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NewsEQUIPMENT

Software aids low energy equipment purchasesA software application has been developed by RECIPE to provide plastics processors with information on buying low energy equipment. RECIPE is the European project to help the plastics processing industry reduce its energy consumption. Purchasing decisions are often based on quotes from equipment manufacturers for the cost of delivering the product but the lifetime cost of the piece of equipment differs from this initial cost. For example, all-electric injection moulding machines are typically more expensive to buy than hydraulic

machines but over their lifetime are less expensive to own and run due to energy savings.The RECIPE ‘cost of ownership model’ is said to enable processors to calculate the cost of operating a piece of equipment over its projected lifetime, based on energy efficiency and projected usage. Reports from the modeling software will show comparisons of the lifetime cost of a variety of machines as well as the differences in the cost when producing a specific part.

Contact: RECIPEWebsite: www.eurecipe.com

Double planetary mixer developed to handle highly viscous materialsAn improved 500 gallon Double Planetary Mixer has been introduced by equipment manufacturer Charles Ross & Son Company. High viscosity (HV) mixing blades enable the mixer to blend viscous materials up to 8,000,000 centipoise.Most of the heavy-duty Double Planetary Mixers are used for non-flowing materials that require deaeration to insure an air free product before

packaging. The stainless steel mixer features full vacuum operation, a jacketed mix vessel for heating or cooling, a dual post air/oil hydraulic lift and a mix vessel on caster wheels.The mixer is available in capacities ranging from 0.473 litres (1 pint) to 2838.75 litres (750 gallons).

Contact: Charles Ross & Son CompanyWebsite: www.mixers.com

Rupture disks launched for extrusion applicationsA new line of rupture disks has been introduced by analytical instrumentation and sensing technologies provider Dynisco. The rupture disks, also known as ‘burst plugs’ are designed to provide emergency relief of excess pressure build-up in a system by instantaneously

rupturing at a specific predetermined pressure range.The disks are available for burst pressures from 1,500 to 15,000 psi, have an accuracy of ±5% and can withstand melt temperatures up to 399°C (750°F). They are intended for use in extrusion applications and can be used for

primary relief in applications where pressure build-up can occur so quickly that the response time of a relief valve is inadequate. “These products provide low cost insurance against the safety hazards and damage of a potentially catastrophic pressure burst,” comments Matt Carrara,

Dynisco vice president of sales and marketing. “We have seen great demand for these products, so we’ve expanded our product line to cover a wider range of pressures, and to work with a wide variety of process connections.”Contact: DyniscoWebsite: www.dynisco.com

Plastics Additives & Compounding May/June 2007

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