Vibratory feeder for dry bulk solids

COPERION K-Tron's new K3 line of vibratory feeder for dry bulk solids features a patent-pending drive system combined with an advanced control package, and achieves accuracies averaging 35% better over traditional vibratory technologies. This loss-in-weight vibratory feeder offers gentle handling of the bulk material and faster product changeover, resulting in less product waste and downtime and better end product quality as well as improved sustainability.

The key to achieving high accuracy is the ability to deliver a continuous, even product discharge with minimal pulsations. The K3 line uses a unique flexible pendulum technology which provides shock absorption only parallel to the desired direction of motion, eliminating rotational movement. This parallel motion ensures an even material flow of the product along the entire length of the tray.

The control system and feeder electronics include internal sensors which measure acceleration, displacement, load, current and temperature at rates of up to 25,000 times per second. The fast-acting controller then adjusts the vibratory drive signal to maintain clean sinusoidal displacement for optimal mass flow. The combination of this drive with the Coperion K-Tron SmartConnex control system also results in low energy consumption as compared to other feeders. Power consumption can be as low as 20W for feed rates as high as 6,000 kg/h, thus making it ideal for improved production sustainability and minimal heat dissipation.

The typical feeder package consists of a feed hopper, vibratory tray and vibratory drive mounted on a weighing system featuring patented, high accuracy Smart Force Transducer weighing technology and combined with SmartConnex controls. The mechanical package is modular in design, and versatile in that it can accommodate custom tray configurations and lengths, offering the user more flexibility.  A special quick-release clamp mechanism on the feeder tray allows for quick product changeover. The absence of mechanical wear parts results in lower maintenance requirements and ensures gentle handling of the bulk material. A line of hygienic, easy-clean configurations is also available, and includes a hygienic silicone cover to enclose the complete drive assembly.

Vibratory feeders are suited to applications such as the high accuracy feeding of finished food products to packaging lines, uncoated tablets to coating lines, as well as difficult feeding of pellets or regrind to plastic extrusion lines. Feed rates for the new vibratory feeders range from as low as 1 dm3/h (0.035 ft3/h) up to 8500 dm3/h (300 ft3/h).