Bixby’s several PILOT PROCESS DEVELOPMENT LINES allow our Applications Development Engineering team to continually innovate, test and develop custom solutions. The versatility of our manufacturing at the pilot-line stage is unlike your standard thermoplastic extrusion companies. We have the ability to develop mono- and multi-layer laminate solutions via cast and tandem extrusion, coextrusion, hot-press and continuous belt lamination, gravure and full-coat roll coating and laminations. These can be evaluated in conjunction with flame, corona, plasma or priming surface treatments at the pilot-line scale. These extensive capabilities early in the development process are a key factor in our ability to provide fast and focused process technology solutions to our clients from the start of a concept all the way through scaled-up production.
PILOT-LINE CAPABILITIES
CAST & TANDEM EXTRUSION PROTOTYPING
Flat Die Cast Extrusion Line – Davis Standard 1.5” (3.81cm) single screw extruder
Three-Roll Casting/Nip Extrusion Station
Prototype Samples up to 18” (~45cm) wide
Available thickness: 3 mils to 65 mils
Prototype Samples up to 11” (~27cm) wide
Available thickness: 3 mils to 155 mils
Mono- or multi-layer extruded polymers can be laminated with any substrate unwound from rolls
Available Surface Textures: Gloss, Brushed, Light Matte, Heavy Matte, Prismatic or Custom Specifications
COMPOUNDING
Lab-Scale formulation development on TPEI continuous mixer for creating custom polymer compounds for our clients
Small-batch (5 – 50 lbs) pelletized compounds are validated and characterized for end-use application in our extrusion and lamination pilot processes. In this way, customized film, sheet and laminate prototype concepts can be quickly analyzed and tested in our development labs.
Have a question about our processes or capabilities? Do you need a plastic solution for your next project? Are you interested in learning more about Bixby’s custom manufacturing possibilities? Contact us and we will be happy to assist!
