Extrusion International USA 4-2020

53 Extrusion International 4/2020 KraussMaffei Extrusion GmbH An der Breiten Wiese 3-5, 30625 Hannover, Germany www.kraussmaffei.com easily possible thanks to the wide range of metering and degassing options offered by KraussMaffei’s twin-screw extruders. “In addition, the first twin-screw extruder ensures optimum homogenization of the input mate- rial that is often characterized by rather inhomogeneous quality,” says Carl-Philip Poepel highlighting a decisive benefit of the newmachine combination. Via a melt pipe, the melt is conveyed into the second twin-screw extruder where the actual compounding process takes place. “Fill- ing, reinforcing, pigmenting and incorporation of addi- tives – the twin-screw extruder is designed for any given process task. This is why our extruders are equipped with all auxiliary units for metering pellets, powder, fibres and liquids,” adds Poepel. It goes without saying that Krauss- Maffei’s twin-screw extruders are provided with gravi- metric metering systems for various media as well as with the appropriate downstream equipment such as fine filters, pumps and pelletizing unit from BKG®-Systems from the Nordson Corporation. Proprietary cutter-compactor unit Another new feature of the Edelweiss line is the cutter- compactor unit, which KraussMaffei has recently inte- grated into its portfolio. While rigid fractions with an ap- parent density of over 0.3 kg/l can be easily fed directly into the first twin-screw extruder, particularly light and fluffy material fractions need to be prepared for further processing. The new cutter-compactor unit is the ideal solution for these light fractions, such as fibre and film scrap with high input moisture contents of up to 10%. In the cutter-compactor, the material fraction is first dehu- midified, compacted and homogenized before it is trans- ferred into the ZE 65 BluePower extruder. In contrast to known concepts that have been available on the market so far, the new cutter-compactor unit is op- erated offline and the agglomerate material produced is discharged onto a belt weigher. “This enables gravimet- ric metering with an accuracy of 99.8 %,” says Poepel to emphasize the decisive difference to volumetric metering used up to now. Metering variations that tend to occur with light fractions are thus excluded. With this solution, all post-consumer LDPE, HDPE, PP or PS fractions can now be easily processed into high-quality recompounds and used as a substitute for new material in both injection moulding and extrusion applications. Turnkey module for recycling post-consumer waste Last but not least, the EdelweissCompounding line in- stalled in the R&D centre is completely integrated into a turnkey module. The essential benefits for the owner are easy installation without any preparation, rapid set- up and start-up and well as flexible use. The new turn- key module can be installed in any hall. Neither different levels of installation nor a special hall construction are required, as the module of well-conceived design con- tains all elements required for recompounding. When delivered, the line only needs to be connected to the lo- cal power, water and compressed air supply and produc- tion can be started immediately. In the event of reloca- tion, the module can be transported as a whole and is immediately ready for production without any changes being required. In-depth plant engineering competence meets extensive formulation know-how “Interested customers can carry out industrial-scale tri- als on the new state-of-the-art EdelweissCompounding line in our R&D centre and convince themselves of the benefits offered by the overall modular-design plant concept,” KraussMaffei’s Director of Product Manage- ment invites customers to get in touch for joint devel- opment projects. Thanks to the unique combination of unparalleled mechanical engineaering expertise with an enormous wealth of experience in the creation of specific formulations for the production of high-quality compounds and recompounds from post-consumer and post-industrial waste, the Hannover-based company is an ideal partner for up-cycling projects of any type. A well-equipped analytical laboratory and an injection moulding machine for the production of first product samples from the compounds produced on the Edel- weissCompounding line perfectly round off the package solution. Carl-Philip Poepel, Director Product Management Extrusion Technology, KraussMaffei Photos: KraussMaffei