NEW: Automated Masterbatch Compounding by Liad Weighing and Control Systems Ltd.

LIAD Weighing and Control Systems Ltd., recently developed a new gravimetric blender that quickly creates new masterbatch shades by mixing mono-masterbatch granules, and in so doing, is creating new opportunities for masterbatch compounders and large plastics manufacturers.

Called BlendSave, it is a high-speed, multi-channel gravimetric blender that performs simultaneous weighing of all materials in up to 14 different channels, with each channel containing highly accurate load cells with a weighing resolution of .01 grams, or in other words, accuracy of a single granule.

BlendSave also has an output speed of nearly 10 kilograms per minute, 10X faster than what is currently available.

By simultaneously weighing all materials with resolution of a single pellet, masterbatch/compound manufacturers can now automatically create new shades from a combination of granules, resins and base-masterbatch/compound colors, with a level of speed and accuracy not previously available.

BlendSave’s weighing accuracy is achieved by utilizing a multi-step process and small load cells. During the first step, the individual weighing channels gravimetrically release a controlled amount of material weighing slightly less than the required batch amount from the material hopper into the weighing station.

This setup speeds up the compounding considerably, without compromising the high weighing accuracy required.

The multi-channel masterbatch compounder is the ideal solution for masterbatch producers working with mono-masterbatch granules, as well as large plastics producers seeking a dependable solution for reducing inventory, logistics and overhead costs.

Some of the benefits companies could recognize by adapting this approach include enhanced production capabilities, reduction in masterbatch costs, a reduction in inventory, reduction in labor costs, just in time management optimization, building up a proprietary batch library, and enhanced quality control among different factories.