News & Press Releases

Plastics-Processing Expert Joins R&B Plastics Machinery

Tim Womer Known for Screw Designs, Patents and Best-Practice Seminars

March 8, 2011

A recognized authority in plastics machinery and processing has joined R&B Plastics Machinery LLC as its Chief Process Consultant. Tim Womer, a 35-year veteran of the plastics industry, is well-known for his expertise in screw design and process trouble- shooting in the extrusion and blow molding sectors of the plastics-processing industry. He also has significant experience in rubber, thermoplastic and thermoset materials.

"We are pleased to have Tim Womer working with R&B’s engineering, sales and manufacturing staff. His responsibilities will include process consulting and screw design. Tim will be a key member of our MAX Impact™ screw-design team," explained Al Hodge, president of R&B Holdings LLC, which includes R&B Plastics Machinery.

R&B is launching its own line of trademarked MAX Impact™ feed-screws to complement its machinery lines. Having Womer’s expertise in screw design and melt-flow analysis adds a new level of process support to the company, Hodge said.

Seminar-Presenter with Rich History
Womer is a well-known speaker at industry events. He has served as a technical consultant for professional organizations and presented many papers at annual conferences such as ANTEC, the Society of Plastics Engineering (SPE) Extrusion Division, the Wire Association and TAPPI (Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industries). He also has presented at various SPI technical sessions. As an independent consultant, he has lectured throughout the world at businesses as well as universities with Polymer Engineering programs such as Penn State University/Behrand, the University of North Carolina/Chapel Hill, the University of Massachusetts/Lowell and more.

He describes himself "as a life-long learner" and admits he’s a "gear-head and an inventor." Womer holds numerous patents for inventions in machine screws, screw mixers and other products and processes. He also has extensive knowledge and experience in heat-transfer rolls used in the plastic sheet and paper-laminating fields.

Prior to joining R&B Plastics Machinery, Womer was the Global Corporate Technical Advisor for Xaloy, Inc, after first serving as Chief Technical Officer for the corporation. Womer joined Xaloy with that company’s acquisition of New Castle Industries in 2003. Earlier in his career, he served in leadership positions in engineering, research and development at Spirex Corp., Conair, Inc. and NRM Corp. He began as independent consultant in plastics-process engineering for major clients engaged in extrusion, blow molding and injection molding.

Service Earned Honors, Awards
Womer is one of only five individuals in the 70-year history of SPE to be honored with all three of its top awards: He is a "Fellow of the Society" sponsored by the SPE’s Extrusion Division and a Distinguished Member of the Society, and in 2010 received the Honored Service Award, which is presented to less than five-percent of the SPE membership.

In addition, Womer was President of SPE for the 2006-2007 term, and has served on the ANTEC Technical Paper Review Board for over 20-years. He served SPE in numerous capacities, including Chairperson of SPE’s Extrusion Division. In 2009, Tim received the prestigious Bruce Maddock Award for his contributions to development and research work in the area of single-screw extrusion.

Womer also served on the Executive Committee of the SPI/NPE Show Committee from 1995 thru 2005, including Chair of the Conference and Seminar Committee for both NPE (National Plastics Exhibition) and Plastics USA, both sponsored by the Society of Plastics Industry (SPI). He was the liaison between SPE and SPI regarding conferences for these two societies.

Presently, he serves on the Educational Committee for the 2012 NPE Show. Womer also is a member of the Plastics Pioneers Association. This group has a chartered membership of distinguished members honored for their expertise and long-term service to the industry. He also is President of TWWomer and Associates a consulting business to the plastics industry.

R&B Plastics Machinery is privately owned by the Talon Group LLC based in Gross Pointe, MI.

"The Melt Meister" at work.