Compressed air dryer - the smallest in a range - typically processes polymers at a rate of 1-3 kilos an hour and has capacity of a throughput at up to 10 kilos an hour.

Vienna based Wittmann has introduced the compressed air dryer, the DryMax 15, to its award-winning range of materials dryers. UK sales have already been achieved for Wittmann's newest and smallest capacity dryer, which typically processes polymers at a rate of 1-3 kilos an hour and has capacity of a throughput at up to 10 kilos an hour. Wittmann UK's most recent sale of the DryMax 15 in the UK has been to an insert-moulder producing very small parts at near micro moulded tolerances.

The rate of material per hour needed was 1.4 kilos - ideally suited to the DryMax 15 which is fixed to the customer's injection moulding machine.

'Very often,' says Ed Holmes of Wittmann UK, 'most dryers are overly big for the purpose required.

This customer wanted a more appropriate capacity and the DryMax 15 was the ideal solution.' The Drymax 15 and its elder brother the DryMax 30 are designed for use on moulding machines of between 25 and 150 tonne locking force.

Meanwhile lighting specialist Fotolec has recently invested in a new materials drying and handling systems supplied by Wittmann UK.

The award-winning Wittmann Compact 100 polymer drying unit was chosen to make sure that the Fotolec polymers reach the coating process in optimum condition.

The new Wittmann dryer is playing its part in the production cycle by drying the stored polymer to the optimum temperatures.

Even a small amount of moisture can jeopardise the processing conditions, and these need to be within strict tolerances for successful manufacture.

The Wittmann Compact 100 is consequently fitted with valve technology that will prevent over drying - and overpaying for energy used.

After drying the resins are then delivered to the Fotolec production line via Wittmann's S18 single phase hopper loader.

Wittmann UK made sure to optimise Fotolec's processing by trialing its materials on a standard machine off-site - and then, once satisfied, supplying the company with the Compact 100 for full production.