Krauss Maffei twin-screw ZE compounding extruder
chosen for WPC research project

Chemnitz Technical University, Germany – have chosen a Krauss Maffei ZE 40A x 50D UTXi Twin screw extruder chosen for a special research project for natural fibre-reinforced compounds at their recently opened centre for Integrative Lightweight Technologies (ZIL)

The ZIL is a competence centre and research partner for small and medium sized plastics processing companies. Its research and development activities are focused on new combined injection moulding and extrusion processes for plastics reinforced with long – fibre materials and semi-finished textile products. These materials are used for constructional elements in the automotive and aircraft industries, and for railway vehicles, where they help to reduce weight and thus carbon dioxide emissions.

The centre is equipped with six large-scale plastics processing lines, including a Krauss Maffei IMC injection moulding compounder.

Head of the institute Prof. Dr. Lothar Kroll said; “In view of the successful cooperation with the Krauss Maffei group, it seemed almost logical that we would purchase the extruder from them. We opted for the ZE 40 UTXi as its technical features and high flexibility for research applications are absolutely convincing.”

With an output capacity between 50 and 250 kg/h, the ZE 40A x50D UTXi twin-screw extruder enables the scientists to carry out development work as well as small-batch production for further processing. The machine offers outstanding technical features such as the combination of rectangular barrel sections with highly efficient evaporation cooling provides optimum temperature control.

The patented C- clamp systems allows for rapid barrel replacement and the wide range of available barrel sections and screw elements offers unparalleled flexibility. The 50D processing section is suitable for variable additions of additives, which is of particular importance when processing extremely sensitive long fibres.