Feeders Spotlight - January 08

Volumetric Feeder
The redesigned MetaTech feeder features only two moving parts (drive and screw) to ensure reliable, long-lasting performance with minimal process downtime and maintenance expense. The feeder also features a compact, space-saving design, a low-maintenance O-ring-sealed in-line direct drive, new Delrin bushing, and an agitator/conditioner screw to maintain consistent product density and completely fill the feed screw for accurate (+1 to 1½%) feeding. Interchangeable screw/tube combinations are available in ½- to 6-in. sizes and permit feed rates from 0.05 to 550 cu ft/hr. The feeder is also available in a wide range of models, including space-saving mini, sanitary, and combination feeder/conveyor units.
Metalfab Inc., Vernon, NJ 800-764-2999 www.metalfabinc.com

Mass-Flow Feeder
The mass-flow feeder is a controllable high-capacity gravity feeder for relatively coarse granular materials. It consists of a mass-flow hopper with two movable sides. The discharge rate is controlled by synchronous rotation of the movable sides. The flow rate is a function of the discharge opening width and the slope of the blades. Minimum flow rate is limited by the opening width at which the material arches across the opening. Turndown rates of 10 to 1 can normally be expected. At a specific setting, the unit discharges consistently with little variation. The rate varies with different materials and their flow properties.
Pebco Inc., Paducah, KY 270-442-1996 www.pebco.com

Micro Cone Feeder
The micro cone feeder features a screwless feeding mechanism to accurately dose free-flowing color, Masterbatch, or additives into a blending system or directly into the process screw of an extruder. Utilizing a simple induced flow rotating tube/cone, the feeder doses down to a few granules at a time, with a feed-rate range of 0.007 to 0.07 cu ft/hr. With use of an extension tip, the feeder can feed at an even lower rate. Minimum dispersive rate is >2 pellets per second.
K-Tron, Pitman, NJ 856-589-0500 www.ktron.com

Streamout Feeder
This streamout feeder delivers a controlled, continuously uniform flow of material across the entire length of the feed tray outlet, which results in consistent application and product quality. By incorporating a one-piece feed tray designed to accommodate the material’s flow characteristics, the feeder is well suited to spreading, sprinkling, topping, or coating food products with seasonings or flavorings, roofing shingles with granules, and bricks with colorants or sand. Stream widths can be set from 8 to 66 in.
Schenck AccuRate, Whitewater, WI 800-606-9248 www.accuratefeeders.com

Flexible Wall Feeder
The latest advances in volumetric and gravimetric feeding have been applied to the PosiPortion feeder. A flexible wall design, with external agitation, assures that they are available for precision dosing, filling, and continuous feeding, even with the most stubborn powders. The flexible hopper can be removed in seconds, making the feeder easy to clean and change over. A wide array of load-hoppers, augers, and output heads are available.
Hapman, Kalamazoo, MI 800-427-6260 www.ideasthatmove.com

Air-Activated Feeder
The Dyna-Slide high-precision air-activated feeder with “dribble feed control” will provide up to a 100:1 turndown ratio when feeding most fine (30 mesh to submicron) fluidizable powders and granules. In addition, it has completely variable feed rates from as low as a few grams per minute to hundreds of pounds per minute. The feeder is ideally suited for feeding weigh scales or other process equipment, where close, high-tolerance feed rates are required. Stainless-steel construction and special finishes are available.
Dynamic Air Inc., St. Paul, MN 651-484-2900 www.dynamicair.com

Volumetric Feeder
The Model 905-14 volumetric feeder was designed for accurate metering of a variety of “strand-type” materials with lengths of approximately 0.4 to 0.75 in. or more, including difficult-to-handle materials such as “chopped-strand” fiberglass, even when that material contains low levels of moisture. In operation, the feeder maintains a specific pile depth and width of material on a uniquely configured metering conveyor belt that produces a specific volumetric output (product discharge) based on the speed of the belt. The feeder can also be utilized as the metering mechanism of the company’s weight-loss-differential weigh feeder to provide high-performance gravimetric metering when required. The Model 905-14 is furnished completely assembled. It is designed to be self-emptying, easy-to-clean, and silent when operating, and it is virtually maintenance-free.
Acrison Inc., Moonachie, NJ 201-440-8300 www.acrison.com

Resonant Vibratory Drive
The AF16 resonant vibratory drive features the tachometer feedback system found in the AF14 and AF15 drives. The AF16 can easily handle trays up to 16 in. wide and 36 in. long with infinitely variable throughput of over 48,000 lb/hr, high accuracy, and a turndown ratio of 1000:1, while consuming less than 3 A at maximum operating range. The unit is ideal for most feeding and conveying applications requiring a heavy-duty vibratory drive, including but not limited to aggregates, mining, heavy industries, recycling, power generation, chemicals, plastics, and foods. The drives do not drift, never require calibration, use minimal power, and have a life span of 15–20 years.
Arbo Engineering Inc., Toronto, ON, Canada 800-689-2726 www.arbo-feeders.com

Cake Feeder
The cake feeder is a bridgeless, trouble-free feeder designed specifically for handling materials with the consistency of a filter cake or paste such as pet food, clays, mica, oxides, and pigments. A vertical shaft with pitched arms forces the material into the metering device, which consists of a screw or a positive-displacement pump. Each feeder is virtually maintenance-free, custom built to meet the specific requirements of the individual application, and available in stainless or carbon steel with a range of finishes up to food grade.
Scott Equipment Co., New Prague, MN 952-758-0440 www.scottequipment.com

Volumetric Feeders
These volumetric feeders feature a simple yet effective design. The polyurethane Flex-Feed hopper is stronger and more resilient and 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. These feeders are flexible enough to accommodate a wide variety of dry materials, from fine powders to large pellets. Three sizes of feeder can move material at a rate of 0.003 to more than 900 cu ft/hr.
Tecnetics Industries Inc., St. Paul, MN 800-536-4880 www.tecweigh.com

Twin-Screw Feeder
The Model TSF twin-screw feeder is designed for precise batching and weighing applications. The feeder’s dual-helix design combines fast, high-volume filling with accurate dribble flow at the end of the cycle. Its compact design is ideal when limited space prohibits multiple individual screw units. Two helixes—1½ and 4 in. in diameter—are mounted on an 18 × 22–in. hopper. They are rated at 17 cu ft and 283 cu ft per hour, respectively, at maximum rpm with 100% efficient conveyable product and no slippage. The unit is good for batching to weigh hoppers, low-loss-in-weight scale-monitored flow, low-loss-of-weight batch applications with scales, drum and pail packout lines, and recipe-type batching by multiple computer-controlled units. Several options are available.
Metso BEST Inc., Brunswick, OH 800-827-9237 www.bestvibes.com