Product/Service

OFE Series Gravimetric Weigh Feeder for Extrusion

Source: AEC/HydReclaim
Plastics extrusion processing demands the addition of precisely metered components. The Optimum OFE Series gravimetric colorant and additive feeder is a self adjusting, loss in weight calibrated feed
Plastics extrusion processing demands the addition of precisely metered components. The Optimum OFE Series gravimetric colorant and additive feeder is a self adjusting, loss in weight calibrated feeder designed to meter a precise preset rate of free flowing pelletized additive into the extruder throat. The unit is equipped with an inductive proximity switch to sense the extruder screw RPM to provide slaved in operation. The unit is self-adjusting to compensate for varying bulk densities, different pellet cuts, geometry, etc. It will save colorants that result from operator calibration errors, and varying bulk densities of pellet additives. The OFE control will increase the voltage output to the DC gear motor driving the additive metering screw, until the actual metering rate matches the target-metering rate. The control will then learn the extruder screw speed and internally set up a table to slave in the additive metering screw rate to the extruder screw speed. The production rate screw speed of the extruder will equal the preset rate of the feeder. If the extruder screw speed is decreased or increased, the feeder will change its target rate accordingly. A minimum extruder screw speed setting is required in the Setup & Diagnostics menu to shut the feeder off when the screw speed falls below the set point. This is to prevent the metering unit drive from trying to run too slow, when metering small letdown materials. Inventory is kept on the metered material, and can be downloaded to a data collection network program (HyWinDaq). If a communications network is installed, the OFE unit can also be used for production and downtime tracking as the extruder speed can be continually down-loaded, date and time stamped, and logged for production reports, etc.
  • Precision 1/10% span accurate weighing system
  • Surge hopper with reload valve
  • 2-line X 40-character LCD control panel
  • Extruder following circuit
  • Machine mount with premium spool flange

AEC/HydReclaim, 3145 Copper Avenue. Tel: 810-629-6441; Fax: 810-629-5088.