Novatec Inc.

Contact Information

Please visit: Novatec Inc.

Mailing Address:
222 E Thomas Ave.
Baltimore, MD 21225 US

Phone: 410-789-4811
Toll-Free: 800-BEST-DRY
Fax: 410-789-4638

A Special Message from Novatec Inc.

MoistureMaster™ is first in-line, real-time moisture analyzer for plastic resins

Exclusive Novatec control accommodates up to four MoistureMaster units mounted on hoppers

Exclusive Novatec control accommodates up to four MoistureMaster units mounted on hoppers

MoistureMaster™ In-Line Moisture Analyzer

Retrofit ANY Drying Hopper Today!
Just imagine…now you can retrofit any existing dryer hopper--Conair, Unadyn, Motan, AEC- with our exclu¬sive MoistureMaster™ sensor, connect it with our Ethernet based PLC controller and be instantly monitoring pellet moisture online!

If your resin isn’t already calibrated, our lab is available to quickly update. Plus the exclusive MoistureMaster™ PLC not only gives you Ethernet or wireless capability, but also includes trending, and outputs for diverter valve and slide-gate options—so you can finally take charge of your drying process.

Available NOW! Only from Novatec. More information at: www.MoistureMaster.com

www.novatec.com/touchvideo

www.novatec.com/touchvideo

NovaWheel™ Dryers

All NovaWheel™ dryers now include a touch screen control at no additional cost. A 5.7" color touch screen is supplied on 600 through 5000 lb./hr. models and a 5.7" monochrome touch screen is supplied on 100 through 400 lb./hr. models. The NovaWheel PowerGuard™ and IntelliPET™ models include a 10.4" Color touch screen. The PowerGuard series includes patented VFD-controlled process and regeneration ensuring up to 30% less energy usage and guaranteed process stability. The only desiccant wheel dryer with a no-stretch, no-slip, chain drive for uniform wheel rotation. 25-5000lb./hr. (11-2300kg/hr.)

NovaDrier™ Compressed Air Membrane Dryers are desiccant-free and use 1/3-1/2 the compressed air of ordinary compressed air dryers. 5-200 lb./hr. (2-90 kg/hr.)
FlexXpand™ Expandable Conveying Control

FlexXpand™ Expandable Conveying Control

NOVATEC Conveying Control Solutions

NOVATEC ConveyNOVATEC has an impressive legacy of customer and process-oriented control solutions. These include a wide variety of control platforms with both standard and custom programs for total system integration. The current offerings include fixed basic packages and expandable master control packages. All include bold, easy-to-understand graphics. A combination of standard and proprietary touch screen PLC solutions are based on Siemens or Allen-Bradley platforms.ing Control Solutions

Company Profile

The roots of the company date back to the 1935 and NOVATEC began manufacturing dehumidifying equipment for the plastics industry in early 1972. Over the past several decades we have expanded our product line beyond dryers, to become a strong industry force, providing blending and conveying equipment as well as complete resin handling systems. In May 2006, the ownership of the company was transferred into the hands of a management group with vast experience in the auxiliary equipment business. Our goal is to build on NOVATEC strengths in engineered resin handling systems to make the company the recognized leader for integrated systems. We have added to our team of experienced professionals at every level of the organization, from executives, to design and engineering, to sales and marketing, to customer support and field service. Our association with MAGUIRE PRODUCTS not only allows us to provide the most popular blenders in the world as system components but it makes our business group the largest resin handling manufacturing group in North America. The new NOVATEC has already developed the broadest range of resin dryers in the plastics industry. These include wheel dryers, membrane dryers, vacuum dryers, infrared dryers and dual bed dryers. Our PowerGuard(TM) models are designed with patented technology to be the most energy efficient in the industry with heretofore unmatched process stability. We are the only U.S. manufacturer of Infrared dryers for PET and our IntelliPET series of wheel dryers are ideal for PET processors. We have built a state of-the-art Drying Technology Center where we can test the performance of any dryer type against any other dryer type. We invite customers to provide their specific resin and be present to see the actual test results. Only by comparing drying capability and energy efficiency can an informed decision be made about which dryer is best for a given application. New, ultra-high vacuum pumps are now available to overcome things like plugged lines and starved process machines.  At the same time, the already-impressive offerings in microprocessor and touch screen controls has been expanded to better serve the needs of processors. Novatec has recently partnered with O.A. Newton (Bridgeville DE) to better serve the needs of processors handling large volumes of powders. Our design emphasis is on innovation to provide new products which save energy, save space and reduce maintenance while providing superior performance at competitive prices. Our customers remain our first priority and we are committed to bringing plastics processors the highest level of quality through our products, services and personal attention. Check out the new NOVATEC.

Product Categories of Novatec Inc.

  • Blenders (non-intensive)
  • Conveying Equipment (pneumatic and Mechanical)
  • Dryers for Resins
  • Feeders
  • Hopper Loaders
  • Hoppers, Bins, Tanks
  • Metering, Proportioning Equipment
  • Mold Dehumidification Systems
  • Pumps - Liquid Additive
  • Semi-bulk Containers
  • Silos
  • Vacuum Pumps

Trade Names of Novatec Inc.

  • BiVerter
  • FlexTouch
  • FlexXpand
  • GlassVu
  • IntelliPET
  • MaxFlow
  • MultiVerter
  • NovaDrier
  • NovaVac ll
  • NovaWheel
  • OptiFlex
  • PowerGuard
  • UltraVac

Deep Links

As seen in PT

  • Automotive drives plastics processing

    Fifteen million units is my personal benchmark for annual U.S. auto sales.

  • New Player, Familiar Name In Downstream Extrusion Equipment

    Bessemer Series debuts at NPE2012.

  • Moisture Matters

    Most plastics processors accept the premise that the moisture content of materials is important, especially in dealing with hygroscopic materials such as nylons (polyamides) and PC/ABS blends.

  • New Player, Familiar Name In Downstream Extrusion Equipment

    Baltimore-based Novatec Inc. rolled out the Bessemer Series of cooling tanks, pullers and cutters at NPE2012 last month in Orlando, Fla.

  • Take the Guesswork Out Of Profile-Cooling Needs

    Think your downstream spray-type extrusion cooling lines might be longer than you need?

  • Auxiliaries at NPE: New Solutions from Material Preparation To Post-Mold Operations

    There will be an extraordinary range of new auxiliary equipment on display at the show.

  • Now You Can Measure Pellet Moisture In the Hopper, in Real Time

    Take the guesswork out of drying with new technology.

  • AUXILIARIES: Color Touchscreen Now Standard on Smaller Dryer/Conveyor Units

    Color touchscreen control is now standard, at no additional cost, on the Mobile NovaWheel Dry/Convey models (75, 100, and 150 lb/hr) supplied by Baltimore-based Novatec Inc.

  • Central Drying Made Simple

    Recent advances in technology have made the concept of drying in a central location—as opposed to right at the machine—more advantageous for certain kinds of processing operations.

  • AUXILIARIES: Flexible PLC Control for Central Conveying Systems

    The Novatec FXS (FlexXpand) color touchscreen from Novatec, Baltimore, is a Siemens-based PLC system designed for resin-conveying systems with up to 20 pumps and 120 stations.

  • AUXILIARIES: Dryers' Color Touchscreen Is Now Standard

    Color touchscreen control is now a standard feature (with no price increase) on medium and large models of NovaWheel Dryers from Novatec Inc., Baltimore.

  • Technology Will Keep Upshifting. Will you shift with it?

    The speed at which technology changes (I started to write improves but that’s not always the case) is not slowing down.

  • AUXILIARIES: Expandable Surge Bins for Central Conveying Systems

    MSB series Modular Surge Bins from Novatec, Baltimore, come in capacities from 30 to 70 ft3 (850-1980 liters) and provide expandable material storage space for central conveying systems.

  • Merle Snyder, Editor — Plastics Conveying & Plastics Drying Knowledge Center

    Merle R.Snyder has spent virtually his entire working life writing impartially about the plastics industry and plastics processing machinery.

  • Video: Variable Frequency Drives vs. Temperature Setback as Energy Savers

  • Video: Reducing Regeneration Energy

  • Dryer Maintenance

    Question:  My dual bed desiccant bead dryer will not attain a -40˚ dew point.  What should I check?

  • Infrared Dryers

    Question: Is the IRD system proven in the market?

  • Saving Energy

    Question: I can understand the variable frequency drive on the blower but how does the output of the heater vary with it?

  • PET Drying

    PET DRYING Question: We are a large extrusion and thermoforming company; recently we introduced PET products but we are experiencing breakability in our products.

  • General Drying Questions

    GENERAL DRYING QUESTIONS:Question: How often should desiccant be changed out assuming we run 24/7?  Response:   I have seen desiccant running well in service for over 10 years but the supplier guideline is 3-5 years.

  • Dryer Controls Slideshow

     Types of Controls Currently in Use

  • Energy Comparison Chart

    Typical Energy Cost in Dollars per 100 lb. of Throughput (Based on $.10 /kwh)

  • Dryer Comparison Chart

    Dryer Comparison Chart

  • Basic Central System Operation

    If you have never operated a central system, it may be helpful to understand the basic principles of operation.

  • Station Valves

    This component may be called a station valve, a station ‘T’ or a vacuum sequencing valve.

  • If a problem crops up when first starting up a new system, you can usually solve it by answering one or more of the following questions:•Is the station turned on?

  • Vacuum pumps are the heart of any resin conveying system – providing the vacuum to pull resin through your system from each source to each destination.

  • Heater Maintenance

    Process Heaters The process heater elements in a dryer are a critical part of the dehumidification process because they elevate the material temperature to purge moisture from the resin.  You should monitor them closely to ensure they are: Reaching the desired temperature promptlyProperly switching on and off in response to the temperature controller’s signals Slowness, or inability to attain the temperature set on the controller, is a sign of a burned out or failing heater element.  When this is occurs: The dryer should be taken out of service The heaters should be replaced  It is best to replace all heaters within a multiple-element heater box at the same time, since the expected life of each element is approximately the same.

  • Filter Maintenance

    Air cleansing filters are used in drying systems for various reasons.

  • Desiccant Maintenance

    There are three basic types of desiccant dryers used by plastics processors: Dual Bed (Twin Tower) Desiccant DryersCarousel DryersDesiccant Wheel (Rotor) Dryers The first two types use desiccant beads and the third type uses a pure crystalline molecular sieve desiccant that is grown onto a substrate.

  • Blower Maintenance

    Every dryer is designed with an airflow volume to match its throughput capacity along with the heaters, desiccant, etc.  If the airflow rate is compromised, the dryer efficiency is reduced.

  • Machine vs. Central Installation Configurations

    In broad terms, you have two basic choices about where to place your dryers and drying hoppers.

  • Energy Saving Installation

    You can take some simple steps to ensure minimal heat loss during the drying process, which will pay nice dividends by reducing energy costs.

  • Process Integration/Layout of Drying Systems

    The integration of a drying system into a process work flow for plastic processing can make a big difference in the success of your drying task, the ease of service and the need for additional equipment.

  • Modern Dryers vs. Old

    Modern vs Old Dryers  - The difference in energy savings can be huge…You can save $6,000 - $75,000/year/dryer…even more.

  • Blended Materials

    The blending of materials prior to drying can change the dynamics of your drying task.  Consider these elements: Virgin material, blended with a high percentage of regrind (which is typically much lighter than virgin material) decreases the combined bulk density of the material to be dried.  In some cases, this may require a larger drying hopper in order to provide enough residence time for the drying process.Materials mixed by dry blending (not compounded) may separate during transfer from the blending device to the drying hopper, resulting in uneven drying and worse, uneven or error-filled processing, IE: off color parts or parts lacking the characteristics to be created by the additive.You should not mix or blend materials with very different drying requirements.

  • Compounded Resins

    Compounded Resins are quite common in our industry.

  • Crystalline vs. Amorphous PET

    All PET materials are hygroscopic, so exposure to a humid environment will cause them to absorb moisture.  This moisture causes a cleavage in the polymer chain during melt and results in a degradation of the physical properties of the product produced.

  • Chemical Names and Resin Suppliers

    The Plastics Technology Plaspec data base provides the industry's broadest and most up-to-date resource for information regarding today's resins, their manufacturer's and their specifications.

  • Resin Manufacturer's Links

    The Plastics Technology Plaspec data base provides the industry's broadest and most up-to-date resource for information regarding today's resins, their manufacturer's and their specifications.

  • Vacuum Dryers

    Throughputs up to 200 lb./hr.

  • Silo Dehumidification

    Airflow 150-250 cfm Metal silos are affected by the weather conditions surrounding them.

  • Portable Drying Systems

    Throughputs up to 225 lb. /hr.

  • PET Energy-Saving Drying Systems

    Today, most new PET drying systems sold are based on using a desiccant wheel dryer.

  • Oven Dryers

    The oven dryer is probably the simplest method used for drying resin.

  • Multi-Bed Carousel Dryers

    Carousel dryers were popular in the late 80’s and 90’s but thousands are still in use.

  • Microwave Dryers

    We are all familiar with the microwave ovens in our kitchens.

  • Membrane Dryers

    Throughputs up to 225 lb./hr.

  • Infrared Crystallizer/Dryer

    Throughput: 180-4,000 lb. /hr. of PET Using infrared rays is a fast, economical way to crystallize and dry PET.

  • Hot Air Dryers

    A simple hot air dryer will suffice when you need to remove surface moisture from non-hygroscopic resins.

  • Gas Fired Process Heaters

    In many parts of the country, using natural gas instead of electricity can significantly reduce energy costs.

  • Dual Bed Dryers

    Dual Bed (also called Twin Tower) dryers used to be the most commonly purchased type of resin dryer.

  • Drying Hoppers

    Drying hoppers are part of most drying systems.

  • Desiccant Wheel/Rotor Dryers

    This is not your father’s type of desiccant dryer.

  • Crystallizers - Conventional

    Technically, crystallizers are not dryers.

  • Compressed Air Dryers

    The principle of compressing air in factories for power tools and other high-pressure uses has a side benefit for the world of resin drying.

  • Central Dryers

    You use a central dryer as a single source of dry, unheated air that is piped to multiple material hoppers.

  • Dryer Selector

    Here’s Help for Comparing Dryer Types Picking the type of dryer that works best for you – wheel, dual bed, vacuum, membrane, etc. – is a critical step that comes early in the selection process. For a basic way to compare features and price ranges of the various types, you can start here.

  • Latest Energy-Saving Technologies

    Some dryer manufacturers are touting energy savings while others, who really don't have testing facilities nor qualified personnel to conduct testing, try to convince processors that energy savings in dryers is not worth talking about.

  • Consistency of Dried Materials

    Proper, uniform drying aids in the prevention of defects (see Drying Performance Issues) and assists in the molding or extrusion process.   Molding times and extrusion rates can be optimized and increased by: Drying uniformly to a consistently low moisture levelMaintaining a constant temperatureKeeping your drying system in good condition (See Dryer Maintenance)Using new technology dryers to avoid temperature or dew point spikes and other inconsistencies See Modern Dryers vs.

  • Drying Performance Issues

    Visible/Aesthetic Defects/Descriptive Terms: Blister: A raised area on the surface of a part caused by the pressure of gases inside the part expanding, but not breaking the surface.

  • Primer: Hygroscopic VS Non-Hygroscopic Resins

    Hygroscopic Resins (i.e., Nylon, ABS, Acrylic, Polyurethane, Polycarbonate, PET, PBT,) Have a strong affinity to attract moistureWill absorb moisture onto their molecular structure if exposed to ambient airInternal moisture can not be removed with hot air alone Water vapor surrounding a hygroscopic pellet is absorbed into the pellet.

  • Drying Parameters

    Heat is the first fundamental drying parameter for all polymers.

  • Dryers Use Less Energy to Dry PET

    Novatec Inc., Baltimore (novatec.com), is introducing two patented dryer control technologies intended to cut energy costs for processors of PET.

  • NPE News Wrap-up: Resin Dryers

    At least 16 companies introduced new dryers at the big show in Chicago. The new models span a range of drying technologies, but most sport features that save space and cost and make the dryers simpler and more reliable.

  • Infrared Drum Dryers Coming in Smaller Sizes

    An energy-saving, high-speed infrared resin dryer, originally designed for high-volume processing will soon be available in a version for smaller throughputs.

  • New PET Dryer Is More Compact And Recycles Heat

    A new wheel-type desiccant dryer is said to save both energy and floorspace.

  • Easily Expandable Conveying Control System

    New FlexMaster conveying control system from Novatec, Inc., Baltimore, is designed for easy expandability at low cost and with minimal wiring.

  • Simple ‘Bus’ Network Links Vacuum Loaders

    The new FlexBus control system, based on the CAN-bus network concept, uses a single cable to connect a vacuum pump with one or many individually controlled receivers and easily accommodates addition of more stations.

  • How to Minimize Problems With Gravimetric Blenders

    The first and best way to avoid blending problems is to choose the right gravimetric blender for the application.

  • Infrared Crystallizes and Dries PET Faster and with Less Energy

    In the search for ways to dry hygroscopic resins faster and more efficiently, infrared energy is an approach that many dryer makers find intriguing and potentially promising.

  • The new Glass-Vu loading system from Novatec, Inc., Baltimore, includes cylindrical loaders, receivers, and machine-mount hoppers that have large, wrap-around glass midsections to give a clear view of the loading process and aid in setup.

  • HOW TO COMPARE DRYERS? A Complex Challenge With No Simple Answers

    Is one type of resin dryer faster or more energy-efficient than another? That question prompts competing claims from suppliers—but very little concrete data. When one vendor performed controlled tests to get some answers, its results, published here for the first time, prompted further debate about the difficulties of making valid comparisons and the many complex issues involved in dryer selection.

  • Low-Cost Gravimetric Feeder from a New Source

    A gravimetric color feeder for up to 35 lb/hr is said to offer the accuracy of loss-in-weight feeding for the price of a volumetric model.

  • Two suppliers of auxiliary equipment have joined forces to offer a broader portfolio.

  • Two suppliers recently came out with smaller models of dryers aimed at low-throughput processing on small machines. . Economical compressed-air membrane dryers are now available in sizes for injection molders of tiny medical components.

  • A novel three-hopper system is designed to facilitate quick material changes at the processing machine.

  • NPE 2006 News Wrap-Up: Materials Handling: A Host of Refinements and Updates

    NPE 2006 held no revolutionary changes in dryers, blenders, feeders, loaders, or conveying controls, but widely adopted improvements make the newest models easier to use and maintain—and easier on the budget, too.

  • A private group of investors led by two experienced executives in the plastics auxiliary equipment business has purchased Novatec, Inc., Baltimore.

  • What to See at NPE 2006: Materials and Parts Handling

    Dryers, feeders, blenders, loaders, metal detectors, level sensors, mechanical and pneumatic conveyors, silos, bins, pumps, filters, valves, box fillers, bag dumpers, and materials-handling control systems constitute one of the biggest categories of products on display at NPE.

  • All-Electric Plant Gets World-Class Results

    In mid-2004, Delphi Connection Systems, part of Tier 1 automotive supplier Delphi Corp.’s Packard Electric operations, flipped the switch on a new 190,000-sq-ft, $58-million plant in Vienna Township, Ohio.

  • How to Get a Handle on Materials-Handling Problems

    The best way to avoid materials-handling problems is to design and install the system properly in the beginning.

  • Numerous improvements to compressed-air membrane dryers from Baltimore-based Novatec, Inc., will be on display at the NPE show in June.

  • At the giant NPE show in Chicago this June, Baltimore-based Novatec, Inc. will introduce what it describes as a "revolutionary" new dryer/crystallizer for PET.

  • Resin Dryers: Which Type Is Right for You?

    Processors today face bewildering choices of at least five basic types of dryers, whose capabilities are subject to conflicting claims from equipment suppliers. For the buyer, the most basic questions are: How much drying is needed for the job and which dryer types are up to the task?

  • All-Electric, Automated and Super-Efficient

    The goal was to handle more different parts and materials and higher production volumes with fewer people and less inventory and floor space than any other plant in the company.

  • NPE Newsfinder: Materials & Parts Handling

    From pneumatic systems that deliver materials to the processing machine to conveyors and handling devices that pull parts out the back, the trend appears to be “smaller and smarter.” NPE 2000 will show lots of downsized auxiliaries designed for mini processing machines, as well as more compact equipment of every size that frees up floor space.

  • NPE News Wrap-Up: Materials Handling

    The big show in Chicago presented more new loaders, feeders, blenders, and conveying controls than you could count. They’re more flexible, easier to maintain, and easier to control. Many are web-enabled, and some are lower in cost.

  • Take the guesswork out of drying with new technology.

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