Extrusion International 3-2022

32 Extrusion International 3/2022 Extrusion International 32 INDUSTRY NEWS  Davis-Standard introduced its next-generation gear reducer. This sleek new design represents a commitment to customer feedback, field experience, and techni- cal engineering while building upon the robust perfor- mance synonymous with Davis-Standard gear reducers. The new reducer fulfills a variety of extrusion require- ments, including those with high and low torque, speeds and extrusion pressures. It can also accommodate the DS Activ-Check™ system, Davis-Standard’s Industry 4.0 platform for continuous monitoring, preventative main- tenance and mobile alerts. “Our next-generation reducer represents strategic engi- neering and the application of cumulative knowledge to deliver greater functionality without compromising per- formance,” said Gary Peacock, Davis-Standard’s director of engineering. “We’ve improved all major components and packaged them in a redesigned housing. We already have hundreds of extruders ftted with the new reducer in the feld. Customers across all Davis-Standard applica - tions are pleased with the results.” The new gear reducer is available in fve different dimen - sions and capacities for extruders ranging from 2 inches (50mm) to 6.5 inches (165mm) in size. Following is a sum- mary of advantages: • Horizontal and vertical orientations: The horizontal ori - entation is a good ft for belt-driven machines and/or low centerlines. This allows for a range of belt drives, versatile feedscrew timing, and adaptability todirect-coupleddrives. The vertical housing arrangement is designed for direct- coupled and narrow footprint machines. It allows for tight positioning of extruders used in multilayer processes. • Cooling and lubrication: There are two cooling and lu - brication options based on housing style and customer re- quirements. These include oil bath lubrication and partial immersion/forced lubrication. • Gears and roller bearings: Case-hardened precision ground helical gearing is available in a wide range of gear reduction ratios to suit process requirements. New to this reducer series are spherical roller thrust bearings which absorb the axial process load and provide a self-centering, compact design with superior low-friction characteristics. • Radial shaft seals: All reducers are ftted with high-quali - ty, spring-loaded radial shaft seals to contain lubrication oil and exclude contaminants. • Felt excluder: A felt ring excluder has been added to the front output shaft to protect the shaft and seal from abra- sion and extend seal life. • Housing design: Durable cast iron construction provides quiet operation and minimal vibration. Large inspection ports simplify viewing of gear tooth condition, and a non- vented, bullet-type oil sight check eliminates the potential for leakage. Large oil fll ports allow for easier flling, while a low point drain port enables complete draining. A front thrust shaft cover completely encloses the reducer housing, allowing for more precision seal-to-shaft alignment. • Retroftting to older machines: There are many opportu - nities to retroft the Next Gen gearcase to older extruders. Please contact Davis-Standard’s Aftermarket team to see if this applies to your existing machines. Davis-Standard, LLC www.davis-standard.com  FRX Polymers, the global leader in polymeric halogen-free flame retar - dant solutions, has announced that its Nofa® branded flame retardants have earned ChemFORWARD’s SAF- ER™ designation. ChemFORWARD is a leader in creating broad access to chemical hazard data and safer alter- natives, and has expanded its SAFER™ program to include rawmaterials used in the electronics sector. In an effort to accelerate proactive se- lection of safer chemistry, Apple and Google in partnership with Chem- FORWARD recently announced the availability of a comprehensive set of chemical hazard assessments for phosphorus-based and other non- halogenated flame retardants used in electronics. The effort was designed to create transparency and a chemical hazard knowledge database that will enable the value chain to select safer alternatives. Next-Generation Gear Reducer Introduced Flame Retardants Earn SAFER Designation Davis-Standard’s next-generationgear reducer