PHOTO: The new ASC automatic strand conveyance system from Coperion, designed both for a wide range of materials and for fully automatic operation of high-throughput extrusion lines

COPERION Pelletizing Technology GmbH, Offenbach, has developed an automatic strand conveyance system (ASC) often required by compounding systems for pelletizing at very high throughput rates.

Designed to work in conjunction with Coperion's two large strand pelletizers, the SP 500 HD (working width 500mm) and the SP 700 HD (700mm), this new conveyance system is available in two sizes: the ASC 500 for throughput rates of up to 3.5 tons/hour  and the ASC 700 for up to 5 tons/hour.

The conveyance system automatically guides the extruded strands via a cooling water chute and downstream conveyor belt into the feed mechanism of the pelletizer. A likewise automatic start-up mechanism facilitates the start-up operation, while any possible machine malfunctions caused by broken strands are avoided by the system's ability to rethread the strands. Compared to other processes, strand pelletizing ensures an extremely gentle treatment of the product, as it operates with much lower pressures.

The new SK92 die head has been developed specially for high throughput rates. Homogeneous heating/cooling ensures completely uniform extrusion of the strands across the entire width of the extrusion die. The die head is distinguished by its optimal rheology and efficient heat transfer, providing maximum possible throughput while ensuring gentle handling of the product. This feature makes the SK92 die head ideally suited to the increased throughput capabilities of the ZSK Mc18 extruder series.

The ASC automatic strand conveyance system is modular, permitting flexible and rapid adaptation to the requirements of the process.

www.coperion.com