EW September 2016

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News
Corporate
September 2016 12
Long-time Davis-Standard customer Maxi-Blast Inc installed six
Davis-Standard Thermatic® extruders at its new 40,000ft2 facility
in St Petersburg, Florida, USA.
This is the latest extruder addition for Maxi-Blast, whose
chairman and CEO Robert Donaldson has been purchasing
Davis-Standard extruders since founding the company in
1981. Maxi-Blast supplies both cleaning/deflashing equipment
and blasting media to support customers in the construction,
electrical, rubber and automotive industries, among others.
The Davis-Standard extruders process nylon and polycarbonate
pellets used in the company’s proprietary line of cabinets for
cleaning screws and moulds and deflashing parts.
“From the time I started the company, I felt Davis-Standard
built the best extruders,” said Mr Donaldson. “They build a
lot of the components in-house, their service is excellent and
they are a well-run organisation. I am constantly striving to
upgrade technology and stay current, so I’ve been replacing my
Davis-Standard extruders every 15 years.
“Not only have I got excellent production out of these machines,
but I sell the used ones on the secondary market. Used
Davis-Standard extruders are always in demand because they are
so well-built.”
Davis-Standard’s extruder and feedscrew technology has been
instrumental in Maxi-Blast’s quest to make the perfect pellet
for their process. Pellets are manufactured in a variety of sizes,
shapes, colours and formulations depending on application.
As Mr Donaldson explained, pellet geometry is especially
important when the material is used as blasting medium so
it doesn’t damage the part. Maxi-Blast technology is not only
used to clean screws and moulds, but it is capable of deflashing
rubber, phenolic and die-cast metal parts. The company is
so astute at what it does, that the recent facility expansion is
25,000ft2 larger than the old facility.
Mr Donaldson appreciates Davis-Standard’s Thermatic
extruder because it is built for the most demanding processing
requirements. Customers often describe this model as an
“industry workhorse” because of its durability, minimal
maintenance, and quiet operation for multiple processing
requirements and applications. Another advantage is the
Thermatic’s availability with a wide range of feedscrews and
control systems. Sizes range from 1½ to 10 inches (40 to 250mm)
with L/Ds from 12:1 to 40:1.
“Maxi-Blast is all about quality. The facility expansion, the new
extruders and other equipment upgrades are all part of our
ongoing investment strategy to support customers by making
the best product possible,”Mr Donaldson added.
“Our new Thermatic extruders are giving us 20 per cent more
product in the same amount of hours, which is essential to
meeting production goals. We tell our customers we’re in
this for the long-haul and it’s good to know we can rely on
Davis-Standard’s technology along the way.”
Davis-Standard – USA
Website:
New extruders maintain long relationship
▲ ▲ Robert Donaldson with a Thermatic extruder