When to choose the PLATEX 80
The PLATEX 80 by Takımsan is designed for one purpose: establishing whether a compound can be processed on planetary roller geometry before committing to production-scale equipment. It is the correct machine for polymer R&D laboratories, university research departments, and compound developers who need planetary roller data — not twin-screw or single-screw approximations — when evaluating a new formulation.
The defining use case is formulation validation. A rigid PVC window-profile compound, for instance, contains a thermal stabilizer, lubricant system, impact modifier, and potentially chalk filler — each at a loading that affects both processability and the final melt temperature profile. Testing this compound on the PLATEX 80 at 10–30 kg/hr gives data that translates directly to PLATEX 165 or PLATEX 215 production runs, because the processing geometry is identical: same helical profile angle (45°), same melt-film forming mechanism, same vacuum degassing stage.
When PLATEX 100 is the right step instead: If monthly production is already confirmed above 50–60 kg and laboratory validation is complete, the PLATEX 100 at 100–200 kg/hr provides a dedicated low-volume production unit. The PLATEX 80 is a research and development instrument, not a production tool.
The PLATEX 80 is also purchased by sales and applications teams who need physical product samples — 10–50 kg production runs from a customer’s compound — without blocking a full production extruder. Several Takımsan customers in the masterbatch and specialty PVC sectors use the PLATEX 80 as a dedicated sampling unit.
Materials and applications
The PLATEX 80 processes the full range of planetary-roller-compatible materials at lab scale:
Rigid PVC (uPVC): Window profile, pipe, and cable-duct formulations. The planetary roller geometry keeps melt temperature below the degradation threshold (~180°C) even at high calcium carbonate loadings (up to 50 phr). See rigid PVC compounding for process guidance.
Soft (plasticised) PVC: Cable insulation, medical tubing, and flooring compounds. Accurate gelation measurement requires a machine that does not force gelation through shear — the PLATEX 80 provides this.
Wood-plastic composite (WPC): Wood flour at 40–60% by weight with PP or PE carrier. Vacuum degassing in stage 2 removes steam generated by residual wood-flour moisture during the run.
Bioplastics (PLA, PBAT, starch blends): Heat-sensitive biopolymers that degrade rapidly above narrow processing windows. The low-shear film-forming mechanism limits thermal exposure.
Colour masterbatch: High pigment loadings at low melt temperatures. The self-wiping roller geometry prevents pigment accumulation in stagnant zones.
Recycled polymer blends: Post-consumer material with variable moisture. The vacuum stage provides degassing capability even at lab throughput.
For all materials processed on the PLATEX 80, scale-up formulation data is directly applicable to larger PLATEX models.
Power consumption economics
At lab scale, energy cost is not the primary economic argument. At 15 kW peak motor draw and 30 kg/hr throughput, the PLATEX 80 consumes approximately 8–12 kWh per 100 kg of compound produced (depending on material viscosity and barrel temperature settings). Over a year of active R&D use, total electrical consumption is typically under 15,000 kWh — under €1,500 at €0.10/kWh.
The real economic argument for the PLATEX 80 is avoided cost. A failed production run on a PLATEX 165 or PLATEX 215 — caused by a stabilizer formulation that fails under planetary roller processing — costs a full batch of material, machine downtime, and cleaning time. A 10 kg validation run on the PLATEX 80 catches the same failure for a fraction of that cost.
Takımsan offers contract laboratory testing: send your compound sample to our İstanbul facility, and our team will run it on the PLATEX 80 and report melt temperature, torque, degassing behaviour, and pellet quality — before you purchase or commit to a production specification. Contact Takımsan to arrange a sample run.
Why PLATEX 80 over alternatives
vs. other lab-scale planetary extruders: Academic reviewers Formela and Eyigöz identify PLATEX 80 as one of only two commercially available lab-scale planetary roller extruders worldwide. For operators who require genuine planetary roller data but cannot justify the acquisition costs of established European manufacturers, PLATEX 80 delivers the same process geometry at typically 30–50% lower total cost of ownership (estimated).
vs. lab twin-screw extruders: Twin-screw laboratory units (16–25 mm) are widely available and lower cost — but the shear profile, melt temperature distribution, and self-cleaning behaviour are fundamentally different from planetary roller processing. Data from a twin-screw lab run does not accurately predict behaviour on a planetary roller production extruder. If your production line is planetary, your lab unit should be planetary.
vs. in-house improvisation (batch mixers, torque rheometers): Batch mixing equipment provides viscosity and gelation data but not continuous-extrusion processability or pellet quality. The PLATEX 80 produces extruded pellets or profiles — the same output as a production machine — which allows direct comparison of downstream performance.
For spare parts and ongoing support, Takımsan supplies replacement planetary rollers, barrel liners, and seal kits directly from İstanbul. Lead times for standard PLATEX 80 wear parts are 1–3 weeks to most export destinations.
