Materials & parts handling. (What to See at NPE 2003).

Dryers, feeders, blenders, loaders, receivers, level sensors, system-wide controls, parts conveyors, and box fillers account for dozens of new products at NPE. Most of them constitute new sizes in existing product lines or offer incremental improvements in energy efficiency, control, maintainability, and ease of use.

Dryers communicate

Resin dryers and drying hoppers are one of the biggest categories of new products. One of the most intriguing entries is Wittmann's new option of embedding a web server in the dryer controls to allow users remote access to setpoints, status indication, help documentation, and troubleshooting. Wittmann intends to offer this option on its full line of auxiliary equipment.

Other control enhancements allow programming multiple-hopper banks with different drying times and temperatures for each hopper or improve energy efficiency by minimizing use of heaters and compressed air based on monitoring incoming and outgoing air temperatures. Such enhancements, as well as remote control and monitoring capabilities are featured in new dryer controls from Bry-Air Systems, Dri-Air Industries, and Novatec. Besides the firms already mentioned, look for new dryers from Autoload, Conair, Maguire, Motan, Process Control (back in the dryer market after an absence of 20 years), Sterling, Thoreson McCosh, and Universal Dynamics. A number of these units are portable models with conveying/loading systems built in.

Blenders & feeders galore

Tighter control, quick-change capability, more versatile controls, and (in some cases) lower cost are claimed for new feeders and blenders from Colormax, Comet Automation, Conair, Fabri-Dyne, Foremost, Hamilton Avtec, K-Tron, Maguire, Motan, Novatec, Plastrac, Premier Pneumatics, Process Control, Sterling, and TSM. Most of the new blenders are gravimetric (batch or continuous). Mould-Tek and Novatec are emphasizing remote monitoring and control capabilities.

Liquid metering is featured by a smaller group of exhibitors: Inoex is introducing a rare gravimetric liquid dosing system; Riverdale Color has a new liquid-color pump for 7-gal pails; and Zenith Pumps has digitally controlled fluid dispensing system that can be set up and controlled wirelessly from a Palm PDA.

Loading & conveying news

New hopper loaders and vacuum receivers will be shown by AEC, Air Conveying Systems, Colormax, Conair, K-tron, Molders Choice, Motan, Novatec, Plastrac, Premier Pneumatics, Sterling, Thoreson McCosh, Universal Dynamics, and Wittmann. Some products emphasize low cost, others low maintenance or easy cleanout. Premier Pneumatics and Thoreson McCosh are also highlighting controls for large systems or entire plants. The big news from Sterling is its first complete line of material-handling products--feeders, loaders, receivers, dryers, pumps, and controls.

In a recent issue (PT, Oct. '02, p. 62), we pointed out the growing importance of level sensors as a tool for inventory control. Exhibitors of level controls at NPE are Bindicator, Binmaster, IFM Elector, K-Tek, Kistler-Morse, Monitor Manufacturing, and Thermo Electron Process Instruments.

Pack 'em and stack 'em

New parts conveyors that angle up, down, and around curves will be introduced by Crizaf, Direct-Line Products, Dynamic Conveyor, EMI, Foremost, and Harvard Factory Automation. Foremost will show one with an integral metal detector. Some of these firms are rolling out new belts that withstand high temperatures or treat parts more gently.

Automatic box fillers and tote stackers will also make news at the booths of Crizaf, Direct-Line, and Dynamic Conveyor. Rennco is bringing out a new cup loader and counter. And Hunker Laboratories is showing off a new wireless, handheld barcode scanner/printer as well as a box label printer/applicator.

Exhibitor Listings

Includes raw-materials conveying, metering, feeding, blending, loading, and bulk storage, as well as finished parts handling and packing. New developments appear in boldface type.

ACCURATE

Booth 9152

Exhibiting Mechatron line of volumetric and gravimetric additive feeders. Also showing SolidsFlow louvered vibratory feeder for chopped fiberglass, Tuf-Flex volumetric feeders, DG-200 Group Control Manager, and Disomat-B Plus batch controller.

AEC INC.

Booth 1840

Several new products will he exhibited: stainless-steel SRC 30 low-maintenance vacuum hopper, a powder hopper loader, a compressed-air dryer, the AD-60 dryer, the AD-3000 central drying system, and the AD-30 Nomad portable dryer with integral conveying system. Also showing VacTrac control panels, more vacuum hoppers, a powder blender, and a powder feeder.

AIR CONVEYING SYSTEMS INC.

Booth 10244

Displaying redesigned Model 305 Airveyor venturi system with a rectangular instead of round housing for easier installation.

AIR-TRAN CO., INC.

Booth 2845

Makes air-conveying systems for molded parts.

AIRCOMEX, S.A DE C.V.

Booth 12607

(Exhibiting w/Mexican Trade Commission)

Supplies components and complete systems for bulk handling of plastic pellets.

ALIMATIC, S.A.

Booth 9925

(Exhibiting w/Trade Commission of Spain)

Supplies vacuum and pressure conveying systems for plastic pellets and PVC powders. Also supplies dryers, dehumidifiers, silo weighing systems, silo loading units, throughput totalizers, dedusters, and turnkey systems

ALL-CON WORLD SYSTEMS INC.

Booth 10643

Systems integrator and manufacturer of automated bulk materials-handling systems.

AMERICAN METAL PRODUCTS DIV.

Booth 3028

(Exhibiting w/Hunkar Laboratories)

This Hunkar division supplies a variety of belt-type parts conveyors--flat, cleated, and adjustable-angle. Also offers part diverters to separate rejects at the drop area of an injection press.

ARCA SYSTEMS

Booth 5391

Introducing Xytec XD 4845 collapsible pallet container of molded HDPE structural foam.

AUTOLOAD, INC.

Booth 4026

(Exhibiting u/Universal Dynamics)

Universal Dynamics subsidiary is showing four Autodry drying systems, including the new Model AD-400 compressed-air dryer. Also showing three additive feeders, six models of Autoload Series loaders, and a small central vacuum-conveying system, as well as miscellaneous accessories.

AXMANN CONVEYING SYSTEMS, INC.

Booth 10828

Manufactures cleanroom-style, stainless-steel conveyors and lightweight conveyor drives.

B.A.G. CORP.

Booth 13022

Featuring Super Sack flexible intermediate bulk containers for dry flowable products. They include anti-static and groundable conteiners and specialty bulk liners for boxes, drums, and bulk bags. Also showing FIBC recycling service to clean and recondition bulk bags for reuse in a closed-loop system.

BINDICATOR CO.

Booth 9316

Supplies level sensors and controls as well as bin aerators.

BINMASTER

Booth 8444

Manufactures level controls for point and continuous measurement of liquid, solid, and slurry materials. Also supplies inventory-measurement software and equipment for dry-flow aeration and dust detection.

BRABENDER TECHNOLOGIE INC.

Booth 5990

Makes loss-in-weight feeders, screw feeders, twin-screw-agitators, feeder controls, and vibration trays.

BROCK MANUFACTURING

Booth 10939

Offering information on line of bolted steel silos and Flex-Auger Plus coreless auger conveying systems for free-flowing materials.

BRY-AIR SYSTEMS

Booth 3228

Introducing EZ-Dry resin drying system, a desiccant-rotor-based system designed for shorter drying cycles, energy efficiency, and long-term reliability. Capacities range up to 600 lb/hr. Also introducing Smart-Dry dewpoint controller with a 7-day timer. It monitors dewpoint, process and regeneration temperatures, return-air temperatures, and various alarm functions. Also showing a H201 200-lb stainless insulated hopper and resin loader on a common stand.

BUNIING MAGNETICS CO.

Booth 4737

Featuring PowerTrac modular aluminum belt conveyors and a wide variety of magnetic-separation equipment and electronic metal detector-separator units. The latter include drawer magnets, torpedo magnets, and new Powder FF drawer magnets with special seals for separating tramp metal from PVC resin and other fine powders.

CACTUS MACHINERY INC.

Booth 4126

(Exhibiting w/Plastore)

Showing resin Superdryers that use no desiccant or moving parts, just lowwattage heater bands and an air venturi.

CANAM MANUFACTURED PRODUCTS INC.

Booth 876

(Exhibiting w/Canadian Plastics Industry Association)

Showing the Speedryer, a thermodynamic hopper dryer with no desiccant or moving parts. It uses heat pipes to convey heat to the resin. Also showing an Autohopper compressed-air hopper loader.

CBW AUTOMATION

Booth 2570

Manufactures high-speed top- and side-entry robots and custom downstream automation systems for injection molding. The latter can include unscrambling, layer-packing, and container-handling equipment.

CLEVELAND VIBRATOR CO.

Booth 4420

Showing Model EMBS vibrating pellet/regrind screener. Designed for palletizing, regrinding, and recycling operations. Classifies pellets, flakes, or regrind into fines, middlings, and overs with different-sized screens at 500 to 12,000 lb/hr.

COLORMAX LTD 

Booth 807 (Exhibiting w/K-Tron)

U.K. subsidiary of K-Thon will display feeding, blending, and conveying equipment for pellets, regrind, and powders. Showing micro feeders and volumetric and gravimetric blenders. New Posimax positive-displacement additive feeder has only one moving part. New Multiweigh blender weighs each component separately and reportedly gives batch accuracies within 0.5%. New C-Series vacuum receivers convey anything from pellets to sticky powders

COLORTRONIC INC.

Booth 5571

Manufactures "smart" feed hoppers, loss-in-weight wood-flour feeding system, gain-in-weight gravimetric blenders, twin-screw powder feeders, and automatic conveying and storage systems.

COLOURMATE INC.

Booth 9046

Supplies additive feeders and vacuum loaders.

COLUMBIAN TECTANK

Booth 1032

Manufactures bolted tanks and shop-welded tanks in coated carbon steel, aluminum, and stainless steel.

COMET AUTOMATION SYSTEMS INC.

Booth 3022

Displaying new Comet GraviMix Micro Blender, a small gravimetric blending system with Auto-Pulse pneumatic metering valves. It weighs and blends up to four free-flowing materials and is said to be accurate even for small quantities. Also showing improved HCD Honeycomb Dryer.

CONAIR

Booth 2616

Introducing the TLM Tube Loader for low-volume (up to 100 lb/hr) conveying. Very simple tubular body is said to eliminate flow problems. Also showing a new line of small, compact dryers for up to 100 lb/hour. Also unveiling a custom central drying and distribution system for small to medium volumes. Also new is a feeder with a fixed hopper that eliminates the need for a complex removable latch and slide-gate assembly.

COPERION CORP.

Booth 5516

Coperion Waeschle division supplies pneumatic conveying systems, including the new Intacon air control for low-speed, dense-phase conveying. Also supplies new ZXD blow-through rotary feeder valve for powder conveying. Also sells diverter valves, slide valves, Gamma Bend deflector for conveying lines, and Combi Flow blender for free-flowing materials.

CRG LOGICS INC.

Booth 5784

Makes material conveying and gravimetric blending systems for extrusion applications.

CRIZAF AUTOMATION SYSTEMS

Booth 1276

Introducing a Rotating Chute box-filling system that fits in small spaces. A teach pendant programs the unit for various numbers and sizes of boxes. Also new are an aluminum conveyor belt for higher-temperature applications and a new cross-rigid belt that eliminates belt bulge at the transition from flat to inclined conveying. Also showing automated container-filling systems, part/runner separators, a variety of belt conveyors, a photo display of custom automated parts-handling solutions.

DASSETT PROCESS ENGINEERING LTD.

Booth 7925

(Exhibiting w/British Plastics Federation)

Supplies semi- and fully automatic container bagging and packaging machines that allow automated transfer from the molding machine.

DESCON CONVEYOR SYSTEMS & CONSULTANTS, INC.

Booth 9055

Custom manufacturer of conveyor systems, specializing in the food and beverage industries.

DIRECT-LINE PRODUCTS

Booth 1240 (Exhibiting w/EMI)

Newly redesigned belt conveyors feature direct-drive motor and reducer, variable belt speed, casters, and double V-guide belt. Models include flat, inclined, and horizontal-to-inclined types. Also new is an in-line box-filling system with cycle-count control system, indexing conveyor with adjustable side rails, and roller storage conveyor. Also showing drawer magnets.

DRI-AIR INDUSTRIES INC.

Booth 655

Showing newly expanded line of RH insulated drying hoppers for 5 to 2000 lb. Also new are PD Series portable resin dryers with integrated hopper loader. A single blower fills the drying hopper and conveys dried material to the molding machine. Showing multi-hopper banks with new microprocessor controls that offer independent drying of different resins at different temperatures and times. Also introducing model HPX-750 multiple-bed dryer for processing 750 lb/hr.

DYNAMIC CONVEYOR CORP.

Booth 244

Introducing its latest conveyor belt, the Intralox Series 900 with rubber drive flights to treat parts gently. Showing recently introduced Radius Turn Conveyor, and new metal detection and tote stacking systems. DynaCon reconfigurable modular conveyors will be running at the show.

ECONOMIZER 

Booth 2260

Showing Econoload EL Series hopper loaders, flow regulators, and EM series hopper magnets.

EISBAER TROCKENTECHNIK GMBH

Booth 11050 (Exhibiting w/Austrian Trade Commission)

Showing new DAS Dry-Air System that is said dry resin with up to 45% energy-cost savings.

EMI PLASTICS EQUIPMENT

Booth 1240

Newly redesigned Trimline conveyor has direct drive, choice of aluminum or steel construction, casters, and double V-guide belt. Also introducing low-cost, redesigned aluminum conveyor. Also showing other products from its catalog.

ERIEZ MAGNETICS

Booth 8318

Supplies a full line of permanent and electromagnetic metal detectors and separators, as well as vibratory-screen feeders, gyratory separators, bin vibrators, and vibratory feeders and conveyors.

FABRI-DYNE, INC.

Booth 10324 (Exhibiting w/Romax)

Introducing MM-50 premixer that is a smaller version of the PM-60. MM-50 can blend multiple additives as well as liquid color.

FASTI USA, INC.

Booth 8546

Manufactures ERD economy resin dryer.

FLEXICON CORP.

Booth 9720

Supplies flexible screw conveyors, bulk-bag loaders and unloaders, manual bag and drum dumpers, and engineered systems.

F.LLI VIRGINIO SRL 

Booth 4780

(Exhibiting w/Plastic Metal SPA)

Italian firm supplies belt conveyors, dryers, pellet feeders, and turntable accumulators.

FOREMOST MACHINE BUILDERS

Booth 5539

Introducing CLWB-II continuous loss-in-weight blenders for 1000 to 6000 lb/hr. They have low-cost modular design, digital load cells for higher accuracy and reliability and easy access to lift out hoppers. Each ingredient is weighed separately Also new are improved digital metal separators; throat-mounted, low-cost metal separators; dryers with solid-cone hoppers; updated vacuum loader controls; and a new finished-product metal detector with an integral parts conveyor. Also showing TTD Series dryer, VF Series vacuum loader, Guardian Series metal separators. Will demonstrate vacuum loaders, blenders, and metal separators in the booth.

FOREMOST SYSTEMS, INC.

Booth 5539

(Exhibiting w/Foremost Machine Builders)

As a systems integrator, Foremost provides turnkey materials-handling systems using products manufactured by Foremost and other outsourced items.

FOX VALVE DEVELOPMENT CORP.

Booth 13338

Showing Fox Solids Conveying Eductor for pneumatic conveying of all types of dry bulk solids. Eductor eliminates the need for airlocks and rotary valves, has no moving parts, and requires no maintenance. Will demonstrate a system at the booth.

GRAPHICS INTERNATIONAL GROUP

Booth 5171

Exhibiting Moretto materials-handling equipment from Italy, including hopper loaders, dryers (including special PET and CD models), feeders, bins, and central drying and distribution systems.

HAMILTON AVTEC INC.

Booth 6136

Introducing SCM Vectra series of auger feeders for color and additives. Stainless-steel units have quick-change auger/barrel assemblies. Also offers a broad range of materials-handling and storage components.

HFA (HARVARD FACTORY AUTOMATION)

Booth 10332

Showing new U-Slide under-press drop chute that mounts on the frame of the press. Also new is easily adjustable scissors-lift parts conveyor. Also exhibiting a box/tote-fill system, belt and roller conveyors, inspection tables, reject diverters, portable scales, clean-room enclosures, and cooling conveyors. Each day HFA will have a "Golf Club" drawing for towels, tees, balls, and Koozis.

HAMMERTEK CORP.

Booth 10412

Exhibiting Smart Elbow for pneumatic and slurry conveying systems, which eliminates elbow wear, streamers, angel-hair, plugging, surging, and noise.

H-P PRODUCTS INC.

Booth 12813

Metflow Tubular Products Div. will unveil the Instalok compression coupling for pneumatic conveying lines. Self-aligning, high-strength system is said to cost 20% less and install 30% faster than standard couplings. Company also supplies tubing for air-conveying systems.

HUNKAR LABORATORIES, INC.

Booth 3028

Packaging Div. introduces wireless handheld barcode scanners and printers and TR-l000 label printer/applicator for boxed parts. TR-1000 prints in real time, not batch mode, and communicates via RF, LAN, or PC station.

IFM EFECTOR, INC.

Booth 12834

Supplies capacitive and inductive proximity switches, photoelectric proximity sensors, level sensors, and flow sensors.

IMCS, INC.

Booth 938

Makes silos, bins, dumpers, tilters, screw conveyors, and bulk-bag loaders/unloaders.

INDUSTRIAL MAGNETICS, INC.

Booth 4993

Supplies industrial magnets, magnetic separators, and metal detectors.

INLAND PAPERBOARD AND PACKAGING, INC.

Booth 12837

Supplies product packaging.

INOEX LLC 

Booth 4793

Introducing to the U.S. the igsD4 gravimetric liquid-component doser, suitable for liquid colorants, silane crosslinkers, and other additives. Also showing Saveomat D2 system for automatic dosing of powder and granules.

JACOB TUBING L.P.

Booth 10524

Supplies modular tubing systems for bulk material handling and fume and dust evacuation.

K-TEK

Booth 13413

Adding to its line of continuous and point level sensors, company will introduces Model KP bin level indicator, a robust paddle switch priced 15% lower than comparable switches. Also showing new laser level sensors for bulk solids and opaque liquids.

K-TRON

Booth 807

Introducing to North America the Quick Change/Quick Clean T35/S60 feeder with interchangeable single-screw and twin-screw modules. Also showing new Shear Hopper with a flexible hopper liner that contains its own agitator ring. It will be mounted on the Quick Change feeder. Showing new P-series Hurricane vacuum receivers for tough-to-handle powders--also an economical alternative for simple pellet loading. Demonstrating new "Screw Speed Modulation algorithm" that smoothes material pulsation on single-screw feeders. It's standard in the latest SmartConnex gravimetric feeder controls. Also showing a four-ingredient K2G gravimetric feeding system designed to fit over an extruder, as well as a loss-in-weight vibratory feeder, Smart Weigh Belt Feeder--now available in both 300 and 600 mm belt width, and Model 275 Smart Flow Meter for high feed rates.

KICE INDUSTRIES, INC.

Booth 4754

Introducing a multiple-pass aspirator that mounts directly on an injection molding machine. It can remove dust, fines, "angel hair," and "snakeskins" from up to 400 lb/hr of virgin, regrind, or recycled material. Also featuring complete aspiration and pneumatic conveying systems. Visitors who bring samples of their material can have it cleaned by a 6DT4 aspirator at the booth.

KISTLER-MORSE CORP.

Booth 13408

Supplies ultrasonic level sensors, including "ultra-cell" system tailored for plastics silos. Also offers silo and vessel weight sensors and batching controllers.

KONGSKILDE INDUSTRIES, INC.

Booth 4020

Offers venturis, aspirators, blowers, cyclones, rotary valves, and quick-disconnect pneumatic piping.

KURIYAMA OF AMERICA, INC.

Booth 9350

Showing full-flow, swiveling female couplers and male adapters that can be used with PVC, rubber, or interlocked metal hoses for materials conveying. Also showing Tigerflex PVC material-handling hoses, Hose Tec interlocked metal hoses, and Kuri Tee PVC hose and tubing.

LABOTEK INC.

Booth 6133

Supplies silos, bins, hopper loaders, dryers, blenders, and central materials-handling systems.

LAIDIG INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS

Booth 10160

Introducing Model 3445 Cone Bottom Reclaim System for 45[degrees] storage bins of up to 15 ft diam. Provides an economical solution to plugging, bridging, or rat-hole problems with stored bulk resins, powders or regrind materials. Also demonstrating Model 4345 Cone Bottom Hydraulic Reclaim System.

LAROS EQUIPMENT CO., INC.

Booth 985

Makes parts-handling conveyors, part/sprue separators, and carton indexers.

LITTLEFORD DAY INC.

Booth 5735

Displaying a wood-flour dryer.

LORENZ & SON

Booth 10731

Supplies couplings, diverter valves, slide gates, tube and pipe elbows, and fittings for pneumatic conveying.

L-R SYSTEMS

Booth 4326

Supplies blenders, feeders, hopper loaders, railcar unloaders, central conveying systems, bins, silos, metal detectors, gaylord dumpers, and dryers.

MAGUIRE PRODUCTS, INC.

Booth 9101

Introducing LPD-1000 super-high-capacity low-pressure dryer for up to 1000 lb/hr. Also showing new "progressive metering" control for gravimetric blenders, said to provide extremely tight tolerances.

MAHR METERING SYSTEMS CORP.

Booth 4122

Supplies additive metering pumps.

MATSUI AMERICA, INC.

Booth 5965

Introducing Plas-Aid Multi Jet 3 combination dryer/loader in a compact design. Also supplies loaders and Jet Color multi-component volumetric blender.

MEECH STATIC ELIMINATORS USA INC.

Booth 4130

Showing new 913 Flow Tube for neutralizing static charges in conveying systems. It consists of a stainless-steel or PVC tube with static-elimination bars.

MEISEI AMERICA

Booth 8309

Showing a parts conveying system, parts/runner separator, and virgin/regrind loader.

MHT AMERICA, INC.

Booth 12407

Supplies bulk material-handling systems.

MIDWESTERN INDUSTRIES, INC.

Booth 7237

Produces vibrating screener/separators. Showing a 24-in, low-profile model MLP24, 2 x 3 ft Unifiex model, and ME30 separator with conveyor.

MINNESOTA AUTOMATION, DIV. OF RIVERWOOD INTERNATIONAL

Booth 7314

Displaying denesting equipment for clamshell packages and containers.

MOLDERS CHOICE, INC.

Booth 9313

Showing new low-cost, all-stainless hopper loaders, as well as soft-surface mold chutes.

MOLDING AUTOMATION CONCEPTS, INC. (MAC)

Booth 4971

Supplies horizontal and incline conveyors, hopper-feed conveyors, part-conditioning conveyors for cooling or static elimination, part/runner separators, parts sorters, clean-room inspection conveyors, tray stacking and destacking systems, air conveyors for parts, vertical-transfer platforms for parts, barcode system to monitor parts flow, parts counting and weighing equipment, bag and box filling equipment, mold guide skirts for parts drop, drum and gaylord filter covers, resin bins, and custom parts-handling systems.

MONITOR TECHNOLOGIES LLC

Booth 8426

Introducing VibraRod vibratory point-level sensor for solids and Vibrafork vibratory point-level sensor for liquids. Their single-probe design is said to overcome typical difficulties associated with changes in material dielectric constant, temperature, or humidity. Also showing a full line of point and continuous level instrumentation and demonstrating SiloTrack inventory management software.

MOTAN, INC.

Booth 685

Showing new Luxor 200A low-cost central dryer, new Sline of simple vacuum receivers, redesigned Metrovac filterless receivers with new optional screens to prevent dust carryover, and new Gravicolor central blenders. Also featuring Flexside beside-the-press dryer/ conveyor packages and Minicolor blender.

MOTOMAN INC.

Booth 4375

Showing PX1850 paint-series robot demonstrating welding, part handling, surface preparation, paint, packaging, and palletizing.

MOULD-TEK INDUSTRIES INC.

Booth 1485

Showing new central PC for remote control of blenders and loaders using T-Com2 and T-Link custom software. Touchscreen terminal provides real-time control and monitoring of material consumption at each station. Also showing a line of blenders and loaders.

MOVACOLOR, B.V.

Booth 10324 (Exhibiting w/Romax)

Showing new version of Movacolor 24 additive feeder that allows quicker calibration. Also demonstrating other Movacolor additive feeders.

NATIONAL BULK EQUIPMENT, INC.

Booth 5721

Makes container dumpers, tilt tables, silos, and storage bins. Also makes blenders, screw conveyors, pneumatic conveying systems, bulk-bag handling equipment, and storage accessories.

O.A. NEWTON

Booth 5939

Specializing in pneumatic and mechanical conveying of dry bulk materials such as PVC compound ingredients, wood composites, and carbon black. Systems expertise includes railcar and truck unloading, bulk storage, weighing, metering, and blending.

NOVATEC INC.

Booth 1402

The NovaTouch touchscreen PLC controller with remote progranuning and diagnostics, previously on Novatec dryers, is newly available on blenders and custom conveying systems. Also introducing AF-1-QC quick-change auger feeder, NovaDrier Moisture Manager option for dewpoint-control, and energy-saver option for all NovaDriers. Also new is an easy-clean feature and optional drop-in dump valve for all machine-mount JIT vacuum loaders and vacuum chambers. Also showing gas-fired dryers, portable drying/conveying system, high-accuracy BBS blender, and Novatec-supplied Maguire blender.

NUCON WITTMANN

See Wittmann Inc.

OSPREY CORP.

Booth 4056

Offers surge stoppers for bulk loading systems.

PALACE PACKAGING MACHINES

Booth 4407

Supplies unscramblers, counters, feeders, and sorters for containers and parts.

PELLETRON CORP.

Booth 4216

Will demonstrate two of its patented deduster systems, the P10 and P1 Mini, processing regrind and virgin materials.

PLASTORE, INC.

Booth 4126

Offers additive feeders, gravimetric blenders, and hopper loaders. Will exhibit three mixing stations with hopper alarms and Plasti-Loader system.

PLASTRAC INC.

Booth 887

Introducing Auto-Disc Micrometering Blender able to meter color concentrate micropellets at levels below 0.025%. Also introducing a stand-alone material loader that can be part of Mini-Central conveying system. Also showing gravimetric and volumetric disc-based synchronous material blenders and disc-based synchronous color-metering units.

PREMIER PNEUMATICS, INC.

Booth 1014

Introducing ProRate gravimetric feeder with a controller that can control up to 8 feeders simultaneously, providing a capacity range from 1 to 80,000 lb/hr. Also new is a PLC that controls up to 24 vacuum receivers and two blowers or 48 vacuum receivers and four blowers. A new Series 2400 vacuum receivers with low-voltage 24VDC controls. Also showing pellet and powder receivers and a Cyclone/Aerolock Rotary Valve Group.

PREMIER TECH CHRONOS

Booth 12743

Supplies flexible industrial packaging as well as weighing, bagging, palletizing, and materials-handling systems.

PROCESS CONTROL CORP.

Booths 3004, 5361

Showing gravimetric and volumetric powder-feeding systems, including new ultra-low-rate powder feeder. Also showing new small gravimetric batch blenders (2.75 and 5.5 lb) for injection and blow molding, as well as larger gravimetric blenders, both continuous and batch types. Low-dew-point desiccant dryers for injection and blow molding are also new.

RENNCO INC.

Booth 6311

Displaying new Voyager vertical L-bar sealer, which seals up to 60 packages/mm. At the show, it will be interfaced with a new high-speed, servodriven CCL cup counting/loading infeed system and case-packing system. Also showing new Flexo 500S horizontal form-fill-seal packager from Hugo Beck Horizontal Machinery.

RIVERDALE COLOR

Booth 3054

Introducing Pump-in-a-Pail liquid-color metering device that fits on 7gal pails. It's similar to the larger Pump-in-a-Drum. Both are available with gravimetric or volumetric metering.

RMT ROBOTICS LTD.

Booth 10210

Supplies gantry robot systems for palletizing and distribution.

ROMAX, INC.

Booth 10324

Featured in the booth will be equipment from Movacolor B,.V., Fabri-Dyne, and Western Feedscrew. Equipment will be running throughout the show.

S&S METAL DETECTORS NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Booth 10141

Offers compact metal separators.

SALINA VORTEX CORP.

Booth 10947

Introducing 3-way Flex Tube diverter and multi-port valve assembly, both now available for larger conveying lines (up to 8 in. dam.). Also showing a wide range of slide gates I and diverter valves.

SILOS Y CAMIONES, S.A. DE C.V.

Booth 12607 (Exhibiting w/Mexican Trade Commission)

Supplies pneumatic materials-handling systems and components.

STERLING, INC.

Booth 1415

New Material Processing Div. is exhibiting its first line of material-handling products including over 30 offerings. They include a blender with a vacuum receiver; a metering-disc type digital dosing system; a portable dryer and hopper; floor-standing dryers; drying hoppers; a centrifugal vacuum pump; a filter chamber; proportioning valves, a hopper loader, a side vane vacuum pump; a rotary valve; SCADA software (which will be running on a computer display); a powder loader; a powder receiver; and a dedusting valve module.

T&T TECHNOLOGY

Booth 5944

Featuring the T&T Fines-Sep OTB, which provides ultra-sharp separation of nuisance impurities, dust, and fines.

TEC ENGINEERING CORP.

Booth 1240

Offers ZIP overhead monorail system for automated transfer of boxes, over/under box-filling system, part/runner separators, and parts conveyors.

THERMO ELECTRON CORP., PROCESS INSTRUMENTS DIV.

Booth 9342

Displaying weigh-belt feeders, loss-in-weight and volumetric feeders, flow/no-flow detectors, flowmeters, level indicators (ultrasonic, plumb-bob, rotary paddle, load-cell, and capacitance), and weighing, monitoring, and control equipment.

THERMO RAMSEY

See Thermo Electron Corp.

THORESON MCCOSH INC.

Booth 2264

New products to be shown include low-temperature desiccant dryers, Vision Point central monitor for plantwide material-handling systems, and a receiver hopper with its own mixer. Also showing Multi-Dry resin storage and drying systems, multi-component blenders, color/additive feeders, and self-contained loaders. Live at the booth will be a multi-station vacuum-transfer system.

TKC TECHNOLOGIES

Booth 5939 (Exhibiting w/O.A. Newton)

Provides specialized carbon-black handling equipment.

TSM CONTROL SYSTEMS, INC.

Booth 4017

Supplies batch and continuous gravimetric blenders, and vacuum-sequencing/material-handling systems. New products include the MicraBatch gravimetric batch blenders and Sigmablend continuous gravimetric blenders.

TURCK INC.

Booth 10531

Supplies parts detection and counting systems, as well as capacitive level sensors. Introducing a radio-frequency product identification system.

UNIVERSAL DYNAMICS, INC.

Booth 2649

New GS Series twin-bed dryers range from small portable models to large multi-hopper systems. They will be shown with new TSC Hopper series. Also featuring a new frame and beam stand with a 5-wheel glide system for dryer/hopper combinations or to hold multiple hoppers. Also showing PCT2 Model 1000 dryer and DHD-8 dehumidifying dryer with the larger USC hopper. New low-cost LS-95300E and LS-95-950E self-contained vacuum loaders will be shown for the first time. Also showing Echo Millennium controls and 3-hp PowerMax positive-displacement pump with Dustmaster filter, Cyclone Filter and redesigned [LS.sup.2] chambers. Six models of Autoload Series loaders will be shown as well as various models of the Autodry dryer. Model AD-400 compressed-air dryer will debut.

VAC-U-MAX

Booth 8330

Demonstrating pneumatic conveying systems for phenolic molding compounds.

WAESCHLE

See Coperion Corp.

WALTON/STOUT, INC.

Booth 6126

Manufactures desiccant dryers, PET crystallizers, and pneumatic loaders and conveyors.

WITTMANN, INC.

Booth 1049

Showing new dual-hopper Drymax 100 portable dryer (155 lb/hr) with new Smartflow valves that automatically adjust airflow based on demand for dry air inside the hopper. Drymax 60 and 100 portable dryers have upgraded controls with SmartRegen function that saves energy by minimizing regeneration time. Also showing new Continuous Desiccant Dryers with adjustable dewpoint. Featuring a new series of loaders; low-cost, entry-level touchscreen controls for materials handling systems; and optional web-enabled dryers that allow remote access to setpoints, help documentation, and troubleshooting. The booth will house automated work cells networked through WittLink.

ZECCHETTI USA

Booth 4595

Supplies Italian-made palletizing equipment for PET bottles.

ZENITH PRODUCTS/PARKER HANNIFIN CORP.

Booth 5739

Introducing 9000DS dispensing system combining 9000-series metering pumps and stepper-motor control technology with a Palm PDA interface. The system dispenses fluids at 0.01 cc/sec to 2.7 liter/min.