Thermoplastic Plasticator

Plasticator for Long Fiber Reinforced Thermoplastic Molding

The plasticating unit is designed for the processing of long glass fiber reinforced thermoplastics prior to being placed into a compression molding press. LFT materials have greatly improved mechanical properties over short glass reinforced thermoplastic materials. LFT pellets as long as 50 mm can be plasticated and mixed with virgin material to achieve the proper glass loading.

The melting of the material is carried out in an electrically heated, low in wear, plasticating cylinder. The sensitive and extremely accurate temperature control of the heat bands and the output nozzle is integrated in an Allen Bradley Programmable Controller.

Furthermore, a hydraulic motor is used for the screw drive. The screw speed can be set infinitely in the range specified below. The material to be plasticated is fed against the lockable output nozzle in the screw metering zone. The material volume is set with the screw stroke. Intermediate settings, depending on the screw stroke, are infinitely possible. The changeover and turn-off signals are delivered by a position measuring system. Position input is done at the operator interface screen.

Additionally, the screw is hydraulically reciprocated for the output of the material. The plasticated material is fed through the end opening. The output of the plasticated shot volume can be completed in one piece or in up to three pieces, depending on the selected program and pre-selected parameter.

After each partial or complete output from the plasticator, the hydraulically driven knife cuts the extrudite and closes the collection area for the next plasticating cycle. Further possibilities like screw decompression are variations that can be pre-set at the control unit.

The cut-off device is a heatable knife with temperature control. It has been manufactured with a hard finish for long life.

Finally, the cut off plastic extrudite can be transported out of the safety area by an optional variable speed controlled conveyor.

Screw sizes from 60 mm up to 200 mm are available. Shot sizes range from less than a pound all the way up to 50 pounds.