New Maguire dryer features improved throughput, energy consumption tracker

Large-capacity drying will be the focus of Maguire Products Inc. (Aston, PA) at NPE2018, where it will exhibit a new, intermediate-range model in its VBD line of vacuum resin dryers in booth W5747. The new model offers expanded throughput capacity and introduces an energy-monitoring capability, which will be available on all VBD models.

The new Maguire VBD-600 dryer achieves throughputs of up to 600 pounds per hour. This capacity is suitable for the manufacture of sheet, large automotive parts and many other extrusion and molding applications. With the new model, Maguire now offers vacuum drying systems with throughput capabilities ranging from 30 to 1,000 pounds per hour.

The VBD-600 dryer showcased at NPE2018 will include a new controller display that monitors energy consumption and enables processors to track consumption over time. This is the latest addition to an intuitive control system that allows operators to manage all drying parameters simply by means of a touch screen.

“The energy consumption display makes the energy efficiency of vacuum drying immediately measurable,” said Frank Kavanagh, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “Since polymer drying can account for as much as 15% of total process energy costs for a molding operation, the substantial reduction in energy consumption made possible by the vacuum dryer can yield a rapid return on investment for the equipment.”

The VBD vacuum dryer consumes up to 80% less energy than desiccant dryers and dries resin in one-sixth the time, substantially reducing the heat history to which the polymer is exposed. Properly dried polymer is available for production only 35 minutes after a cold start.

The vacuum vessel and retention hopper are mounted on load cells that monitor the weight of material at two critical points, making possible precise control over material consumption and documentation of process conditions for certification to customers.