Extrusion International USA 4-2019

69 Extrusion International 4/2019 drum containing eight satellite single screws, driven by a ring gear and pinion transmission. The “barrels” cut into the drum are approximately 30%open and provide optimum exposure of the melt. Thanks to this design, the devolatilizing performance is ap- prox. 50 times greater than that of a conventional vented single screw extruder – and this at a vacuum of only 25 to 40 mbar. While other dryerless technologies are promoting at least partial pre-drying in themeantime, theMRS extruder can process R-PET with up to 1 % moisture content. By avoiding the need for a deep vacuum system and pre-drying, the MRS is an economically efficient alternative to conventional tech- nologies. Further arguments in its favor besides energy sav- ings are the simple and rugged design, small footprint, its ease of operation and low maintenance, processing flexibility and last but not least its excellent melt quality and homogeneity. A Letter of Non Objection (LNO) from the FDA, EFSA conformity and several local approvals in Latin America confirm the de- contamination efficiency of this technology. One area this has been especially successful is in PET sheet ex- trusion. The line at the Kwill be delivered to a customer in Bra- zil after the show to process R-PET into a packaging sheet. In parallel, withGneuss’ headquarters only about 200 km from the show, a complete PET sheet extrusion line with a Gneuss GPU will be running in Gneuss’ technical center open to visi- tors. Additionally, the previously exhibitedpolyreactor JUMP will be operating in Gneuss’ technical center for an online demonstra- tion. The JUMP can lift the IVvalueof a PETmelt up to0,95dl/g. The reactor is installed directly downstream of a Gneuss Pro- cessing Unit and the polymer passes over several slow turning elements which create a polymer film, the surface of which is constantly renewed. The reactor vessel is kept under vacuum, through which volatile substances are reliably removed. By regulating the residence time in the reactor, the vacuum, the fill level and the speed of rotation of the agitating devices, the polycondensation reaction can be altered to achieve the re- quired product properties. The JUMP is a compact, quick and efficient alternative to conventional SSP (solid state) systems and enables direct reintroduction of the polymer into the pro- duction process without the need to remelt the PET. Gneuss Kunststofftechnik GmbH gneuss.com The days of analogue measurement value transmission in polymer technology are numbered. With the requirements for flexibility, availability and safety of the machines and systems becoming more and more stringent, there is a need for new, digital solutions. IO-Link is aworldwide standardised technology for digital link- ing of sensors and actuators. Communication takes place over a point-to-point connection and is thus not a field bus. IO-Link ismanufacturer-independent and is becomingmore andmore widespread in industrial automation engineering. Most re- nowned controllermanufacturers offer IO-Linkmasters, which are either directly fitted as an assembly in the controller or in- stalled in the field and connected via a bus system. The traditional melt pressure sensor with an analogue output knows significantly more than just the process pressure. The signal preparation on its inside has been digitised long ago, and as a result, it is in a position to provide valuable informa- tion that simplifiesmaintenance, increases safetyand improves availability. Preventivemaintenance and conditionmonitoring canminimise downtimes andoptimise process safety. Themelt pressure sensor could make a substantial contribution in this regard, if it could divulge its knowledge. But unfortunately, its communications facilities are limited to one direction and one measurement value. The Gneuss IO-Link sensor offers the possibility to access all those information. Its proven sensor technology, in combina- tion with intelligent, digital communication not only offers monitoring of the electronics temperature, but also records the operating hours in different load ranges. Thus, the user canmakeout, duringongoingoperation, when the electronics head is subject to high heat radiation due to its installation lo- cation, or the sensor is continuously working at the upper limit of its measurement range. In addition, Gneuss’ Measurement Technology division will present its complete line of pressure transducers and transmit- ters, temperature sensors and accessories. K 2019: Hall 9, Booth A38 Gneuss IO-Link pressure transducer A number of Gneuss Processing Units in one of Gneuss production halls