Drying Genie Novatec’s patent-pending material pickup lance provides reliable in-line sampling of resin moisture levels. It incorporates a capacitance sensor, an accelerometer and a gyroscope near the bottom of the lance, and measures the resin’s moisture level on a parts-per-million (PPM) basis before drawing it into the dryer for further processing. Using the information it collects, it can automatically adjust drying parameters like blower speeds, temperature and drying times to match manufacturers’ prescribed dryness levels.
What’s new? The Drying Genie, which Novatec planned to unveil this spring.
Benefits Early moisture detection. Moisture levels of resin can vary widely, even when resin is stored in sealed boxes and bags. But standard drying techniques rely on time-based drying intervals that make assumptions about the amount of moisture in material. The Drying Genie optimizes dryer parameters for the actual moisture level of incoming material, avoiding wasted time and energy caused by guesswork. Its price of less than $3,000 makes it feasible for shop-floor use, and it can be retrofitted to dryers manufactured since 2016.
Novatec Inc., Baltimore, 410-789-4811, www.novatec.com
David Tillett | Associate Editor
Associate Editor David Tillett writes and edits for Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing, Plastics Recycling and The Journal of Blow Molding. He covers new products, industry news, patents and consumer and business equipment. He has more than 20 years of experience in daily newspaper, online and magazine journalism.