Position: Manufacturer K-Tron Process Group has recently introduced the manufacturer PCS batching system solutions to the U.S. market. The batch weigh receiver offers multi-material batching into a common weigh vessel by a single vacuum source. The conveyor/ weigher package combines a vacuum conveying batching system with a very accurate weighing controller system. The resulting combination allows individual ingredients to be conveyed and weighed so that accurate batching of ingredients can take place on either a cumulative or sequential basis.
This type of batching system provides the best method for loading mixers and bulk bin filling when the ingredients are stored at a remote location such as bulk silos or day bins. A vacuum weigher/conveyor can be designed to suit any size mixer up to 2000 liters (71 ft3) with batch sizes up to 1500 liters (53 ft3). This batch can be made up of several major ingredients, each conveyed from its own storage silo or big bag. It can be combined with use of the manufacturer loss-in-weight feeders for dispensing minor ingredients, generally fed in smaller batches of 1 to 50 kg.
The range of batch sizes handled by the PCS batching system starts at 20 kg and extends to 1500 kg, three times per hour (depending on the bulk density of the material batching ). The weighing accuracy is +/- 0.25% of full scale. The batching system offers powerful PLC control options to allow stock control, material usage display and multi-recipe storage. The batch weigher features totally dust free operation, and throughput rates up to 5000 kg per hour. The system can handle up to eight ingredients.
Batching system benefits of the the manufacturer PCS batch weighing receiver include use of just one weigh vessel from 50 to 2000 litres, ability to convey several materials into the same weigh hopper, direct loading, compact size requiring less headroom, rapid refill of mixer because the batch is weighed while the previous batch is being mixed, and economic purchase, installation and maintenance costs.
K-Tron PCS first introduced the batch weigh receiver in Great Britain and has sold numerous batching systems for food industry applications, including mixer loading for flour, sugar, starch in biscuit factories; potato powder for snack food extrusion and powder ingredients for soups. Plastic industry applications include use with batch mixers and high-speed mixers in compounding factories for PVC and fillers.
The manufacturer's PCS provides dilute phase vacuum conveying solutions, as well as dense phase vacuum batching system for fragile and pre-mixed products. The product line includes suck/blow batching systems, positive pressure
