Feeder Application
For the most accurate feeding at feed rates as low as 0.04 dm³/hr (0.0014 ft³/hr), use Coperion K-Tron's Microfeeder. The T-12 loss-in-weight microfeeder may be used for feeding micro ingredients in a continuous or batch operation. The T-12 provides gravimetric feeding of free flowing to difficult powders, such as lumpy, moist, or bridge building materials. While optimized for low feed rates and low headroom these are robust, fully functional feeders that are ready for the most demanding process lines.
For high accuracy at very low feed rates, laboratory use or where space is a problem, use Coperion K-Tron's Compact Feeders. For complete specifications, see our Microfeeder and Compact Feeder catalog page
The Coperion K-Tron Micro-Cone Feeder features a highly innovative screw-less 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 cone, the Micro Feeder is designed to dose down to a few granules at a time and up to 2 dm3/hr (122 in3/hr or .07 ft3/hr) of normal masterbatch. With use of an extension tip, the feeder can feed as low as 0.1 dm³. The minimum dispersive rate is > 2 pellets per second.
With no pockets or screws, the design is simple, providing ease of use and almost zero maintenance. The feeder housing swings open for fast material change. There are practically no areas for the product to trap so cleaning is very easy. Learn more, download spec sheet.
Coperion K-Tron manufactures a wide variety of solids and liquid feeders and pneumatic conveying equipment specific to the pharmaceutical industry. Pharmacetical designs are engineered to meet the rigid requirements of the industry, including cGMP standards as well as the use of FDA approved/certified materials of construction.
Twin screw feeders handle difficult materials such as API's, excipients, lubricants, and pharmaceutical granulations. Two sizes are available in either volumetric or gravimetric configurations. All units are designed specifically with cleaning requirements, ease of disassembly and maintenance, and required containment levels in mind.
Options available include systems integration for both batch and continuous processing, multi ingredient dispensing, containment and rinse in place designs. Typical feed rates: 0.12 dm3/hr (0.004 ft3/hr) to 2041 dm3/hr (72.1 ft3/hr).
For complete specifications, see our Pharmaceutical Feeder catalog pages: Volumetric Feeders and Loss-in-Weight Feeders
A wide range of pumps and tanks can be combined with a suspension scale or platform scale using Coperion K-Tron's SFT II weighing technology for the gravimetric feeding of liquids. In this application, the liquid is discharged from the hopper by weighing the liquid being fed and regulating the speed of the feeding device. The loss-in-weight signal from the hopper load cell / scale is sent to the pump and the pump speed is adjusted to achieve constant massflow.
The complete liquid loss-in-weight system (feeder, scale, pump, piping) is available in special skid mounted designs which are completely portable for movement throughout the plant. Coperion K-Tron Systems Group specializes in designing and integrating both liquid and powder loss-in-weight systems for applications such as extrusion.For complete specifications, see our Loss-in-Weight Feeders catalog page.
For precise volumetric feeding of free-flowing pellets, granules, flakes, powders and friable products, use the new Coperion K-Tron Bulk Solids Pump (BSP) feeders. BSP feeders use positive displacement action to feed free flowing materials with near-perfect accuracy, providing uniform discharge, consistent volume and gentle handling.
The BSP feeders have vertical rotating discs that create a product lock-up zone, conveying the material smoothly from storage hopper to discharge outlet, achieving true linear mass flow.
For complete specifications, see our Bulk Solids Pump (BSP) catalog page.
Weigh belt feeders are used in batch and continuous applications for wild flow metering, where headroom is limited, or when feeding friable material that may be damaged by other feeding methods. Coperion K-Tron's Smart Weigh Belt (SWB) feeder offers continuous online auto tare by using two Smart Force Transducer III digital weigh modules.
Automatic and continuous online taring of the belt reduces costly maintenance, line shutdowns and laborious manual calibration and improves long term accuracy. The SWB is available in both 300 and 600 mm belt widths, with stainless steel enclosures. The SWB's improved performance makes it possible for a full-sized (300 mm belt width) weigh belt to feed accurately at rates less than 50 kg/hr (110 lb/hr). It also increases the range of feed rates that a single weigh belt feeder can handle.
For complete specifications see our Smart Weigh Belt catalog.
For high accuracy blending of multiple ingredients, Coperion K-Tron's K4G gravimetric blender provides a compact system of real loss-in-weight feeders that eliminate the problem of de-mixing found in some other gravimetric blenders.
The compact design and low space requiremnents allow four to six feeders, integrated with vacuum receivers, to be easily grouped around an extruder inlet. Single stations are also available.
A wide varity of standard feeders, including the Bulk Solids Pump (BSP), can be integrated onto the K4G single-point weighing system, depending on the feeding requirements. K4G single screw feeders, Bulk Solids Pump feeders, ad Premier Pneumatics receivers are designed for handling free flowing bulk materials. Twin screw feeders and filtered receivers can handle powders and non-free flowing materials.
For complete specifications, see our K4G gravimetric blender catalog page.
Also see the full line of gravimetric and volumetric blenders with synchronized continuous feeding.
Use Coperion K-Tron's Smart Flow Meter (SFM) for feeding, metering or batching of bulk material flows. In high rate applications, the Smart Flow Meter provides high accuracy feeding, at very high feed rates up to 200,000 dm³/hr (7,000 ft³/hr).
In addition to a lower purchase cost than a large loss-in-weight feeder, the Smart Flow Meter offers lower maintenace costs and reduced headroom. The Smart Flow Meter has been employed in PE resin pelletizing processes, where the main component, PE powder, is accurately and gently fed into the pelletizing extruder by a Smart Flow Meter.
For complete specifications on this unique mass flowmeter that can work like a feeder, see our Smart Flow Meter catalog page.
