A member of the Tecnopol group, Omikron manufactures polypropylene-based, loaded and non-loaded top-quality compounds, used for a range of specific purposes. The Piedmont-based company is well known for its constant pursuit of quality across the production process. With the aim of rationalising and expanding its plant, Omikron decided to develop the pneumatic handling system used for both natural and loaded plastic granules, in order to resolve the recurrent problem of steel elbow wear. They therefore needed durable components, able to simplify routine maintenance and cut servicing times.

In 2008, Omikron began to expand its manufacturing plant. Particular attention was paid to the selection of components, especially those related to pneumatic handling. Traditionally prone to wear, steel elbows, over the years, become unusable. “We discussed the problem at length and then, after we had designed the plant, a colleague who had worked for a German multinational company told me that WamGroup was manufacturing anti-wear elbows made from the engineering polymer SINT,” explained Bachis, Omikron’s technical director and facility manager. “Through the WamGroup commercial network, we had the opportunity to test two elbows made from this engineering polymer, and they immediately gave amazing results: they were installed in 2008 and haven’t been replaced yet,” he added.

Following the success of this test installation, the company decided to replace all the steel elbows with ExtraBend short radius elbows from WamGroup. “The elbows made from this engineering polymer are much more resistant to wear compared with traditional steel elbows, which usually wear out quickly and have to be replaced every three months,” said Bachis.

Thus, the aim of definitively resolving the problem of elbow wear has been achieved. A major role in the project was played by the testing activity, which convinced Omikron of the performances offered by ExtraBend elbows. Compared to the past, the need to continuously replace elbows has been eliminated, and obviously generated a series of economic benefits deriving from the increased productivity as well as the reduced maintenance costs.