A Raymond itself installed the system. Each of its 30 machines is now equipped with Comet's latest CL-1 loader, which features a spring-pin swing base that opens and locks for easy cleaning. Comet Plastic Equipment also supplied all the system's hoppers, proportioning valves, the regrind/reclaim system, one 30-machine surge bin, and did some work on the plant's new outside silo.

The regrind/reclaim system is uncomplicated. Materials overage is pulled back to a central regrind area by five Comet loaders mounted on five bins. The loaders draw off the extra regrind from each machine cell, so it can be used in other comparable jobs that generate less scrap. Comet Plastic Equipment's president Tom Rajkovich says his company developed a special Allen-Bradley-based control system for the regrind/reclaim operation.

John Foltz, A Raymond's process engineer, says the company's new materials handling system keeps materials away from the machine. "I'd estimate there's been at least 20 to 30 percent fewer incidents of contamination now, and we were dealing with rather small numbers before we installed this system. Also, the Comet system has the proportioning valve right at the machine. It's easier for us to fine-tune the virgin-to-regrind ratios, and we're getting much better mixtures now, in addition to better cleanliness."

However, the original reason for installing the system was to save labor. One look at the installation of machine-mounted robots in the accompanying photo illustrates the company's commitment to manufacturing automation. Foltz tells IMM that the successes achieved in automated materials handling have influenced the company to look at doing some "interesting things" with automated product handling here in the States - but that's proprietary right now. Meanwhile though, its successes have prompted A Raymond's European plants to look at similar installations.

-Carl Kirkland