Extrusion International 2-2018

26 Extrusion International 2/2018 EXTRUSION TECHNOLOGY The TEX34 α III model replaces the slightly smaller TEX30 α small-lot extruder, and its screw diameter is 36 mm. The ex- truder’s exceptionally high torque density (18.2 Nm/cm3) en- ables effective yet gentle compounding at low screw speed and optimally low temperature, but without detriment to throughput. Should torque rise to an unacceptably high lev- el, a torque limiting function protects the machine by disen- gaging the drivemotor and gearbox, so that the screw stops rotating. Throughput typically reaches up to 500 kg/h in talc-filled polypropylene, 250 kg/h in masterbatch compounding and 150 kg/h with polymer blends such as ABS and ABS/PC, etc., a worldwide highest performance level for such a compact compounding extruder of this size. The TEX34 α III also excels with its conventional yet conve- nient EZ easy-change tie-bar system, which makes changing barrels easier than in the past. Depending on customer needs, JSW offers the TEX34 α III with a choice of the standard version model and an ultra- compact version with its control cabinet built-in within the footprint of themachine frame, saving space and installation time. The very small footprint TEX34 α III-52.5BW-2V model with its integrated control systemhas the following approxi- mate dimensions and weight: 4,250 mm length, 1,250 mm width (incl. the inverter panel), 1,200 mm center height and 3,500 kg weight. Although specifications and performance of both versions are identical, Jun Kakizaki, General Manager at JSW Europe GmbH in Düsseldorf says “The standard model has a sepa- rate control cabinet, because sometimes customers prefer to have the control cabinet in a separate room in order to pro- tect them from e.g. dust during heavy-duty operation. The ultra-compact model is however designed for laboratory ap- plications, where space may be limited”. While the ultra-compact version does not easily lend itself to customization for individual needs, the standard model can be easily customized, e.g. by provision of a multiple number of vents, adjustment of L/D ratio with screws of different lengths and increasing screw speed by choosing to use one of three drive motors with different performance levels, or even modification to permit explosion-proof operation in hazardous environments. JSW also has many lineups of original developed special de- vices to increase the capability of TEX34 α III. Customers can choose optimumdevices from the lineup in order to improve their production and quality of product. JSW’s NIC (Nikko Intensive Cylinder) mixing barrels have lon- gitudinal grooves on the inside of each barrel, which ben- efits mixing performance by allowing more polymer to pass through the larger gap between the depth of the grooves and the screw. The associated lower shear rate enables low- er temperature mixing and avoids local heat build-up, to the benefit of compound quality and reducing energy consump- tion by 10 to 20% compared with standard non-grooved barrels. The special JSW screw element is the TKD (Twist Kneading Disc), with twisted instead of conventional straight flights, which results in less pressureon theflights andachieves good Ultra-compact version of the TEX34 α III extruder European Debut of new TEX34 α III – Highest Performance Compact Twin-Screw Extruder Following introduction of its new compact TEX34 α III high- performance compounding extruder at the October 2017 IPF International Plastics Fair in Tokyo, JSW now announces the TEX34 α III debut in the European market too, as an extruder for various applications such as compounding, chemical reaction, dewatering, devolatilizing and so on