Editor's SpotlightEditor's Spotlight

Volumetric Feeders
VF-series volumetric feeders feature modular construction and are built in a range of sizes from 2 to 6 in. in diameter. The feeders do not require the use of tools and can be disassembled quickly. In addition, augers can be removed from either end. They are well suited to feeding enrobers and liquefiers where space in front of the feeder is limited. A set of slider bars makes disassembly safe and easy. Features include air-purged seal and hinged components that both hinge and slide clear for cleaning. The feeders are suitable for food, USDA dairy, and chemical applications.
HAF Equipment Inc., Centerville, MN 651-653-5098 www.hafequipment.com

Volumetric Feeders
Tecweigh Volumetric feeders feature a simple, effective design. The polyurethane Flex-Feed hopper is stronger, more resilient, and more abrasion resistant than vinyl. No cracks or ledges exist to collect material. The hopper interlocks with the cabinet for a tight seal. The patented auger and feed tube designs allow for quick, toolless removal and reassembly. The feeders are flexible enough to accommodate a wide variety of dry materials, from fine powders to large pellets. Three different feeder sizes can move from 0.003 to more than 900 cu ft/hr.
Tecnetics Industries Inc., St. Paul, MN 800-536-4880 www.tecweigh.com

Weigh Feeders
The Model 407 series of “weight-loss” weigh feeders features a compact design with a small footprint, resulting in low overall space requirements. The feeders offer a variety of metering mechanisms that can feed a broad range of even the most difficult-to-handle dry solid materials. They feature a high-resolution “non-load-cell”-based weighing mechanism that never requires field calibration or adjustment. This rugged equipment is specifically designed for the industrial environment and offers a standard unconditional five-year guarantee on the entire weighing mechanism-including the electronics.
Acrison Inc., Moonachie, NJ 201-440-8300 www.acrison.com

Feeder/Spreader
To satisfy an array of general spreading and seasoning applications, the PosiPortion Feeder can now be equipped with specially designed elongated distribution nozzles. This feature is ideal for extending into a coating drum, distributing product across a moving belt, or keeping a long-surge hopper evenly filled.
Hapman, Kalamazoo, MI 800-427-6260 www.hapman.com

Arch-Breaking Screw Feeder
This compacting screw feeder that removes air from particulate solids is ideal for increasing a bulk solid’s density before packaging, predensifying a solid prior to roll or plunger compaction, or replacing air with a different gas. With its patented arch-breaking Diamondback hopper, it retrofits existing bins to minimize flooding, flushing, and erratic flow, while providing consistent densification. It has a recirculation chamber that redirects escaping fine solids back into the screw feeder and can include gas injection nozzles for replacing one gas with another. The chamber design also prevents overfeeding because the portion of the feed screw that conveys the solids through the recirculation chamber moves the solids faster than the portion that introduces the solids into the recirculation chamber.
Diamondback Technology Inc., Atascadero, CA 805-544-3775 www.diamondbacktechnology.com

Low-Rate Feeder
The hopper on this low-rate feeder can hold enough powder to supply a processing line for eight hours. The dust-free, self-contained feeder and pneumatic conveying system is ideal for accurately metering and conveying powders for short distances at flow rates between 0.015 and 1.25 cu ft/hr. USDA dairy-accepted models are available. The filter housing, screw, and tube can be disassembled without tools, minimizing the time required for inspection and cleaning. A venturi eductor entrains the powder into the conveying air stream. A regenerative blower is sized for the conveying duty and is equipped with a HEPA filter. All models are preassembled and tested at the factory. Hopper cover and casters are standard.
Nu-Con Equipment, Chanhassen, MN 877-939-0510 www.nucon.com

Feeder Control Module
The KCM feeder control module integrates control and motor-drive modules directly on the feeder, with an option for remote mounting for special industrial environments. It is available with an integrated operator-interface keypad display or as a “blind” cover with status display. It can also be used with K-Tron’s three remote operator interfaces: KSU II for one feeder at a time; K-Vision for up to 16 feeders in one line; and KSC Smart Commander, a PC-based interface for up to 30 feeders in multiple process lines. The KCM can function either as a volumetric or a gravimetric feeder controller; it supports all K-Tron feeders that are equipped with SFT II or SFT III load cells and can control volumetric feeders, loss-in-weight feeders, weigh belt feeders, Smart flowmeters, and PID applications.
K-Tron Process Group, Pitman, NJ 856-589-0500 www.ktron.com

Boot-Mounted Rotary Feeders
These boot-mounted rotary feeders are easy to install and retrofit on all bucket conveyors from 9 to 48 in. wide, providing a controlled and efficient feed. The feeders are powered by two vibratory motors, which are mounted directly onto the load unit of existing bucket conveyors and elevators. This assures a controlled, consistent, and effective fill and expands both conveyor and elevator capabilities. Designed to transfer the product at a velocity consistent with bucket travel for gentle handling, small amounts of the bulk material from the vibratory feeders are conveyed onto the bucket elevators and conveyors at a low flow rate using minimal energy. As a result, most spillage and the need for dust extraction at the point of load are eliminated.
Gough Econ, Charlotte, NC 800-264-6844 www.goughecon.com

Screw Feeder
Built to withstand the harshest of environments, the heavy-duty and configurable HC Mechatron feeder handles a high volume of dry bulk solid materials. It is designed to accommodate feed rates in excess of 1100 cu ft/hr and head loads of up to 5000 lb. Gravimetric configurations feature a cast aluminum and stainless-steel-free conical flexible hopper with external paddle agitation; ac drive packages; 3300-lb, 6600-lb, and 13,020-lb scale configurations; and fully integrated and prewired controls. The feeder can be disassembled quickly from the nonprocess side, making it easy to perform material changeovers and routine maintenance. Volumetric models are also available.
Schenck AccuRate, Whitewater, WI 800-606-9248 www.accuratefeeders.com

Touch-Screen Operator Interface
OP5 is part of the field-proven single-cable-connection (SCC) industrial field bus system. Up to 16 weigh feeders (loss in weight, weigh belt, Coriolis bulk solids flowmeter, etc.) are connected together and to the operator interface by just one cable. A feeder-mounted motor drive and control (NEMA 4/12 enclosures) result in greatly reduced wiring to the compact control enclosure (OP5). Operation from the 6½-in. color display is easy. Self-explaining touch areas are clearly arranged on the touch screen. Based on the Windows operating system, the display enables intuitive operation and observation of the feeding process. Operator training time and risk of adjustment error are reduced.
Brabender Technologie Inc., Mississauga, ON, Canada 888-284-4574 www.brabenderti.com