Jun 27 2007
The new quantec® EV Kneader, made in Switzerland by Buss AG, Pratteln, has about 20% more internal capacity than the standard version. By increasing the material residence time at the same operating speed, this further improves dispersion on challenging PVC recipes and thus enhances product quality. Now available for immediate delivery, the quantec® EV (EV = Expanded Volume) alternatively enables up to 20% higher throughput for equivalent PVC granulate quality. The quantec® EV successfully brings to fruition an extensive development programme and once again underlines the company’s outstanding expertise in solving even the most demanding compounding challenges through systematic innovation.
The barrel capacity has been increased thanks to a 10% larger internal diameter with unchanged screw core diameter. The external barrel diameter remains unchanged because the liner shell thickness has been reduced accordingly. The length of the kneading bolts has been increased to exploit the additional space available in the barrel. All other parts of the machine, including the single-shaft discharge extruder, remain unaffected by the increase in barrel capacity. Not only does the quantec® EV enable much wider application of Buss high performance Kneaders with four-flight screw, but the larger barrel capacity is also particularly advantageous for processing the following materials:
- Clear soft PVC used mainly for tubing in medical and food technology. The longer residence time is decisive here because it enables a temperature reduction of about 10°C, in turn helping to keep well within the maximum temperature limit of 130°C. Furthermore, less stabiliser is required for thermally protecting the PVC.
- Rigid PVC with high filler content for extrusion applications. With such extremely abrasive materials, compounding at slightly lower speed gives identical results with regard to product quality and throughput while extending the service life of the screw elements and kneading bolts by up to 20%.
- PVC for direct calender feed. Here the larger barrel capacity results in better mixing characteristics across the throughput range of 1 : 3. This range is necessary in order to use the same kneader both for thin and thick foils.