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Weighing
January 4, 2012
6 Min Read
.svg?width=850&auto=webp&quality=95&format=jpg&disable=upscale "Weighing")
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Plant-Wide Weigh Batching SystemThis automated plant-wide weigh batching system simultaneously weighs up to seven major ingredients received in bulk bags and unlimited minor ingredients received in 50-lb sacks, pails, or boxes, and conveys weighed batches to a downstream blender. Components include: five loss-of-weight Bulk-Out bulk bag dischargers with large surge hoppers and rotary airlock valves; two loss-of-weight Bulk-Out bulk bag dischargers with small surge hoppers and flexible screw conveyors; two loss-of-weight bag dump stations with flexible screw conveyors; a check-weighing hopper; a Twin-Centerpost bulk bag filler; a Pneumati-con dilute-phase pneumatic conveying system including blower, filter receiver, and conveying lines; and a programmable controls package. Weighed ingredients are conveyed pneumatically to a filter receiver that discharges the batch into a mezzanine-level, high-capacity blender mounted on load cells, providing confirmation of final batch weight. Blended batches are gravity discharged into a paper sack filling machine or a bulk bag filler. Flexicon Corp., Bethlehem, PA 888-353-9426 www.flexicon.com
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High-Speed Net-Weigh ScaleThe RT 7000 is a net-weigh bagging machine with exact weighments, high production capacity, and operator features in one package. A gravity-fed, primary fill cycle is complemented by a vibratory-fed, secondary cycle to provide fast rates and precise accuracy when packaging free-flowing products like grains, pet foods, or granular products. Features include: weights from 15 to 110 lb; automatic calibration; electronically-controlled, adjustable flow gates; infinite vibrator trim fill; simplex or duplex configuration. Taylor Products, Parsons, KS 888-882-9567 www.taylorproducts.com
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Batch AutomationThe PRO Series batch automation allows formulas to be manually or electronically entered into the system, and the control system will automatically make sure that the proper amount of ingredients are measured into each scale and that the material is transferred to the mixing operation where proper mixing cycle is handled including mix time and transfer of ingredients to packaging or bulk load out. The PRO Series blend automation allows formulas to be manually or electronically entered into the system, and the control system will automatically make sure that the proper ratio of liquid and dry ingredients are proportioned and blended into a homogeneous mixture. Micro scales offer conical and rectangular scale hoppers with capacities from 55-550 l and from 10-100 kg. Scales are available with integral ingredient hoppers with feeders and mechanical agitation. Hopper sizes from 140-700 l are available. APEC, Lake Odessa, MI 616-374-1000 www.apecusa.com
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Continuous Weigh FeedersBetter-Weigh continuous feeders provide gravimetric feeding of dry bulk materials where it is necessary to determine actual feed rates on a loss-of-weight basis. Available in seven models with feed rates from 1 to 550 cu ft/hr (larger sizes available), Better-Weigh feeders are designed to provide feeding in either batch or continuous mode, depending upon the arrangement of the feeder’s control electronics. In batch mode, the batch controller is used to control the fast (bulk) and slow (dribble) speeds of the feeder. Accuracies of ±0.5% can be easily achieved in 2-lb or less batches, and ±0.25% with 3-lb or greater batches with time spans of 30 to 90 seconds. In continuous mode, the feeder’s electronic controller is used to constantly monitor loss-of-weight of material per time in order to maintain a continuous loss-of-weight with an accuracy of ±0.25% to 0.50%. Metalfab Inc., Vernon, NJ 800-764-2999 www.metalfabinc.com
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Weight Controller for Bagging SystemsTwo choices of weight controllers work with the E55 net weigh scale: the SpeedAc NXT for stand-alone and basic applications, and the SpeedAc PLC, which uses an Allen-Bradley controller to perform the weight control. The SpeedAc PLC can be stand alone (the scale has its own PLC and interface), or it can share the interface of the bagger for system integration (when PLC provides both machines). This saves time and reduces the risk of errors since only one interface is needed to enter the recipe and monitor the scale and bagger. The SpeedAc NXT uses a state-of-the-art, microprocessor-controlled technology to provide precise bag weights for various bulk materials. Premier Tech Chronos,
Rivière-du-Loup, QC, Canada 418-868-8324 www.ptchronos.com
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Digital Load CellsSmart Force Transducer digital load cells incorporate exclusive filtering algorithms that continuously identify and extract spurious weight readings from the weight measurement, even in severe process environments. Precise feeding, batching, and metering of bulk solids begins with precision weighing. Achieving high gravimetric feeding performance in the process line requires discriminating between material weight data and the contaminating effects of forces induced from ambient vibration and shock. K-Tron Process Group/K-Tron Feeders, Pitman, NJ 856-256-3265 www.ktron.com
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Explosion-Proof IndicatorsCombics 3 EX indicators are ideally suited for use in hazardous locations where explosive gas, fiber, and dust mixtures occur. They combine a variety of applications (counting, checkweighing, filling), communication options (RS232, Ethernet TCP/IP, Devicenet, Profibus) and an intrinsic safety that’s FM approved for Classes 1, 2, and 3, Division 1, Groups A, B, C, D, E, F, and G, and temperature class T4. If you combine the Combics 3 Ex indicator with a Combics Ex platform, a 30,000d, FM-approved, versatile solution for your hazardous area application can be achieved. Sartorius, Bohemia, NY 631-254-4249 www.sartorius-mechatronics.com
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High-Speed Net WeigherThe BEST Model NW-50 food-grade net-carton-filling system feeds 20-30 lb of snack-food chips to 16x20 in. cartons at four cartons per minute with an accuracy of ±0.1 lb. Cartons are indexed into position, filled, vibrated, and moved out on a powered-roller conveyor. The filling machines feature rugged, long-lasting components that require minimum maintenance. Metso, Brunswick, OH 800-827-9237 www.bestvibes.com
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Minor/Micro Ingredient SystemThis system maintains accuracy regardless of supply bin capacity or the number of automated ingredients. Each module can feed and weigh from 1-12 ingredients, and modules can be combined to provide 32 or more materials within a single system. These modules are able to process multiple scales simultaneously, maximizing production speed. Continuous weigh blending can be provided when modules are integrated with a continuous mixing system. Multiple scale hoppers can reduce or even eliminate product cross contamination. The modular design allows for future expansion or modification. PC & PLC provides real-time batching data such as weights, batching status, alarm conditions, and batch history. Prater-Sterling, Bolingbrook, IL 630-759-9595 www.prater-sterling.com
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