The Cactus dryer is mounted directly on the feed throat of the molding machine. Ahopper or loader is mounted to the top of the dryer to provide a continuous supply of resin to the dryer. The resin is supplied directly from the bag, barrel or gaylord and does not require pre-drying.

In operation the plastic resin feeds continuously from the hopper (1) into the throat (2) and down through the body (3) of the dryer. The resin is heated by conduction and radiated heat at this stage. The heat is supplied by electric heater bands (4) mounted on the body. Heat is precisely controlled by a closed loop P.I.D. temperature controller (5). Simultaneously a partial vacuum is generated inside the body of the dryer. The vacuum is generated by a compressed air powered venturi (6). The fast heating causes moisture trapped within the plastic pellet to be forced to the pellet surface. This moisture is carried away by air.

Ambient air enters through an inlet (7) in the lower flange (8), passes over the heater bands, through slots in the body (9) across the plastic resin, picking up the moisture, then, exits via the filter basket (10) and though the venturi to the atmosphere. By the time plastic resin is processed though the body of the dryer and down in the screw of the molding machine, most of the moisture has been removed. Should any remain, the action of the screw causes it to vaporize in the rear zone. These vapors are extracted by the extension tube (11) and out through the venturi.

As a result, all moisture is removed before plasticization and dry resin is injected into the mold.