a sample from the process and delivers it to the testing equipment. All test data is recorded for analysis. The latest version of Sikora’s pellet inspection systems also offer in-line measurement capabilities. The Purity Scanner Advanced systems combines X-ray and optical technologies to provide 100% pellet inspection at throughput rates up to 1,000 kg/h. The system can handle transparent and opaque materials and can detect metallic and non-metallic contamination on the surface or inside each pellet, isolating any problematic granules from the production flow. According to the Germany- based company, its X-ray technology can detect contaminants down to 50 by 50 by 50 microns; optical systems can detect to 50 by 50 microns. Israel-based
Inspec.Tech also offers an in-line pellet inspection system, which it claims is affordable and compact. In its basic version, the RMI system uses a single area scan camera to monitor a stream of falling pellets at throughput rates of up to 1,000 kg/hr. Defects such as pellet dimensions and tails can be detected using the basic system while a colour camera upgrade allows colour variation to be monitored. A variety of air blast options are available for isolation of defective pellets.
CLICK ON THE LINKS FOR MORE INFORMATION: �
https://equitechintl.com �
www.colvistec.de �
www.goettfert.com �
www.leistritz.com �
www.collin-solutions.com �
www.sikora.net �
www.sheetinspection.com (
Inspec.Tech)
36 COMPOUNDING WORLD | November 2020
www.compoundingworld.com IMAGE: COLLIN LAB & PILOT SYSTEMS
IMAGE: SIKORA
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