Key Filters Inc.

Contact: Robbin Burton Ext. 340

100 Goldstein Drive
Highland Industrial Park
Woonsocket, RI 02895
U.S.

Phone: 401-762-2100
Fax: 401-762-3313

Website

E-mail

Key Filters, Inc. is a manufacturer of screen changers for the plastic extrusion industry, as well as, other melt filtration applications. Our product range consists of a complete line of screen changers, which are able to meet the various requirements of processes.

Filtration is required in extrusion processes in order to reduce and eliminate contaminates in the final product. In 1983, when Key Filters started, the filtering of contaminates was accomplished by using a wire mesh or screen in the extrusion process. In this process when contaminates collect on the filter, the pressure would build up and the process was interrupted from stopping and starting the line each time the filter was changed. An inordinate amount of waste and lost production time was caused.

John Fogarty, the founder of Key Filters, developed a continuous filtration system whereby seal bars were attached to a belt of wire mesh. As the contaminates collected on the screen and the pressure increased, he developed a system using heating and cooling of the polymer to seal the material inside of the screen changer that allowed the screen belt to advance, based on a pressure build up, without interruption of the flow to the die. This allowed the screen belt to move the contaminates continuously without interruption and is the basis of the Key Filters KC Continuous Screen Changer. Along with its patented screen, this continuous process has been the foundation of Key Filters, Inc. Major companies such as the joint venture of Exxon/Monsanto (A.E.S.), Monsanto, Owens-Illinois and General Electric have utilized Key Filters innovative technology.

Key Filters has a complete line of Screen Changers that includes our KCN, KSP, and MSC models. The KCN unit operates in the same manner as the KC, except it also has the capacity to utilize reverse Dutch weave wire without sealing bars. The KSP is a hydraulic slide plate changer, while the MSC is a manual screen changer. Together with the MSC, KSP and the continuous screen changer allows for Key Filters to have the most complete screen changer line in the industry.

In 1989 Key Filters, was purchased by current President/Owner, Ernest Abrahamson. The operations were moved to Woonsocket, Rhode Island in 1995 to a facility that includes a laboratory, which allows the ability to test and demonstrate the equipment for customers. This modern facility recently underwent an expansion and currently occupies 80,000 square feet. In 2003, Key Filters became ISO 9001:2000 certified in its commitment to provide excellent products to its customers that meet or exceed their expectations.

The company has also proceeded with its affiliate, Parkinson Technologies, Inc., in the rebuilding of its technical center that will be housed in a 20,000 square foot capacity, including a 120 foot long complete biaxial orientation line including 4 extruders, MDO, TDO, a Crono Treater winders, screen changers, etc. This laboratory/pilot line is a $3,000,000 commitment to improve current technology as well as to work with companies to develop equipment to meet their requirements.

Primary Business
Key Filters Model KCN-TS Continuous Screen Changer

Key Filters' primary business is the manufacturing of screen changers for plastic extrusion processes. Our product range consists of a complete line of screen changers, which are able to meet the various requirements of processors. These consist of Manual Screen Changers, Hydraulic Screen Changers and Ribbon Type Continuous Screen Changers.

Strength

Key Filters designs and builds screen changers to meet the customer's process and physical requirements. Our strength is in understanding the process requirements and designing and building a machine to provide the performance required by that process.

Applications

Following is a description of machine types best suited for various applications.

Manual Screen Changer (CHiVA) - Applied best to applications where line stops occur on a periodic basis. The screen can be changed during this shutdown without effecting production. A typical application is blown film, where the die must be cleaned prior to the screen clogging.

Slideplate Screen Changers - Applicable where a momentary disruption in the process does not cause a substantial amount of downtime or scrap production.

Continuous Screen Changer - This type of machine applies to situation where a disruption due to a screen change causes a line stop which otherwise would not have occurred. It also applies to pressure sensitive applications, where constant pressure would be a benefit to the process.

Continuous Screen Changer Filter Screen - Key Filters is a supplier of the Reverse Dutch Twill Weave filter belts used in ribbon style continuous screen changers.