Davis-Standard adds extrusion lab equipment

Pawcatuck, Connecticut-based Davis-Standard LLC says it is adding to the extrusion technology capabilities at its Technical Center in that city via two equipment additions in the first quarter of 2019. The company says it will offer trials for its Davis-Standard Helibar groove feed extruder and its DS Activ-Check control system for continuous extruder monitoring.

“These technologies have been proven in the field, and we’re pleased to offer experimentation in our technical center,” says John Christiano, the company’s vice president of extrusion technology. He says both additions create new opportunities for customers to improve and strengthen their plastic extrusion processes.

“We are firm believers in partnering with customers to make processes better and in maximizing their capital investments,” says Christiano. “I am eager for customers to use both the Helibar and Activ-Check in establishing performance baselines during real-world trials.”

Davis-Standard describes the Helibar extruder as the next generation in its groove feed extruder line. Helibar technology has been shown to increase extruder output rates while improving energy efficiency and reducing barrel and screw wear, says the company. Other advantages include lower startup costs, shorter residence time and the ability to process higher levels of regrind.

The DS Activ-Check system uses a continuous monitoring platform designed to strengthen preventive and predictive maintenance in extruder operation. With the technology, operators are able to monitor key mechanical and electrical components of the extruder and gearbox and receive early notification of potential component failure to prevent unscheduled downtime, according to Davis-Standard.

“The capability to monitor extrusion line variables such as mechanical and electrical system conditions is essential in order to bring products to market faster,” says John Clemens, Davis-Standard’s director of extrusion controls.

Davis-Standard describes itself as focusing on the design, development and distribution of extrusion and converting technology for customers in the agriculture, automotive, construction, health care, energy, electronics, retail and food and beverage packaging sectors. The firm has more than 1,350 employees worldwide, with manufacturing and technical facilities in the United States, Canada, China, Germany, Finland, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.