Technology Review 109

June 6, 2007

10 Min Read
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pbs0706p5c.jpgMetal Detectors
S-Tron metal detectors remove both ferrous and nonferrous metals from pneumatically conveyed solids and feature a positive speed control that automatically measures metal particle speeds and adjusts reject timing and duration to minimize loss of good product. Pinch valves prevent pressure loss during discharge. These detectors use high-frequency, triple-coil detection for high sensitivity and have product-effect compensation and EMFI filters to further cut product waste. They are engineered for easy installation and work on both vacuum and pressure systems. High-speed reaction times allow for a compact, space-saving design.
Bunting Magnetics Co., Newton, KS 800-835-2526 www.buntingmagnetics.com

pbs0706p6a.jpgMetal Detector
The APEX 500 high-performance metal detector improves metal detection sensitivity by up to 20% over the previous generation of products. Utilizing new patent-pending multicoil technology, the system increases the effect of the magnetic field in the aperture by more than 1.5 times, enabling the detector to target and amplify signals from much smaller pieces of metal. The platform also incorporates a new shielding technique that reduces the unwanted effects from hard-to-handle, wet, or conductive products. The combination of these two design innovations, along with new digital signal–processing software, allows customers to achieve high sensitivity levels.
Thermo Fisher Scientific, Process Instruments Div., Minneapolis, MN 763-783-2500 www.thermofisher.com

pbs0706p7c.jpgRotary Lobe Blower Packages
Company stocks a full range of 5- to 20-hp Com-paK Plus rotary lobe blower packages that are available for immediate delivery, with most units shipped in one working day. The units include the optimized and proprietary trilobe Omega Plus profile, large motor, silencers, instrumentation, and valves. All maintenance points—including an automatic belt-tensioning device, oil drains, and filter elements—are accessible through the wide-opening canopy on the front. All power and process connections are at the rear, allowing multiple units to be mounted side by side with no need for additional access clearance. The standard sound dampening enclosure lowers typical noise levels to 75 dBA or less.
Kaeser Compressors Inc., Fredericksburg, VA 800-777-7873 www.kaeser.com

pbs0706p8a.jpgSignal Transmitters
The Maxigard C3000-series speed transmitters are used to convert rotational speed to analog outputs. Typical applications include monitoring conveyors, screw feeders, rotary airlocks, mixers, etc., as well as other mechanical material handling or processing equipment. Systems provide a 4–20-mA or 0–10-V dc analog signal output that can be used to interface with variable speed drives, tachometers, PLCs, and other types of control systems. Sensors are designed for industrial applications, have up to a 1-in. gap tolerance, and are unaffected by material buildup, moisture, or misalignment. They include a five-year warranty.
Process Control Systems Inc., Minneapolis, MN 800-328-0738 www.maxigard.com

pbs0706p13b.jpgWorm Gear Clamps
The Micro-series worm gear clamps are manufactured with 300-series stainless-steel housings and bands and come with 5/16 -in.-wide bands. Customers can specify either Series 90037 for zinc-plated worms or Series 90038 for stainless-steel worms. Clamps are available in SAE sizes 4 and 6. Standard-series clamps are also manufactured with 300-series stainless-steel housings and bands, but the Standard series comes with ½-in.-wide bands. Customers can specify the hardware material for the Standard series—Series 90009 for the zinc-plated worms or 90016 for the stainless-steel worms. The Standard series worm gear clamps are available in SAE sizes ranging from 6 to 104.
Clampco Products Inc., Wadsworth, OH 330-336-8850 www.clampco.com

pbs0706p18a.jpgParticulate Processing Consultancy Service
Malvern offers a new consultancy service designed specifically to meet the requirements of the process industries. The service is aimed at helping manufacturers better understand and optimize particulate processing operations. The five-day consultancy package is built around Malvern’s Insitec Voyager, a fully automated, mobile on-line particle size analyzer that is installed at the client’s site and is fully supported throughout by a Malvern process specialist. A typical program involves installation and optimization of sampling, measurement of the current status of the process, running defined test programs, and the generation of comprehensive reports. The goals are to find the best parameters for process control and to test sensitivity to process change. There is an option to rent or buy the Insitec Voyager system after completion of the study.
Malvern Instruments Inc., Southborough, MA 508-480-0200 www.malvern.com

pbs0706p22a.jpgGrinding Mill CD
A mini-CD contains updated literature on the company’s entire line of grinding mills. In addition to pdf files of the company’s corporate brochure and product brochures covering the Union Process line of attritors and small media mills, the CD includes selected technical papers and articles providing additional equipment details. Also offered is literature on grinding media, equipment refurbishing, and particle-size distribution.
Union Process, Akron, OH 330-929-3333 www.unionprocess.com

pbs0706p23a.jpgInfrared Temperature Sensor
The ILA-series infrared temperature sensor is a noncontact sensor that measures temperatures from 32 to 932°F and provides linear 4 to 20 mA, 0 to 5 V dc, or thermocouple output. The two-wire signal is compatible with almost any indicator, controller, recorder, data logger, etc., without the need for special interfacing or signal conditioning. It is suitable for materials such as food, paper, textiles, plastics, leather, tobacco, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, rubber, coal, and asphalt, with pricing starting at $235.
Dwyer Instruments Inc., Michigan City, IN 219-879-8000 www.dwyer-inst.com

pbs0706p26a.jpgProtective Eyewear
New Kleenguard protective eyewear offerings are impact-resistant and ANSI Z87.1+ compliant. They provide 99.9% protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays and are comfortable. Advanced comfort features include cushioned brows, comfortable gel nosepieces, flexible temples, dual wraparound designs, and mirrored lenses. The new products range from standard visitor’s glasses to stylish frames with enhanced comfort and design features. Uses include general maintenance, manufacturing, warehousing, construction, material handling, masonry, clean manufacturing, and food processing. The eye protection offerings feature a simple alphanumeric product selection formula, with the alphabet letter identifying the type of product and the number indicating the type and level of features. Included in the line are Kleenguard V10 standard eye protection, V20 comfort eye protection, V30 flexible eye protection, and V40 contour eye protection.
Kimberly-Clark Professional, Roswell, GA 800-255-6401 www.kc-safety.com/kn

pbs0706p14a.jpgTemperature and Process Indicator
The Series TID temperature and process indicator allows the user to monitor temperature or a process value. Temperature ranges are available from –58° to 302ºF using a PTC or NTC thermistor. Process values can be displayed from –999 to 999 counts using a 4–20-mA signal from one of a variety of transmitters. The process indicator has an adjustable span and zero on the 4–20-mA models. The Series TID is available with a red, green, or blue display.
Dwyer Instruments Inc., Michigan City, IN 800-872-9141 www.dwyer-inst.com

pbs0706p27c.jpgBooster Compressors
Providing pressures to 650 psig and flows to 685 cfm fad, these units boost existing plant pressure while eliminating the need for expensive, separate high-pressure systems. Mounted on heavy-gauge base plates with antivibration pads, the boosters do not require special foundations and fastenings. Standard N-series high-pressure compressors come complete with a TEFC motor and starter and have aluminum cylinder heads and finned copper cooling pipes for efficient aftercooling. Booster extra-pressure (EP) compressors include precision manufactured two- or three-cylinder pumps with a 100% duty cycle and a new forced lubrication system with continuous, full filtration.
Kaeser Compressors Inc., Fredericksburg, VA 800-777-7873 www.kaeser.com

pbs0706p27d.jpgHammer Mill
The Model 141 hammer mill reduces friable and fibrous materials into uniform particle sizes ranging from 20 to 300 mesh. Centrifugal force causes pivoting hammers to stand at 90° to the rotating shaft, throwing material against breaker-plate ridges in the feed section and then against perforated bed screens through which sized material exits. The shaft, integral hammer disks, disk pins, and hammers are driven by a 75-hp motor at 1800 to 4000 rpm, achieving hammer-tip speeds of 8700 to 19,500 ft/min, even under heavy loads. This feature reduces a broad variety of solid material into particles at high rates. The mill can pulverize wood scraps, process grain, break down impact-resistant housings, destroy ammunition shells, pulverize newspaper, separate rubber from cord fiber, and reduce the size of a variety of other chemical, plastic, rubber, and agricultural products.
Munson Machinery Company, Inc.,Utica, NY 315-797-0090 www.munsonmachinery.com

pbs0706p30a.jpgAuger Feeder
Developed in conjunction with an international group of pharmaceutical manufacturing and process people, the PureFeed AP auger feeder is available in volumetric and gravimetric configurations for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and cosmetic applications involving feed rates from 500 g/hr to approximately 150 kg/hr. Jet milling, continuous blending, medical-grade plastics compounding, packaging, coating, and ingredient weighing are examples of the primary applications targeted. The unit features a flexible hopper and programmable external dual-arm agitation system to maximize material-handling versatility. The PureFeed AP uses flexible FDA-accepted EPDM feed hoppers that are disposable and recyclable—that is, they have simpler, shorter cleaning cycles and cause virtually no cross-contamination when different materials are used. Most other feeder parts and 4- and 36-L extension hoppers and covers are constructed of Type 316L stainless steel.
Schenck AccuRate, Whitewater, WI 800-606-9248 www.accuratefeeders.com

pbs0706p31c.jpgExplosion Venting Device
Designed to protect powder and bulk solids procesing plants and personnel from explosions and flames, the IQR system contains a mesh lining that absorbs heat from flames and hot gases. The mesh acts as a heat sink that interrupts the explosion in midstream while absorbing pressure waves and dust that would normally be ejected by extremely hot and powerful vented explosions. The contained and quenched explosion from the IQR system is reduced to harmless water vapor and traces of smoke. The device can be used both indoors and outdoors whenever the impact of a vented explosion must be avoided because of space or safety issues.
BS&B Pressure Safety Management LLC, Tulsa, OK 918-622-5950 www.bsbsystems.com

pbs0706p34a.jpgShear Mill
The Boston shear mill provides high shear rates and tip speeds for maximum droplet and particle-size reduction. If the process requires milling of soft particles to under 1 µm or hard particles down to 1–2 µm, this unit meets these criteria, often with a single pass. Models are available from 15 to 125 hp, providing throughput from 5 to 250 gal, depending on feed rate and viscosity. All models feature an exclusive single mechanical quench seal, rated for 700 psi and comply with 3-A standards (#36-01).
Admix Inc., Manchester, NH 800-466-2369 www.admix.com

pbs0706p35a.jpgGravity-Flow Metal Detector
Designed for high-volume dry-processing applications, the heavy-duty GravityFlowHD metal detector is compact and easy to operate, and has a high-speed reject system that minimizes product loss. The unit detects ferrous, nonferrous, and stainless-steel contaminants in bulk powdered products. Constructed of stainless steel with a user-friendly, washdown-rated control panel, it enables simplified operation and maintains a stringent inspection standard. The system also offers simple in-line testing and performance validation. Access and retrieval ports are supplied on the inlet and outlet pipes. Line personnel simply drop a standard test sample embedded with a metallic test ball into the product flow. Removable stainless-steel grids that are mounted on the accept and reject ports allow the sample to be easily recovered. The detector automatically calls for performance checks when required and issues a Test Overdue warning if the test is not promptly completed. Once the test is successfully completed, the detector reverts to normal operation.
Mettler-Toledo Safeline Inc., Tampa, FL 800-447-4439, www.mt.com/safelineus

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