Product category:
Injection moulding
News Release from: Sandretto UK | Subject: Plastics materials loaders for injection moulders
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 03 August 2004
How to ease the handling of plastics
materials
Inexpensive single phase loaders for small material throughputs, up to three phase loaders for larger injection moulders avoid manual loading of polymeric material into a machine hopper.
Chris Whitlam, National Sales Manager for Sandretto UK Automation and Ancillaries notes that 'manual loading of polymeric material into a machine hopper manually is now clearly recognised as not advisable due to the risk of injury to the person charged with this task.' A host of other waste and hazard issues associated with manual handling means that technology is needed to bridge the gap For some time therefore injection moulding machinery supplier Sandretto UK has been offering a number of solutions, from very inexpensive single phase loaders for small material throughputs, up to three phase loaders for larger machines
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 12 May 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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'These loaders are all constructed from stainless steel,' says Whitlam, 'and have quick release catches to allow access for cleaning.
We see this as a cost effective way off initially automating the filling of the machines.' Sandretto UK's mainstream experience of plastics processing and mould machine sales puts the Rugby-based company in a strong position to offer material handling systems that are tailor made and built around the moulding machine order.
For further cost savings, however, Sandretto offer complete material handling central solutions: "The benefit of a central feed system," notes Whitlam, "Is that all the material can be centrally located away from the machines, enabling it to be more easily managed; giving reduced handling, reduced wastage through contamination and spillage and the possibility to buy in larger quantities.
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The system offered by Sandretto UK has a remote pendant with infa-red communication with the individual loaders; 'enabling the operator to set up each hopper while stood next to it rather than from a remotely mounted control panel," says Whitlam.
The vacuum is generated centrally from a suitably sized vacuum pump with a central filter eliminating the need to clean individual filters at the machine.
The filter container can easily be emptied thanks to the quick release catch and wheeled container.
To ensure all the material pipes that carry the material to each machine are clean after each cycle a valve opens to allow air to be drawn through the system to clear any granules, the duration of this being set individually to subject to the pipe length.
The material lines on this system normally terminate at a selection station subject to the number of materials that have been supplied around the system.
This selection station allows the operator to select the correct material for the machine.
A quick release coupling also allows this to be carried out easily.
Whitlam says that: "'Sandretto UK also offers drying facilities for centralised material distribution.
This has the benefit of conditioning the material prior to distributing it around the factory and reduces material change time by pre-drying.
The system comprises of a central generator feeding a number of drying hoppers; each hopper having a booster heater in order to enable the temperature to be individually set.".
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