Technology Review 1835

Pneumatic Screw Pump
The Meyer screw pump is a replacement for rotary airlock feeders that have prematurely failed when handling fine abrasive materials. It utilizes the material to be conveyed to form a seal during operation. An integral flap gate prevents blowback when introducing material into the system on start-up or when running empty. The hard-coated screw design provides a continuous flow of material into the conveying air stream. This low-profile, dust-free dry pump reduces abrasive wear, thus minimizing maintenance and costly downtime. Wm. W. Meyer & Sons Inc., Libertyville, IL 800-963-4458 www.wmwmeyer.com

Custom-Configure Platform Lifts
For assembly or maintenance operations where large structures must be accessed at elevated or varying heights, Southworth offers custom-configured lifts that can be designed into most production lines. Offering more flexibility and safety than scaffolding or ladders, these worker platforms are also appropriate for stock picking from higher shelves, such as the vertically stacked compartments of storage carousels. Stable scissor lifts are designed in stationary or movable configurations and in a multitude of platform sizes and lifting ranges, working with the customer to accommodate budgetary limitations as well as unique, application-specific requirements. Southworth Products Corp., Portland, ME 207-878-0700 www.SouthworthProducts.com

Conveyor Safety Equipment
Designed to prevent injuries from pinch points and contact with hazardous moving machine parts, these MSHA-accepted safety products are vital to ensure employee safety and prevent injuries. The return roll changer supplies pinch point protection for maximizing safety and eliminates need for high-lift equipment. Safe-guard belt clamps are a patented positive tensioning system that applies even tension across the entire width of the conveyor belt. The patented safe-guard return idler guard is designed and engineered to prevent injuries from pinch points and to catch the return idler if it should fall. The V-return idler guard protects workers and equipment from falling idlers. Its durable UHMW slotted cage stops material buildup and offers easy access for maintenance. The return idler cage is designed to catch the return idler from falling onto unsuspecting workers or equipment, preventing injuries and down time. The flat return conveyor guard is a modular guard mounted on the conveyor to guard against moving equipment. ASGCO Manufacturing, Allentown, PA 800-344-4000 www.asgco.com

Hinged Shaft Collars
These custom-manufactured hinged shaft and pipe clamping collars can incorporate a wide range of bore modifications, face and O.D treatments, handles, and other features. The collars feature a triple-link hinge and captive clamping screw and can be custom manufactured to meet a range of OEM design requirements. Stafford Manufacturing Corp., North Reading, MA 800-695-5551 www.staffordmfg.com

Complete Blower System
Booth 131 - The Complete Blower System (CBS) meets a wide range of airflow demands in pneumatic conveying applications and installations. Thanks to its highly efficient Inovair 2200 centrifugal blower, advanced airflow controls and other patented and patent-pending design elements, the CBS provides the lowest cost per cfm, rapid payback, and high ROI. Thanks to its advanced, high-efficiency centrifugal compressor technology, the system can provide energy savings of 10 to 35% relative to positive displacement blowers. The CBS operates as low as 85 dBA, meeting current NIOSH guidelines and surpassing those from OSHA. The centrifugal design also eliminates blower “pulsation” that is inherent to traditional positive-displacement blowers. Inovair, Lenexa, KS 855-466-8247 www.inovairblowers.com

Micro-Gage Receiver
The four-axis Microgage receiver provides useful alignment information for evaluating and correcting machinery alignment problems. The new 4D receiver measures two linear axes, X and Y, and their two angular components yaw and pitch. The two linear axes show how well machinery is aligned along a common centerline and the angular readouts show if parallelism problems are present. The receiver is ideal for aligning lathes, turning centers, and spindles, as well as moving linear slides, rams and pistons, injection molding machinery, moving mechanical sub-assemblies, and more. Pinpoint Laser Systems, Peabody, MA 800-757-5383 www.pinlaser.com

Vibratory Feeders
BEST vibratory feeders are designed to smoothly convey products. Flow of material is adjustable, and the flow rate can be variable or fixed. Available in electric- or air-operated models, BEST heavy-duty vibratory feeders can be designed with above-, below-, or side-mounted drives and can be arranged for base mounting or overhead suspension. The feeders come in custom vibrating trough lengths, with special trough designs available. The feeders come in several models including air-operated light-duty, air-operated heavy-duty, twin-motor vibrating pan and grizzly feeders, electromagnetic, twin motor, and special application feeders. Metso Minerals Industries Inc., Brunswick, OH 800-827-9237 www.bestvibes.com

Dust-Duty Valve
The DDV dust-duty valve comes with a robust cast housing designed for greater capacity and dust collection applications. The DDV will service applications such as baghouse, cyclone, and dust collectors with a maximum pressure differential of 60 in. WC. The maximum temperature is 300°F. This DDV is available in cast iron or stainless steel, with square or round flanges, in sizes from 6-14 in. Wm. W. Meyer & Sons Inc., Libertyville, IL 847-918-0111 www.wmwmeyer.com

Moisture Meter
The HK-8 moisture meter is an NIR meter that uses the proprietary software that was developed for the HK4 full spectroscopy system. This special software allows for an accurate and reliable measurement of the moisture content in any material on a belt in real time. The HK-8 makes a continuous NIR, reflection measurement in real time. It has been designed around four LEDs, (970 nM, 1200nM, 1800 nM, and 2200nM), that are most sensitive to changes in water content. The HK-8 has no moving parts, which means very little or no maintenance. The LED lights are stable and do not drift. The proprietary software compensates for many of the ambient and process changes that have given filter systems trouble in the past. HK Instrument Systems, Pittsburgh, PA 412-653-7717 www.hkinstruments.com

Abrasion-Resistant Ceramic Feeder
Booth 438 - Lined with a thick ceramic coating that is designed to resist the most abrasive material, this abrasion-resistant ceramic feeder offers a heavy-duty design and construction. Features include: longer life; Tungsten carbide throat protection; heavy-duty fabricated 8-vane rotor; Tungsten carbide rotor vane and shroud tips, 0.100-in.-thick; air gap between seals and bearings; outboard sealed ball bearings; and a maximum operating temperature of 350°F. Abrasive applications include fly ash, gold ore, rutile ore, sand, feldspar, alumina, kaolin clay, raw limestone, lignite, cement, diatomaceous earth, and copper concentrate. FLSmidth Inc., Bethlehem, PA 800-523-9482 www.flsmidth-pt.com

Bag Fillers
Booth 356 - This line of bag fillers was designed to accommodate any type of dry powder product being filled into 20- to 100-lb bags. The line of four bag fillers can operate up to 24 hours a day, has a minimal number of moving parts for low maintenance, and has easily adjustable controls and accommodate full management data for reliable operation and performance. The line of bag fillers includes a turbo packer, an impeller packer, a force flow packer, and a screw packer. The dust-free turbo packer (pictured) is designed for 25- to 50-kg bags and offers high-speed handling of a variety of material. The turbo packer comes with adjustable weight control with management data and is built for continuous 24/7 operation. Spiroflow Systems Inc., Monroe, NC 704-291-9595 www.spiroflowsystems.com

Dry Grinding Attritor for Ceramics
The 250SD dry grinding attritor features CE certification and is powered by a specially engineered 150-HP motor that provides 425% starting torque. The mill was designed specifically for metal-free grinding. The grinding tank is lined with ceramic tiles and the agitator arms are sleeved with tungsten carbide. The attritor is designed to operate in continuous mode, which allows for high product throughput. Material is fed into the attritor at the top and is reduced in size as it passes through the agitated media bed. The finished ground product is discharged through multiple specially designed dry grind meter valves positioned at the bottom of the tank. A dry-grind aid metering pump is also included with this mill. Final particle size of the material can be controlled by varying the feed and discharge rates. Union Process Inc., Akron, OH 330-929-3333 www.unionprocess.com

Removable Wear Plates
These high hardness wear plates protect inlets, curves, discharge sections, and other points from premature wear due to high-impact contact with abrasive materials traveling at high velocities. Available on the company’s entire line of vibrating fluid bed dryers and coolers, screeners, plastic pellet classifiers, vibratory conveyors, and other process equipment, the durable wear plates are offered in a choice of stainless steel, Stellite alloys, or Teflon, to help extend the service life of the fabricated metal equipment, while accommodating a wide range of abrasive materials. The wear plates are ideal for processing glass-filled plastic resins, ceramic particles, mineral aggregates, abrasive grains, and other powdered, granular, and viscous materials. The wear plates are designed for easy removal to permit quick replacement without requiring significant line downtime. Though custom designed for each machine, the removable wear plates may be designed for retrofit on existing machinery. The Witte Company, Inc., Washington, NJ 908-689-6500 www.witte.com

Thermoplastic Rubber Hose
This medium-weight thermoplastic rubber hose can now be supplied with thermally welded cuffs to provide a smooth surface for a tight seal using standard hose clamps. Flexadux TR T-7 hose is reinforced with a spring steel wire helix and can now be supplied with thermally welded cuffs made of the same material. Providing a smooth clamping surface to help assure a tight fit and seal, this hose resists most chemicals and is suitable for removing fumes, vapors, powders, and dust. Eliminating the need for bridge clamps, this hose can be supplied in 25- and 50-ft, and custom lengths. Available in 2- to 24-in. I.D. diam sizes and metrics, it has a 0.030-in.-thick wall and operates over a -60 to 275°F range. All Flexaust thermoplastic rubber hoses are available with compatible material cuffs. Flexaust, Warsaw, IN 800-343-0428 www.flexaust.com

Heavy Solids Shredder
Booth 652 - The Taskmaster TM 1600 is a powerful workhorse that can shred heavy solids in both gravity and liquid systems. Typical applications include containers, plastics, packaging, wood, paper, documents, electronic components, concession waste, sewage screenings, in-channel raw sewage, and more. Bulk volume is reduced up to 80%, eliminating storage or disposal costs and aiding in the safe disposal of sensitive and substandard material. The shredder employs two counter-rotating banks of cutters that intermesh at close clearance to aggressively chop and shear solids down to small particles. The unit’s low-speed, high-torque mechanism operates with little noise or vibration. The TM 1600 is ruggedly constructed and designed for minimal maintenance and trouble-free service. The cutters are precision-manufactured to provide optimal high-shear shredding and long life. A controller senses jam conditions and automatically reverses. Franklin Miller Inc., Livingston, NJ 973-535-9200 www.franklinmiller.com

Explosion-Proof Motors
The XP100 (1-300 hp) is designed specifically for hazardous operating environments such as the petrochemical and chemical processing, mining, and grain handling industries. The Siemens line of XP100 motors are UL and CSA listed for gas and dust ignition-proof environments and are suitable for Division 1, Class I, Groups C & D, Class II, Groups F & G, hazardous area classifications. They are also available for drill rig duty in Division 1, Class I, Group D hazardous locations. Their advanced electrical design meets or exceeds the requirements of the Energy Independence & Security Act of 2007 (NEMA MG1 – table 12-12). Siemens is a NEMA Premium licensee, so all XP100 motors bear the prestigious NEMA Premium logo. Siemens Industry Inc., Alpharetta, GA 800-241-4453 www.sea.siemens.com

Cantilever Sifter
Booth 657 - The largest cantilevered model sifter in the Kek centrifugal sifter range, the K1100C is capable of throughputs of up to 70 tn/hr. It features a fully cantilevered shaft that facilitates easy cleaning and a high standard in hygiene. The K1100C offers high-capacity sieving with the added benefits of easy access and rapid screen changes. This results in reduced downtime for cleaning and maintenance. The sifter is ideal for a variety of operations including classifying, policing, and de-dusting. The new model is also available for inline and pressured applications. The Kek range of centrifugal sifters extends from the Kek laboratory sifter for lab and R&D purposes, through the K1350, capable of throughputs of up to 100 tn/hr. Kemutec, Bristol, PA 215-788-8013 www.KemutecUSA.com

Shuffle Conveyor
Booth 530 - The shuffle conveyor has been successful in bulk handling applications, in lieu of vibratory conveyors. It uses a smooth, horizontal motion with a low-maintenance, non-vibratory conveying system. With a compact, low-profile design, the shuffle conveyor offers smooth, clean operation with zero vibration. It starts under a full load, is permanently lubricated, and offers high capacity. The conveyor offers flexible solutions from standard to engineered systems. Available lengths range from 10 to 500 ft (350 ft with a single drive) and widths from 12 to 72 in. Options include offset, incline, telescopic, rubber, and elevating conveyor installations. Mayfran International Inc., Cleveland, OH 440-461-4100 www.mayfran.com

Test Sieves
Endecotts test sieves can be supplied to a variety of inspection levels in accordance with the ASTM-E11 and ISO 3310 specification. Each Certified Test Sieve is appropriately inspected, individually numbered to provide full traceability, and supplied with a Certificate of Conformity to ISO 3310, ASTM –E-11 or other international specifications. Each Inspected Test Sieve is supplied with an Inspection Certificate stating separately the values for the average aperture in both the warp and weft directions of the wire cloth. Mid Point Sieves, test sieves with the sieving medium specification tolerances reduced by 30%, are supplied with a Calibration Certificate giving the range of tolerances and measurements taken. Calibrated Test Sieves are supplied with a calibration certificate recording the number of aperture and wire diameters measured, the average aperture size and standard deviation separately for the warp and weft direction. The type of weave will also be stated. Endecotts USA, Ponte Vedra, FL 904-814-8418 www.endecotts.com

Particle Size, Zeta Potential, and Molecular Weight Analyzer
The SZ-100 series instrument analyzes key particle physical properties including size and zeta potential. In addition, it can be used to determine protein and polymer molecular weight, and second virial coefficient (A 2). Particle size analysis is performed by dynamic light scattering (DLS). Zeta potential is measured by electrophoretic light scattering. Molecular weight and A 2 are analyzed by static light scattering using a Debye plot. Typical applications include nanoparticles, colloids, proteins, biomolecules, and emulsions. The SZ-100 is capable of performing size measurements at both right angle (90°) and backscatter (173°). This unique feature provides maximum sensitivity and allows the user to optimize measurement conditions for all possible sample types. Horiba Instruments Inc., Irvine, CA 800-446-7422 www.horiba.com

Vibrators and Drives for Hoppers and Bins
This full line of BEST heavy-duty air-powered-piston and rotary-electric vibrators and drives are designed for bins, hoppers, chutes, screeners, vibratory feeders, conveyors, tables, and other vibratory applications. All provide continuous maximum-force operation from 30 to more than 40,000 lb. These dust-tight, splash-proof motors provide excellent field performance in harsh environments including dirt, rain, and snow. Heavy-duty construction — including ductile-iron castings, steel end covers and high-alloy fasteners — assures long life. The motors are available in 3600-, 1200-, and 900-RPM models, from 1/50 to 17 ½ hp. All units can be mounted horizontally or vertically. Metso Minerals Industries Inc., Brunswick, OH 800-827-9237 www.bestvibes.com

Belt Drive Guards
>Fluid bed dryers, coolers, screeners, dewaterers, conveyors, and other vibratory equipment feature clear, Lexan belt drive guards that fully enclose the belt drive system to prevent contact with the drive belt, promote worker safety, and aid compliance with OSHA requirements. Available as an option on the company’s entire line of vibrating process equipment, the clear, plastic machine guarding enables process engineers, maintenance managers, and other operations professionals to monitor the condition of the belt and identify signs of wear without requiring line shutdown. By providing a constant view of the belt drive, the clear belt guards permit worn belts to be replaced before a belt failure triggers costly, unplanned line downtime. The durable, Lexan belt guards are secured within a sturdy, steel frame, yet may be quickly removed for belt drive access and returned to place. The safety belt drive guards are also available for retrofit on process equipment in the field. Witte Company, Inc., Washington, NJ 908-689-6500 www.witte.com

Mechanical Silo Unloader
The patented silo arch breaker features a vertical spindle fitted with flexible blades to ensure the mechanical discharge of dry solid materials from silos, rigid bins, or hoppers, while preventing the bulk material from jamming, bridging, compacting, or ratholing caused by vibration or fluidization systems. The mechanical arch breaker not only discharges dry solids gently and efficiently from silo, bins, and containers, but it integrates 1, 2, 3, and/or 4 precise volumetric screw feeders. Each screw feeder is totally indepedent and can feed up to 15,000 lb/hr with different lengths and throughput variations. Sodimate Inc., Chicago, IL 773-665-8800 www.sodimate-inc.com

New Brushless DC Motors and Drives
PCC has just developed and released a completely new drive/gear motor package for its auger based, continuous loss-in-weight feeders and blenders. The X-Series blenders and AFG/PF feeders previously incorporated a PWM drive and a permanent magnet DC gear motor to rotate the metering auger. PCC started the development by designing a new generation of motor drives that would control both the older permanent magnet motors and the new generation of Brushless DC motors. The new gear motors are both brushless and encoderless, for reliability, performance, and a longer life span, as compared to the previous versions. The new drive/gear motor package is 100% compatible with PCC blenders and feeders already in service. Process Control Corp., Atlanta, GA 770-449-8810 www.process-control.com

Loss-In-Weight Rotary Feeder
The LWY-SC-RF loss-in-weight (LIW) rotary feeder is specifically designed to handle extremely free-flowing and fluidizable materials. Developed in direct response to customers who were experiencing poor feeding accuracy with conventional LIW screw feeders handling fine materials, this design incorporates a rotary feeder that comes in a variety of sizes and configurations to meet a wide range of feeding needs. Ideally suited for applications discharging into pneumatic conveying systems, the feeder system can be configured for either continuous LIW feeding or batch. Weighing is done through Thayer’s patented low deflection, non-wearing FMSS (Force Measurement Suspension System) flexure scale that measures vertical loading and can take high load directed overloads (1000%). Thayer Scale-Hyer Industries Inc., Pembroke, MA 781-826-8101 www.ThayerScale.com