- Fully automatic pressure batch type process operation. Automatic dosing of raw material.
- Expander design provides efficient operation for EPS, PMMA and most copolymers.
- High throughput yielding more processed beads per pre-expander, providing lower operating and capital cost.
- Vacuum conveyance of raw material to upper storage hopper.
- Stainless steel raw material storage and weighing hoppers.
- Transparent raw material dosing funnel allows visual inspection of material flow.
- Transparent expansion chamber enables visual monitoring of the material expansion.
- Variable speed, stainless steel agitator stirrer with Teflon wipers insures delicate bead treatment while in the expansion chamber.
- Live steam, controlled by a pneumatic proportional slide valve using an I/P positioner for remote control via the HMI, is introduced into expansion chamber through vent plates in bottom door. Direct steam contact on raw material provides uniform expansion of beads.
- Purge valve on expansion chamber allows continuous cross flow of steam through raw material for more uniform temperature throughout the expansion chamber.
- Photoelectric eye senses pre-expanded bead level in chamber which stops the expansion process at a known volume to assure precise density control.
- Quick evacuation of expanded beads through fully open expansion chamber bottom.
- Fluidizing bead drying bed allows precision cooling and stabilizing of expanded beads.
- Manually adjusted weir at discharge end of drying bed allows infinite adjustment of bead residence time according to required moisture content and output volume.
- Screen type bead de-lumping system.
- Blower and enture vacuum transport system provides gentle conveyance of fresh beads to local storage site.
- Programmable logic controller containing fully functional integrated software for machine control allowing operator easy and simple adjustment of all process timers.
- All process variables are entered via an operator interface.
- Optional pre-expanded bead density monitoring system.