KraussMaffei Berstorff presents new vacuum degassing system for granular or powdered fillers.Thanks to KraussMaffei Berstorff possible is to achieve higher output rates in plastics filling and reinforcing applications.
On the occasion of Fakuma 2011 in Friedrichshafen, KraussMaffei Berstorff will showcase a new vacuum degassing system for the ZSFE twin-screw side feeder.
This side feeder is used in combination with twin-screw extruders of the ZE UTX and ZE UT series. The new degassing system offered by the Hannover-based KraussMaffei Berstorff experts is the ideal solution for the efficient removal of high air volumes when processing plastics with additives.
“This system sets new standards in terms of compounding productivity and cost effectiveness. Depending on the apparent density of the filling agent, the output can be almost tripled as compared to side feeders without degassing system.
The optimum field of application for this system is the compounding of compounds filled with talc, wood flour, light-weight chalk types or other high-volume additives”, explains Gerhard Scheel, head of development at KraussMaffei Berstorff in Hannover.
With fillers of low apparent density, the hollow spaces between the particles are filled with air. This air volume is not required for compounding and limits the output rate of the side feeder. The vacuum degassing system removes the air before the fillers reach the processing chamber of the extruder and reduces the volume, thus increasing the apparent density.
Consequently, the degassing system allows the filler share used in the process to be increased. “The operating efficiency is substantially improved by the higher filler share and the increased output rate. This is why in most cases the investment pays off within a short period of time”, adds Scheel.
The degassing system is equipped with an adjustable vacuum pump and a special non-metallic non-woven filter. This filter separates all particles with a size of about 1 my, and does not remove any filling agent. The suction capacity of the vacuum pump is freely adjustable in order to achieve an optimum suction performance for materials of most varied apparent densities.
The filter system is composed of standard materials and can be easily and rapidly replaced. “In the years to come, the vacuum degassing system for fillers with low apparent density will become the standard equipment of side feeders. Retrofitting of existing machines is possible at any time and definitely makes sense”, confirms Scheel. The vacuum degassing system can be ordered as of Fakuma 2011 and is suitable for retrofitting all KraussMaffei Berstorff twin-screw extruders of the ZE UT and ZE UTX series.
