A Purge Solution for the Blow Molding and Compounding Industries
Sponsored ContentNew commercial purge compounds for new industries from Chem-Trend.
When transitioning, especially from dark to light colors, purge compounds can save plastics processors time and money in lower scrap rates and reduced downtime. Source: Chem-Trend
have traditionally been developed and marketed for the injection molding industry. Most injection molders are familiar with CPCs and have likely tested various products to find the most effective solution for their needs. Over the past 40 years, CPC suppliers have tailored numerous products specifically for injection molding, resulting in a wide range of effective options. Jump to video
However, industries such as blow molding and compounding have not been a primary focus for CPC suppliers — until now. New CPC formulations are now available to address the unique cleaning requirements of these industries’ equipment, providing a safe and efficient solution.
Blow molders and compounding companies face similar equipment cleaning challenges as injection molders such as dark-to-light color changes, carbon removal, material changes and shutdowns/start-ups. In the past, their options were limited to virgin resin, regrind or homemade solutions. With the introduction of designed for their specific needs, these industries can now experience the same benefits of reducing downtime and scrap as the injection molding sector.
Plastic processors should focus on the “price per purge” rather than the “price per pound” when evaluating different purging methods.
Why should blow molders and compounding companies consider a CPC?
Downtime and scrap caused by dark-to-light color transitions and carbon speck contamination can be costly for blow molders and compounders. The primary objective of using a CPC is to minimize these inefficiencies, ultimately saving money. While CPCs may have a higher cost per pound compared to virgin resin or regrind, the overall savings from reduced downtime and scrap result in a lower total purging cost. Plastic processors should focus on the “price per purge” rather than the “price per pound” when evaluating different purging methods.
In addition to reduced downtime, CPCs can help eliminate carbon buildup in a machine.
Source: Chem-Trend
Blow molders
Blow molders often struggle to clean heads and accumulators due to dead spots and polymer flow challenges inherent in equipment design. During dark-to-light color transitions, much of the color is typically removed with ease. However, residual color contamination often persists in the knit line — the area where two molten plastic flow fronts meet but fail to fully merge. Using a purge compound that effectively and quickly eliminates dark color from the knit line can significantly reduce downtime and scrap during color changes. Another advantage of using a during dark-to-light color changes is its ability to eliminate carbon buildup within the machine. Each color change also serves as a form of preventive maintenance, helping to remove carbon deposits and maintain equipment efficiency.
Compounders
Thermoplastic compounders have specific purging needs due to the variety of materials and colors they work with. Color compounders frequently switch between colors, often experiencing significant downtime when transitioning from dark to light colors. Using a for these transitions can greatly reduce both downtime and scrap.
Compounders working with different fillers and resins often need to perform material changes or adjust screw profiles, sometimes requiring screw removal. In such cases, commercial purge compounds offer significant benefits. Utilizing a purge compound with a “self-emptying technology” will result in screw pulls and cleanings that are faster and take less labor.
A commercial purge compound solution
Chem-Trend has recently introduced , a specially engineered purge compound designed to clean blow molding and compounding equipment. This advanced formulation effectively reduces downtime and scrap during dark-to-light color changes while also removing carbon buildup from machines. Ultra Purge 3615 efficiently cleans the screw and barrel, die and heads/accumulators, ensuring a thorough purging process.
One of the key advantages of this product is its self-emptying technology, which makes it ideal for machine shutdowns and startups, screw pulls and material changes. This feature ensures that after purging, the screw remains free of residue, preventing material degradation during shutdowns. It also speeds up the screw removal process, as there is no remaining CPC or resin on the flights, making the process quicker, easier and less labor intensive.
Additionally, Ultra Purge 3615 is both recyclable and food contact certified, making it a sustainable and compliant choice for manufacturers. In today’s rapidly evolving marketplace, plastic processors must take proactive measures to improve efficiency and reduce costs. Ultra Purge 3615 is a proven solution that helps companies stay competitive.
today for a free sample of Ultra Purge 3615.