MTS – Material Transfer System

The Hofmann MTS Material Transfer System is a closed, oil-jacketed screw conveyor system for transferring abrasive and high-viscosity thermoplastic road marking material at high throughput rates. The system dimensions are 2,500 mm (L) x 90 mm (W) x 190–230 mm (H) at a weight of approximately 500 to 610 kg. The screw conveyor rotates at approximately 630 rpm, driven hydraulically at 150 bar hydraulic pressure, delivering a transfer output of approximately 200 liters (approximately 400 kg) in approximately 60 seconds — measured at a material temperature of approximately 180°C using ATM-Material (ThermLite® by GEVEKO Markings) and without a material sieve. An optional hydraulic power unit of 28.0 kW is available, with dimensions of 152 mm (L) x 80 mm (W) x 160 mm (H) and a weight of approximately 580 kg. The system is compatible with both thick-layer thermoplastic application and spray thermoplastic application techniques.

The closed oil-jacketed construction keeps the thermoplastic material at operating temperature throughout the transfer cycle — the oil jacket surrounds the screw conveyor housing and maintains the material viscosity within the required range for consistent flow during transfer. This is critical for abrasive and high-viscosity thermoplastic compounds that would cool, stiffen, and block inside an unheated transfer tube before reaching the marking machine. The screw conveyor mechanism handles the abrasive properties of thermoplastic marking materials — including materials containing glass beads and aggregates — without clogging or requiring frequent maintenance interventions during operational use. The high transfer rate of approximately 400 kg per minute substantially reduces machine refill downtime on high-volume marking projects.

The Hofmann MTS Material Transfer System is deployed on large-scale road marking projects where thermoplastic material must be transferred rapidly from bulk melting cookers or transport containers into road marking machines — including motorway lane marking, airport runway and taxiway marking, and high-volume urban arterial road marking programs where machine downtime for manual refilling would significantly reduce daily output and disrupt traffic management on long marking runs.

Leader Infra supplies this high-throughput closed oil-jacketed screw transfer system for road marking contractors operating thermoplastic and spray thermoplastic marking machines — delivering approximately 400 kg per 60-second transfer cycle at 630 rpm screw speed and 150 bar hydraulic pressure, with full compatibility across thick-layer and spray thermoplastic application techniques.

FAQ — Why does the MTS use a closed oil-jacketed screw system rather than a pump for thermoplastic material transfer? Thermoplastic road marking materials are highly abrasive due to their aggregate and glass bead content, and highly viscous at working temperatures. Conventional pumps wear rapidly against abrasive thermoplastic compounds and struggle to move high-viscosity material consistently. The screw conveyor mechanism physically displaces the material through the closed heated housing by mechanical rotation — tolerating abrasive content without accelerated wear, and maintaining consistent flow of high-viscosity material that a pump could not reliably move at the required transfer rate.