Münstermann has delivered to Dinex a dryer for diesel particulate filters and catalytic converters with integrated recirculation of the product carriers.

OEM and Aftermarket

Dinex is a manufacturer of exhaust filter systems for passenger cars and commercial vehicles. In addition to supplying OEMs directly, especially in the commercial vehicle sector, Dinex also offers retrofit kits and spare parts for the filter systems. As part of a production expansion, Münstermann designed, built and commissioned a dryer for Dinex. The plant itself is designed for larger production quantities than are necessary for the current demand. The dryer is designed for the future.

Functionality of the dryer

The task of the plant is the drying of ceramic honeycombs which have been previously coated with a precious metal mixture. The ceramic honeycombs are round and have a large number of small channels. The exhaust gas later flows through these channels, and the coating then acts as a catalyst for air purification. In the case of a diesel particulate filter, the ducts are additionally closed so that the fine dust produced is filtered.

Product carriers and special tooling

In order to dry the coating as quickly as possible, a lot of air has to pass through the filter elements. If the filter elements are simply placed on a belt in the dryer, the majority of the air flows around the element. One way of conducting as much air as possible through the elements are product carriers (so-called trays) in which the filter elements are inserted into suitable recesses. The surface around the parts is closed so that the air can only flow through the filters.

Automated return of trays

The trays are conveyed through the dryer via an electromechanical pusher system. The trays are then first placed in an unloading position by a cross transfer unit and then fed back to a return conveyor. On the return line, the trays are again conveyed via an electromechanical feed to the dryer inlet. Loading and unloading of the trays is currently still carried out manually. Automatic loading and unloading at a later date is easy to retrofit, as the trays in the loading and unloading positions are now already positioned precisely and held.

Dryer, handling and automation from a single source

The described project is rather a smaller one. It becomes interesting, because we could win a new customer with Dinex. It is also interesting from another point of view. The project shows very well the advantage how Münstermann Verfahrenstechnik (in this case drying), handling systems and automation technology can be purchased from a single source. One contact at Münstermann for fewer interfaces in the project.