Let’s face it, material changeovers, especially when changing from dark to light colorants, can be a messy situation. Even tiny residues of the masterbatches can cause streaks and spots of color that lead to an instant disqualification of the final product.
Manually cleaning feeders is a time-consuming task that increases downtime by shutting down production and potentially leading to inconsistent results. It also risks operator safety, as the throat of the machine is not readily accessible, and requires an operator to climb a ladder to reach it.
We believe in a better way. To tackle these challenges, we’ve engineered the SmartClean Feature for our ColorSave 1000 and DualSave gravimetric feeders – a feature designed to boost productivity by making color changes simpler and significantly more efficient, maintaining the consistent high standards our customers expect.
A simple tap on the feeder’s touch screen is all it takes to initiate a fully automated cleaning sequence. This intelligent system utilizes compressed air, applied at the feeder’s base, to automatically evacuate residual material from the hopper and feed screw. There is no more need for physical access of an operator to the feeder.
The Inner Workings of our SmartClean Feature
To understand how the option works, you need to peer into the inner workings of our feeders. The system includes a piston that opens during the emptying process. Simultaneously, strategically directed air pressure actively draws out the material, ensuring minimal residue remains in the hopper. To further improve the cleaning process, the feeder’s screw rotates backward. The mechanism uses the Venturi effect, to increase the flow.
These actions effectively dislodge any clinging grains of material from the screw’s threads and channels. Adding to this, an air nozzle is positioned on the throat, opposite the feeder, delivering a focused jet of air directly towards the screw. The evacuated residual colorant is neatly channeled into a container conveniently located near the operator. It ensures that the color change process is managed at the operator’s level.
Take a look at this short video to witness the effortless efficiency firsthand.
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