Abstract
Over the last 20 years there have been considerable developments of machinery for polyurethane block foam production, from the very early machines which produced low-height blocks with rounded tops, to the latest flat-top machines producing more economical blocks. For various reasons, which will be discussed later, this development of large-block continuous foam machines has required that the machines be of such high output that they are totally uneconomical for the small- or medium-sized manufacturer. Even for the larger producer this high output restricts production of some low-demand grades.
The need for a lower output has, so far, been met by the single-block moulding machine. This is able to make blocks in the smaller production quantities required but sacrifices both quality and efficiency of operation.
The Vertifoam process is able to achieve the versatility of the single-block machine and at the same time compete in terms of quality and block size with the best of the existing continuous slabstock machines. (Patents covering the Vertifoam process are held by Hyman International Ltd.)
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