MATERIALS PREPARATION | TECHNOLOGY
A cost-effective injection moulding operation relies on an efficient and highly accurate pre-drying procedure to guarantee quality and minimal waste. Mark Holmes finds out more
Controlling the drying process for cost and quality
Preparing materials for the injection moulding process requires precision drying to ensure maximum moulding efficiency, while minimising waste. However, the drying operation can be a costly one, so there is a constant need to find ways to minimise energy usage for a cost-efficient injection moulding operation. Injection moulders, like all processors, are continuing to streamline and automate. “Time is money and time spent down due to changeovers, diagnosing issues, or waiting for support is time wasted,” says A.J. Zambanini, Dryers Product Manager at Conair. “Our goal is to make robust equipment that lasts. Our drying equipment is designed for simple operation and maintenance. At the same time the controls are easy to use, providing advanced features and help menus. The dryer is no longer a black box, it is a data wiz that allows you to know in real time what is going on in all facets of your drying system. By the same token, our new air-cooled mobile drying/conveying units – the dX Series – which do not require a water connection, allow processors to pre-dry resins off-line, anywhere there is a power outlet, so they
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are ready for a quick material change. “As shops that may have resisted drying in the past begin using more hygroscopic resins, those new dryers put a load on an already taxed convey- ing and water infrastructure. This is another reason Conair has developed a totally air-cooled option for our mobile dryers. These air-cooled units are very efficient and do not require water. They can also be provided with on-board loading capabili- ties so they can fill the hopper independent of a central vacuum system. This eliminates the need to run additional chilled water, vacuum, and material lines, which can be a huge saving when looking into adding a dryer to your system. “In addition, custom-blended resins, including post-industrial and post-consumer materials, are being used more often to gain a competitive material advantage or to save on lower-cost material streams. All of these can have an adverse effect on drying equipment if not handled properly. Conair has filtration equipment for dust, fines, and volatiles that help keep the dryer running like new, even when these alternative materials are being processed.”
� March 2019 | INJECTION WORLD 39
Main image: Conair’s new Carousel Plus D Series portable dryer (left) and dX Series
mobile drying/ conveying system offer advanced features, easy-to-use controls, and a new air-to-air intercooling option that eliminates the need for a cooling water supply
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