Material Steel Tool
Powder
The problem
The customer requirement was for a big bag filling system
for handling steel tool powder that would have the flexibility of filling bulk
bags of a range of different sizes, whilst accurately filling each size to a
specified weight. The machine also needed to be relatively dust-tight to avoid
product wastage.
The solution
The custom-built, fully automated big bag filler was designed with an adjustable filling head that automatically moves up and
down according to the bag size entered by the operator. The system is designed to discharge the
customers۪ IBC۪s into different sizes of FIBC۪s for shipping.
Vibrators agitate the contents of the bag so that the powder
settles correctly. An air pump is used
to inflate the bag seal to fully secure the inlet for optimum dust containment during
material transfer from the customer۪s feeding system into the bag. The air pump
also inflates the bag, to ensure that the material is able to flow smoothly
into the bag without any residue accumulating in folds or corners.
Following bag inflation, a rotary valve located beneath the
feeder head accurately controls the rate of feed into the bag. The weight is
monitored using pre-programmed bag weight data and the weighing platform
located at the base of the unit. Once
the bag is approximately two thirds full, the rotary valve ceases filling and
the vibrators turn on to help settle the material in the bag.
When the material has settled, the rotary valve continues to
release the powder until the bag is 95% full.
At this point the valve speed slows right down to create a slow feed
fill for greater accuracy. Once the
required weight is reached, feed again stops and the vibrators agitate the
material to settle the material inside the bag.
The bag is then reweighed to check that the weight is correct. If not, more material is added until the
exact target weight is reached, upon which point the full bag can be detached
and stored and a new bag fitted for filling.
The complete process can be recorded, giving the customer
detailed records of batch numbers and weights, with the use of an identifying
bar code/labelling system if required.
Advantages to the customer:
- Successful
dust containment so no health and safety issues or unnecessary product waste. - Fully
automated therefore less manual labour. - Increased
production due to much faster filling speeds just a few minutes per bag. - Precise
bag weight can be easily achieved. - Full
batch weight recording and control and much improved accuracy.