British Plastics & Rubber articles from August 2002

British Plastics & Rubber archives from August 2002

More than just a trade show. (Starts Here).
August 1, 2002... THIS MONTH'S British Plastics & Rubber is all about Interplas--well, nearly. Over the next 75 pages we bring you as much information as the exhibitors have brought us about what you can see there. We have been as comprehensive as we can in...

Metallic silver without flow lines. (Engineering Compound).
August 1, 2002... Albis of Germany introduced its Alcom range of high performance compounds last year, and its UK subsidiary is now introducing them to this country [Stand 3241]. The Alcom range uses additives to enhance the properties of engineering...

Contact lens beginnings led to bespoke polymer service. (Medical Contact).
August 1, 2002... Contamac was founded in 1987 to develop and produce materials for contact lenses and today has a big range of specialised biocompatible plastics for clinical applications from contact and intraocular lenses (used in cataract surgery) to...

High performance nylons from Frisetta. (Nylons).
August 1, 2002... New from specialist nylon compounder Frisetta are crosslinked nylon 6 and 66 grades which the company says can be can be ideal replacements for thermosets or expensive high performance thermoplastics, giving excellent electrical and flame...

And aromatics from DuPont. (Nylons).
August 1, 2002... A separate display on the DuPont stand [3267] is dedicated to Zytel HTN high performance polyamide. Zytel HTN is based on partially aromatic polyamides, most of which fall into the class of polymers known as PPAs (polyphthalamides). Exhibits...

PolyOne stresses flame retardants...and so does Nilit. (Nylons).
August 1, 2002... PolyOne says that it is difficult to meet flame retardancy standards and maintain good electrical and mechanical properties with glass-filled PA66, but that its new grades of Bergamid non-halogen/non-phosphorus FR glass filled PA6 and PA66...

PolyOne stresses flame retardants...and so does Nilit. (Nylons).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... The latest flame retardant nylons from Nilit of Italy including halogen-free, brominated and red phosphorus-based grades will be shown by Hellyar Plastics on Stand 3350. Most of these grades have UL yellow card listing.

PEEK performance at higher temperatures. (Paek).
August 1, 2002... The already high performance of PEEK polyaryletherketone produced by Victrex has been increased with a grade extending its temperature capabilities. PEEK-HT has a glass transition temperature of 157 degC and melting temperature of 373 degC...

Direct metallisation for automotive lighting. (Polyphenylene Sulphide).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Albis is pitching its Tedur PPS as a DMC replacement in demanding automotive lighting applications. Lamp reflectors need to withstand up to 250 degC, which is why they are still made mainly in thermosets or diecast metal. Tedur is now able to...

Amber compound is transparent to UV. (PVC).
August 1, 2002... A special medical grade of PVC to make containers for non-injectable aqueous solutions has recently been introduced by Solvay Benvic. Benvic IB 601/MC08 is amber in colour with a high transparency to UV radiation and complies with the European...

Cut heavy metals with drop-in replacement compounds. (PVC).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... A new range of high flow injection grades has been added to the Geon series of lead and heavy metal-free vinyl compounds from PolyOne [Stand 3260]. These are designed as a 'drop-in' replacement for existing materials, with no lead stabilizer....

Customised compounds have the edge over standard grades. (PVC).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Begra Granulate of Germany says it is Europe's largest PVC compounder, and plans to get bigger with the addition of two more compounding lines later this year. It concentrates on the major market sectors such as window profiles, ducting, cables...

Three Vita sheet businesses show together. (Semi-Finished Materials).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... The three thermoplastic sheet businesses of British Vita will be sharing Stand 3291. VTS Doeflex makes polystyrene and polypropylene sheet for point of sale, stationery and signage applications; VTS Plastech makes olefin sheet products mainly...

Improved clarity in styrenic TPEs. (Thermoplastic Elastomers).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Among the AlphaGary Evoprene range of TPEs for which Albis became a UK distributor last year are recently-introduced improved clarity materials. There are two grades, based on SBS and SEBS, covering the Shore A range of 24 to 75. They have...

Sourced from recyclate to meet legislative demands. (Thermoplastic Polyesters).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Petal engineered PET and PBT compounds from PolyOne are based on recycled PET resin. They have been developed to meet the growing demand for 'recycle-content' in, for example, office equipment and automotive applications. [Stand 3260].

Wood/PP targeted at injection moulding. (Would-Filled Composites).
August 1, 2002... Naturflow PP60 from Allchem International is a blend of polypropylene and soft wood fibres from sustained forests which is designed to run on standard injection moulding machines with only slight adjustments to the pressure and temperature...

Resin Express adds new materials. (Materials Distributors).
August 1, 2002... Resin Express is adding two new product formulations on Stand 3181. The first is Dow's Questra N, a new grade of syndiotactic polystyrene which is modified with PA66 to improve impact and elongation to failure, and the second is Oroglas Frosted...

Distributor specialises in TPEs. (Materials Distributors).(Harvest Polymers specializes in thermoplastic elastomers)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Harvest Polymers reckons to be the UK's only dedicated distributor of thermoplastic elastomers, and represents some of the world's global leaders in TPE. All the principle TPE families are offered, including SBS, SEBS, TPV, COPE and specialist...

Emergency supplies. (Materials Distributors).
August 1, 2002... United Polymer Distribution is a West Midlands supplier of commodity and engineering plastics, additives and masterbatch which says it specialises in quick turn rounds, emergencies and out of hours delivery. The company will be on the Advantage...

A distributor by inheritance. (Materials Distributors).
August 1, 2002... While not technically a materials distributor in that it owns the sources of production, Solvay Advanced Polymers, was set up to operate as one when Solvay SA bought BP Amoco's engineering plastics business. Solvay already produced Ixef...

One for all and all for PolyOne. (Materials Distributors).
August 1, 2002... This year's Interplas will be the first time that PolyOne's various business groups will be exhibiting together (on Stand 3260) since the combination of The M A Hanna Company and the Geon Company in September 2000. The product groups are:...

Increased focus on prime materials. (Materials Distributors).
August 1, 2002... Arto Chemicals has changed its emphasis over the years from dealing primarily in off grade and slow moving stock to becoming a distributor of prime products in its two main markets, the UK and France. It sells materials from a number of leading...

New name on the Hellyar stand. (Material & Distributors).
August 1, 2002... A recent addition to the portfolio at Hellyar Plastics is Israeli nylon supplier Nilit, whose Italian-based compounding arm Euronil will he on Stand 3350 showing its latest developments in flame retardant nylons. Also represented will be BP...

Technical support. (Material & Distributors).
August 1, 2002... Distrupol brands itself 'the technical distributor' and offers deep support in terms of materials selection, application development and technical seminars and training. Because of the breadth of its range it can offer materials selection...

Compounder and distributor. (Material & Distributors).
August 1, 2002... As well as the engineering and commodity thermoplastic compounds it distributes on behalf of its German parent, Albis [Stand 3241] represents a number of major international polymer manufacturers. It is the licensed compounder for Bayer...

Liquids for PET and more. (Colorants).
August 1, 2002... Liquid colorants have not enjoyed a high reputation because of processing problems, but ColorMatrix Europe says that that is now all in the past, and has produced a number of types for specific applications which bring benefits in terms of low...

Colour concentrates for PET bottles. (Colorants).
August 1, 2002... ComPETe colour concentrates for PET bottles will be shown by PolyOne on Stand 3260. These are described as solid cost-effective alternatives to wax-based and liquid coloration, with reproducibility and ease of use.

Effect pigments for masterbatchers and compounders. (Colorants).
August 1, 2002... The pigment concentrates produced by Eckart UK for masterbatch and compound production are mainly metal concentrates, but the company is also increasingly supplying pearlescents and now thermochromics. They are produced in dust-free granular...

EPS made absorbent to eliminate an extra component. (EPS Additives).
August 1, 2002... Performance and process additives from PolyOne [Stand 3260] include absorbent additive concentrates for EPS food trays. Developments in this concentrate remove the need for the absorbent pad, improving food cleanliness.

New source of precipitated carbonates. (Fillers).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Longcliffe Calcium Carbonates has joined forces with Zafranas Microfill of Greece and can now offer a complete range of effect extenders both as natural ground materials and as nano-particle precipitated carbonates. The natural Zafranas...

Calcined clay range is extended. (Fillers).
August 1, 2002... Two clay fillers are being added to the range from Imerys, which reckons to be the world's largest producer of industrial white minerals. Polarite 402A is an ultrafine silane-treated calcined clay for engineering thermoplastics, said to...

Laser marking in action. (Laser Marking).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... There will be a practical demonstration of PolyOne's FastMARK laser marking additives and compounds on Stand 3260.

Redesign improves set-up efficiency. (Extruders).
August 1, 2002... The new ZE Ultra Torque series introduced by Berstorff at K'01 and to be shown on Stand 5150 has a new barrel connection system, larger side-feed openings and degassing vents and a new temperature control system. In addition, most of the...

Emphasis on lab line masks high output capability. (Extruders).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... APV Baker is focusing on its new laboratory scale extruder on Stand 4140 but is also promoting its ability to supply complete production plants from raw material premixing to pelletising and handling at outputs exceeding 5,000 kg/hr.

Compounds for powder injection moulding. (Shear Rolls).
August 1, 2002... Production of compounds for powder injection moulding can be done using Bellaform's BSW shear rollers. The company will be on the Uniplex Machinery Sales stand, 5318, where it will show some typical metal and ceramic products being produced by...

Mixers dedicated to PVC blending and masterbatch. (Mixers).
August 1, 2002... Henschel's range consists of six mixer types, each available in different sizes with a laboratory version. On the Uniplex Machinery stand [5318] it will show the most widely used system for the compounding of PVC dry blends, the FM series of...

Wittmann says pay up and get the pay back. (Centralised Systems).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Centralised vacuum conveying and hopper loading, blending and mixing equipment are now part of the Wittmann portfolio, and some of the capability will be shown on Stand 5342. Wittmann says that cost is usually the biggest objection to...

Sandretto introduces centralised supply. (Centralised Systems).
August 1, 2002... Marking Sandretto's expansion into ancillary systems alongside injection machine sales will be a demonstration of a central polymer feed system with touch screen control which can be located remotely, typically in a production control office....

Fully automatic material change. (Conveying).
August 1, 2002... The Intel box multi-material distribution system has been further developed to allow fully automatic material change without any manual handling. Contamination has been eliminated when changing from one material to another by using linear...

Pneumatic or mechanical options. (Conveying).
August 1, 2002... Pneumatic transport systems based on 160 mm ducting and high pressure fans from 1.5 to 11 kW will be shown by BDC Systems [Stand 4603]. Other handling systems can be based on screw conveyors or chain and flight conveyors.

Conveyors suited to dusty materials. (Conveying).
August 1, 2002... Mechanical loaders and systems for dusty or powder/blended materials to be shown by Tek Machinery are said to be most economic for large throughput/short distance applications. Complementary equipment such as trough and aero-mechanical units is...

New fittings and bends. (Conveying).
August 1, 2002... New fittings are being added to the Masterflex range of polyurethane hoses for transporting powders, granules and other abrasive materials. The Combiflex connecting system is available in fixed and screwable versions with two kinds of cuff,...

New dosing system in low throughput gravimetric blender. (Dosing, Feeding and Blending).(new machine from Motan)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... The latest Gravicolor gravimetric blender from Motan [Stand 5355] is intended for small doses and is the first to use the company's Micro-dosing system. This uses a continually turning dosing screw mounted vertically in a helically cut chamber...

Internet access to TSM's blenders. (Dosing, Feeding and Blending).
August 1, 2002... TSM Control Systems' blenders can now be monitored, analysed and have problems diagnosed from any PC connected to the factory intranet or from anywhere in the world for service/diagnostic requirements using the newly developed Ethernet...

New small gravimetric units from Piovan. (Dosing, Feeding and Blending).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Piovan will be introducing new gravimetric dosing equipment on the PL Plastics Machinery stand, 5541. The MDW 20 and MDW 70 blenders are designed for small throughputs and are said to be especially competitive for direct on-the-machine...

Set up the blender while it is running. (Dosing, Feeding and Blending).
August 1, 2002... The Ferlin Gravimix gain-in-weight gravimetric dosing and blending unit to be shown by UPM Machinery Sales [Stand 5274] has an individual adjustable circuit for regrind and records the consumption of materials to enable costs to be calculated....

Horizontal or vertical blenders. (Dosing, Feeding and Blending).
August 1, 2002... Vertical blenders with capacities from l.8 to 9.5 cu m and horizontal ribbon mixers in mild or stainless steel will be shown by BDC Systems on Stand 4603.

Powders and granules. (Dosing, Feeding and Blending).
August 1, 2002... Units for powders as well as granules will be shown by Tek Machinery, with volumetric and gravimetric systems for all applications. Also on show will be a selection of the company's type MV mini-mixers, suitable for small, beside-the-press...

No bridging with Transitube. (Dosing, Feeding and Blending).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... The Transitube spiral feeding dosing/mixing system Model ZFP to be shown by PL Plastics Machinery has a special anti-bridging device and is said to offer advantages when conveying difficult materials.

Additive feeder has one moving part. (Dosing, Feeding and Blending).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... The new Posimax additive feeder from Colormax is for the addition of free-flowing additives such as colour masterbatch. It uses a positive displacement channel feeding mechanism to control the flow of material by volume into the process with...

Volumetric and gravimetric options. (Dosing, Feeding and Blending).
August 1, 2002... New from Mann + Hummel ProTec will be the MiniMix MM 16 and MiniMix MM 24 low volume volumetric dosing units. Both can be used on injection moulding machines and extruders and can add to the free-running main component up to four granular or...

Gravimetric blender and networking software. (Dosing, Feeding and Blending).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Conair will show its WSB multi-ingredient gravimetric blender on Stand 4410. The unit is designed to reduce consumption of master-batches and additives and minimize machine downtime by eliminating the need for the lengthy calibration procedures...

Materials handling to suit a purpose. (Dosing, Feeding and Blending).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Colortronic will divide its range of dryers, blenders, hopper loaders, metal detectors, temperature controllers, flow regulators and granulators between applications for injection and blow moulding and for extrusion, compounding and chemical...

Alternative feeder designs all use single cable bus. (Dosing, Feeding and Blending).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... The range of feeders from Brabender Technologie is demonstrated on Stand 4125 by FlexWall, screw and weight belt feeders. The FlexWall gives first in first Out mass flow and prevents bridging and ratholing by externally massaging the...

Masterbatch dosing to 90 kg/hr. (Dosing, Feeding and Blending).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Albis has begun selling the Continator Color Exact volumetric masterbatch doser which has been available from a number of UK distributors, and anticipates achieving UK exclusivity. Models are available for both injection moulding and extrusion...

Vacuum drying 'will make other methods obsolete'. (Drying).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Three versions of the Maguire Low Pressure Dryer, including the new higher throughput 200 model, will be shown by Summit Systems on Stand 5210. The dryer uses vacuum to 'pull moisture out of the pellets' and according to Maguire 'will...

Focus on energy saving. (Drying).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... To save energy standard UPM dryers operate at a dew point of -70 degC which the company says means less frequent regeneration of the desiccant beds. UPM offers a five year guarantee on the beds. Energy consumption is also reduced by the heat...

Low cost drying. (Drying).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Low cost drying equipment will be shown by BDC Systems [Stand 4603]. Drying is in hoppers for small quantities, or in dryers for quantities of 6 cu m or more.

Machine-mounted to central systems. (Drying).
August 1, 2002... Hot air and continuous dehumidified dryers from Tek Machinery range from small units designed for throat mounting to centralised systems with multiple drying hoppers for highly hygroscopic materials. [Stand 5285].

New compact range. (Drying).
August 1, 2002... A new compact range of dryers from Colortronic has been redesigned to achieve maximum air flow and dew points while minimising energy usage and floor space requirements. [Stand 5260].

Desiccant and compressed air options. (Drying).(new drying equipment)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... The complete range of Piovan dryers will be shown by PL Plastics Machinery on Stand 5541. The DS 5 and DS 6 Series molecular sieve dehumidifying dryers have a more compact and functional design and are equipped with a new microprocessor control...

Wittmann dryers make their debut. (Drying).
August 1, 2002... Wittmann will be showing its Drymax range for the first time at Interplas on Stand 5342. It was rated as best buy in comparative tests in America with some of its point scoring features as consistent temperature at every point throughout the...

One blower does all. (Drying).(drying equipment)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Mann + Hummel ProTec says its series T/TF dryers are unique in that they are the only dryers which use one blower to supply the air for drying, regeneration and material conveying, aided by a monitoring and control system. These systems operate...

Indexing desiccant. (Drying).
August 1, 2002... One of Conair's newest models, the CD150, will be on Stand 4410 equipped with the company's indexing desiccant carousel assembly.

Desiccant dryer is well-connected. (Drying).
August 1, 2002... As well as showing the Labotek FMD series of desiccant dryers on its own stand [3241] (incidentally, in the materials hall rather than equipment because of its main occupation as a compounder) Albis will also have units running on at least...

Dryers dedicated to optical disc work. (Drying).(new products from Motan, Germany)(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... A series of dryers specifically for optical disc production is being introduced by Motan [Stand 5355]. The new Compact series units are based on the company's existing Luxor 50 and 80 models but are smaller, and have had a facelift to reflect...

Organiser keeps an eye on the drying operation. (Drying).(Brief Article)
August 1, 2002... Also new from Motan is a control device for optimising materials drying. The Drying Organiser is intended to prevent moulding problems from the use of inadequately dried material, and to prevent damaging and energy-consuming over-drying. ...

Tek changes its pricing policy. (Hopper Loaders).
August 1, 2002... Vacuum hopper loaders and centralised feed systems from Tek Machinery will be on Stand 5285 in a range of options including stainless steel construction with auto filter clean, programmable digital controllers and a full accessory programme....

Motan cuts cost by cutting frills. (Hopper Loaders).
August 1, 2002... Not everybody needs all the facilities available on modern hopper loaders. To cater for installations where just the basic loading function is required Motan [Stand 5355] is adding a series of simplified options across its Metro range. These...

Conair just gets price competitive. (Hopper Loaders).
August 1, 2002... Conair will be introducing a range of stainless steel single phase vacuum loaders with full function, simple to use controls, described as one of the most competitively priced units on the market. [Stand 4410].

Compact unit from Colortronic. (Hopper Loaders).
August 1, 2002... CSE-2 is the new compact single conveying unit from Colortronic [Stand 5260]. It has all contact parts in stainless steel and can be used for mounting on to the extruder, blow moulder or injection moulding machine, drying hopper, day bin, or...

From magnets to electronics. (Metal Separation).
August 1, 2002... The Tek Machinery magnetic separator range extends from the Econoveyor ferrite hopper magnets to Megaflux rare earth housed units. Recent additions to the range include continuous self-cleaning units such as drum separators and housed bullets...

Metal separators for small spaces. (Metal Separation).
August 1, 2002... A new compact metal separator and a new type of digital separator will be shown by Pulsotronic on the PL Plastics Machinery stand, 5541. These are small compact units, providing a high throughput of material with low particle sizes.

Dedicated to cleaning up PET. (Sorting).
August 1, 2002... Sorting equipment designed specifically to remove white opaque PET from clear PET flakes has been developed by Satake [Stand 5594]. Satake specialises in optical sorting equipment for plastic flakes, pellets and regrind and has a large number...

Sort materials for colour and texture. (Sorting).
August 1, 2002... Optical sorters from BarcoVision can be used with virgin and recycled materials to detect colour and texture differences such as discolorations and foreign objects which could be pieces of wood, metal, glass, off spec pellets etc. Sorters...

Aluminium covers keep materials dry. (Storage).
August 1, 2002... Moisture barrier protection covers for materials containers are made by Protective Packaging and will be shown on Stand 3110. The covers are made as liners for various storage bins and as pallet covers in an aluminium laminate barrier foil....

Hoppers for indoors or out. (Storage).
August 1, 2002... Storage hoppers from BDC Systems are made in galvanized steel and range from 1 m square (1 cu m) to 3 m square (80 cu m). Outdoor hoppers are available up to 50 cu m with a stainless steel option. [Stand 4603].

Not just silos. (Storage).
August 1, 2002... As well as showing the design of its tanks and silos for storing plastics materials, Braby will demonstrate its blending technology and will show new developments in its ancillary range, including the latest version of the loadcell monitoring...

Energy saving and space saving. (Extrusion Blow).
August 1, 2002... The model CT 302 double carriage 5 1 machine built by Extrusion of Italy will be shown on Stand 5390 by Trendpam. The machine has a 10 tonne clamping force which, with the mould opening of 530 mm, allows the production of wide canisters or...

Developed for prototyping work. (Extrusion Blow).
August 1, 2002... The compact blow moulder developed specifically for prototyping work will be shown by MCP Equipment [Stand 5126].

New design of accumulator head. (Extrusion Blow).
August 1, 2002... Details of Meico/ST's new accumulator head, which has been designed for rapid colour/material changes, will be available from Henry Lenox Industrial on Stand 5391. A 1 litre head has already been produced and eventually the range will cover...

Double walled cavities made by vapour deposition. (Tooling).
August 1, 2002... Canadian blow mould tooling specialist Ryka will be on Stand 4621 showing its recently developed NVD (nickel vapour deposition) double walled blow mould cavities. The single wall NVD cavity technology was first introduced at K'2001. The new...

Mono lines with low energy consumption. (Film and Sheet--Blown Film).
August 1, 2002... Two monolayer blown film plants of different configurations from Rajoo Engineers of India will be shown by Wittey Machinery on Stand 5566. Ten similar plants are already operating in the UK. One line, a Foilex REWT 4050, will be equipped...

BG Plast emphasises twin screws for PVC foam and thick polyolefins. (Film and Sheet--Cast Film/Sheet).
August 1, 2002... A calender group for PP sheet production will be shown by BG Plast on the Trendpam stand [5390]. This has been designed to optimise cooling, temperature distribution in the cylinders and reliability at production levels of 500 - 600 kg/h. ...