Nordson Corporation’s Polymer Processing Systems (PPS) division, a prominent global provider of polymer and fluid coating die systems, pelletizers, and melt delivery systems, is set to unveil its latest advancements at the NPE 2024 exhibition from May 6-10 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida (Booths #W8189, W8289). The debut in the United States will feature two groundbreaking innovations: the BKG® HiCon™ K-SWE-HD/RS melt filter, designed to assist film and sheet manufacturers in maximizing the use of recycled materials, and the EDI® Prodigi™ automated lip adjustment system for EDI® extrusion and fluid coating dies.
Andreas Wenzel, Vice President of Nordson’s PPS division, expressed, “These cutting-edge technological advancements reflect our commitment to delivering the most efficient, productive, and environmentally sustainable solutions to aid OEMs and manufacturers in meeting the most demanding production requirements.”
With an optimistic outlook on the U.S. economy, Nordson’s PPS division anticipates a robust 2024, capitalizing on its innovation and technology across key market sectors. The company anticipates a continued emphasis on sustainability, efficiency, and safety, which are expected to shape the future of the plastics industry. This outlook coincides with a growing trend of automation adoption by companies aiming to expand their operations amidst evolving consumer demands.
In response to these market dynamics, Nordson will introduce its latest products for the extrusion industry, which promise significant efficiency and sustainability benefits.
Enhancing Sustainability with the Melt Filter
The BKG® HiCon™ K-SWE-HD/RS filtration system will be prominently featured, offering film and sheet producers a unique solution to incorporate more recycled content. As the demand for sustainability grows, manufacturers are increasingly turning to recycled materials. Nordson’s melt filter, leveraging its distinctive backflush technology, enables greater use of recycled material while maintaining process stability and product quality.
Unlike conventional melt filters, which lack a backflushing function and struggle with processing recycled material due to high contamination levels, the BKG® HiCon™ K-SWE-HD/RS system employs backflushing to continuously clean the screens from contamination and debris. This results in fewer filter elements and reduced screen change requirements, enhancing operational efficiency.
Designed to handle backflushing and venting efficiently, the new melt filter ensures maintenance-friendly operation, with a vertically opening safety cover facilitating easy access for cleaning. In collaboration with RKW, a leading blown film producer in Germany focusing on recycled content, Nordson conducted successful trials of the BKG® HiCon™ K-SWE-HD/RS system, validating its efficacy in real-world applications.
Revolutionizing Lip Adjustment with Automation
Nordson will also showcase the EDI® Prodigi™ motorized lip actuator system, which revolutionizes extrusion and coating processes by automating lip gap adjustment, thereby enhancing speed, safety, and repeatability. This patent-pending system achieves precise tolerances four times faster than conventional thermal bolt systems, aligning with the industry’s sustainability goals.
Unlike manual thermal bolt systems, the Prodigi™ die utilizes motorized actuators connected to the die’s flexible lip, enabling smooth and precise linear movement for lip adjustment. This automation reduces energy consumption and environmental impact, as the motorized actuators operate at lower temperatures and require minimal power once steady-state operation is achieved.
Technical presentations on both innovations will be offered at NPE, providing in-depth insights into their functionalities and benefits. Damon Patton, Manager of Business Development-Americas for the BKG® product line, will discuss the HD/RS filtration system’s sustainability benefits, while Sam Iuliano, Chief Technologist for the EDI® product line, will highlight the efficiency improvements and energy savings offered by the Prodigi™ system.
