Product Innovations

The latest new products and technologies.



Sensor detects baghouse leaks

DD-3000: This compact sensor from BinMaster can be used to detect particulates in commercial recycling operations that generate dust when plastics are ground, shredded or granulated. Many recycling facilities are required to use baghouse filters or other dust collection systems to comply with safety regulations; the DD-3000 is specifically designed to detect baghouse leaks and can be installed in stacks, ducts or pipes. It uses reliable inductive electrification technology to sense when particulate emissions exceed a preset level. The device comes with either an alarm relay, which is used to alert users to a need for maintenance, or a transmitter output used for monitoring trends and compliance with regulations.

What’s new? The sensor, which came out in June.

Benefits: Time savings. By providing an early warning of leaks, the DD-3000 can save time on manual inspections and prevent unscheduled shutdowns. It also can improve process control by allowing workers to turn off a process immediately when dust levels exceed standards. The device’s fully insulated probes protect against false alarms caused by moisture or buildup. The sensor requires little or no maintenance and has a single-piece design that makes it easy to install and configure.

BinMaster, Lincoln, Nebraska, 402-434-9102, www.binmaster.com


New software allows the Mistral+ to sort black plastics

Mistral+: Originally launched in 2016, Pellenc’s optical multimaterial sorter comes equipped with a near-infrared spectrometer; it also can be outfitted with a vision system. Employing a state-of-the-art user interface, it can be controlled via either a PLC (programmable logic controller) or computer. It is available in six machine widths, from about 31.5 inches to about 110 inches.

What’s new? The inclusion of a software feature called Object Detection that enables sorting of black plastics. Although Pellenc previously demonstrated the feature, the package won’t be commercially available until the end of the year. The feature will be retrofittable and available as an option on machines purchased this summer.

Benefits: Improved detection and ejection performance.

Pellenc ST America Inc., Fort Mill, South Carolina, 803-396-3990, www.pellencst.com

Electrostatic separator targets plastics from e-scrap

KRS: This electrostatic separator from Hamos GmbH, Penzberg, Germany, automatically separates the mixed plastic scrap that results from the recycling of electronics. The KRS is suitable for separating mixed black plastics and produces pure streams of PS, PP and ABS.

What’s new? U.S. availability through exclusive distributor eFactor3.

Benefits: Automatic and efficient separation of plastics from electronic scrap.

eFactor3 LLC, Pineville, North Carolina, 704-944-3232, www.efactor3.com

Machinex debuts robotic sorter

SamurAI: Machinex has introduced a new sorting robot that uses artificial intelligence to continually learn from its operating experience to improve efficiency. SamurAI recognizes and sorts a wide variety of recyclables, including various types of plastics, in dirty, commingled and constantly changing conditions. For example, it is engineered to adapt to the introduction of new packaging designs. Recyclers can use the robot to extract recyclables from a waste stream or to remove contamination from an already sorted stream for quality control. It is compatible with sorting conveyors up to 48 inches wide.

What’s new? The robot, which debuted this spring.

Benefits: Fast, accurate sorting that reduces the need for manual labor. Human sorters average 35 picks per minute; SamurAI averages 70 picks per minute.

Machinex Technologies Inc., High Point, North Carolina, 336-899-8514, www.machinexrecycling.com

Fast Picker targets light material

Fast Picker: This new sorting robot from ZenRobotics, Helsinki, is targeted at light material, such as plastic packaging and dry mixed recyclables. The high-speed picker has a robust and compact design suited to demanding environments. It uses the company’s ZenbrAIn artificial intelligence software, which is designed to constantly learn, enabling operators to quickly react to changes in the material stream. The Fast Picker includes a sensor unit, control system, robot arm, suction gripper and safety panels. It is available through its U.S. distributor, Plexus Recycling Technologies.

What’s new? The robot. Fast Picker can pick up objects weighing up to 2.2 pounds and features the same technology as the company’s Heavy Picker sorting robot, which can handle items weighing up to 66 pounds.

Benefits: Fast, accurate picking around the clock. The robot can perform 4,000 picks per hour, replaces manual sorters and increases product recovery rates. It can be installed into existing sorting facilities and retrofitted to different conveyor widths.

Plexus Recycling Technologies, Denver, 720-890-9090, www.plexusrecyclingtechnologies.com, www.zenrobotics.com

CP screen promises an end to jamming

CP Auger Screen: CP Group’s new screen for recycling sorting lines separates materials by using a series of cantilevered augers that do not jam because of their corkscrewing motion. Any material that could wrap, such as plastic film, or that is oversize, such as clumps, is released off the end of the auger. The cantilevered augers convey large, flat materials over the top, while smaller items fall through. The screen also can be used to separate flexible packaging and film from rigid containers.

What’s new? The auger screen and its anti-wrapping design.

Benefits: Low maintenance and high throughput. The machine’s low-wear augers are made from abrasion-resistant steel for durability. The screen can reduce the need for manual sorting and also can handle the clumps of material that can occur when bales of recyclables are broken.

CP Group, San Diego, 619-477-3175, www.cpgrp.com

Sustayn Analytics tracks bale quality

Sustayn Analytics: This technology package from Avangard Innovative allows users to track information about recyclables as well as waste generation. The company, which can provide sensing hardware for equipment such as compactors and balers, is actively working with other sensor manufacturers so its software is compatible with third parties. By agglomerating data from a variety of sensors and pieces of equipment, Sustayn Analytics helps users track information, such as the quality of bales and the levels or volumes of material in loaders.

What’s new? The software package and Avangard Innovative hardware. While available for less than a year, the software has undergone continuous upgrades designed to make it more robust and to allow it to communicate with a growing number of sensors made by other companies.

Benefits: Greater traceability and quality control. With the software, recyclers can better monitor and optimize their processes. They also can provide better data about the quality of their recycled products to buyers of their materials.

Avangard Innovative, Houston, 281-582-0700, www.avaicg.com

Redwave 2i combines three sorting technologies

Redwave 2i: This new sorting machine from Redwave brings together three technologies—cameras, near-infrared sensing and metal detection—the company previously offered separately on different machines. Available in three sizes, from about 4.6 feet wide to about 9.2 feet wide, Redwave 2i sorters can be configured with as many as three chutes. They can be used to sort up to six different materials, including a variety of plastics, such as PET, PS, PE and PP, as well as metals.

What’s new? The combination of sorting technologies. Designed with input from Redwave customers, the machine represents an evolution in the company’s offerings. Along with the sorting technologies, it boasts Industry 4.0 capabilities and an easier-to-use control panel.

Benefits: Accurate sorting, leading to better-quality material streams. The machines, which have been designed to make operation and maintenance easy, also provide real-time data access, so users can gain insight into parameters such as rejection rates and material volumes. With the data, available via mobile device and computer, users can monitor, control and optimize sorting processes.

Redwave Solutions US LLC, Alpharetta, Georgia, 470-699-1688, www.redwave-us.com

Vecoplan shredder handles hard-to-shred plastics

VHD 1600 T: This new shredder from Vecoplan handles hard-to-shred plastics, such as polyamide, polyoxymethylene, PET and cast PA 6.

What’s new? Beefed-up construction. This single-shaft shredder carries many enhancements from the VAZ 1600 XL on which it is based, including a drive of up to 155 kilowatts. Almost all components have been re-engineered to be more robust. It has a thick-walled, ribbed machine housing, reinforced side walls and stronger base designed for reliable operation and maximum service life. The cutting unit has been optimized with a large-diameter rotor and fitted with hardened, concave tools, and the solid cross-bar has hardened counter knives.

Benefits: The ability to handle tougher materials. With the design changes, the VHD 1600 T has a longer service life than the VAZ 160 XL and is easier to maintain. Also, it produces less heat and saves energy while offering high throughput. The shredder develops high torque with less shaking and vibration than units that have a gearbox, belts and couplings.

Vecoplan LLC, High Point, North Carolina., 336-252-4066, www.vecoplanllc.com

Sierra baler features dual compression doors

REB4: Sierra’s new two-ram “recycle everything” baler handles a wide variety of scrap plastics, including drums, bins, bottles and film, as well as metal and paper products.

What’s new? The baler, which made its debut this spring, and its patent pending dual compression doors. Each door exerts 55 tons of force to push the material into the charging chamber. The doors eliminate pinch points and allow for greater downward compression force on the material without jamming the lid. The new door design keeps the baler balanced without putting excessive force on the frame.

Benefits: Production increases as great as 70 percent for plastics and up to 40 percent for other materials. Because the REB4 compresses more material per charge, it takes fewer charges and less time to make each bale. Also, the baler is designed to produce uniform, stackable bales.

Sierra International Machinery LLC, Bakersfield, California, 661-327-7073, www.sierraintl.com

August 2018 Plastics Recycling
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