Heat-resistant elastomer feed rollers

Automatik Plastic Machinery has developed a new elastomer feed roller specially designed to meet high demands in terms of abrasion and thermal loading. This new roller, designated EL 24, features a high thermal load capacity of up to 170°C, well above that of conventional rollers in use. The EL 24 also offers better frictional resistance and compression behaviour than conventional elastomer feed rollers. Worthy of notice is the fact that the new roller is white. In addition, and importantly for the semiconductor industry, it is also silicon-free.

Feed rollers are exposed to a wide range of loading based on the different materials processed in compounding and masterbatches. The products they process are soft, brittle, abrasive and/or very hot. The feed roller therefore has to be closely adapted to the material being processed. Demands on elastomer rollers are very high particularly in relation to abrasive materials incorporating reinforcers such as fibreglass or high-temperature additives. Optimum service life is important, so as to maximise system availability and maximise production cost. The new EL 24 feed roller is designed specially to handle such high loads. Automatik Plastics Machinery also offers its customers a backup package for the rollers enabling them to be exchanged for recoating within a few days. www.maag.com