A new automated resin management and blending system for new and existing operations with up to 10 machines and limited available space is showcased by Ampacet Liad Smart BlendSave Compact uses patented weighing and blending technology to manage the increasing number of resin and PCR materials and recipe change requirements demanded by today’s processors. This smaller system includes a compact, dust-tight Octobatch automated manifold for up to 1500 kg/hr or up to 3,300 lbs/hr total throughput.

BlendSave Compact weighs resin materials of up to 40 ingredients and distributes individual blends to any 10 machines for total flexibility, unmatched accuracy and automated blending of custom recipes. The compact model takes only 6ft x 6 ft (1.8m x 1.8m) of floor space and is 14ft (4.27m) high. BlendSave accurately weighs each ingredient individually and conveys a unique recipe through dedicated lines to a mixer on each molding machine or extruder, eliminating the risk of material contamination and segregation during conveying. Through ERP integration, the recipe selection function is managed automatically, virtually eliminating manual setup and daily operator interactions and enables true “lights-out” operations, a competitive advantage within the highly competitive plastics industry. A separate storage and weigh hopper for each raw material means there are no clean-outs required, no hoses to switch and no operator mistakes.

BlendSave’s total traceability and verification of raw materials in each batch formulation, real-time data management of all resin ingredients per run, per shift, for the entire operation through a centralized control and existing ERP systems assure adherence to Industry 4.0 objectives.