Technology Review 693

Electric Vibrator
The B-Series Model B3X-1000-1A-4 electric industrial vibrator is UL listed for use within hazardous electrical locations including all areas classified as Class II, Divisions 1 and 2, Groups E, F, and G. The unit is specifically targeted to provide material flow solutions for bins within the mining, grain and feed, and specialty chemical industries. This electric motor–driven eccentric rotary vibrator is capable of being used to promote the flow of difficult powders and bulk solids from bins, hoppers, and silos. Promoting the flow of material requires overcoming the cohesive strength of the material and the friction between the material and bin wall within the cone section of the vessel. These electric vibrators are specifically
designed to do this efficiently and within a hazardous electrical location.
Cougar Industries Inc., Peru, IL 800-262-2106 www.cougarindustries.com

Cyclone Dust Collectors
These cyclone dust collectors are an economical method for controlling dust particles for a variety of applications. Three basic models allow for the selection of the right sized cyclone for each application. The cyclones are custom engineered to meet specific applications. Standard features include: coned tops for rain runoff; carbon-steel fabrication; aluminum, stainless-steel, and AR plate; stitch welded interiors; and a 12-in. inspection door above material discharge. 
Imperial Systems Inc., Jackson Center, PA 724-662-2801 www.isystemsweb.com

Pneumatic Vibrators
The action of the piston in a BH pneumatic vibrator generates high amplitude vibration with unidirectional, or linear, force vectors. High amplitude characteristics enable the vibrating energy to be transmitted in the capacity required to overcome the strength of the bulk material involved in a bridge (arch) or a rathole (pipe). Other advantages of high amplitude, linear pneumatic vibrators include low utility consumption and minimum bin wall stress. Vibrators that generate linear vibration do not develop high-shearing forces at the bin wall. This allows a simple, more direct approach to mounting the vibrators and causes less stress to the bin wall as well. Navco pneumatic vibrators keep operations flowing smoothly.
Navco, Houston, TX 800-231-0164 www.navco.us

Vibrating Feeders, Screeners, and Conveyors
This line of vibrating pan feeders and conveyors offers a simple and efficient way to meter, screen, and convey virtually any dry bulk material. Feeders are available with variable-speed drives and can be paired with vibrated bins to provide a compact, low-cost hopper and feeder package. With the addition of one or two screen decks, these machines offer an economical heavy-duty alternative to conventional gyratory screens. As conveyors, they can handle up to 15,000 cu ft/hr and are available in lengths up to 25 ft. All units are available in carbon- and stainless steel, and with a variety of surface
finishes and liners.
Vibra Screw Inc., Totowa, NJ 973-256-7410 www.vibrascrew.com

Container-Loading System
Fast filling of sea and land containers with maximum payload is possible with the SwallowTail container-loading system. This high-capacity sea and land container loading system uses TransFlow Stinger technology and is designed for loading pigments and other difficult-to-handle materials. The two types of loaders offered are the stationary and portable designs. Both are used to fill 20-, 30-, and 40-ft-long lined sea and land containers at filling rates of 40,000 lb/hr or more.
Young Industries Inc., Muncy, PA 800-546-3165 www.younginds.com/loader

Filter Cake Drying System
The Macrowave drying system uses RF energy to uniformly heat filter cake material and rapidly remove the water without overheating. The system removes the water using energy applied by radio waves at a frequency of 40.68 MHz. Featuring volumetric heating that provides instantaneous and uniform heating throughout the filter cake and prevents overheating, the system is available in both batch and conveyorized configurations. Eliminating the long dwell time required by conventional surface heating methods, the unit is a suitable replacement for tumble, spray-, tray-, spin flash-, and belt and tunnel dryers.
Radio Frequency Company, Inc., Millis, MA 508-376-9555 www.radiofrequency.com

Capsule and Tablet Conveyor
Used for conveying capsules, gel caps, and coated tablets, and conveying up to and over 2500 units/min, this vacuum conveyor gently delivers the product to the capsule-filling machine or packaging machine. As the operator empties boxes into the floor-standing bin, the system conveys the product without any damage or separation of the empty caps.
Vac-u-Max, Belleville, NJ 973-759-4600 www.vac-u-max.com

Vibratory Feeder
The SolidsFlow USDA vibratory feeder was designed for use in the food and dairy industries where equipment and processes must meet stringent sanitary levels. All welds, radii, seals, surface finishes, gaskets, contact, and noncontact materials are compliant with USDA standards. A two-piece V-banded Type 304 stainless-steel feed tray splits apart for easy detachment and cleaning. The feeder handles a wide variety of dry bulk solids, including friable materials such as nuts, powders like cellulose, and granular-shaped additives like salt or sugar. The unit is offered in volumetric and gravi-metric models with feed rates up to 350 cu ft/hr.
Schenck AccuRate, Whitewater, WI 800-606-9248 www.accuratefeeders.com

Ear Muff
The left/right ear muff is designed so that the left muff differs from the right for better fit. These muffs are large enough to fit all ear types and sizes and are available in three noise reduction models: low (NRR 21), medium (NRR 25), and high (NRR 28). Other features include new colors, new comfort headband design, and thin, flexible noise reduction rings.
MSA, Pittsburgh, PA 800-672-2222 www.msanet.com

X-Ray Inspection System
The E-Z Tec XR-21 series cabinet inspection system identifies contaminants, scans for missing or broken products, and detects packaging voids, thereby making it an essential tool to help guarantee product and packaging integrity. The system is ideal for use with virtually any packaged items and continuous bulk product flows that travel by conveyor. It is capable of handling products up to 12 in. wide and can inspect at variable speeds. The design includes a 15-in. full-color touch screen display. It automatically analyzes product variations to continuously achieve optimum sensitivity throughout production.
Eriez, Erie, PA 888-300-3743 www.eriez.com

Textured Wipes
Tuff Wipes will handle tough cleaning jobs without falling apart. They stand up to oils, solvents, and chemicals, and their textured surface will pick up what other wipes do not. They can be used for wiping down machinery and tools, cleaning up parts, spills, and leaks. They are disposable, tear-resistant, fast absorbing, and feature low-lint properties, as well as a handy dispensing box. They are available with a choice of oil-selective, multipurpose, and universal sorbents.
Andax Industries LLC, Saint Marys, KS 800-999-1358 www.andax.com

Sanitary Bulk Bag Unloading System
This sanitary bulk bag unloading system eliminates dust during untying, discharging, retying, collapse, and removal of bags, while allowing for thorough washdown. The Model BFC-F-X unloader is equipped with a patented Spout-Lock clamp ring that forms a dust-tight connection between the clean side of the bag spout and the clean side of the equipment. The airtight system is vented to an integral dust collector that vacuums displaced air and dust, and collapses empty bags dust-free. A patented, UDSA-accepted Power-Cincher flow-control valve cinches the bag spout concentrically, which allows for dust-free retying of partially empty bags.
Flexicon Corp., Bethlehem, PA 888-353-9426 www.flexicon.com

Vacuum High-Speed Disperser
This high-speed disperser is designed for vacuum operation and includes a self-contained vacuum pump and condensate recovery system. A 5-hp motor drives the mixer and the speed is adjusted by a variable frequency inverter. The self-contained air and oil hydraulic lift raises and lowers the disperser blade from the mix vessel. All wetted parts are constructed of Type 316 stainless steel and finished for ease of cleaning. The disperser is manufactured from 1 through 250 hp. Standard models through 50 hp are kept in stock for rapid shipment. The unit is ideal for dispersions up to a maximum of approximately 50,000 cP. When used in conjunction with a multishaft mixer, it can be used for products up to several hundred thousand cP.
Charles Ross and Son Co., Hauppauge, NY 800-243-7677 www.mixers.com