Extrusion International 2-2024-USA

40 Extrusion International 2/2024 40 INDUSTRY NEWS New All-Electric Extrusion Blow Shuttle Model at NPE2024 R&B Plastics Machinery, a leading manufacturer of all-electric extru- sion blow molding (EBM) shuttle machines, hydraulic accumulator machines, and single-screw extru- sion systems, will launch its new- est all-electric EBM shuttle model at the NPE 2024 exhibition. At its booth, R&B will demonstrate the new Model RBS-E550D All-Electric shuttle unit while also displaying one of their MAX™ Series Single- Screw Extruders. R&B’s Model RBS-E550D All- Electric EBM Shuttle machine will be configured with a W. Müller 2 x 250mm CD tri-layer die-head with individual servo electric wall thick- ness controls. Housed between the main extruder and die-head is W. Müller’s newmelt filtration technol - ogy, the WM-096 Manual Screen Changer System. “This new all-electric shuttle ex- pands our all-electric offering and gives customers another option that provides a smaller footprint, flexibil - ity, and greater efficiency tomeet to - day’s demanding packaging require- ments,” said Fred Piercy, President and General Manager of R&B. In a tri-layer application displayed at NPE, the new all-electric shuttle machine will be outfitted with a main extruder size of 100mm x 26:1 L/D ratio and designed for process- ing regrind PE-type resins. The sat- ellite extruders, for inner and outer layers, are sized at 70mm x 24:1 L/D ratio, respectively. Among the machine’s key fea- tures are a heavy-walled steel tube and steel plate frame construction with “walk-in” molding area and “top of machine” access platforms for long life and easy maintenance. Access platforms can also be used for mounting a mold changing crane if required. The new model is the first R&B shuttle equipped with Yaskawa X absolute servo motors and drives. The servo motors and controllers of- fer some of the fastest and smooth- est machine motions available in the industry. W. Müller’s Model WM- 096 manual screen changer is easily accessed for screen pack changes or system maintenance. The system can also be driven via a cordless screwdriver without effort. The new all-electric shuttle also offers in-machine deflashing with “center of machine” scrap removal which keeps the conveyor behind the clamping/molding stations and allows for a more open area when performing mold changes or ma- chinery maintenance. The in-ma- chine servo electric part takeout sys- tem includes a “center of machine” takeaway conveyor that provides for a single-point container exit. Servo electric calibration stations with self-adjusting height compen- sation allows for consistent shear ring cutting. In addition, Siemens IPC477E Industrial PC with 15.0-in TFT touchscreen provides for an intu- itive controls system that is focused on easy navigation. Meanwhile, re- mote access of the machine for tech- nical support is achieved via an Ewon system, which is easily integrated within a customer’s IT system. R&B will also statically display one of their standard 3-1/2” x 32:1 L/D MAX™ Extruders with a vented- to-atmosphere barrel. This MAX™ Extruder includes standard Allen- Bradley Compact Logix-based con- trols with a 15.0-in TFT touchscreen. The control system allows for simpli- fied integration of various down - stream equipment so long as the downstream equipment is config - ured with the proper electrical com- ponents. Optional features include a Nordson Hydraulic Screen Chang- er with extruder base mounted Hy- draulic Power Unit. R&B MAX™ Ex - truders are available in sizes as small as 1-1/2-in to 10-in diameter. R&B also offers both hydraulic and hybrid Accumulator BlowMold- ing Machines with different single- and dual-head configurations. R&B accumulator machines are deployed in automotive and industrial chemi- cal markets, and in a range of spe- cialty applications throughout the large-part blow molding market. It also performs extensive rebuilds and modernization of all competi- tive equipment. The company serves a diverse customer base with many business segments and markets including food and beverage, personal care, household, pharmaceutical, mo- tor oil and lubricants, automotive, lawn and agricultural chemicals, and industrial specialties. Modern- ization and upgrade services bring older machinery up-to-date, thus providing measurable productivity improvements, faster cycle time, en- ergy savings, improved quality, and greater efficiency and consistency. Cost savings benefits usually include decreased labor, utility, and materi- als usage variance improvement. R&B Plastics Machinery LLC www.rbplasticsmachinery.com NPE2024: Booth #S19071