Final mixing and straining

VMI-AZ extrusion incorporates a superior final mixing system using transfermix single screw extruder mixing technology (MCTD)  in conjunction with a gear pump. The total output control of this system, known as iCOM®, is provided through the volumetric gear pump operation whilst mixing is carried out by the Shark® transfermix extruder.

The variable screw speed of the transfermix extruder ensures the mixing efficiency is easily optimized for each compound plus chemical dosing is provided by gravimetric operating reduced-weight feeders.

Feedback from customers confirms that the iCOM® process significantly improves the compound quality (vulcanization characteristics) as well as reducing production costs (compared with a batch mixing process).
 

Benefits of the final mixing and straining process include:

• Low temperature mixing
• Increased mixing capacity at low investment
• Compound blending for stable viscosity
• Transfermix provides  dispersive and distributive mixing
• Gear pump and head with integrated strainer
• Significantly reduced energy consumption with no peaks
• No master batch or dosing required

The pictures shows the Shark® 150 VAC extruder

For sulphur based cure chemicals, polymer bound iCOM® chemicals as provided by Rhein Chemie can be used. The chemicals include all ingredients of the cure package in one pellet.
iCOM® chemicals are dustless, have a low melting pointy and are designed to allow complete dispersion in the rubber compound following a short mixing time.

Polymer or calcium carbonate bound peroxide pellets can be used in the continuous final mixing process.
 

The picture shows strip feeding and dosing of chemicals

A typical layout of a continuous mixing and straining line

 
iCOM® is a process and service of VMI-AZ and Rhein Chemie

For more information please contact us sales [at] vmi-group [dot] com.