Press Review: lab twin screw extruders by Compounding World - December 2010

Jennifer Markarian looks at the latest lab extruders from 15 suppliers, including models designed for compounding high-temperature plastics, nanocomposites and bioplastics.

Rondol Technology offers the Microlab twin-screw compounding system and recently launched a high-temperature version, designed for processing heat-resistant polymers such as PEEK and PEKK at temperatures up to 420°C. Rondol claims that the extruder can handle standard-size pellets.

Guillaume Beaurin, sales manager for Rondol, says that customer look for flexibility in features such as barrel length (Rondol offers L/D from 20:1 to 40:1), materials of construction, and upstream and downstream attachments. The Microlab can be used to extrude tubes, and can be connected with the Rondol injection moulding machine to directly inject thermo-sensitive materials. Beaurin notes that Pharma customers also increasingly look for GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) lines that will integrate into their quality management system.

Rondol offers a GMP version of the 10 mm Microlab and provides installation, operational, and performance qualifications. Another factor is mixing capability. "The homogeneity of the mix is often the overriding factor in pharmaceuticals and nanocomposites" says Beaurin, adding that Rondol patented chaotic mixing screws achieve a high degree of homogeneity.

Rondol also recently launched the Easy Clean Barrel, available with its 10,21 and 42 mm twin screw compounders. The design provides open access to screws and process contact surfaces for rapid cleaning, configurations changes, and unrestricted wipe-down in cleanroom operation, notes the company. Rondol also recently introduced its PASS software (Process Analysis and Simulation Software) designed to ease scale-up. Beaurin claims that the design of its laboratory compounders makes accurate scale-up possible.