Bulk Solids Handling & Processing Innovations
Plastic processing is the process of converting the plastics raw bulk material into (semi-) finished products.
Plastics are the most common materials for producing (semi-) finished products, for everything from consumer products to medical devices. Plastics are a versatile category of materials, with thousands of polymer options, each with their own specific mechanical properties. Plastic manufacturing processes have been developed to cover a wide range of applications and part geometries. For any designer and engineer working in product development, it is critical to be familiar with the manufacturing options available today and the new developments that signal how parts will be made tomorrow. A number of complications can arise during the plastic manufacturing process.
When handling the bulk plastic resin, pellets, pastille, and granules poor flow can occur. These material flow problems include sticking, blocking and segregation. Product quality problems can be the result of material stagnation in storage bins, pellet damage (fines generation), or cross-contamination of batches. Pneumatic conveying of bulk plastics can lead to the formation of angel hair, also referred to as streamers, floss, and snakeskin, which can plug downstream equipment.
Plastic processing can be defined as the process of converting the plastics raw ingredients into (semi-) finished products.
These bulk plastics come in the form of resin, granules, pellets, powders, sheets, preforms or fluids and are converted into formed shapes or parts. The plastic materials can contain a variety of additives that may influence the properties as well as the processability.
After forming, the plastic part may be subjected to a variety of additional processes such as welding, adhesive bonding, machining, and surface decorating.
There is a variety of methods used to process plastics raw material. Each method has its advantages and disadvantages and some processing methods are better suited for specific applications.
Before producing plastic products, specific plastic forming processes need to be determined.
The main method used for processing plastic is injection molding. Injection molding is a manufacturing process for producing parts by injecting material into a mold.
Reaction injection molding (RIM) is a relatively new plastic process used in the industry. RIM is similar to injection molding, but unlike traditional injection molding, RIM always uses lightweight, cost-efficient thermosetting polymers.
Blow molding is used when the plastic item to be created needs to be hollow. A molten tube is created with blow molding by using compressed air, that blows up the tube and forces it to conform to the chilled mold.
In this process, plastic granules or pellets are fluidized, homogenized, and continuously formed. The process of extrusion is usually used to make products such as tubing, pipe, sheet, film, coat wire, and cables.
With the compression molding process, the material is squeezed into its desired shape with the help of pressure and heat. Plastic molding powder and other materials are added to the mix in order to create special qualities or to strengthen the final product.
Transfer molding is generally used only for forming thermosetting plastics. Transfer molding is an adaptation of compression molding in that the molding powder or preform is charged to a separate pre-heating chamber and, when appropriately fluidized, injected into a closed mold.
Thermoforming is a manufacturing process where a plastic sheet is heated to a manageable forming temperature, formed to a specific part shape in a mold, and trimmed to create a usable product.
There are several processes that are used to convert the plastics raw bulk material into (semi-) finished products. These processes are described above. For handling the bulk plastics, important processes include storage, big bag handling, conveying, pressing, rolling, extrusion and molding.
Important bulk plastic process equipment includes:
This plastics process equipment is used for the processing of plastics products on an industrial scale.
Plastic recycling is the process of recovering waste plastic and reprocessing the (bulk) material into useful (semi-) finished products. The process of plastic recycling has become more advanced and efficient in recent years. The plastic recycling process is an alternative to reduce waste, as well as an economically viable option in the production of new goods. The recycling of plastics involves collecting, sorting, washing, resizing, separation, extrusion, pelleting and manufacture processes.
The plastic processing market is a heavily-regulated and intensive industry, which makes staying up-to-date of all developments crucial, and helps plastic processors run their businesses more effectively. Receiving relevant insights with regards to plastic processing innovations can be extremely useful to industry professionals that are responsible for operating, maintaining, and managing plastic manufacturing plants in the world. A plastic processing company is considered innovative when it invests significant capital in research and development of a particular process.
OSTERBURKEN – In founding the company of DEKURA Kunststoffrecycling GmbH in 2016, REHAU, the experts for polymers, and Tönsmeier, the plastics recycler, drew on their consolidated expertise in the recycling of PVC and disposal of old windows.
Read moreOSTERBURKEN – BioLogiQ® Inc., a bioplastic resin manufacturing company specializing in sustainable plastic products made from renewable resources, was founded in 2011. The company’s intent was to create a useful plastic from the excess starch generated during potato processing.
Read moreAt its exhibition stand, KREYENBORG GmbH & Co. KG from Senden, Germany, will show its IRD B 180/270-135, thus representing all kinds of Infrared applications in the plastics processing and recycling industry.
Read moreBrabender Technologie based in Duisburg unveiled its new DS line for pellets at Powtech in Nuremberg (April 9 to 11, 2019).
Read moreLucite International Ltd achieves increased output in its new drying plant for polymer bead production.
Read moreWanner´s granulators are used in plastic recycling to granulate sprues and defective parts coming from the production of injection molded, blow molded or extruded thermoplastic products.
Read moreSince 1948, Dinnissen Process Technology has been developing machines, complete processes and tailored solutions for the food, feed, pet food and chemical industries. The focus mainly lies on the efficient handling and processing of powders, granulates and pellets.
Read moreSelecting a pneumatic conveying system design is important for economic and reliable operation of any plastics manufacturer or compounder. Poorly designed systems lead to plant-wide inefficiencies and high maintenance costs. When designing pneumatic conveying systems, many design parameters must be considered.
Read moreDORDRECHT – Lindor drum mixers are increasingly often finding their way into the plastics industry. The ‘gentle touch’ mixing principle is suitable for a wide range of applications such as ‘dusting’ sticky granulates.
Read more
Coscollola Engineering is a company of Coscollola, a solid family business founded in 1948. Coscollola Engineering offers engineering & development of solutions for handling of solids in bulk.
Designers and manufacturers of magnetic separation equipment for metal fragment control and food safety. Certified by HACCP International.
SPEC Engineering offers custom, turnkey engineering solutions, providing the latest technology to manufacturers in the food, beverage, plastics, and chemical industries. SPEC is ‘Process Engineering Simplified’.
For over 60 years we have provided protection solutions that can suppress, isolate and vent combustible dust or vapor explosions in process industries.
Progressive Products, optimizes pneumatic conveying systems by reducing waste and cost, minimizing downtime, and improving productivity with high-performing components.
Process automation systems for receipt-to-process bulk material transfer and Industrial Vacuum Cleaning Systems for high volume recovery of many materials including combustible dusts.
Individual advice and efficient solutions for the whole weighing technology process
Newson Gale; Manufacturers of static control equipment and solutions for hazardous area explosion protection in industrial processes.
WAMGROUP offers the one-stop-solution for Bulk Solids Handling & Processing and Waste Water Treatment Equipment.
We have successfully provided bulk material engineering solutions for over 55 years
Sturtevant, Inc. is the leading family-owned manufacturer of material processing equipment.
High-performance rotary valves and airlocks for metering, feeding, and airlock in bulk material processing and pneumatic conveying applications. Fully NFPA and OSHA compliant.
Eastern Instruments feeders allow for both accurate, real-time flow measurement, as well as very precise control of flow rate and total for nearly perfect batching or blending.
REMBE® is a safety specialist in explosion safety and pressure relief. It provides customers in all industries with safety systems for their plants and equipment.
Coperion and Coperion K-Tron are system and equipment suppliers, including extruders, feeders, pneumatic conveying and components, who understand the importance of process efficiency.
Klinkenberg BV is specialized in internal transport and bulk handling using screw conveyors
International specialist in the world of bulk materials and process technology
Flexicon equipment conveys, conditions, discharges, fills, dumps and/or weigh batches powder and bulk materials dust-free.
Dec is a leading global provider of powder handling systems and process containment technologies. It has been supplying the pharmaceutical, chemical, food and cosmetic industries for over 30 years.
Spiroflow, a global leader in powder handling and dry solids processing and an emerging leader in control systems integration.
