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Video TranscriptPlastic Video 2 - ACRO Extrusion Corporation: PVC CompoundHammerTek Corporation presents a processing industry smart application of current conveying technology by ACRO Extrusion Corporation. ACRO used the HammerTek Smart Elbow to solve a tough conveying problem. Production was hampered by leaking and plugged sweep elbows at its plant in Wilmington, Delaware, where vinyl window systems and custom extrusions are made. Manufacturing starts in the mixing room where PVC resin is combined with other ingredients to form PVC Compound. During this stage, the particle size and composition and the temperature of the mixture are carefully controlled. When the compound has been thoroughly mixed and cooled to the correct temperature it is then pneumatically conveyed to outside storage silos. The Smart Elbow was used to replace stainless steel sweep elbows, which would wear through once every one or two weeks, and plug every two to three weeks. Frequent system shut downs for repairs and line clearing, and compliance with EPA regulations governing spills prompted ACRO to install the Smart Elbow. A worn leaking sweep elbow in a line that carries as much as 34,000 pounds of material per day is a serious matter. The Smart Elbows are working extremely well. None has worn through in the 16 months since installation, and the interval between line cleanings has doubled. Ease of installation and compact size are additional Smart Elbow advantages over sweep elbows. ACRO manufactures PVC extrusions for its own line of complete vinyl window systems, and provides custom extrusions for the industry in general. The use of the HammerTek Smart Elbow allowed ACRO Corporation to benefit from the unique advantages the Smart Elbow offers over virtually all other elbow types, and to improve its manufacturing process. The Smart Elbow eliminated elbow wear, streamer formation, conveyed product fines, and also line plugging and surging. In this demonstration using a transparent elbow and smoke the operation of the patented Smart Elbow can be seen clearly. During conveying, a loose slowly rotating ball of material forms in the vortice chamber cushioning impact and deflected flow through the elbow. Note the deflection zone occurring at the lower right of the elbow. Plastic pellets are thrown against the outside wall when conveyed through the sweep elbow causing damage to both. The Smart Elbow conveys by deflection. Not impact with the elbow walls. Due to this flow controlled action of the Smart Elbow the same plastic pellets are evenly distributed across the outflow. The Smart Elbow saves space, saves time, and saves money. In today's manufacturing environment this translates into fewer line shutdowns, lower conveying system maintenance expense, and fewer environmental concerns for ACRO Corporation. View Video |