The DC-T TouchView dryer control has a whole host of convenient features that help plastics processors get more out of their drying system. A big 8-inch-diagonal graphical touch-screen interface shows at a glance everything going on in the drying system and operators can make adjustments with a touch of their fingertip. It shows current and historical temperature data and includes precise dew-point control. 

 

The DC-T also provides a gateway for control of multi-hopper central drying cells, like the ResinWorks system, which combines multiple hoppers with integral air manifolds, ducting and wiring on a sturdy platform for simplified shipping, installation and operation. Each hopper can be equipped with a Drying Monitor probe that incorporates RTD sensors spaced along its length. The probe measures the temperature at up to six different points in the bed of plastic material so that a temperature profile can be created to verify that conditions for proper drying are maintained. 

 

Up to 15 hoppers equipped with Conair temperature controls can be linked to the DC-T for monitoring and duplicate control. All settings can be made, viewed and adjusted at the dryer. Data from individual Drying Monitor probes, including trending graphs, can also be displayed on the DC –T monitor… or anywhere, thanks to the standard Internet connectivity.

 

Controls on other Conair equipment are also web-enabled and will be networked together at K 2013 so that anyone with a computer, tablet or smart phone with Internet access and the right password credentials can connect with the controls and monitor conditions or change settings.

 

“Customers have been telling us that they want these remote access options to maximize productivity,” says Doug Brewster, conveying product manager. “Whether they are on the other side of the building or on the other side of the world, production supervisors and management can change settings, respond to alarms, perform troubleshooting and other operations just as if they were standing in front of the operator interface on the plant floor. It’s a tremendous time-saver.” 

 

For central vacuum conveying, for instance, Conair is exhibiting the FLX loading control, an entry-level plastic-resin-conveying system that was recently expanded to handle up to 128 loaders and 40 vacuum conveying pumps. In-plant communications are handled by standard industrial Ethernet wiring. This means it is very easy and inexpensive to install and expand as users’ needs change. A processor can start with a system to manage just 8 loaders and 2 pumps (one primary pump and one back-up pump), and then increase capacity and capabilities in manageable increments when necessary, simply by adding input and output cards. The system can include such high-level functions as first in/first out (FIFO) and priority loading, multi-source/multi-destination loading, purge, ratio loading, ratio loading with purge, reverse conveying for regrind recovery, loader fill sensing and much more. The PLC-based system has a 7.5-inch (191-mm) color touch screen as the standard operator interface with a 15-inch (380-mm) color touch screen available as an option. The graphic display is easy to read, easy to use and requires minimal, if any, operator training. 

 

Also networked at the K Show will be a TrueBlend TB-250 gravimetric blender, which offers throughputs as high as 431 kg/hr (950 lb/hr). TrueBlend blenders are available in many sizes to a maximum throughput of up to 5443 kg/hr (12,000 lbs/hr) and are accurate to within ±0.5% of setpoint on colorant and additive weights. Controls are intuitive and easy to use, with an LCD touch screen with full color graphics. All setpoints are displayed simultaneously. Operators simply enter the percentages of the blend on the touch screen and the system automatically weighs the ingredients in proper sequence and maintains the correct blend relationship.

 

The four hoppers on the blender will be equipped with Access loaders and a Filterless loader. Access loaders and receivers feature a unique angled hopper, which makes them easier to clean and maintain, and an oversized discharge opening to prevent material bridging. Filterless loaders are designed to handle dusty, problem materials like regrind and free-flowing powders 100 microns in diameter and larger. A patented “filterless insert” uses continuous reversal of air to separate incoming material from conveying air without filters or screens. 

 

To represent the new EP1 and EP2 Series of portable chillers, Conair will exhibit the EP1A-03 air-cooled model with onboard process fluid pump and tank. Intelligent controls include a clear-text display, large control function buttons and clearly presented diagnostic lights mounted in a NEMA 1 industrially-rated control panel. A hot gas bypass valve controlled via a sophisticated PID algorithm enables precise control to within +/- 1°C of setpoint. The unit will be shown with optional alarm horn, automatic water make-up and low-level light and rotary non-fused disconnect switch. An optional hand-held remote control is also available to allow complete operator access even when the chiller is not easily accessible. 

 

Also being shown at the K Fair for the first time is an NCF-819 super-tangential granulator, part of a new line of machines with footprint dimensions at least 30% smaller than many other granulators with similar capabilities. The cutting chamber configuration is ideal for handling lightweight bulky parts such as bottles, but also produces clean uniform granulate from runners and small parts. Different hopper designs and rotor/knife choices are available to maximize performance with a wide variety of scrap types. Four different models feature 8-inch (203-mm) diameter rotors, in widths of 10, 14, 19 and 24 inches (240, 360, 480 and 600 mm), and deliver standard maximum throughputs ranging from 150 to 450 lb (68 to 205 kg). 

 

Finally, representing Conair’s downstream extrusion solutions is an ATC dual-spindle coiler, which is ideal for winding small, flexible extrusions. Little or no friction or winding tension is generated, preventing deformities in delicate products making the unit ideal for extrusions such as medical tubing, small tube, filled cords and small flexible profiles. Fully automated transfer of winding to a new reel means there is no operator involvement or process disruption, which effectively increases line speed and performance during changeover.

 

 

The Conair Group

(724) 584-5500

www.conairgroup.com