Marangoni to add second mixing line at Ellerbrock facility

Hamburg, Germany - Marangoni

Retreading Systems Deutschland GmbH - previously known as the

retread company Ellerbrock -- is to add a second mixing line at its

facility near Hamburg. The line is expected to go in during 2013.

Matthias Leppert, managing director

of retread systems at MRSD said the new line will probably be a

refurbished system.

MRSD installed a new Pomini VIC mixer

in 2003 after a disastrous fire at the Ellerbrock factory. It

currently uses this to mix around 12 000 tonnes of compound annually,

most of which uses two-stage mixing.

The company said the new line will

increase capacity by around 50 perent in 2013. Leppert said the new

line will be used primarily for masterbatch mixing, whereas the

existing VIC mixer will be used for final mixing.

In addition, the company is likely to

add a second bay of alpha ringtread manufacturing units during next

year. Currently the single bay comprises one stripwinding unit

serving six curing presses.

Each of the six presses runs on a

total cycle time of around 12 minutes. The stripwinder lays on a

pre-determined amount of compound onto a solid steel drum. This takes

around 90 seconds. Then the drum moves backwards into the curing

area. A number of mould segments move radially inwards to compress

the rubber on the drum. As they meet, they form a continuous mould to

form the ring tread component. Curing takes around 10 minutes, as the

rubber is still hot from the stripwinder.

Meanwhile, the stripwinder has moved

on to the next drum unit. Balancing te cycle time of the strip winder

against the cure cycle means a single strip winder can serve fie or

six presses.

Marangoni expects to install a second

bay of these products in 2012, to meet increased demand for the

Ringtread product.