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MicroMelt project heads towards succesful completion
Micro-Melt, a research and development project partially funded by the European Commission, is fast approaching its conclusion and recently held a dissemination day at the offices of the BPF, London.
The aim of the project is the development of advanced retro-fit processing technologies for the rotaiontal moulding sector, with the aim of reducing product cost, processing time, whilst increasing surface quality. Partners of the project included Queen's University Belfast, PERA and Balmoral. The project's focus will look at several key areas, such as developing a novel microwave heating process, a novel internal cooling system as well as a novel ceramic coating for the polymer processing.
This coating - developed by the Consortium - is applied to the external face of a mould, when subjected to microwaves, receptive particles within the coating generate heat. This heat is then transferred to the mould, the coating consists of a two part epoxy plus the addition of microwave receptive additives. Microwave technology has the unique ability of being able to offer the flexibility of hot air convection with the energy efficiency and cycle times commensurate with those achieved with the circulating heat transfer medium.
The benefits of the microwave technology and of the project technology can be described as follows:
An energy cost saving of > 24% due to the high efficiency of the microwave coating.
A >25 % reduction in cycle times through the use of microwave heating technology.
A >18 % reduction in cycle times through the use of water cooling.
The potential for a >40% reduction in overall cycles times through the use of both technologies.
For more information please contact tmarsden@bpf.co.uk
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