April 16, 1998 - Research and teaching in The University of Akron Department of Polymer Engineering got a boost recently, thanks to the gift of a state-of-the art, twin-screw extruder from Farrel Corporation.
With an in-kind value of almost $200,000, the donation is the largest the University has received from Farrel, a leading manufacturer of plastics processing equipment based in Ansonia, Conn.
Housed in the Akron Polymer Training Center, the new FTX80 extruder converts a range of raw plastics into compounds ready for final product applications. As Farrel's Peter Wickenheisser explains, the extruder "makes the cookie dough for other machines, like injection molds, to make into cookies."
The FTX80 is a high-volume, energy-efficient machine combining innovations in screw design, barrel construction and computer network control to deliver precision and consistency, says Wickenheisser, Farrel's director of plastics applications compounding. The FTX80 also features a computer-assisted remote diagnostic system, allowing a direct modem connection between the extruder's computer and Farrel's process engineers in Connecticut.
"This extruder is a tremendous addition to our department," says Dr. James L. White, director of the Institute of Polymer Engineering. "Compounding and blending are at the heart of a great deal of the research undertaken by our faculty and students, so having access to the most advanced equipment is ideal."
The donation also is a plus for the Akron Polymer Training Center, which provides continuing education for plastics industry professionals and technicians, as well as entry-level training. Director Nancy Clem says the extruder adds new capabilities to the Center's stock of processing machinery. "We operate a hands-on facility intended to be an asset to the polymer industry," Clem says. "The extruder is a great addition."
Wickenheisser and Farrel sales engineer Walter Ziedonis say Farrel is pleased to make such an important addition to the college's resources. The gift is a recognition both of the research excellence in the Institute of Polymer Engineering and of Farrel's long relationship with the northeast Ohio area, home to dozens of the company's important customers. While college students and faculty are sure to benefit from the gift, Wickenheisser and Ziedonis also predict tangible benefits for their company. The company is anxious to see what researchers do with the extruder, and Farrel engineers hope to perform some joint research.
"We're looking forward to working on projects with the faculty here," Wickenheisser says. This can really be a win-win situation.