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Steer’s Omega co-rotating twin-screw compounding extruder is equipped with a Fractional Lobe Processor (FLP) to significantly enhance mixing and melting capabilities. The firm says the device “has the ability to work on materials in solid state to achieve intimate interaction between the constituents while imparting physicochemical changes through reaction, devolatilization, shear, compression, elongation, surface renewal, distribution, dispersion—either alone with minimal interfering effects from other actions or in any desirable combination of actions.”

The FLP reportedly provides the required uniformity in a three-dimensional force field, eliminating hot zones that could result in material degradation. This can be shown by mathematical models using analytical methods or computational fluid dynamic models based on principles of finite elements method. The FLP is also said to eliminate meta-radial shear, thus achieving stable and improved process control in compounding materials.

Steer is also demonstrating more than 20 applications touting process advantages gained by adopting “Intelligent Compounding.” Explains Mike Millsaps, COO, Steer America, “We are employing the Touch & Tell format to elaborate and tell decision-makers the importance of Intelligent Compounding while processing applications. For every application, we (present) multiple processing-challenge scenarios. By clicking on each challenge, (users) can understand the way forward and the technology (needed) to improve the processing capability. It is an interactive engagement, which elaborates on enhancing the process advantage with Steer technology at the core.”

The technology demonstration tackles various process challenges, such as dispersion, feeding, pressure control, shear, wetting, dust management, retention, distribution, temperature, increased output, residence time, devolatilization, moisture content and more.