Worldwide rubber processing machine manufacturer, Barwell Global Ltd, has added several new features and options to its BFT range of cryogenic deflashing machines to ensure optimum efficiency in hot and humid environments, targeting many of the Asian markets.
Cryogenic deflashing is a highly effective and efficient solution to remove excess flash on rubber and plastic parts. However, due to the cold temperatures required to freeze the parts during this process, many machines on the market have performance and maintenance issues, when used in hot and humid climates or manufacturing environments.
Most rubber and plastic companies have a working environment that is considered extremely hot and humid. The humidity will affect the performance of any cryogenic machine since the amount of moisture that builds up in and around the machine will eventually turn to ice and will severely impact the machine performance.
Moisture is created from the liquid nitrogen when the machine has been running, when the machine then sits idle, with ambient temperatures high, this moisture will freeze, turn to ice, and cause processing problems. Preventing moisture is a key requirement for effective machine performance and preventing the need for unnecessary downtime during production.
Barwell has continued to develop and innovate the BFT machine range over the years to help prevent production damaging issues and to make the cryogenic process more cost-effective and less labour intensive. In doing so Barwell has added several special features to significantly reduce these potential production-damaging issues from happening.
Barwell BFT machines now all include a fan for the separator system to prevent it from freezing, all temperature-sensitive parts are housed in a fully insulated section of the machine, the inclusion of a 99.99% dry air system for polycarbonate media transportation from the feed hopper to the blast chamber, and a special cool-off function when the machine is idle to prevent the build-up of moisture and will keep vital operational areas at the right working temperature.
The 99.99% dry air system prevents any unnecessary damage to the polycarbonate media and reduces any downtime, compared to a screw auger. The main disadvantage with a screw auger is that it degrades the polycarbonate media fast and is a labour intensive process to clean.
Managing Director, Stephen Grocott comments: “At Barwell we focus on providing real solutions to problems that exist in the market-place and making production as trouble-free as possible, whilst maintaining exceptionally high production quality and efficiency. We are able to do this due to our experienced team of design, production and service engineers who understand the needs of production staff on the factory floor, our enhancements to our BFT machines are another example of this.”
Barwell BFT machines are now also available in Grade 304 Stainless Steel to prevent oxidation in high humidity environments.
Barwell is a market leader in the manufacture of preforming equipment for the rubber and synthetic polymer industry and has effectively served the automotive, footwear, sports and leisure, medical, and technical and general rubber industries for over 50 years and has hundreds of machine owners throughout the world. The Barwell range includes batch-fed and continuous running rubber preformers, cooling conveyors, deflashing machines, and compression presses.
Barwell adds that its customer service and lifetime support includes machine specification and sales, design, installation and commissioning, technical support, spares, user training, servicing, and emergency call-out.
Please contact Barwell at sales@barwell.com for more on Barwell cryogenic deflashing systems.