The molding machine
The technology behind EPP
The foam particles were converted in a so-called molding machine. This one has to be supplied process-related with steam, compressed air and coolant. The molding machine of the “Neue Materialien Bayreuth GmbH” exemplifies the description of the individual components. The NMB (New Materials Bayreuth) dispose of a completely independent pathway-supply unit which was designed for continuous use on industry conditions. Since all pathways are not used continuously, all service pipes are interconnected with a backup memory.
a) Steam generator
The steam supply unit is carried out by a gas-fueled autoclave system. The boiler holds one and a half cubic meters of water and provides a mass flow of 1.100 kilograms of steam per hour with 8 bars of pressure. A gas burner with a capacity of maximum 1.750 kilowatts serves for the heating of the water. Amongst the steam boiler and the molding machine a steam accumulator is bounded.
b) Compressor
The compressed air of eight bars needed for the EPP-process (predominantly for the filling of the tool) induces a screw-type processor. The compressed air reservoir provides five cubic meters of compressed air with eight bars of pressure.
c) Cooling system
For the cooling of the tool coolant with a temperature of maximum 40 degrees Celsius is available in a cooling pond of about four cubic meters. The volume flow of the water is limited by the valves inserted in the molding machine to four liters per second.
