Where Materials and Minds Meet

Retrofits: creative additions

An in-line retrofit can help converters avoid "one-size-fits-all" installations, Burie maintains. In fact, creativity is an almost mandatory starting point.

Converters who must expend extra effort to solve a tricky application may turn to used equipment to balance the budget side of the situation. "A new line that could run $850,000 might only cost $250,000 if bought used, as is, or as little as $450,000 if bought used and reconditioned," observes Matt Tielkemeier, Dri-Tec VP/GM. "Once the converter gets to capacity, he'll order a new machine. Or, new drives and computer controls can be added to old equipment to bring it close to new."