Improving Material Control and Closing the Loop in Recycling
Reintroducing regrind material into plastics processing is critical for reducing waste and improving material utilization. Handling recycled material, especially hard-to-flow regrind, can create challenges in maintaining consistent blends and stable production.
For extrusion and injection molding operations, maintaining material accuracy is essential to achieving consistent product quality and efficient performance.
The Challenge of Regrind Material
Regrind material often behaves differently than virgin resin. Variations in particle size, density, and flow characteristics can lead to inconsistent feeding and blending.
Without proper material control, processors may experience:
- Inconsistent blend ratios
- Fluctuations in material quality
- Continued excess scrap rates
- Reduced process efficiency and increased part costs
Gravimetric Blending for Greater Accuracy
Gravimetric blenders provide precise, weight-based material dosing that helps maintain consistent blend ratios throughout the process.
AEC’s BD Series Batch Gravimetric Blenders are designed for plastics processing applications that require accurate dispensing of ingredients into a process.
Configurations with multiple feeding components allow processors to introduce and control varying material streams, including regrind material. For applications requiring increased flexibility, these systems can be configured with up to eight feeding components to support more complex material recipes.
The proper feed devices are selected based on material properties and flow characteristics.
Designed for consistency and accuracy
In extrusion and injection molding environments, maintaining both throughput and consistency is critical.
The BD Series Gravimetric Blender supports:
- Precise material blending across multiple components
- Enhanced mixing with more uniform material distribution
- Faster material changes and cleanout to support production flexibility
- Reliable performance
Supporting Regrind Utilization and Waste Reduction
Effectively reintroducing regrind material helps reduce scrap and improve overall material efficiency.
With improved blending accuracy and controlled material dosing, processors can:
- Maximize the use of regrind material in production
- Improve consistency in blended materials
- Reduce overall material waste
- Support sustainability initiatives related to material reuse
- Reduce overall part cost which improves profitability
Flexible Capacity and Configurations
AEC’s BD Series Batch Gravimetric Blenders are available in a wide range of capacities, from 50 to 6000 pounds per hour (23 to 2722 kilograms per hour).
Modular configurations allow systems to be aligned with specific application requirements, making them suitable for a variety of plastics processing operations. Matching the configuration to process needs, material characteristics, and the number of ingredients is key to selecting the right solution.
In some cases, traditional slide gate batch blenders may not be effective. AEC also offers OA auger blenders for harder-to-flow materials and continuous gravimetric blenders for higher throughput applications.
A Proven Approach to Plastics Processing Equipment
AEC has been providing auxiliary equipment and process solutions to the plastics industry since 1957.
With a focus on material handling, blending, and processing efficiency, AEC supports manufacturers in optimizing their operations through reliable and application-focused equipment.
A Smarter Approach to Regrind Utilization
Consistent material control plays a critical role in plastics processing.
By using gravimetric blending systems designed for accuracy and flexibility, processors can better manage regrind material and other ingredients while reducing waste. This supports production efficiency, lowers overall costs, and improves overall profitability.
Explore BD Series Gravimetric Blender Today!