Extrusion International USA 3-2020

58 Extrusion International 3/2020 MEASURING TECHNOLOGY the system is configured before dispatch according to the requirements of the operator. It detects and sorts out contamination down to a size of 50 µm. Benefits of optical separation and demetallization With the described system, manufacturers and processors of plastic pellets can test the produced or purchased goods to 100 % and separate optical defects as well as metal in- clusions. The arising benefits lead to a reduction of: • Production rejects • Machine downtimes • Repairs and post-processing of machines and tools • Electrical breakdowns (for cables) • Hot channel damages and distribution blockage (for injection molding) • Replacement purchase, additional freight, energy costs, setup time • Anew processing of replacement material • Additional personnel costs due to extra worktime • Recycling and disposal costs • Image damage and customer dissatisfaction Consequently, the delivery capability can not only be ob- tained, but can also be improved because unpredictable risks due to metallic contamination or no longer melting polymer burns can be eliminated. This is an important as- pect especially for safety relevant products in the medical, aerospace and automotive area in order to prevent prod- uct failure. Furthermore, for the e+e section, it can be pointed out that with the reduction of black specks also a reduction of breakdowns can be achieved. Therefore, black specks are not only responsible for visual defects, but often also for functional defects. Conclusion Only if flawless raw materials are being processed, com- mon subsequent defects in subsequent processes can be reduced or avoided. Consequently, the highest possible cleanliness of plastic pellets is of significant importance for compounders and processors alike. It is the prerequi- site to avoid waste and to protect natural and economic resources as well as the environment. Simultaneously, the quality can be significantly improved for processors and finally the consumers. In this respect and due to the continuously increasing quality requirements of the plastic processors, the de- mand for online inspection and sorting systems will fur- ther grow. New tooling technologies as well as ever de- creasing cross sections in the hot channel and distribution system set higher criteria regarding the raw material to be processed. These requirements can only be fulfilled by future oriented technologies such as the system devel- oped by SIKORA AG. By means of optical cameras and X- ray technology, the system detects online and automati- cally sorts out black specks, color deviations and metallic contamination down to a size of 50 µm, and thus guaran- tees so far unmatched quality. Authors Hilger Groß, Business Development & Sales Manager, and Rebecca Zachau, Corporate Communications SIKORA AG SIKORA AG Bruchweide 2, 28307 Bremen, Germany www.sikora.net Gallery viewof detected contaminationby theonline inspectionand sorting system