Plasticator for Thermoset Material
The LMG Plasticator is designed and built to preheat and preform thermoset materials such as BMC, Epoxy and Phenolic for transfer or compression molding. The preheater combines two steps, preforming and preheating the material into one step and delivers very accurate shot sizes. Plasticating the material results in molding cycles that are more consistent and produces molded parts with higher quality.
The material is melted in an electrically heated, low-wear plasticating cylinder and a reciprocating screw.
A slow-running hydraulic motor drives the screw. The screw speed can be set infinitely within its operating limits. The material to be plasticated is fed against the lockable output nozzle in the screw metering zone. A manual valve is used for the setting of backpressure. The material volume is set with the screw stroke. Continuously variable intermediate settings are possible between the units minimum and maximum stroke capabilities. The changeover and turn-off signals are delivered by a position measuring system. Position input is done at the operator interface screen.
The screw is hydraulically moved forward for the output of the thermoset material. The material exits the barrel through a round opening, which is the same diameter as the screw chosen.
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. The cut-off device is a guillotine knife manufactured of through-hardened H13 tool steel for long life. Further possibilities like screw decompression are variations that can be pre-set at the control unit.
Screw sizes are available from 40 to 100 mm with shot size capability from a few ounces up to 10 pounds.
| Feature | Benefit | |
|---|---|---|
1. |
15 HP hydraulic power unit |
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2. |
Integral pressure transducer with screen readout for back-pressure monitoring |
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3. |
Through-hardened H13 tool steel knife |
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4. |
High grade screw |
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5. |
PLC control system with position feedback with proportional screw speed control |
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6. |
Extra-large reservoir |
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7. |
Water over oil heat exchanger |
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8. |
Variable displacement pump with flooded suction |
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9. |
Four (4) adjustable feet and casters |
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10. |
Capacity to make multiple shot sizes |
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11. |
Insulation blankets for barrel |
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12. |
Easy to operate controls |
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| Accessory Equipment | Extrusion Device | |
|---|---|---|
Agitating hopper for non-free running materials. Hopper capacity 22 cu. ft. |
Hydraulic stuffer for BMC-DMC-SMC polyester. Pressure 725 psi, capacity 130lb. |
The hydraulic knife closure can be used to plasticate materials having a low viscosity, in order to prevent flash. |
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| The Screw Pre-Plasticating Process | |
|---|---|
| Material is fed from the hopper into the screw and barrel assembly. The cutoff knife is in the normally closed position. |  |
| Material is pre-plasticated as it passes through the heated barrel and compressed to about 95% of its natural density against the cutoff knife. The screw and drive unit are pushed back. |  |
| When the preset length is reached, the knife goes up, the screw moves forward to eject the preform, the knife comes down again to cut it off. |  |
The preform is then fed either manually or by means of an automatic feeding device into the mold. The cycle is ready to be repeated. |
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| Transfer Time / Material Preheating | ||
|---|---|---|
| Curve a) | Transfer
time with pre-plasticated mass 5 seconds |
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| Curve b) | Transfer
time with preheated mass 10 seconds |
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| Curve c) | Transfer
time with cold mass 20 seconds |
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| Contact us via Online Request OR Phone: (920) 347-1983 Email: info@lmgpresses.com We will respond within one business day. |
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