Water Depth Gauge

Manufactured from Simona® Polytone co-extruded HDPE (High Density Polyethylene) using a colour combination of White/Black/White this water depth gauge provides a practical solution due to the inherent properties of HDPE and the ease at which it can be manufactured.

Made from one-piece multi-coloured solid sheet it provides benefits such as chemical resistance, UV resistance, impact resistance and very low water absorption. All critical characteristics for such an application when you need to know the depth of flood waters. This depth indicator will also withstand the harshest of environments including highly corrosive and acidic solutions that would otherwise lead to corrosion if using standard aluminium depth gauges.

Plastral are the exclusive distributor of Simona® HDPE solid sheet and rod products throughout Australia and New Zealand. Part of this range includes the multi-coloured Simona® Polytone sheet which sets the bar high with its combination of long-term performance, durability, appearance, ease of fabrication and consistency.

For outdoor applications this tough, UV resistant sheet withstands long term exposure to sun, salt water and rigorous use. Simona® Polytone will not splinter, rot or delaminate and its integral colouring hides scratches and marring that would ruin painted surfaces. Its stain resistance, easy-to-clean matte surface and wide spectrum of integral colours further assure long lasting appearance and functionality.

During fabrication it maintains exceptional flatness and dimensional stability for high production yields and finished part quality. Simona® Polytone sheet can be sawn, routered, drilled and machined using standard woodworking equipment and fabricators appreciate its advantages especially in thicker gauges for large flat, formed or machined parts.

At Plastral we are always willing to assist you in finding the best solution for your application so please reach out to us should you wish to learn more or download the brochure for more detailed product and technical information.

Our Products, your ideas

In a recent development, a distillery in South Australia faced a significant challenge in streamlining their bottle packaging process. The company was struggling with the time-consuming task of shrinking sleeves on their gin bottles, which are produced in the winery region. The issue primarily stemmed from the use of a Makita heat gun by a member of the packaging team. This method not only hampered production speed but also led to inconsistent cap formation, resulting in defects that affected the quality assurance process and delayed shipments to customers. Additionally, the repetitive use of the heat gun was causing physical strain on the operator, especially during long 7-hour shifts.

To address these issues, the distillery sought a more efficient solution. After evaluating various options, they decided to trial a new system designed to enhance the packaging process. The trial proved successful, prompting the distillery to invest in the following equipment:

• Hotwind Premium 230V #142.609: This advanced heat tool offered superior performance compared to the traditional heat gun, significantly improving the efficiency of the sleeve shrinking process.
• Sieve Reflector 45×75 #106.143: This reflector was designed to focus heat precisely where it was needed, ensuring consistent application and reducing defects.
• Shell Reflector 65×400 #106.174: Suitable for larger neck bottles, this reflector further optimized the heat application process, catering to the diverse range of bottle sizes used by the distillery.

The adoption of this new system brought several additional benefits beyond solving the immediate issues. Firstly, the new setup led to significant savings on labour costs. By enhancing the efficiency of the sleeve shrinking process, the distillery was able to reduce the amount of time needed for this task, thereby freeing up valuable staff resources for other important duties within the production line.

Moreover, the new system contributed to a safer working environment. The previous method posed a risk of repetitive strain injuries to the operator’s arm, which could potentially lead to workcover claims. The upgraded equipment mitigated this risk, providing a safer alternative that minimized the physical strain on staff.

In summary, the transition to a more advanced heat shrinking system not only resolved the production speed and quality issues but also resulted in cost savings and improved workplace safety. This case highlights the importance of investing in the right equipment to enhance operational efficiency and ensure better outcomes for both the company and its employees.

Many of Leister’s tools utilize a lock pin to hold the nozzle in position during welding and cooldown. The lock pin is designed to snap if excessive force is put on the heater in order to prevent more expensive damage to the tool.

The most common reason for a lock pin to bend or break is the tool being lifted or carried incorrectly. The correct methods of carrying the tool are with both hands under the frame, or with one hand under the frame and the other holding the black carrying handle.

In this guide, parts will be referred to using the numbers indicated in the VARIMAT V drawing below. As an example, see lock pin (79).

Tools needed:

• 3/32″ punch and 1/4″ punch
• Hammer
• 7/64″ steel dowel (a 7/64” drill bit is a great substitute and is more commonly owned)
• Long-nose vise grip
• Tools which may be needed:
• Type 7WR vise grip
• Small flat screwdriver

Method:

Punch out the roll pin (76) with the 3/32″ punch and hammer. Be careful not to hit the side of the trigger or the tool holder (146) with the punch. While keeping a finger on the spring (77) so that it does not fly away, hold the trigger (78) and pull out the punch. Pull out the trigger and the spring together.

Remove the lock pin(79):

If the lock pin is bent, pry it out with a vise grip.

If the lock pin is broken and some of it is stuck in the hole:

Tip the tool so that the nozzle points upward as steeply as possible. Rock the heater up and down.

Pull at the broken piece of lock pin with the small flat screwdriver to draw it out.

​If you are unable to remove the entire lock pin please send the tool in for repair at PLASTRAL.

Install the new lock pin with the flat middle section facing where the trigger will be.

For the UNIROOF AT or ST the flat section is off-center. The new lock pin must be installed with the flat section closer to the trigger.

Install the spring and trigger together:

Ensure that the trigger fits into the flat section of the lock pin, and that the hole in the trigger is in line with the holes in the tool holder.

Hold the trigger in place and feed your dowel (or the blunt end of your drill bit) through the lower hole in the tool holder, through the trigger, and partway through the upper hole in the tool holder. This will keep the trigger in place and aligned while you re-insert the roll pin.

Hold the roll pin with the clamped vise grips with very light pressure so that the roll pin is not crushed. This works best if the vise grips are positioned a third of the way up the roll pin.

Feed the roll pin into the upper hole of the tool holder while twisting it back and forth with the vise grip. Adjust the vise grip as necessary. It can also be helpful to make slight positional adjustments with the trigger during this process, to reduce resistance on the roll pin.

If the roll pin stops making forward progress, tap it gently with the hammer. Be careful not to hammer the roll pin against the side of the trigger or tool holder (on the inside). It can help to press forward on the trigger while tapping the roll pin.

When the roll pin is so far in that the vise grip cannot grip it, carefully tap the roll pin with the hammer until the roll pin is completely inserted.

Disassembly:

The welding shoe must only be changed when the tool has attained its operating temperature. Wear temperature resistant gloves.

Remove the welding shoe holder (17) by unfastening the clamp screws (18) from the extruder nozzle (19)

Every time the welding shoe is changed, clean the extruder nozzle (19) of welding residue. The extruder nozzle has a left-handed thread. Make sure that the nozzle is screwed in tight by turning it counter-clockwise using a 13 mm wrench.

Remove the welding shoe (5) from the welding shoe holder (17) by either

Unfastening the fastening screws (20), or

In the case of an older shoe, unfastening the four screws at the rear of the welding shoe holder

Assembly:

Use a welding shoe (5) appropriate to the welding seam

So that extrudate will not leak from behind the shoe, check that either

The two mount holes in the side of the shoe are round and not worn oval, or that

The four screws from the rear are not stripped so that they cannot be tightened properly.

Fasten the welding shoe (5) onto the welding shoe holder (17) with fastening screws (20) or the four screws at the rear

Place the welding shoe holder (17) over the extruder nozzle (19). Make sure that the welding shoe is far enough back so that it overlaps all the way around or air will leak behind the welding shoe holder.

If at any time air is coming out behind the shoe, loosen the clamp screws (18) and turn the welding shoe holder one way and then the other while pushing the welding shoe holder further back. Tighten the clamp screws (18). If air continues to leak, replace the shoe.

Welding direction:

The welding shoe (5) can be turned to any desired welding direction by loosening the clamp screws (18)

The clamp screws (18) must be tightened well again afterwards

Digitally controlled manual hot air blowers and automatic welding machines from Leister and Weldy have been equipped with the eco mode function since 2019. This puts them in a pioneering role worldwide. Users in all branches of industry and many different sectors rely on hot air blowers and automatic welding machines to process, shape and join thermoplastics. For example, the SOLANO AT hot air gun in the automotive industry for work on car interiors, for carrying out repairs on plastic parts such as bumpers, and for shrinking and processing individual cables and cable harnesses. By activating the eco mode function, they save energy and costs and extend the service life of their hot air blower.

In addition, the eco mode makes work more pleasant, because during work breaks, manual hot air blowers and automatic welding machines are quiet and do not produce unnecessary hot air that heats up the environment. This in turn saves energy for cooling, which would otherwise have to be used in large workshops, for example.