Bulk Distributor May/Jun 16 | Page 22

22 BULKDISTRIBUTOR FIBCs & Bagging May/June 2016 Feeding the cattle T BMA Europe recently completed a double big-bag filling plant for a manufacturer of high quality feed for cattle. The installation fills up to 30 big bags per hour, and can be operated by one person. Two filling lines were chosen to prevent product contamination. The product is fed to the TBMA big-bag filling machines from storage hoppers by horizontal screw conveyors. The rotational speed of the conveyors can be adjusted to provide accurate dosing during the weighing cycle. Both big bag fillers are equipped with a fixed position filling head, a weighing system and a vibrating table, which is mounted on a lifting platform. Due to the fixed position of the filling head and the stepless lifting and lowering device, all operator actions are performed at an ergonomic working height by the operator. The two rear big-bag supports are mounted on linear cylinders which allow them to traverse to the front of the machine to facilitate suspension of the bag loops. The big-bag filling spout can easily be pulled up over the filling head to ensure a dust-free connection. An integrated fan blows the folded big-bag into shape. The operator is able to use the control panel to select the desired process outcome for the upcoming big bags. Next, with only the push of a button, the filling process is started. Filling and weighing During the filling process, the conical vibrating table is raised to support the big-bag. The vibrations ensure that the product is vented, compressed and that the corners of the big-bag are filled. The vibrating table can be activated multiple times per filling cycle dependent on the filling r ate. The suspended big-bags are weighed during the filling cycle. The combination of vibration and suspension allows the bags to stretch (big-bags stretch approximately 3-5 percent), which provides a stable and vertical FIBC. The suspended The big-bag filling spout can easily be pulled up over the filling head to ensure a dust-free connection weighing principle is also less susceptible to the influence of external factors. During the filling cycle, a pallet is automatically transferred from the pallet dispenser. A shuttle conveyor transports the empty pallet underneath the big bag and lifts it until the suspension loops are slack. At that moment the filling spout seal is deflated and the loops are automatically released. The operator ties of the filling spout, and confirms via the control panel that the big-bag is ready for transport. The lift-table then descends to the connecting roller conveyors and the shuttle is driven out of the filling machine. During this operation the operator hangs a new big-bag on the filling machine hooks and starts a new filling cycle. The filled big-bag and its pallet are transferred from the shuttle conveyor to the last available position on the accumulation conveyors. By this method of operation time losses are minimised, which allows each filling line to produce 15 big bags of 1,000kg an hour. www.tbma.com The TBMA installation fills up to 30 big bags per hour and can be operated by one person GrowinG StroNgEr ToGeTher MeMbership benefits Expertise — Working Committees and Task Forces work on diverse topics that are important for the chemical distribution industry. The committees provide members with technical advice, services and regulatory support, including early awareness of legislative developments and assist members in taking voluntary initiatives. represenTinG around 1,600 chemical disTribuTors in europe Advocacy — Fecc actively participates in the European policy development. Representing the industry’s interests and views before the European Institutions, through commenting and contributing to future legislative and regulatory processes. Advocacy Expertise We are THE voice of our industry whaT are The benefiTs of beinG a member of fecc? Networking Communications Networking — Fecc helps create and optimise opportunities within membership, with industry sectors/stakeholders and institutions as well as serves as a platform for distributors to share best practises and to interact with relevant stakeholders. Communications — Fecc enables its members to build a strong brand through Fecc’s expertise, services and marketing. Members will be able to attend the annual congress and other events, as well as receive key information via newsletters or subject specific publications and guidance, as well as benefit from increased visibility through Fecc’s media relations. Working CoMMittees & task forCes Leading industry experts contribute to Fecc’s activities and the promotion of best practices in the chemical distribution sector. cc Safety Health, & Environment cc Good Trade & Distribution Practice cc International Trade cc Precursors www.fecc.org Fecc_BULK_publication_V01.indd 1 cc Responsible Care & Product Stewardship cc Logistics cc Communication Network 19/05/16 09:15