GRAVITROL® Extrusion Control Systems: The Complete System
This week Process Control Corporation is pleased to spotlight its GRAVITROL® Extrusion Control Systems. Gravitrol® extrusion control offers the benefits of improved product quality, reduced material usage, quicker startups and product changeovers, reduced scrap, and improved product repeatability. At the same time, it reduces the operator’s workload by maintaining a constant output, regardless of screen pack or material variations.
The system uses Process Control’s proven Gravitrol® software to automate the control of the line and hold the extruder output to +/- 0.5% by weight. This tight control of output means that product can be made consistently within tolerance at the lowest possible cost, thereby saving thousands of dollars in resin.
Process Control X Series blenders can be equipped with extrusion control software to allow the blender to control the extruder and line speed on monoextrusion lines for consistent output by weight. Guardian® batch blenders can also be equipped with weigh hopper and extruder and line speed I/O.
Control for X Series 2 Blenders Process Control X Series 2 blenders monitor the extruder usage in order to follow the extruder rate and insure a consistent supply of material. In an extrusion control system, this extruder rate is used to adjust the screw speed by minute amounts to hold the overall throughput to the value entered in the blender operator station. Because the blender already has a powerful computer and equipment necessary to measure the extruder rate, adding extrusion control on a monoextrusion line with a Process Control X Series 2 blender is a very cost-effective addition. This feature can be easily retrofitted to existing installations with X Series 2 or B Series blenders.
X Series 2 blenders can also be easily integrated into coextrusion applications with extrusion control for controlling product layer ratios and total line throughput. On coextrusion applications the blender computer reports to a master EXB2 Series Operator Station, which also receives weight throughput reading from HG Series 2 Weigh Hoppers mounted on single-component extruders.
Check back next week for a brief introduction to the GRAVITROL® Extrusion Control Systems’ special features and products.
Great systems need the best auxiliary equipment. At Process Control, we dedicate ourselves to providing the entire system to guarantee that our customers truly are getting the best. Our goal is to offer high quality equipment and to provide outstanding customer service. We have a long history of product development that has produced a series of industry leading standard products that can be custom engineered to meet customer needs. To maintain this exceptional quality, our products are manufactured and engineered in-house; including fabrication, wiring and assembly, mechanical, electrical and software engineering. After installation, we continue to set the standard in keeping your equipment at its best by providing excellent customer support and service. We can even offer integration into existing systems and live support of your equipment and software.
Your complete and customized system could be just one step away. Let PCC engineer, install, and manage the entire project. by checking out our website, sending us an e-mail, or calling Dr. Mark Venable at 770.449.8810 ext. 226
Process Control offers a new selection of upgrades for Gravitrol, including a color touch screen controller, PLC based extruder line speed control, and a DSP weigh module upgrade kit, that will improve your systems performance and longevity. These upgrades not only add years to your Gravitrol’s life, but can actually improve your accuracy as well. Additionally, the upgrades offer a way to simplify the process and postpone future replacement, making operation easier and saving you money all at once. Your older Gravitrol systems controls, drive modules, and weigh module chips are facing the threat of becoming obsolete; ensure that will not happen by upgrading today.
A new brochure is available detailing the features and pricing of our Gravitrol upgrades. Click here to download a copy.
Today’s product spotlight focuses on the HG Series 2 Weigh Hopper for extrusion control.
The HG Series 2 incorporates engineering and design breakthroughs to help achieve the optimal result in extrusion: a uniform product within tolerance at the lowest possible manufacturing cost. The touch screen interface will be able to communicate with a new supervisory system to be announced later this fall.
Updated literature is now available for Process Control’s Gravitrol – Extrusion Control System. The new literature features the HG Series 2 Weigh Hopper with touchscreen controls and the new EXG Series supervisory operator station.
Gravitrol extrusion control offers the benefits of improved product quality, reduced material usage, quicker startups and product chagneovers, reduced scrap, and improved product repeatability. At the same time, it reduces the operator’s workload by maintaining a constant output, regardless of the screen pack or material variations.
Click here to download a copy of the new Gravitrol brochure.
Process Control featured our Gravitrol Extrusion Control ad in last weeks issue of Plastics News magazine. This ad is a continuation of our 2013 Savings campaign.
This ad illustrates a complete diagram of how our Gravitrol system works in addition to a breakdown of the weekly savings one can expect from our system. Savings are accomplished by quicker start-up, reducing scrap, and minimizing overfeed. A better product is accomplished by on gage product and layer thickness control. Every extruder should be equipped with a Gravitrol system.
For more information, please contact Mark Venable to discuss your next extrusion control system.
PCC would like to announce the HG Series 2 – a weigh hopper (now with touch screen controls) designed for use as part of the Gravitrol Extrusion Control System. The HG Series 2 incorporates engineering and design breakthroughs to help achieve the optimal result in extrusion: a uniform product within tolerance at the lowest possible manufacturing cost. The new touch screen interface will be able to communicate with a new supervisory system to be announced later this fall.
Today’s blog energy features an article on how Process Control equipment can help blow molding processors make the most of their regrind.
Extrusion Control
We offer a complete Gravitrol extrusion control system for total weight and layer control. The system control can be integrated into a blender control, or provided as a stand alone system. We have engineered special 70 degree weigh hoppers specifically for regrind materials to make material flow seamlessly through the system.
Material Handling
In addition to standard material handling equipment, PCC offers our RP Series vacuum receiver for dusty, regrind materials. The tall design (pictured above) accomplishes cleaning with conveying air to avoid carry-over of dust back to the vacuum power unit. This special design keeps dust and fines as part of the process blend.
Batch Blending
Process Control rises above the standard with our Guardian Series 2 gravimetric batch blender series. The G2 was developed for processors who want the simplicity of operation combined with the most accurate dispensing and superior blend homogeneity at a low cost. These features are especially important for blow molding processors, who want regrind materials to blend easily back into the system.
Guardian Series 2 blenders have a high capacity of up to 9,000 PPH. Steep-wall, fully-welded, individual element hoppers ensure the best flow of most regrind materials. Regrind element hoppers are available with auger discharge and bridge breaker for lighter regrind. The blender software can include a regrind mode for special recipe handling and better control.
BLOG ANNOUNCEMENT: We are changing our blogging schedule to every Wednesday.
PCC recently supplied a Blending System for Mono-Extrusion Control. This impressive structure, which includes a Model XLE 6-Component Continuous Gravimetric Blender, vacuum receivers, surge hopper, weighed down comer and custom magnet drawer, is extruder mounted. The Blender, equipped with brushless motors and drives, uses a combination of high rate pellet hoppers, low rate tube hoppers and a regrind hopper for a throughput of up to 2,000 PPH. A nice twist allows the 10 cubic foot surge hopper to be filled with blended material when the extruder is down, by pneumatically conveying from an aspirated stub on the side of the magnet drawer.
