Extrusion International 1-2017

24 Extrusion International 1/2017 COMPOUNDING TEX25 α III high-performance extruder for demanding R&D in compounding The Japan Steel Works, Ltd. JSW, shows at K 2016 its TEX25 α III laboratory extruder with a special side feeder, the compounding range ofwhich extends to super engineeringplastics and rubber/ elastomer compound. The compact 26.5 mm diameter co- rotating twin-screw extruder (first worldwide debut in 2014), for product development of various compounds andmasterbatches in engineering and high performance thermoplastics is the smallest one of eight types in the TEX- α III series (up to 129.5 mm diameter) available in Europe. The TEX25 α III compounding range covers all general purpose/ engineering plastics recipes and extends to super engineering plastics such as PEEK, PPA, PPS, LCP, PEI, and PI, also rubber/ elastomer compound such as TPV. This makes the compounder ideal for research and development with frequent material and process changes, as cartridge heaters and a barrel clamping mechanism enable easy and rapid barrel section block chang- es., The total screw length/diameter (L/D) ratios can be select- ed from 42 with 12 blocks, 52.5 with 15 blocks, and 70 with 20 blocks. The machine accommodates vented or closed barrel sections and side feeding of abrasive reinforcements, heat- or shear-sensitive compound additives and materials into the melt via a downstreambarrel section. Wear resistant LSP-2modified tool steel screws and barrels inN60-S nickel based alloymade by JSW promise long life of barrel and screw (high wear and cor- rosion resistance) for various kinds of compounds containing abrasive and/or corrosive materials and additives. TEX25 α III series advantages include a new gearbox design combined with enhanced gears and bearings, screw shafts and barrels as well as individual barrel temperature control. The re- sult is a surprisingly high torque of up to 194 Nm per shaft (or 387 Nm in total) combined with wider processing windows as well as more aggressive kneading and mixing. Its torque den- sity value is 18.2 Td i.e. reduced screw speed without reducing the throughput and keeping the temperature at an optimally reduced level. A standard torque limiting function disengages motor and gearbox to stop the screw rotation and protect the machinery. A low noise water-cooledmotor is optional, as is di- rect drive instead of the standard V-belt drive in Europe. A TKD Twist Kneading Disc screw element with a twisted tip developed for energy-efficiency of kneading and mixing sup- ports this “tip-clearance technology” by ensuring fast material conveying and relatively lowmaterial temperaturewhile retain- ing appropriate mixing efficiency. “Such features make the TEX25 α III the worldwide highest performance compact twin- screw extruder,” says Jun Kakizaki, JSW Europe General Man- ager since July 2016. JSW’s patented TEX-FAN Flow Analysis Network R&D support tool developed for TEX25 α III analyses polymer melt pressure, temperature, residence time and fill factor with special dedi- cated software developed by JSW. The TEX25 α III comes with JSW’s EXANET 64-bit RISC high-speed control system. Its 15-inch colour LCD touchscreen provides for easy operation, optimum process control and monitoring, storing thousands of opera- tion conditions and process parameters. It integrates with aux- iliary equipment, from JSW’s gravimetric feeders, side feeder, through to strand and underwater pelletizer units. The NIC special kneading barrel developed by JSW is discussed as a possible option. It achieves good mixing/dispersion at re- peated high-low shear rate and high viscosity for good com- pound material properties – without dead zones at the mixing zone through the introduction of several longitudinal grooves of particular geometry on the inside barrel surface for more screw to barrel clearance. New“TEXenter”: “Wewould also like to announce that we will open our new technical center called “TEXenter” at K2016 in Düsseldorf from January 2017,” says Hayato Hobo, Sales Representative at JSW Europe since June 2016. The “TEXenter”will be equippedwith all high-end equip- ment for R&D on extrusion processes, compounding, dewater- ing, devolatilizing, pelletizing etc. The TEX44 α III will be installed for high-end compound test and a specialized TEX30 α will be available for devolatilizing test. The 700 square meter floor space “TEXenter” is combined with a 200 square meter office section. “We welcome customers and prospects to come to us for TEX- α III demonstrations,” promises Kenji Inagawa, Process Engineer. Apart fromhands on equipment, the “TEXenter” has the appropriate facilities for seminars, lectures and training on customer demand. http://www.jsw.co.jp/en/products/index.html TEX25 α III, co-rotating twin-screw extruder