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| Which materials can be conveyed? |
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Most powdered materials, provided they
are somewhat free flowing. Bulk densities from 10 pounds a cubic foot
to 250 pounds a cubic foot have been handled. With the lighter materials
it is important to live feed into the machine and on the heavier material
our infeed damper valve protects the sprocket from excessive loading.
Products from talc to coffee beans to fettuccine have been conveyed. |
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| Are there materials to
avoid? |
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Naturally, no conveyor can
handle every product. Avoid aggregates and smearing materials such
as brown sugar. Our machines have cleaner profiles than competitors,
larger access covers, and better hinged inlets and covers. Exercise
caution with detergents and soaps that may build up in the cover. |
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| Are cohesive materials
a problem? |
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In general, if the product
can be fed into the machine, (and we offer a larger infeed in the
form of a standard vibrator set up than competitors) we can convey
it. Care is required at the outlet to reduce the areas where impact
adhesion takes place. Avoid stringy products and any products that
can turn crystalline. |
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| Does the conveyor pump
air? |
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No! The machine operates
by recycling air/material pockets with only the material discharging
from the conveyor. A small inlet vent allows for displaced air to
leave the conveyor. At discharge, displaced receiving vessel air re-enters
the conveyor void left by the discharging material. |
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| Does segregation occur? |
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The pitch between each disc
restricts ant tendency to segregate and unloading of blended products
is an ideal application. Furthermore, by the use of multiple inlets
and regulated feeds the conveyor makes an economical pre-blender. |
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| Is the product damaged
during conveying? |
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A major advantage of Aero-Conveying
is its gentle handling. Freeze dried coffee, cereals, tea, and silica
gel have all been conveyed with the least level of degradation known
to any conveyor. Often damage is not detectable. Speed and phase of
conveying are important factors. |
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| How much material is left
in the conveyor at the end of conveying? |
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On the initial run with a
clean machine there would be primary buildup of of about 0.02 cubic
feet of material. After this priming the quantity would reduce to
virtually no additional product. Conveying without cleaning between
cycles gives a WGIWCO (what goes in will come out) effect. |
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| Does material build up
in the tubes? |
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Not usually, but even if
it does the conveyor is self cleaning. The discs run clear in the
tube touching the side walls and dislodging any material. A classic
example of this is conveying TI02 or pigments. |
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| Can the throughput be
controlled by varying the speed? |
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No, the system is a conveyor
not a feeder. Throughput will be controlled by the inlet damper valve
or by an external feeder if accuracy is required. Different conveying
phases have different capacities. |
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| How much power is required? |
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Most conveyors use either
a two or three horsepower motor - that's it! No complicated filters
or control, no rotary valves or cyclones, no plant air. Economic clean,
efficient and gentle, a great way to convey bulk solids. |
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| What spares should we
carry? |
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We recommend a spare cable
assembly, 15 spare discs, sprockets, bearing assembly, and housing
'O' rings. |
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| What is the expected cable
life? |
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On a typical product, with
proper maintenance, up to 5,000 running hours for a carbon steel cable.
With abrasive materials this reduces somewhat, like all conveyors.
Most conveyors run for years without replacing the cable assembly.
Correct tension, and in particular not over tensioning the cable,
is the single most important factor. |
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| Can a cable be repaired? |
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Yes, if a disc is broken
a new two piece repair disc can be fitted in place of the broken one,
unlike competitors ours is not limited to 10% of the total number
of discs on the cable. |
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| Could part of a cable
assembly be replaced? |
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As a general rule, we do
not recommend this on older cable assemblies. A cable in operation
stretches and allows tensioning to work correctly. To insert a new
piece into an old cable may lead to a variable pitch assembly. |
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| What other part is subject
to wear? |
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The other major component
is the sprocket assembly which in very arduous applications can groove
affecting the pitch. Again, over tensioning significantly affects
this. Wear is only a problem on very abrasive products and our unique
hard welded rims significantly improve on competitive units. |
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| What are the length limits? |
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This varies with product,
but we suggest not greater than 100 feet, as a rule. This changes
with application, our engineers will be happy to advise. |
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| Is the conveyor dust tight? |
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Yes, since the conveyor does
not pressurize or pump air and is completely enclosed, it is inherently
dust tight. Perfect for carbon black, lead oxide and other "nasty"
materials. |
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| Can the conveyor be used
at any angle? |
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Yes, but if a conveyor with
corner sprockets is used to change planes the angles at the corners
are limited to 900. The 300 Series (dense phase) can accommodate any
angle up to 600 from the horizontal. |
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| What materials of construction
are available? |
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Our standards are carbon
steel with epoxy coating and 304 stainless steel. All machines are
fitted with 304 stainless steel or aluminum tubing. Other materials
are available as well. |
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