A weekly look at new products, innovations

Editor's Note: Each week, Rubber & Plastics News will take a look at some of the rubber industry's new products and innovations on www.rubbernews.com. Does your company have a new product or new innovation? To be considered for inclusion in this recurring feature, email [email protected].

WSF Industries Inc. has introduced its SmartClave technology for the company's autoclave control systems. Eliminating the need for separate digital process controllers, WSF said the system integrates a programmable logic controller and touch-screen display with an intuitive messaging system to assist operators, maintenance managers and supervisory personnel in all phases of autoclave operation.

The SmartClave is scalable to meet any autoclave application. WSF claimed, as it can provide fully automated process control and material handling or be programmed to control something as simple as an autoclave door closure. SmartClave is supplied standard on all new WSF autoclaves and can be retrofitted to existing WSF autoclaves in the field.

According to WSF, SmartClave offers intuitive messaging throughout every step of the autoclave closure and process operation as well as full system integration with operator assist, diagnostic, maintenance and alarm features. The technology provides enhanced autoclave door closure and process safety interlocking by monitoring all sensors, operating switches, and output devices, the company said.

Process cycle and system logs can be stored locally on removable media or accessed by common Web browser applications. Additionally, WSF said local real-time trending and historical reviews of process variables are available as is process tuning, and system component status screens. Remote monitoring options are available including applications for iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, and Android smartphones, the company said.

WSF autoclaves are used in a wide range of industrial applications including vacuum pressure impregnation, vulcanizing, dewaxing, process simulation, sterilization, cleaning and leaching, hydrostatic testing, containment and adhesive bonding.

For additional information, visit the WSF Industries website.

APS Elastomers has created a “salt and pepper” blend for plaque manufacturer. The salt and pepper custom color matching and blending for thermoplastic elastomers assists customers with a broad range of color concentrate that are FDA, RoHS, CONEG and NSF compliant and heavy-metal free, APS said.

The salt and pepper color concentrate allows them to mix a wide range of colors in several smaller, custom batch products; reducing lead time and saving money, APS said.

For more information on TPVs TPEs, TPUs, as well as standard and custom grades, contact APS Elastomers at [email protected] or go here.

Hyde Industrial Blade Solutions has unveiled loop knives designed to remove flash waste and excess material from molded or extruded rubber and plastic parts quickly and safely.

The Hyde IBS Loop Knives are manufactured with durable high-carbon steel blades, Hyde Industrial said, for longer-term edge sharpness and long-life when removing flash from anything coming off production lines from bumpers to tires.

Each Hyde Loop Hoof Knife measures 6.5 inch in length and features a pick for hard-to-remove imperfections, the company said. In addition, the blades have a .515 inch diameter and 1.3 inch long cutting edge, Hyde Industrial said, and are mounted to a HammerHead molded handle. The handle has a durable polypropylene core and thermoplastic elastomer soft grip covering to absorb shock from scraping and to ease stress on the user's hands, wrists and arms, according to the firm.

Precision manufactured by hand knife experts, Hyde Industrial said each cutting edge is CNC machine ground and sharpened on the inside. The blades can be resharpened with a belt sander or bench grinder for continued use.

For more information on Hyde IBS Loop Knives or a complete line of hand or mill knives, visit the website at www.hydeblades.com.