Why Westlake Dimex Chose Modular Scrap Conveyors to Replace Failing Grinders

The Company

Westlake Dimex LLC, located in Marietta, Ohio, manufactures consumer and commercial products from recycled plastics like PVC, PE, and TPE. As a subsidiary of Westlake Corporation, it produces items such as landscape edging and industrial mats. The company also supplies post-industrial recycled plastic compounds to other manufacturers. Its commitment to recycling waste materials helps divert millions of pounds of plastic from landfills annually.

The Challenge

The company had low-profile grinder equipment that received punchout scrap from underneath a hydraulic punch table in their extrusion process. The low-profile grinders would regularly fail disrupting the extrusion process and creating “upset conditions”.

The situation caused extremely high maintenance costs on grinders and increased operational risks on the production floor. 

To replace the grinders the company needed a way to move the punchout scrap pieces from one foot off the ground under a machine up to a gaylord. 

The Solution

Adam Sanders, Sr. Engineer of Vinyl Products at Westlake Dimex, was introduced to Dynamic Conveyor by a colleague who had previously sourced a water bath cooling conveyor solution from Dynamic Conveyor.  Adam contacted Dynamic Conveyor and three other conveyor companies that he worked with before, to help in finding a metal handling conveyor system for this application. 

“The team at Dynamic Conveyor – the sales representative and applications engineering team – came up with the best solution for the application.” Sanders said. “A DynaCon modular z-style conveyor configuration with tensionless belt that was far superior to the classic tension belt conveyors that caused significant issues in the previous process.” Sanders continued. The engineering collaboration, unique tensionless link style belt design, reliability and reconfigurability were key factors in Adam’s choice of Dynamic Conveyor for the solution. A custom video of the punchout scrap on the conveyor provided by Dynamic Conveyor simplified the approval process for Sanders. 

The Results

Westlake Dimex first bought one scrap handling system, since it was so successful, and returned to Dynamic Conveyor to buy two more modular conveyors. 

The company has seen significant savings on maintenance costs incurred on grinder equipment. Upset conditions on the plant floor have been eliminated from this process.

Westlake has had zero problems and no maintenance issues on the DynaCon conveyor solution since in commission.

“The collaboration, service and follow up by Dynamic Conveyor was excellent.” Sanders further commented. 

The new DynaCon conveyor has become a dependable part of Westlake Dimex’s material handling systems, eliminating downtime and maintenance issues from this process. 

If your facility is facing similar challenges with scrap handling or unreliable conveyors, discover how Dynamic Conveyor’s modular solutions can improve efficiency, reduce maintenance, and keep your production running smoothly. Contact us today to learn more and explore the right conveyor solution for your operation.