MACHINERY | PELLETISING SYSTEMS Right: The


PRIMO 100E is a single sided dry-cut strand pelletiser for low volume throughputs


Flexible efficiency Due to rapidly changing market requirements, Helm says that customers need both more flexibility and im- proved efficiency. He says that means developing machines suitable for multiple applications while still offering a reasonable package for service and lifetime cost. To this end, the company’s most recent develop- ments include the PRIMO 100E cantilever-design strand pelletiser for medium throughput compounding applications and PRIMO PLUSFlex


According to Maag, the PRIMO PLUSFlex combines PRIMOPlus


machine technology


with Scheer’s 200mm cutting rotors. The segmented rotor geometry is maintained, which is especially beneficial for larger machines due to its modular structure. Cutting rotor segments from the Scheer portfolio are interchange- able with cutting tools of the PRIMO E series machines and now also with the Flex version of the PRIMOPlus


.


Pelletising projects Maag has recently delivered a number of new pelletising systems to


double bearing


strand pelletiser for highly-filled, high throughput compounding applications.


Maag says the PRIMO 100E completes its single-sided strand pelletiser portfolio and provides the ability to efficiently process even highly-filled products in the lower throughput ranges. The new model is particularly suitable for compounding thermoplastics, for functional or additive master- batch production, and for production of colour concentrates up to 1,000 kg per hour. In common with the larger PRIMO 200E, the


100E features a cutting geometry with a flat entry angle and short unguided length between the feed rollers and cutting unit. This allows a straight path to the carbide cutting tools and guarantees high cut quality for hard, brittle and very soft strands. A highly wear-resistant metal feed roller is available on the PRIMO 100E in place of the usual elastomer feed roller, and granule length can be easily changed during operation by means of a second optional dual drive.


compounding customers. Three automatic JSG (Jet Stream Granula-


tion) systems have been delivered to DSM’s high performance materials compounding operation at Evansville, Indiana, in the US. The systems provide an overall throughput of 18 tonnes/hr. Two lines comprising standard water bath and JSG pelletisers have been supplied to Germany’s Akro Plastic. The company has also supplied 26 standard pelletising lines and two automatic JSG systems with a com- bined throughput of 25 tonnes/hr to Poly Plastic Masterbatch, which is based at Suzhou in China. Helm says future strand pelletising developments


at Maag will involve machine condition and wear monitoring depending on vibration, improved connectivity and machine intelligence, as well as alternative pelletising solutions. Underwater pelletiser developments within the


Maag Group are also focused on improved product flexibility, easy changeovers and a higher degree of automation and efficiency. “Good looking product within the customer’s specification is an absolute expectation, which is what end-users are looking to get from these machines to differen- tiate themselves from other suppliers,” says Michael Eloo, Managing Director at Maag’s Gala Kunststoff- und Kautschukmaschinen division. “From our point of view, pelletising is the heart


Maag’s PRIMO PLUSFLEX combines Primo machine technology with Scheer’s 200mm rotors


42 PLASTICS RECYCLING WORLD | January/February 2021


of the machine - this is the step where the product finally becomes a visible form of the plastic,” he says. “At this point, the pellets need to meet all of the required specifications. Overall, there is a need for a holistic approach to downstream equipment following the extruder, compounder, reactor or mixer. This addresses issues of cleanability, accessibility and the ability to exchange tools in operation. However, such flexibility cannot affect the efficiency of the machine.”


� www.plasticsrecyclingworld.com


IMAGE: MAAG GROUP


IMAGE: MAAG GROUP


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