Longtime Davis-Standard customer Maxi-Blast, Inc. recently installed six Davis-Standard Thermatic® extruders at its new 40,000 square foot facility in St. Petersburg, Florida. 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. Donaldson built Maxi-Blast into the global leader it is today by supplying 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 propriety line of cabinets for cleaning screws and molds and deflashing parts.
“From the time I started the company, I felt Davis-Standard built the best extruders,” said Donaldson. “They build a lot of the components in-house, their service is excellent and they are a well-run organization. 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 gotten 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 have been instrumental in Maxi-Blast’s quest to make the perfect pellet for their process. Pellets are manufactured in a variety of sizes, shapes, colors and formulations depending on application. As 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 molds, but it is capable of deflashing rubber, phenolic and die-cast metal parts. The company is so astute at what they do, that the recent facility expansion is 25,000 square feet larger than the old facility.
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 1 ½ to 10 inches (40 to 250mm) with L/D’s from 12:1 to 40:1. According to Donaldson, the Thermatic is the best extruder out there and he believes it’s worth the investment because of the quality it delivers.
“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,” Donaldson explained. “Our new Thermatic extruders are giving us 20 percent more product in the same amount of hours, which is essential to meeting production goals. We tell our customers we’re in this for long-haul and it’s good to know we can rely on Davis-Standard’s technology along the way.”
To inquire about a Davis-Standard Thermatic® extruder, please contact us.
For more information about Maxi-Blast, visit www.maxiblast.com.