AUTOMATING THE RUBBER COMPOUNDING PROCESS

The human element in the process of rubber compounding has been, and will continue to be, the most critical component in assuring the quality and consistency of the final product. Yet despite the reliance on an experienced and insightful operator, the rubber-compounding process, which in the past has stubbornly defied automation efforts, is now undergoing a re-examination. Recent advancements in the field of process automation and batch-control management are forging important inroads into the industry. It is in the compounding stage of the rubber-fabrication process that the successful greenfield plant installation utilizing integrated machine control and process control discussed in this paper was undertaken.