Page 60 - Plastic News November 2023

TECHNOLOGY

Moretto has a product that does that, (think space utilization), the design there can be significant cost ramifica-
called Moisture Meter that works uses a center core that smooths resin tions as well. Material input variability
by passing electromagnetic waves movement with air delivery located in molding or extrusion processes can
through the resin and reading the exit low in the vessel for improved cone lead to inconsistent part appearance
wave patterns which precisely indi- drying. Because the material comes or mechanical properties, excessive
cate the true moisture content of the out of the dryer uniformly “pre-heat- scrap, and even compromised pro-
resin. The main benefits to this pro- ed,” it is often possible to run injec- cess speeds.
cess is automatic early warning detec- tion molding and extrusion processes Some plastics processors just live with
tion so you are aware of potential is- at lower temperatures on the press, blending variability by overdosing col-
sues before they happen; and process further saving on energy costs. orants or other expensive additives
verification so you can actually track By integrating these technologies with on a “just-in-case” basis. But today’s
back in time what occurred hours a system Moretto calls Eureka Plus, it best gravimetric blending technology
ago, days ago, even months ago in is now possible to have closed-loop can eliminate this compromise with
the event you are challenged to prove drying control the provides desired the ability to dose and mix to aston-
your drying process was accurate for

that specific batch. resin dehumidification regardless of ishing levels of accuracy which helps
Consistency in the drying hopper is process variables or human errors. reign in downstream problems relat-
also important for the sake of quality, Removing the guesswork from dry- ed to material inconsistency.
which means all material must have ing this way assures that extremely
the same access to dry air and reso- consistent material is delivered to a
nance time. With many traditional molding or extrusion process. And, it
designs, uneven pockets of material typically reduces energy consumption
can form due to poor flow through by some 40% compared to traditional
the hopper which results in variabil- drying systems.
ity of exposure to dry air and stagnant More Efficient Material Use with Pre-
material accumulation. Moretto has cision Blending
an advanced technology called OTX
(Original Thermal eXchanger) in their An often-underappreciated compo-
drying hoppers that is designed to de- nent of variability in molding and ex-
liver optimized mass flow of materi- trusion processes is the accuracy and
als for highly predictable resin drying. consistency of blending. That obvi-
More compact than traditional dryers ously speaks to quality concerns, but

60 PLASTICS NEWSASTICS NEWS November 2023
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