The DuPont/Barmag alliance has commissioned its first commercial Evospeed production machine for POY. The 12-position machine, installed in Great Britain, increases the production rate of PET-POY commodity yarns by up to 50% via a special quench system design. A second unit is scheduled to go into operation at the same plant before summer. The Evospeed not only offers productivity advantages but also broad yarn product flexibility. For example, both POY and HOY and microfilament titer (already up to 0.5 dpf) can be produced with the same unit. These advantages are made possible without the use of polymer modifiers. The special quench design allows a constant thread tension of the filaments over a wide speed range, so that even at higher winding speeds, filaments do not develop higher orientations. Consequently, the yarn properties of the Evospeed machine are comparable to those of a conventionally spun POY or HOY. Further, quench air is used much more efficiently, allowing a 40% lower air consumption compared with conventional cross-flow quench. For more information, contact: Hans-Juergen.Schmitz@barmag.de

Cannon Instrument Co. recently introduced a fully automatic viscometer, the PolyVISC, designed to measure the viscosity of dilute polymer solutions. The powerful VISCPRO® software for Windows, automatically calculates relative, inherent, reduced and intrinsic viscosity. The PolyVISC is resistant to most solvents commonly used to dissolve polymers, and provides for accurate temperature control from 20&Mac251;C to 100&Mac251;C by the patented AIRBATH systems. It also facilitates rapid processing of multiple test samples and rapid change from one test temperature to another. Contact: cannon@cannon-ins.com

Binsfeld Digital Stator Upgrade Option

Binsfeld Engineering Inc. has introduced the DS220 Digital Stator for upgrading Rieter frequency-based rotary temperature transmitter systems. This digital circuit mounts in place of the existing stator circuit and accepts the Rieter frequency signal direct from the rotating transmitter. The DS220 outputs a linear 4-20 mA current signal suitable for off-the-shelf process controllers. A flexible, low-cost alternative for adding digital control to aging analog control systems, the DS220 is built to operate in the hot, harsh environment of synthetic fiber mills. For more information, visit www.temptrak.com , or contact Michael Binsfeld at mike@binsfeld.com.

Frankl & Thomas Inc., Greenville, South Carolina, has been selected to represent Cardan Design Corp., a maker of specialty blades, and Techni Edge Manufacturing Corp., a maker of utility knives and blades for industrial use. Cardan Design blades are precision ground to meet industry specifications and edge profile for superior blade performance. A wide range of quality materials with expert heat treatment are used to achieve precision hardness and a long lasting, sharp edge. Hard coatings such as Titanium Nitride, Titanium Carbide and LSR-1 are also available upon request. Techni Edge manufactures knives and blades for textile and other specialty industries and has of solid history of delivering top-quality products. All blades are manufactured to industry standards and are interchangeable with all brands. Blades are available for every type of cutting and size reduction. For more information contact Frankl & Thomas at info@frankl-thomas.com

Improved Rolls, Shafts, Chucks

Converter Accessory Corp. (CAC) recently introduced improved versions of its WrinkleSTOP® and Multi-Adjust® WrinkleStop spreader rolls. A new contoured disk design now aids in the surface expansion and greatly reduces unsupported space between disks. The new WrinkleStop Spreader Roll also holds better OD tolerance and offer a smoother surface compared to earlier models. It also includes a new clamping mechanism that improves roll life and contributes to improved OD concentricity. CAC also introduced a new generation of CCOR-LOK® airshafts and chuck systems. They feature a new tubing (bladder) design contoured to match the geometry of the company’s unique spiraled shaft body. Compared to previous designs, the new tubing allows increased gripping power, a longer tubing life and exceptionally easy replacement. The airshaft and chuck system also offer several air valve options intended to match virtually any plant requirements, and require only 90 to 120 psi to fully inflate. Contact CAC at: cac@epix.net

Low Cost Blender From PCC

Process Control Corp. has made available the third in a series of low cost highly accurate gravimetric batch blenders known as the 2.5 kg Guardian®. The new addition comprises the standard set on the company’s Guradian batch blender line with precision in metering accuracy and blend homogenity. The blender is available with two to four ingredient hoppers and throughput rates of up to 500PPH. It incorporates all of the same features as its counterparts, the 5 kg and 12 kg. In addition, the new model is equipped with removable hoppers, allowing for easy cleaning and changing of ingredients. The blender uses the new PCCWeb server for monitoring and control. Contact: www.process-control.com

Meccaniche Moderne:

The Italian machinery maker displayed under running conditions a special spinning system that produced 6-denier polyester fiber directly from bottle flake, without using a crystallizer or dryer. The system is believed to be the first of its kind to be displayed publicly. This direct spinning technology is made possible by a special twin-screw extruder that feeds the system. For more information, see www.meccanichemoderne.it

New Measuring Systems from Thermo Haake

Thermo Haake has taken the veil of the new PolyLab systems for performing a variety of rheological measurements for lab polymer studies in research, processing and quality control applications. By incorporating multiprocessor technology, the PolyLab system achieves a new level of open architecture, enabling tightly integrated yet easily expandable systems. The flexibility of measuring bus technology offered by the PolyLab’s torque rheometer, means that this one unit alone is required for all current and future applications. Dies and post-extrusion units are used in addition to extruders for testing the rheological characteristics and processability of polymers and for producing test samples. PolyLab’s measuring sensors on the mixer, single screw extruder and twin screw compounder contain the necessary measuring, control and monitoring technology for the respective application. Each sensor, including the drive itself has its own processors. Contact: www.thermohaake.com

Nordson Corp. now offers the new VL 300 Standard Ordering Concept (SOC) Packages, enabling customers to order the package from a pre-configured list of components that are then sold as a single system. Equipment is selected from a full line of VL 300 melters, standard hoses in various lengths, and Nordson meltblown, Controlled Fiberization™, along with slot coating applicators and necessary cord sets. The packages are flexible enough to meet most application requirements. Contact: www.nordson.com

Schwing Contract Parts Cleaning

Schwing Fluid Technik AG, Neukirchen-Vluyn, Germany is celebrating its 10th year of contract cleaning, using its own thermal cleaning technology. The company recently developed and began marketing a new Hydroltherm Fluid Bed cleaning unit. The company operates plants for the contract cleaning of polymer soiled parts in Germany, The Netherlands, Brazil and, since last year, Mexico. For more information contact: mail@schwing-ag.de