Increase safety

One of the reasons behind our customers’ inquiry for wanting to position the dosing unit alongside the production machine (off-line) was rooted in safety considerations. Due to the tightening of regulations, manufacturers are seeking ways to enhance safety in their factories. 

Visualize a scenario where an operator has to climb on top of the production machine or stretch his arms to reach high positions for maintenance tasks related to the dosing unit, such as cleaning, material change, or hopper re-fills. In such situations, there exists a significant risk of the operator getting injured, for instance, by falling off the production machine. 

Furthermore, there is a potential danger that an operator might cause severe damage to the production machine while performing these tasks because he cannot access the material inlet and/or dosing unit properly. Since time is money, operators often resort to makeshift solutions to expedite the job, thereby exposing themselves to various risks.

With the MCS Off-line dosing you can avoid hazardous situations, no more climbing on ladders or stairs. You operator can safely access the dosing equipment on the production floor. 

Maximize efficiency

In addition to the high vibrations and safety factor, our customers also mentioned efficiency as an important consideration. With larger (vertical) injection molding machines and extruders, the accessibility of the dosing unit may be limited. As a result, operators may need to invest more time in reaching and servicing the dosing unit, leading to increased maintenance time and operational disruptions. 

Save time by carrying out material changes, maintenance and cleaning on the production floor. Plus, the trolley and frame version enable the system to be easily repositioned out of the way for maintenance on the primary machine.  

A concern for accuracy

During the field-testing phase, our test customers raised a question regarding the dosing accuracy of the Off-line setup compared to the on-line configuration. This question stemmed from the fact that dosing further away from the material inlet could potentially result in reduced control over the material flow. 

To elaborate, manufacturers typically prefer positioning their dosing unit as close to the material inlet (on-line) as possible, to minimize the risk of any interference during the dosing process. Given this setup, the concern expressed by our test customers was understandable, as there is limited control over the material while it is being transported through the hose. 

 However, our engineers have thoughtfully considered this concer during the development. The Off-line dosing conveys granular materials through a hose to high-placed dosing locations such as vertical injection molding machines. The additives are being conveyed by compressed air directly into the main material stream that is added through a main material hopper on top of the production machine. 

When a dosing cycle starts, the material is transported from the stand, trolley or frame to the receiving neckpiece on top of the production machine. An ejector block uses compressed air to transport the material, material is only transported when the unit is dosing. To ensure all the material is transported, an off-delay can be set. The ejector block will be active for this set time after the dosing cycle is finished. 

The high-output version of MCS Off-line dosing

Besides our MCS Off-line dosing system, we now developed a high-output version. The MCS Off-line dosing HO is developed for plastics converters requiring transport capacities up to 100 kg/h*.  

Maintaining the same innovative design and benefits of our standard MCS Off-line dosing, this high-output version ensures seamless integration into your production process while delivering superior performance. Designed to meet the demands of high-volume operations, it guarantees a high-output without compromising on accuracy, safety or efficiency.  

In conclusion 

In conclusion, our MCS Off-line dosing brings about a revolutionary change for plastic manufacturers utilizing big extruders, big injection molding machines, and two-component vertical injection molding machines. We have carefully considered and addressed the concerns voiced by our customers, resulting in a solution that prioritizes vibration resistant dosing, safety, accessibility, and convenience within your factory. 

Would you like to know more about the features and benefits of our MCS Off-line dosing? Take advantage of a free consultation with one of our application specialists by filling out our contact form below.