Now Get High Torque Plus Super-High Screw Speeds.

While higher torque and screw speeds up to 1000-1 200 rpm have been the trend in twin-screw compounders for the last few years, some Japanese manufacturers are pushing the limits farther than ever. At the recent IPF '99 show in Tokyo, two firms claimed to be offering the highest screw speeds in the world.

* Toshiba Machine Co. introduced the smallest model in its TEM-SS highspeed/high-torque line. The TEM-41SS is a 41-mm model that's a lot more than a lab machine. With a 250-hp motor, it's capable of up to 1750 rpm and torque of 1019 Nm. At such speeds, it reportedly can put out 1760 lb/hr of ABS powder, 1330 lb/hr of low-MW polycarbonate powder, 1340 lb/hr of undried APET flake, and 1650 lb/hr of PP pellet plus 30% talc. Pivoting barrel is optional for easier cleaning.

Toshiba's corotating TEM-SS series now includes six sizes up to 136 mm, all capable of at least 1000 rpm. They are available here from NFM/Welding Engineers, Massilon, Ohio.

* Kobe Steel , Ltd. introduced the HyperKTX-MX Series of corotating machines, which are capable of up to 1500 rpm and have about 50% higher torque capacity than the standard HyperKTX-XHT Series. They come in five sizes from 46 to 104 mm, with drives of 307 to 3611 hp and torque capacities of 1441 to 16,648 Nm, respectively. For the smallest of these, estimated output of masterbatch is up to 860 lb/hr. Screws on these machines can include two- or three-lobed kneading disks and "wing"-type mixingrotor segments. These machines are available through Kobelco Stewart Boiling, Inc., Hudson, Ohio.