Page 32 - Plastics News May 2020

Coperion delivers innovative closed-Loop i-mold develops a line of compact rotary
solution; avoids 'Production' waste cooling units

operion GmbH is implementing a closed-loop
Cconcept for the production of flexible multi-layer
film. Recycling multi-layer film has long posed a
challenge since such films can only be reclaimed in very
complicated ways and not without residues. Now, -mold has developed a line of compact rotary
however, Coperion has developed a closed-loop icooling units that facilitate the cost-efficient
approach solution in which up to 100 percent of multi- integration of rotating cores into injection molds. The
layer film production waste can be re-processed and fed device's main components are a stator designed for
back into the production process in a closed-loop. For a twist-lock installation which also carries the coolant
concrete project Coperion will deliver a recycling hose connectors, and the rotor which supports the
system, including bulk material handling, high-accuracy cooling pipe as well as the thread for attaching the
feeding from Coperion K-Tron, and the heart of the
rotating core. Available as a standardized element,
system, a ZSK Mc18 twin screw extruder. Multi-layer film the unit reduces the development cost and effort
waste resulting during the production process is otherwise associated with the use of custom solutions.
shredded as a first step before it is fed into the ZSK
Moreover, it eliminates problems in use caused by
extruder via pneumatic conveying and highly accurate cooling water leaks, as each unit comes leakage-
feeding from Coperion K-Tron. There, the material is
tested and warranted to be leak proof by i-mold. For
homogenized and devolatilized with very high intensity
multi-cavity molds, it is possible to connect up to four
in the co-rotating ZSK Mc18 twin screw extruder. Within rotary cooling units in series. Additional groups of four
the extruder, dispersion and devolatilization
can then be arranged in parallel, paving the way to
performance are crucial to end product quality — with
design compact molds with a large number of rotating
gentle product handling and very good mixing behavior cores. Thanks to this capability plus the advanced
even at very high throughput rates, thus achieving
cooling performance that supports short cycle times,
consistently high product quality. Following these devices help to increase manufacturing
homogenization in the ZSK extruder, in the closed-loop
productivity. The new rotary cooling units are suitable
concept, the recycled material is added back into the
for all common mechanical, hydraulic or servo electric
multi-layer film production process; with no quality loss rotating core drives. The unit is offered in two sizes.
and the proportion of added recyclate is very high. Multi-
The SDK-034, rated for a 2 – 6 mm cooling pipe
layer film manufacturing thus takes place sustainably,
diameter, supports particularly close cavity spacing of
highly efficiently, and resource-friendly with the aid of only 34 mm thanks while the 45-mm-wide SDK-045 is
advanced technologies. Peter von Hoffmann, General
intended for higher coolant flow rates and
Manager of Business Unit Engineering Plastics & Special
Applications Coperion, says, “Sustainability is becoming accommodates cooling pipes measuring from 6 – 10
mm in diameter. The default cooling pipe length is 300
more and more important, and the topic of the circular
mm with customized lengths being available on
economy is moving further into the foreground for
companies – and that is much more so for multi-layer film demand. The core attachment thread may be either
metric fine or inch-type. For connecting the coolant
producers. We're proud that, with our years of process
hoses, i-mold's new rotary cooling units come with
know-how and our visionary technological solutions, we
can contribute to a promising, forward-looking and standard plug-in couplings. Quick-acting couplings are
also available as an option.
sustainable closed-loop approach.”
MAY 2020 32 Plastics News