Turning Drying from Black Magic into Science | Novatec All-In #105

Turning Drying from Black Magic into Science | Novatec All-In #105

Most plastics processors know the basic pillars of resin drying — temperature, airflow, time, and dew point. But what’s actually happening inside a drying hopper is far more complicated than most people realize. In Novatec All-In #105, Conrad Bessemer, Greg Washburn, Tim Noggle, and Joshua Belisle dive deep into the science behind resin drying and how modern simulation tools are helping turn decades of industry “black magic” into measurable, visualized engineering. Topics discussed include: • Why all dryers are NOT created equal• The hidden importance of delivered airflow• Why airflow velocity matters more than most processors think• The relationship between pressure, airflow, and heat transfer• Why inconsistent airflow creates inconsistent resin• The difference between air temperature and actual resin temperature• How CFD and DEM simulation tools reveal what’s happening inside the hopper• Why simply hitting “-40 dew point” doesn’t guarantee optimal drying• The real challenge of achieving uniform, consistent dry resin This episode also explores how Novatec is using advanced engineering simulation technologies to better understand airflow, particle movement, heat transfer, and drying efficiency across a wide range of resin drying applications. Watch more episodes of Novatec All-In here: novatec.com/all-in #PlasticsProcessing #InjectionMolding #Extrusion #ResinDrying #PlasticManufacturing #ManufacturingEngineering #ProcessEngineering

Novatec All In - Ep 104: Plant-Wide Plastics Systems: What Really Happens After You Sign the Order

You found a systems supplier. You signed the order. Now what? For most plastics processors, that's where the uncertainty begins — and where too many suppliers disappear. In this episode of Novatec All In, Conrad Bessemer, Tim Noggle, and Greg Washburn sit down with Ricky Schultz, VP of Business Development, to pull back the curtain on what a systems project actually looks like from the inside. They cover: * How Novatec defines a "system" — and why it spans a much wider range than most processors realize * What happens at a project kickoff meeting and why it matters more than the sale * How field experience translates into fewer surprises during install * Why the person who sold you the project should never just hand it off and walk away * How contractors are selected, managed, and held accountable on your plant floor Whether you're planning a greenfield facility, adding capacity, or upgrading aging controls, this conversation will help you ask better questions and hold any systems supplier to a higher standard. Novatec All In is a podcast about the real challenges plastics processors face every day — hosted by the people who help solve them.

Novatec All-In Ep. 103: Modernizing Your Plant's Central Controller Without the Downtime

Your plant's central control system is the backbone of your entire operation. If it goes down, everything stops. And if it's more than ten years old, the clock is already ticking. In this episode of Novatec All In, Conrad Bessemer, Tim Noggle, and Greg Washburn sit down with Don Wood, VP of Business Development for the Midwest, to tackle one of the most stressful challenges a plastics processor can face — replacing an aging plant-wide control platform without taking your facility offline. They cover: * Why industrial control systems age out and why it's inevitable regardless of manufacturer * The warning signs that you're approaching the danger zone * How a full controls retrofit gets executed while your plant keeps running * Why weekend and holiday switchovers are more common than you'd think — and how to plan for them * Remote connectivity, modern HMI design, and what today's platforms make possible that older ones couldn't If you're running a central conveying system on aging controls — or you've already had a scary failure moment — this episode is required listening. Novatec All In [novatec.com/all-in] is a podcast about the real challenges plastics processors face every day — hosted by the people who help solve them.

Ep. 102 - Novatec All-In: Everything You’ve Heard About Compressed Air Resin Drying Is Half Right

Compressed air resin drying is widely used in plastics processing, but many processors only understand part of how it actually works. In this episode we break down the fundamentals of plastic resin drying, hopper drying, dew point, airflow, and moisture diffusion — and why common rules of thumb about compressed air dryers are only partially correct. In Episode 102, Novatec’s top experts Conrad Bessemer (Co-Owner), Tim Noggle (VP of Sales), and Greg Washburn (VP of Engineering & Operations) sit down with Mark “Drying Doc” Haynie (VP of Drying Technologies) to unpack what’s really happening inside the drying hopper and why processors often get conflicting results. Topics covered:• Compressed air drying vs desiccant drying assumptions• Dew point vs actual moisture removal• Airflow distribution inside the drying hopper• Why pellets dry from the inside out• The role of temperature, pressure, and diffusion• Why over-drying and under-drying both happen• Seasonal processing variation in plastics manufacturing• Uniformity and part quality in injection molding and extrusion This episode is intended for plastics processors, process engineers, technicians, and anyone responsible for material handling or drying performance. Drying isn’t black magic — but it isn’t as simple as a single number on a controller.

Ep.101 - Novatec All In: Choosing the Right Dust & Fines Solution for Your Plastics Processing Plant

Welcome to the first episode of Novatec All In, a new podcast where we go all in on plastics processing—sharing real-world experience, practical engineering insights, and honest conversations from industry veterans.In Episode 101, Novatec's top experts Conrad Bessemer (Co-Owner), Tim Noggle (VP of Sales), and Greg Washburn (VP of Engineering & Operations) sit down with Ryan Ismirlian, Product Manager for Novatec’s conveying systems, to tackle a critical but often overlooked topic in plastics processing plants: dust collection.With over 100 years of combined experience, this team breaks down: • Why dust is such a persistent problem in plastics manufacturing • How dust impacts conveying systems, dryers, pumps, filters, and plant safety • The difference between passive vs. active dust collection • When to use cyclone dust collectors (CDC) vs. filter dust collectors (FDC) • How poor dust control affects airflow, drying efficiency, maintenance costs, and uptime • Real-world examples from injection molding, extrusion, reclaim, PET recycling, and clean-room environmentsThis episode is designed for plant managers, process engineers, maintenance teams, and operations leaders looking to improve efficiency, reduce downtime, and create safer, cleaner manufacturing environments.📍 Topics Covered • Plastics conveying systems • Resin drying & airflow performance • Granulation & reclaim dust challenges • Cyclone vs. filter dust collection • OSHA, safety, and plant air quality • Best practices for dust mitigation🔗 Learn more about Novatec and find your local systems expert:👉 ⁠https://www.novatec.com [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbVFvZFFQUUtUYUxielpIZEFBTDhub3JEVHp6QXxBQ3Jtc0ttRnhZMEpvdUZ0ZVk4VlUxbUZyaVc4YUJ6dmJXUUJWbXh0NzRNei10eUl5aG9tLTFIYlB0SjNPQlFsalBGREtNUXFQZTJBWGNVMjd0dzNhUnBBTm1pUllsbkttVFpmYXExQS1qbVJUMHBpWXJDOVF6dw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.novatec.com%2F&v=wCXBukcRvvs]