Hopper: EPS beads, which are small polystyrene pellets, are loaded into a hopper located at the top of the machine. The hopper feeds the beads into the subsequent stages of the process.
Pre-Expanding Chamber: The EPS beads are transferred from the hopper to the pre-expanding chamber. In this chamber, the beads are exposed to steam and heat, causing them to expand. The steam penetrates the beads, softening the polystyrene and vaporizing the pentane gas inside, creating a cellular structure within the material.
Expansion Control: EPS expander machines are equipped with controls to regulate the steam flow, temperature, and expansion time. These controls allow the operator to achieve consistent expansion and control the density and size of the expanded beads.