COMPANY NEWS
A New End of Line Strapping Solution for pack2pack…
Portasilo has been awarded a contract to supply two 60m³ Hydrated Lime storage silos for AECOM (formally ETM)
The system in action
Basingstoke based Gordian Strapping, one of the UK’s leading end of line packaging machinery specialists, has provided a system solution for pack2pack, Europe’s largest drum re-conditioner, at its site in Avonmouth near Bristol.
pack2pack, which was acquired by a subsidiary of Greif, Inc. in August 2011, collects and reconditions or recycles steel and plastic drums, IBCs and other industrial packaging. The group also produces small new packaging (pails and cans) made of tinplate. This enables the provision of a fully integrated and service-oriented approach within the industrial packaging market in Europe.
The improvement to pack2pack’s end-of- line packaging system was the installation of two OMS manufactured strapping machines. The strapping machines secure four empty 205L steel drums onto a pallet before they are dispatched to pack2pack’s customers. The benefits of the new system are reduced manual handling, less waste strapping, a leaner automated process and provision of immediate palletisation capability of up to 70 pallets per hour.
The first machine is an OMS Pallet Dispenser, which dispenses bespoke sized pallets onto the line. The second machine, an OMS Model 06S Horizontal Strapping Machine applies a horizontal strap around the 4 drums. The final machine, an OMS Model 875/AB Side Seal Strapping Machine, then applies a vertical strap over the drums and through the pallet. Both machines are equipped with a TR14HD Heavy Duty Strapping Head.
The vertical strap is applied at an angle to facilitate the use of pallets with a centre bearer. To achieve this, the design of the Side Seal Machine was adapted, meaning that the strapping head itself is positioned at an angle.
Neil Spratt, Avonmouth Plant Manager of pack2pack commented – “the new system allows us to automate a previously manual strapping process. It provides a leaner, more efficient and immediately available end-of-line packaging process”.
www.gordianstrapping.co.uk 10 Bulk Solids Today
The silos will be manufactured from mild steel and designed to store 30 tonne of Hydrated Lime. Each silo will be fitted with a filter unit, differential pressure switch, pressure vacuum relief valve, high level indication, loadcells, inlet pipe, isolating valve (pinch valve), 1200 Rotoflo discharger and will be fully equipped to allow the safe filling of the silo by pressurised road tankers in compliance with the latest requirements of the HSE by utilising our silo fill panel system. Also included in our scope of supply on each silo were 2 x flight in tube conveyors, 5m³ stainless steel mix tanks and PMU gravimetric feeders giving the system duty stand-by.
The main challenge for Portasilo on this project was to ensure that it conformed to Yorkshire Waters Asset and Engineering Standards and to provide a system capable of offering both duty/stand-by, giving our client peace of mind should any issues occur during
operation of the plant. We achieved this by offering our ‘signature
design’ lime solutions system which has been adopted by the client in their asset standard. The site installation also posed significant challenges in that the equipment was to be located in close proximity to one of Network Rails main lines. Portasilo worked closely with both the Client and Network Rail to ensure the planned installation ran smoothly in accordance with UK Health & Safety legislation.
The scope of supply for Portasilo was; design, supply, delivery, mechanical installation and commissioning support.
www.portasilo.co.uk Tel: 01904 624872
Strainstall introduce new chain monitoring system
Strainstall Marine, the UK based load cell manufacturer, has launched a new system for monitoring the tension in chains used in industrial conveyor belts, such as longwall mining systems, bulk handling and quarry systems. The chain monitoring system provides operators with data on the tensions in the chains, and should the loads reach pre-set limits, the system has the facility to decrease/increase tension in the chain, generate alarms to warn operators to take corrective action before any breakdown occurs or stop the conveyor. This avoids the possibility of chain failure resulting in machine downtime, which is crucial, as any machine stoppage holds up production and is extremely costly. The system utilises proven Strainstall load pins or compressive load cells (depending on the application) to measure the tension in the conveyor drive chain, with the resulting data transmitted to an electronic display. Specifically designed to operate in extreme temperatures and resistant to high moisture levels, abrasive materials and vibration, both the load pins and load cells are idea for use in the harsh conditions found in the mining, marine and quarrying industries. The load pins are also resistant to the effects of metal fatigue, a condition caused by being subjected to repeated cyclic loads.
The systems can also include custom designed software to suit the needs of the individual customer and a range of display options to provide a fully bespoke solution. . System features and benefits include: • Significantly reduced system downtime providing substantial cost savings
• Maximised chain life • Increased reliability and productivity • Reduced maintenance requirement • Simple (non intrusive) integrated system • Robust and hermetically sealed • ATEX/IECEx certified for use in Zone 1 and Zone 2 Hazardous Areas
• Reliable, long term operation Adrian Coventry, Engineering Director said
“This new system means conveyor operators no longer have to worry about chain overloading and potential system failure, which has the additional benefit of providing significant cost savings from both improved operation and increased chain life. Also, as it uses our load cells and pins that have many years of proven use in harsh environments, they are can be assured our system will provide long term, hassle-free operation.” Tel: +44 (0)1983 203600 Email:
s.cruttenden@
strainstall.com
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