EuroWire January 2018

Technology News

Extrusion for the future with Davis-Standard

TO further advance mechanical, controls and process development initiatives, a next generation Thermatic® Series 4.5" (114mm) extruder is available for trials at Davis-Standard’s extrusion technology development centre in Pawcatuck, Connecticut, USA. The extruder, installed in July, is being used for internal R&D and product development for customers. The extruder’s modern platform represents a collaborative effort among Davis-Standard’s mechanical, electrical, process and controls engineering departments to create optimal processing for Davis-Standard’s full portfolio of extruder applications from blown film to wire and cable. across the board and provides multiple possibilities with L/D ratios of 24, 30 and 34:1. According to John Christiano, Davis-Standard’s vice president of technology, this extruder epitomises processing functionality and the future of extrusion efficiency. It features enhancements

The extruder is equipped with an EPIC III® control system that features a streamlined console, high data transmission rate and improved graphics. It is also engineered with smart extruder technology for preventative maintenance monitoring of vibration, oil composition, motor parameters, heater status, screw wear algorithm and energy consumption. Other advantages include a high wear-resistant barrel and feedscrew, an integrated melt pump with controls, static mixer and an optimised mezzanine design. The extruder can be fitted with the complete line of Davis-Standard DSB® feedscrews including the DSB I, DSB II, DSB III and DSB III-Plus designs as well as the TS DSBM, TS Metering and TS DS-Blend, in addition to a variety of metering screws and other specialised designs. The smaller P1000 hydraulic model, for joining copper rod 6 to 16mm and aluminium rod up to 20mm, has a compact footprint of just 1,100mm x 1,245mm. To reduce downtime, the machine is equipped with quick-release dies and an easily adjustable die setting mechanism. PWM dies are all precision engineered in-house by the company’s own skilled technicians to ensure accuracy. Like all PWM cold welding machines, the P1500 and P1000 are quiet, clean and user-friendly. Once the weld parameters have been set using the control panel, the operator simply slides the rod into either side of the machine, presses a button to close the clamps that grip the material, and presses the ‘start’ button. The two ends of the rod do not require any preparation prior to welding and the two butt ends are automatically aligned when they are placed in the die, saving time and effort. Even 30mm rod can be cold welded in less than five minutes, and the machines remove the weld burr or ‘flash’ automatically. The weld is reliable, permanent and stronger than the parent material, and simply requires a quick clean to make it ready for processing. PWM Ltd – UK Website : www.pwmltd.co.uk Davis-Standard LLC – USA Website : www.davis-standard.com

collaboration. Because of its relevance across all extrusion applications, it will serve as an excellent platform to support our customers’ extrusion needs now and for many years to come,” said Mr Christiano. Features of the new Thermatic include 400 HP water-cooled motor technology, a screw speed range up to 375 rpm, advanced and conventional vent diverter geometry, an improved barrel cooling system and next generation gearbox technology. Fast, cost-effective and straightforward, the process of cold pressure welding has a lot to offer wire and cable manufacturers. Cold welded materials are not subjected to heat, so the finished bond is very stable, and because the process produces a worked structure as opposed to the cast structure obtained by fusion welding, weld quality is excellent. Non-ferrous rod sections as large as 30mm in diameter can be bonded permanently using cold welding. British company PWM, which has been manufacturing high-performance cold welding machines and dies for over 30 years, has developed a range of technically advanced machines specifically for joining materials of this size. Recent demand from customers in the automotive and renewables industry has seen sales of the company’s two largest machines increase significantly. The P1500 electro-hydraulic rod welder, suitable for large cross-sectional areas, is designed for copper rod 15 to 25mm and aluminium rod up to 30mm. Although powerful, the machine is very energy efficient since it requires electrical power only for the hydraulic pump motor – the independent grip and upset forces are produced by an arrangement of hydraulic cylinders. ▲ ▲ Davis-Standard’s Thermatic ® series 4.5 " (114mm) extruder is available for trials

“This

new

extruder

platform

is

a

reflection

of

experience

and

Reliable welds reduce downtime

46

www.read-eurowire.com

January 2018