The so-called melt filters are a crucial component of plastic recycling systems’ technological foundation. Melt filtration systems, which are crucial for the output material’s quality, remove non-plastic components from recycled plastic, such as fragments of paper, wood, sand, glass, or aluminum. Based on the input materials, the appropriate filtration technique should be used in order to produce a high-quality pellet at the end of the recycling process.
Customers of Laser Filter Systems are assisted in selecting the ideal system for their needs. We mainly distinguish between continuous filtering and back flush filtration, which is a cyclical operation. With mesh sizes as tiny as 32 microns for ultra fine filtering, the SW RTF, a cycle filter system, offers great filtration possibilities. The Laser Filter, a continuous filter device, can go as low as 70 microns but can take even greater levels of contamination (the filtering discs’ holes are burned with a laser).
Important performance standards that need to be taken into account:
Automation
The extruder system ought to be properly integrated with a melt filter system. A quality melt filter adapts itself automatically depending on how contaminated the input material is. Modern filters adapt automatically rather than requiring workers to be involved in system adjustments. Additionally, filter systems ought to permit filter changes while the extruder is still operating rather than necessitate its shutdown. Automation to a high degree also lowers personnel costs and training needs.
Convenience
For post-consumer recycling materials in particular, simplicity and robustness is a crucial prerequisite. Large surface areas avoid pressure spikes, easy and quick access to the filters for operators, and a clear HMI make it easier for the operator to interact with the system. The melt should flow through the system without any dead spots (material hang-ups). To reduce downtime and remove the need for complicated operator training, all worn components in the system should be conveniently accessible.
Contaminant Elimination
The secret to success is understanding what kinds of pollutants are present in your material stream and customizing the filtration solution accordingly. The amount of pollutants in the plastic stream influences whether continuous or cyclical filtration is necessary. Decisions about processing (pressure, temperatures), and filtration fineness will be influenced by the type of contaminants and how much they need to be filtered out.
Cost of Maintenance
Any purchaser of filtration systems should take into account not just the initial capital expenditure but also the ongoing maintenance and consumables costs. These expenses can be predicted before purchasing the equipment based on input materials and contamination levels. The main consumables are typically filters, and in the case of continuous filter systems, blades. The filter discs can be cleaned and reused in some systems, such as the Laser Filter System.
