Herbold Plastcompactor

Archiv – The Herbold Plastcompactor was originally developed to convert scrap with poor flow characteristics such as film, fibres, foam and powder into agglomerated particles with a high bulk density. However, further applications have subsequently emerged.The Herbold Plastcompactor was originally developed to convert scrap with poor flow characteristics such as film, fibres, foam and powder into agglomerated particles with a high bulk density. However, further applications have subsequently emerged.
The basic Plastcompactor system operates as follows: after having passed the material through a granulator, a blower directs it to a buffer silo; a screw feeder then feeds a compactor and, through use of a central blower, agglomerated particles are fed into a secondary granulator. Finally, a blower sends particles to a separator which sorts fine particles ready for automatic re-feeding into the process.
The screw feeder is overload-controlled and serves as a discharge conveyor for the buffer silo. Material to be processed is sintered due to friction; hot, agglomerated material is then fed to a secondary granulator where a uniform particle shape is achieved. The final product is a free-flowing compacted material with a high bulk density.
According to Herbold, the main advantage of the Plastcompactor is its low process temperature. Since melting temperature is not reached, thermal degradation is kept to a minimum and, as a result, the system is ideally suited to the treatment of heat-sensitive materials such as PET and PA.
To a recycling extruder, the Plastcompactor is said to offer an attractive option for reprocessing thin PET and PA film because, in addition to improving flow characteristics, it ensures simultaneous crystallisation of the material. The material can be re-fed into the extrusion process without loss of quality, it is claimed.
The system can be integrated into automatic edge-trim recycling lines, and there is also the potential to add off-spec film rolls and loose film at the same time.
The Herbold Plastcompactor is available in the three basic disc diameters of 300, 500 and 700 mm. Capacity can vary from 100 to 1800 kg per hour, while the main drive motor ranges in size from 45 to 250 kW. A fully-automatic system is also available and gives precise measurement of the temperature in the compaction zone without the need for manual readjustment during the operation.