Nordson claims that its vertical-mount iDry system, which can be used to dry water-based compounds required for protecting beverage can ends, has been designed to cut both the time and space required for the process compared to convection heating systems. The technology, which has been designed specifically for use on both aluminium and steel ends, can be used at line speeds of up to 2200 ends per minute, the manufacturer claims. According to Nordson, the system uses induction heating that allows for improved efficiency in energy transfer by focusing only the can end and not the atmosphere surrounding the packaging. "With induction, the heat is generated within the product itself," a company spokesperson told FoodProductionDaily.com. "With competitors' convection heat, air is heated by gas or electric, and the air then transfers heat into the product." Nordson claims that the iDry works from the metal out, which reduces blistering that can lead to package rejection. The dryer itself has been designed with solid state components, which can generate controllable heat while removing the need for water-cooling as part of their operation, according to the manufacturer. The design instead includes a blower to cool all electrical components. Group marketing manager Mark Novotny said that the technology could be easily adapted to existing can end lines without any major modification to the production cycle, to provide a number of benefits. "The straight-through tube virtually eliminates the problem of ends jamming in the dryer," he stated. "The system also runs on lower wattage, with 85 to 90 per cent of the power consumed is used directly to heat the ends, making it the most economical choice for end drying." In order to drive further reductions in energy usage for the product, the manufacturer says that the dryer does not require preheating and can therefore be shut down during line stoppages. The company will display the dryers, which are available for shipment around the globe, at this year's MetPack trade show from 22 April to the 26 April in Essen, Germany.
