Working with plastics has its own issues that are unique to the industry.  And because every other industry relies on plastic products, having the best possible technology can have a direct impact on the quality of products experienced in other fields.  But there are certain technologies that the plastic industry could greatly benefit from.

Take, for example, the Komax Ultra Mixer.  Plastics, much like other manufacturing industries, rely on mixers to formulate product.  Plastic production also requires the use of quite a few chemicals and additive, making the formulation consistency a critical part of the process.  Not having the right batch can mean thousands in lost product.  The Ultra Mixer distributes the additives correctly and thoroughly.  Temperature also plays a role, and the temperature variance across the melt stream is one of the big problems in plastic production.  Everything from machine speed to screw design can impact the temperature throughout the machine.  Viscosity variations mean defective product, so getting the temperature right is critical.  Komax’s TEDD technology allows the flow to be manipulated several times before the melt arrives at the die, eliminating variance in temperature and improving consistency.

What would plastics be without color?  You only have to imagine a row of toys to realize that plastics production relies heavily on introducing colors into the melt stream.  If a product has an iconic color associated with the brand, then it is even more critical to get the process just right.  The Komax Special Introduction and Distribution Device (SIDD) takes the guesswork and the human bias out of the coloring process by using cylindrical pipes which include mixing elements.  Color is introduced and flows over the six cavities, exiting through 12 spokes on a wheel.  This is the reverse of most conventional designs – but the results are nothing less than show stopping.

The plastics industry is the third largest industry in the United States.  Plastics are a part of every other industry from toys to the medical field.  Come and discover how Komax can refine your options!