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Processing & Handling

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Weighing and Dosing

| By Gerald Ondrey

Pressure compensation ups accuracy in LIW feeders

Loss-in-weight (LIW) feeder performance is dependent on accurate weighing, which can be affected by a variety of influences. In a closed system, pressure variations, such as backpressure from a downstream mixer or extruder or air pressure in the hopper due to a clogged filter, can affect the weight reading of the scale and therefore feeding accuracy. Electronic Pressure Compensation (EPC; photo) is a simple yet effective alternative to traditional mechanical pressure compensation. EPC has been shown to significantly improve feeding accuracy of gravimetric feeders in closed systems and can be less expensive than traditional solutions. In addition, the electronic solution is more effective and reliable, maintenance free and easy to retrofit on existing systems. — Coperion K-Tron (Switzerland) LLC, Niederlenz, Switzerland

www.coperion.com

A mobile batch-weighing system rolls to where needed

Offered as an option, the mobile Batch-Weigh system (photo) was developed to enable powder processors to safely and easily roll the screw conveying system from one tank, vessel, mixer, hopper or other location to another, or from one processing line to another, without investing in multiple powder-conveying systems. The conveyor can be used to automatically transfer, weigh and dispense precise amounts of powders, pellets, flakes and other bulk materials and then be quickly cleaned and rolled to the next location. — Automated Flexible Conveyor, Inc., Clifton, N.J.

www.afcspiralfeeder.com

A dosing pump with many digital features

The DDE pump (photo) offers a cost-effective Digital Dosing solution with basic functions for simple applications and covers a wide flow range of up to 52 gal/h and up to 145 psi. Setting dosing capacity from 0.1 to 100% is easy on the intuitive user interface. The PR and P control variants offer pulse control and inputs for external stop, low level and empty tank signals. The PR control variant also offers relay setting of alarm, warning, stroke signal and pump dosing, as well as two output relays. The larger DDE XL AR is available in flow range over 15 gal/h and allows analog input control in addition to the PR features. — Grundfos Americas Corp., Lenexa, Kan.

www.grundfos.us

Continuous processors permit lot traceability

Continuous Processors (photo) enable food, nutrition, chemical, pharmaceutical and other manufacturers to track and trace lots in a continuous-processing environment. Devised to support compliance with the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), the Continuous Processors can establish a positive cutoff for lot traceability from nearly any desired point based on volume, weight, time, shift, raw material lot or other criteria. The processors mix, blend, react, compound, crystallize, encapsulate, and perform other processes with multiple liquid, dry and viscous materials in a single step. The result at discharge meets specifications for moisture, texture, color, uniformity and other properties as targeted. — Readco Kurimoto, LLC, York, Pa.

www.readco.com

Robotic sample preparation increases productivity

Automation and robotics relieve scientists of tedious, time-consuming and repetitive work while enhancing speed, improving accuracy and enabling faster product development. Chronect XPR robotic powder-dispensing can ease bottlenecks in screening preparation and open new perspectives in high-throughput experimentation. Automated weighing with Chronect XPR provides ultra-accurate, safe and reliable robotic powder dispensing. With such an unattended, automated screening preparation that runs overnight, users can simply continue with the reactions in the morning, thus eliminating this tedious step in their experimentation. Laboratory automation can reduce process errors by 50% and increase productivity by up to 75%, says the company. — Mettler-Toledo GmbH, Greifensee, Switzerland

www.mt.com

Dose harsh chemicals with this maintenance-free pump

The Chem-Feed CD1 multi-diaphragm pump (photo) is engineered to ensure almost no maintenance. The patented single-layer DiaFlex diaphragm has been designed to last the life of the pump. The pump can be used for dosing with gas-forming chemicals, such as peracetic acid or sodium hypochlorite. The pump is self-priming, will not vapor lock and is easy to install and operate. The pump delivers a dosing rate of up to 7.70 gal/h (29.2 L/h) of harsh chemicals. — Blue-White Industries Ltd., Huntington Beach, Calif.

www.blue-white.com

This batch system has an integral conveyor

The automated Bulk Bag Weigh Batching System (photo) meters ingredients into a Flexi-Disc Tubular Cable Conveyor that transports batches of a specified weight to downstream processing equipment, dust-free. The Bulk-Out BFC Series bulk-bag discharger features a cantilevered I-beam with electric hoist and trolley for loading and unloading of bulk bags without the use of a forklift. Flow-Flexfeeder bag activators raise and lower opposite bottom edges of the bag at timed intervals, promoting continuous and complete discharge of free- and non-free-flowing materials through the bag spout. The discharger rests on load cells that signal a programmable logic controller (PLC) to stop a vibratory feeder that meters material into the conveyor once a pre-programmed batch weight has been metered out. — Flexicon Corp., Bethlehem, Pa.

www.flexicon.com

Versatile feeder handles a wide range of bulk solids

The MechaTron dry material feeder (photo) can handle a wide range of volumetric or gravimetric feeding applications for bulk solid materials, such as TiO2, talc and carbon black. Feed rates from 0.002 to 1,100 ft3/h can be achieved with the MechaTron. Complete disassembly from the non-process side of the feeder eliminates the need to remove upper extension hoppers, bins, bulk bags and intermediate bulk containers (IBCs) to clean or maintain the feeder. Flexible or all-stainless-steel hoppers are available to accommodate any unique dry material feeding application. — Schenck Process LLC, Whitewater, Wis.

www.schenckprocess.com

Twin-screw feeder delivers precise batch weight

The Model TSF twin-screw feeder (photo) is designed for precise batching and weighing applications. The feeder’s dual-helix design combines fast, high-volume filling with accurate dribble flow at the end of the cycle. Its compact design is ideal when limited space prohibits multiple individual screw units. Two helixes (1.5- and 4-in. dia.) are mounted on a hopper and deliver 17 and 283 ft3/h feedrates, respectively, at maximum speed with 100%-efficient conveyable product and no slippage. TSF is ideal for batching to weigh-hoppers; low loss-in-weight scale-monitored flow; low loss-of-weight batch applications with scales; drum and pail packout lines; and recipe-type batching by multiple computer-controlled units. — Best Process Solutions, Inc., Brunswick, Ohio

www.bpsvibes.com

Sleeves weightlessly connect weighing equipment

Developed as a hygienic method for linking processes in food, pharmaceutical, nutrition, chemical and other sanitary processes, the GFT Sleeves (photo) replace cumbersome clamps and polyester and textile sleeves that can trap materials in process with a design that sets the sleeves between two mounting rings to form air-tight, waterproof connections. They are made from food-grade vinyl methyl silicone (VMQ), and disassemble easily for quick cleaning. The line of sleeves comprises five sizes in diameters, ranging from DN 65 to DN 200 mm (2.5 to 8 in.). — Gericke USA, Inc., Somerset, N.J.

www.gerickegroup.com

A smart way to check the weight of food products

Recently introduced to the North American market, the Raptor Checkweigher series (photo) protects consumers and food-producers’ brand reputation, as well as meeting legislative weight requirements. The Raptor Checkweigher also targets operational inefficiencies, including upstream product giveaway, non-conforming food packs and packaging waste. By digitizing the checkweighing process, manufacturers can rapidly achieve productivity gains and save thousands of dollars in product giveaway, the company says. The in-motion, three-belt checkweigher captures thousands of sample readings of individual packs every second. Besides reducing false rejects and product waste, the use of modern network technologies allow for automatic data transmission. With integrated data collection software, everything from trends, pack rates and live OEE (overall equipment efficiency) data is instantly reported. — Fortress Technology Ltd., Toronto, Canada

www.fortresstechnology.com