D-M-E's Eco-Smart Enhanced and Better Than Ever for Bio-Resin Processing
Eco-Smart uniquely suited for PLA and on display at NPE 2009, West Hall Booth # 103000
Madison Heights, Mich. - First introduced to the market at K2007 in its beta test form, D-M-E Company's Eco-Smart is now commercially available and better than ever for attendees to see and learn more about at NPE 2009. This past year has been dedicated to product enhancements, ease of application and increased performance for the Hot Runner System designed specifically for the processing of renewable polymers, including polylactic acid (PLA). Eco-Smart's application-engineered hot runner nozzle assemblies feature corrosion-resistant components and address the low pressure requirements and cooling issues that PLA users face.
Eco-Smart was exclusively designed and optimized for processing starch-based resins like PLA. With the bio-resin marketplace constantly changing, D-M-E has worked closely with its material partners on extensive testing in real world conditions to ensure the Eco-Smart is optimized for the latest materials and technologies available today. The system features an uninterrupted material flow path for reduced sheer and a thermal isolation component design that minimizes sheer. To promote easy maintenance, Eco-Smart manifolds and nozzles are heated inside and out and have front-removable heaters, thermocouples and nozzle tips for easy maintenance
"D-M-E has long recognized the need to address global environmental concerns in our R&D process," said Bob McKee, president of D-M-E. "The introduction of new biodegradable resins and bio-based resins will continue to grow as landfills reach capacity and oil prices rise. D-M-E is committed to being an essential resource to our customers who adopt these eco-friendly resins."
Injection molding of PLA places unique constraints on both tooling and processing. The material is hypersensitive to temperature and degrades readily into highly corrosive acids. In normal operation, PLA and similar materials tend to plate out these acids onto the walls of the molding system.
"Until now, molders have been getting by with special order stainless steel parts to meet their needs," said Bob Ameel, D-M-E Global Business Manager for Hot Runners. "Eco-Smart allows processors to optimize their molding and have better quality parts and less rejects due to heat and flow issues."
Eco-Smart Hot Runner Systems incorporate the D-M-E Global Manifold and Components standard to ensure consistency and reliability anywhere in the world. As plastics professionals continue to move toward renewable, industrially compostable resins, D-M-E continues to qualify additional polymers for Eco-Smart as they reach the commercial stage of development.
D-M-E Company is an essential mold technologies resource to customers worldwide. Through aggressive new product development, global product standardization and a powerful combination of in-house manufacturing centers of excellence and strategic global partnerships, D-M-E is helping customers succeed in changing times. The company's standard-setting, comprehensive product line-including hot runner systems; control systems; mold bases and components; mold making and molding supplies; and cold runner systems for elastomers - is backed by expert technical service every step of the way. A subsidiary of Milacron, Inc., D-M-E also manufactures and sells standard tooling for the die-casting industry. Visit www.dme.net for more information.
For more information or to schedule an interview at NPE, please contact:
Bob Starr
248.544.5718
bob_starr@dme.net
