Extrusion International 1-2023

18 Extrusion International 1/2023 INDUSTRY NEWS Control System – Next Generation Introduced  The next generation of Davis-Standard’s supervisory con- trol technology is here – introducing the EPIC IV ® . This control systembuilds upon the comprehensive, user-friendly approach of the EPIC III ® while enhancing the operator’s experience and adding connectivity to Davis-Standard’s cloud-based solu- tion, DS Activ-Check™. Advantages include improved graph - ics and symbols, additional diagnostic and efficiency tools, and screens focused on active functions and alerts. “The EPIC IV ® uses a high-performance HMI approach to strengthen the operator’s experience,” said John Clemens, Davis-Standard’s Director of Extrusion Controls. “The new color scheme focuses operator attention on active func- tions and alerts while also assisting operators with color vi- sion deficiency by using shapes to indicate machine status. Overall, this will be a better supervisory control package for global installations moving forward.” The updates seen in EPIC IV ® reflect customer feedback and a commitment to digital transformation via DS Activ- Check™. The “smart” technology of DS Activ-Check™ en - ables real-time predictive maintenance by providing early notifications of potential machine failures. As a result, op - erators are alerted to issues before they happen, reducing unplanned downtime and collecting valuable data in sync with EPIC IV ® control features. Users receive notifications via e-mail or text, and continuous monitoring of production machine status is available on smart devices and remote PCs. Key parameters monitored include extruder reducer, lubrication system, motor characteristics, drive power unit, barrel heating and cooling functions. The EPIC IV ® will replace the EPIC III ® as the standard of- fering for supervisory control on all newDavis-Standard ex- truders. It will also be available as an upgrade for existing EPIC supervisory control systems. Davis-Standard, LLC www.davis-standard.com EPIC IV ® enhanced operator screens Improving the Surface Quality of Recycled Components by Means of Plasma Coating
  In a joint research project, the German Plastics Center SKZ and Fraunhofer IFAM are investigating the possibilities for improving the surface properties of recycled plastics with regard to adhesive applications. Activation and coating processes with atmospheric pressure plasma serve as the means of choice for this.

 Plastic components made of re- cycled material or with a defined re- cycled content often exhibit consid- erable fluctuations in their material composition due to the material and process, which leads to inhomoge- neous and fluctuating surface prop- erties. Reasons for this are a varying molecular weight distribution of the recycled plastic, the loss of stabilis- ers and other functional additives as well as the possible contamina- tion with foreign material. Conse - quently, process steps downstream of reprocessing and forming – for example, bonding, painting, print- ing and coating – are prevented or made more difficult because they are based on defined and consis- tently adhesion-friendly surface qualities.
 The aim of this project is to fa- vour the use of recycled materials for surface-specific processing steps by adapting the surface properties. This is to be achieved by atmospheric pressure plasma pretreatment pro- cesses and deposition of an adhesion- promoting layer by means of plasma polymerisation (PECVD - Plasma En- hanced Chemical Vapour Deposition). In this process, the surface variance of the recyclate surfaces is leveled out so that an increase in adhesion for sub- sequent bonding is achieved. In addi - tion, a migration barrier for additives from the recyclates is possible. German Plastics Center SKZ Alina Heihoff, Scientist, a.heihoff@skz.de Surface activation with static atmospheric pressure plasma (Photo: SKZ)