Screw feeders improve powder coatings productivity
April 30th 2008 12:24 am By Web Development in India
Latest agitated screw feeders and chutes have increased production and improved containment at a leading manufacturer’s powder coatings plant.
Powder coating manufacturer, Becker Powder Coatings, has installed new agitated screw feeders and chutes Supplied by solids handling equipment manufacturer, Ajax Equipment, the equipment will increase production and improve containment at Becker’s Liverpool, UK factory
Becker Powder Coatings manufactures thermosetting powders for a wide range of industries including the automotive industry where the coatings protect cars and motorcycles produced by major manufacturers.
Accurate and consistent particle size control and formulation of the coatings are important, so users can achieve optimum transfer efficiency.
Powder coating manufacture is a batch process.
An agitated hopper, held in a docking station, contains the pre-mix bulk powder, which is poured down a chute to an agitated screw feeder that feeds an extruder producing an intermediate compound for subsequent processing to produce the final product.
The Ajax screw feeders and chutes are a like-for-like replacement of existing equipment feeding two extruders respectively; but with some important differences.
Becker wished to put in place a more flexible feeder and chute arrangement that was capable of handling a higher throughput, and reworking intermediate compound should the need arise.
Following powder tests on the bulk and extruded intermediate powder, Ajax Equipment has supplied a chute and agitated size 100 screw feeder, and a chute and agitated size 50 screw feeder with progressive pitch augers such that product from both feeders is fed evenly to both extruders.
Easy clean features including removable screw, drive and seal mounted on a retractable end plate.
Ajax worked with docking station manufacturer Mixaco in developing the chutes that are bolted to the agitated hopper, preventing dust escaping during transfer to the screw feeder.
The down chute also includes a removable section.
“We have been pleased with the Ajax screw feeders and chutes”.
“The equipment is well designed and has given us the plant flexibility, improvements in containment and productivity gains we were looking for,” said Graham Barlow, Powder Group co-ordinator, Becker Powder Coatings.
