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Conair’s ResinWorks with Optimizer is an AI-driven, multihopper drying platform that can monitor resin temperatures and adapt heat inputs to optimize resin drying while producing energy savings up to 40% over manual operation.

Introduced in March at , Rosemont, Illinois, the system relies on artificial intelligence (AI) to automatically and seamlessly adjust for operating rates, material conditions (incoming and in-process), and live data feedback from each hopper, Conair says. A hands-free operation that requires no operator involvement, the technology is billed as an energy saver: up to 40% in real-world testing. This is achieved because electrical and mechanical adjustments to power consumption are automatically made based on current drying conditions.

In real time, the system monitors and adjusts for variations in throughputs, materials, bulk densities, material temperatures, moisture content, drying time, airflow and dew point. In the case of ResinWorks with Optimizer, the manual damper handles, which regulate airflow to the hoppers, are omitted in favor of the AI-driven control logic. The Optimizer logic monitors overall airflow, first ensuring that only active hoppers are served. Then, it optimizes airflow through each active hopper based on changes in mass flow and temperature. 

Once material at the bottom of the hopper achieves the proper temperature, the Optimizer logic holds it steady, while incrementally adjusting airflow through the rest of the hopper to match the actual processing rates, incoming material condition and material drying requirements.