PROCESS EQUIPMENT UPDATE
EFFICIENT FISH FOOD P
An upgraded extruder has increased the efficiency and throughput of one leading fish-food manufacturer
roduction extruders are essential machines for the process industry; they shape raw materials into products by
heating, melting, and extruding them. This process is used by many sectors to create a variety of outputs from materials that include plastics, food, metal and rubber. Leading extrusion manufacturer,
Coperion, has recently successfully modernised the control system of a ZSK production extruder at fish food and water conditioner manufacturer Tetra. The ZSK extruder, which has been producing various types of fish food pellets at high capacity for over 30 years, was upgraded with a new control unit and main drive. This retrofit updated the entire automation, improving performance and efficiency, acording to the company.
HIGHER THROUGHPUT Following this upgrade, Tetra has increased productivity. The ZSK extruder now ‘consistently produces high quality fish food at full machine availability,’ according to the company. In addition, the update to the ZSK extruder’s automation system leaves room for the straightforward implementation of future upgrades and expansions. Any new guidelines can easily
The Coperion ZSK system was upgraded during Tetra’s annual shutdown period
be integrated into the production process. Coperion also installed a reluctance motor which it says will lead to energy savings for Tetra over time.
QUICK TURNAROUND UPGRADE Tetra has successfully produced fish food pellets for many years using the Coperion ZSK twin screw extruder at high production capacity. Throughout its long operational life, Tetra regularly implemented smaller upgrades to the production line. However, once the company decided to comprehensively modernise its control system it had to work out how to do so within the short window of the annual shutdown period.
The extruder’s production has increased 10
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AN INTENSE COORDINATION PHASE During an intense coordination phase, Coperion service technicians and Tetra operation and maintenance personnel prepared a detailed plan of of the upgrade. The motor, drive, and the control and drive cabinets were
swapped out quickly. The automation was entirely updated and equipped with new Siemens components. The ZSK extruder was put back into production at full capacity at the end of the shutdown period, according to plan.
COLLABORATION WAS KEY Stefan Lachenmayer, director of sales at Coperion, says: “The ZSK extruder has been central to Tetra’s fish food production for decades. Owing to the extruder’s high production load, we only had a very short time period available to complete the control system’s upgrade. Coordination with the team at Tetra made it possible for us to plan the complete upgrade and implement it quickly. Tetra now has a ZSK extruder that incorporates the latest technology and ensures maximum performance.
For more information visit:
www.coperian.com
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