BRAND-NEW
Innovative Cooling System Expands Powder Coating Potential
B
aker Perkins has responded to
cooling feeds the cooling water from
industrial or plastics extruders. They are
market demands for powder
the rear of the gearbox. This feature is
examples of the specialisation that make
coatings that may be applied to
unique to Baker Perkins: extruders from
choosing Baker Perkins’ twin-screw extruders
temperature-sensitive materials, such
other manufacturers feed cooling water
for powder coating an easy decision.
as wood and plastic, by developing an
either at the gearbox/shaft coupling or
They handle all types of powder coating
innovative cooling system for its twin-screw
the extruder discharge. The coupling is
formulations, including epoxy, hybrids,
extruders.
a highly stressed area, which increases
polyester, acrylics and fines recycling and
The system maximises heat removal from
the likelihood of leaks, while feeding
provide continuous production at outputs
the agitator shafts, screw elements and
water into the discharge end risks water
from 100 to 2,900kg/hour.
barrel to minimise the risk of pre-curing.
entering the product area: when that
This enables extrudate temperatures to
happens, the product is ruined and there
For further information:
be driven down below 100°C, allowing
is yet more loss of production.
www.bakerperkins.com
material with low curing temperatures to
These two features provide a highly
be produced.
efficient cooling system that can cope with
It is standard on the new generation of
the wide range of heat levels created by
Baker Perkins MPX 50, 65 and 80 machines.
handling resins with both low
The powerful cooling capacity of Baker
and high melt temperatures,
Perkins twin-screw extruders is due to a
and formulations requiring
new barrel, and through-shaft cooling.
high intensity mixing.
The surface area of new multi-directional
These features have been
barrel cooling channels has been increased
developed specifically for the
by 138%, and the channels are now
powder coating industry and are
closer to the barrel bores to increase heat
not found on general-purpose
transfer. Rates of cooling can be controlled and adjusted to suit each individual product profile. Through-shaft cooling enhances extruder reliability: preventing the screws overheating is crucial, because if this happens the product can pre-cure on the screws. At best this reduces product quality and output, at worst an expensive machine shutdown to clean them. In both cases, there is a costly loss of production through downtime and waste. Increased heat removal from the shaft and screw elements raises product quality by removing hot spots, linked to temperature sensitive materials, from the mixing edges. Improved cleanliness is another bonus. The Baker Perkins design for through-shaft
14
N. 58 - JULY/AUGUST 2019 - international PAINT&COATING magazine
The MPX65 extruder by Baker Perkins.