Prater-Sterling acquires L-R Systems

Bolingbrook, IL -- Scott Prater, President of Prater-Sterling announced on May 1, 2008 the acquisition of L-R Systems. L-R Systems was founded in 1980 and is known as a leading supplier of material handing systems and other processing equipment to the plastic, food, chemical and pharmaceutical industry.

In addition to the pneumatic conveying systems of fine powders and plastic pellets, L-R Systems also manufactures blenders, feeders, hopper loaders, central loading systems, dryers, plastic granulators, dust collectors, cyclones, bag breakers and fillers, gaylord dumpers, fillers, tilters and provides complete installation of both electrical controls and mechanicals.

The manufacturing plant resides in Joliet Illinois which is about 30 miles due south from the corporate offices of Prater-Sterling. The recent acquisition of L-R Systems allows for a strategic optimization of the many products offered by Prater-Sterling thus expanding the companies overall capabilities to the many customers it serves throughout the world.

Prater-Sterling is a privately owed family business that started in 1925. The new acquisition adds to the current line of state-of-the-art equipment in size reduction, separation, metering, compacting, batch weighing as well as control systems for a vast range of applications including food processing, chemical & agriculture, minerals, plastics and pharmaceuticals.

Prater-Sterling is dedicated to its beliefs and ideals for innovation and customer service, honored guiding principles that began when the company was founded over 83 years ago.

Source:  http://www.prater-sterling.com/

New Bulk Materials Handling Innovation Center

Neponset IL -- There is something interesting - at least, for heavy industry - going on in the cornfields outside rural Neponset, Illinois.

In Neponset, a privately-held company is completing a new corporate research center focused on improving the handling of bulk materials in heavy industries, like coal-fired power generation, mining, sand & gravel and aggregate production, pulp and paper, and cement manufacturing.

Neponset, a sign outside town says Population 550, is the home of Martin Engineering, a leading global supplier of systems and services that make bulk materials handling cleaner, safer, and more productive.

Located in west central Illinois, Neponset is about two hours west of Chicago, one hour north of Peoria or one hour east of the Quad Cities. But that rural location will not keep Martin Engineering from taking giant steps toward improvements in bulk materials handling for basic industry.

The new Martin Engineering Center for Bulk Materials Handling Innovation holds the promise of improved productivity and profitability in these industrial operations where the clean, efficient handling of a bulk material is a key to the production process. The Center for Innovation—CFI, for short—is a $5 Million (US$) facility with the goals of improving bulk materials handling through collaboration, innovation, and education.

CFI is housed in a new 22,600 square foot (2,100 square meter) building at Martin Engineering’s world headquarters campus in Neponset. Part pure-science research laboratory, and part industrial product development center, CFI will collaborate with partners including corporations, industry associations, and universities for practical research to solve the common problems in the handling of bulk materials, problems that have plagued these industries for years.

These material handling problems include the release of fugitive material as dust and spillage, and hang-ups in material flow. These problems lead to added maintenance expenses and losses in productivity, resulting in reduced profitability for the heavy industrial operations.

The new CFI facility includes a full-time staff of 12, including scientists, engineers, and technicians, all dedicated to advancing the understanding of the behavior of bulk materials and the performance of materials handling systems.

CFI has both the scientific instruments and the full-scale materials handling equipment to test bulk materials and prototype components under simulated operating conditions. Included in CFI are laboratories for the analysis and testing of characteristics and performance of metals, polymers, and bulk materials; an environmental lab for accelerated aging; and a process simulation area that features full-scale material handling equipment including a full-scale recirculating three-belt conveyor system for testing both bulk materials and equipment prototypes.

Martin Engineering is the first in the industry to take this basic science first approach to improving the handling of bulk materials. Martin Engineering Chairman of the Board Edwin H. Peterson said, "The Center for Bulk Materials Handling Innovation represents a major commitment to the industries we serve. Our research partners will benefit from a better understanding of the characteristics of their bulk materials, and how they should be handled. This will lead to new technologies that make bulk materials handling cleaner, safer, and more productive."

The center will also offer education for industry personnel management, engineering, operations, and maintenance staff in how material handling systems work and how they can work better. CFI features dedicated training resources, including a state-of-the art, 44-seat training room and a video conference center. The facility also includes an observation deck where visitors can view material and equipment testing underway in the facility’s laboratories and on the recirculating conveyor system.

Web site: http://www.martin-eng.com/

Bagging : Spee-Dee Slashes Filling Expense

Sturtevant, WI - James P. Navin, President of Spee-Dee® Packaging Machinery, Inc., recently unveiled the company's new 3500 Digitronic® Net Weigh Auger Filler System with Bag Clamp.

"Spee-Dee's latest contribution to dry fill technology will maximize the speed and efficiency of the filling operation for bulk ingredient packagers who serve the food processing industry," Navin stated.

Timm Johnson, Vice President, Sales/Marketing, was quick to elaborate the many profitable benefits associated with the system. "The 3500 Net Weigh incorporates load cells and utilizes the bulk/dribble method to efficiently and precisely fill dry powders within impressive accuracies of +/-.25%. In addition, each unit is customized to the specific production requirements of the end user and may be adjusted to quickly and seamlessly accommodate a variety of bag widths and lengths. The system also eliminates the need for manual lifting and lowering of filled bags, which results in reduced labor time and expense."

"Perhaps one of the most technologically sophisticated elements of the Net Weigh system," Johnson continued, "is the unit's No bag/No fill feature, which minimizes product waste by halting the filling process if the sensor identifies bag damage. Plus, the unit features quick disconnect airlines that enable bells to be removed for easy cleanup," he concluded.

The Spee-Dee 3500 Digitronic Net Weigh Auger Filler includes a dust collector port to improve air quality, reduce maintenance and diminish product loss. Spee-Dee will also supply infeed conveyors, power roller conveyors, outfeed conveyors and stainless steel stands. Allen-Bradley based control packages are standard for this unit, but alternate control packages are available for specific applications.

Spee-Dee Packaging Machinery, Inc. is a premier quality manufacturer of equipment to measure and fill dry products in consumer size containers (bags, bottles, pouches, cans and cartons). Spee-Dee was a pioneer in the development and manufacture of both servo auger and servo volumetric cup fillers.

For more information contact:
Spee-Dee Packaging Machinery, Inc.
1360 Grandview Parkway
Sturtevant, WI 53177
Telephone: Toll free 877-375-2121 or 262-886-4402
Fax: 262-886-5502
Email: info@spee-dee.com
Web site: http://www.spee-dee.com/

Mixing it with the Mastersizer!

Malvern, UK and Hauppauge, NY -- The often difficult challenge of selecting the right mixer for specific process applications is made easier when thorough testing is possible. At the Test & Development Center of Charles Ross & Son Company, a major leading manufacturer of mixing equipment, their Malvern Mastersizer particle size analyzer is one of the analytical instruments used by customers during process simulations.

Provided as complimentary service, mixing trials at the Ross Test & Development Center located in Hauppauge, NY, are availed by customers from a wide range of industries and from around the world. Working at the test center with their own raw materials, customers simulate their processes using Ross mixing, blending and dispersion systems. The Mastersizer is applied during the course of process optimization and verification, as an aid to selecting the proper mixing equipment and correct process conditions.

“The Mastersizer is used alongside viscometers, moisture balances and other analytical equipment, and is very helpful in proving and demonstrating our technologies, particularly our high shear and ultra-high shear mixers,” explains Christine Angos, Application Engineer at Charles Ross & Son Company. “Particle or droplet size measurements of dispersions or emulsions tell us if we are at the desired endpoint, whether we need to process longer, or if we should shift to a different type of mixer. Even when other physical properties are critical to the product’s quality, measured particle size often gives us a definite indication of success.”

Malvern’s industry leading Mastersizer systems use laser diffraction technology to measure particle size in wet and dry samples. Ross product lines include equipment to mix liquid-liquid, solid-solid and liquid-solid formulations over a wide range of viscosities, attracting customers from all process industries.

To discuss your needs with the Ross Technical Services Group or for more details on the testing program, please contact Ken Langhorn at +1-800-243-ROSS or klanghorn@mixers.com

Source: http://www.malvern.com/

I

Hartman Scale : Snackfood and Trailmix Blending Hartman Scale's gravimetric vibratory feed system allows for accurate blending of many products onto a conveyor.

Delumper Bagstation : Freshen-up bagged solids
The unit is designed to facilitate convenient manual opening of small to medium sized bags without creating a dusty environment.

NIR : Fiber Optic Food Probe Measures Protein The Fiber Optic Food Probe is designed to measure fat, protein and moisture in food during the mixing process.

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People post their requests for help and offer their suggestions to others in our open forum.

Rick wants a pneumatic injector for powder:

Can you recommend anyone, preferably in the Northwest, that builds a system that can inject 250+ pounds per second of dry powder (50 microns, 5% moisture)?    (to post reply, click here)

Thanks,
Rick
rickgresham@comcast.net

Terrence needs help with flow of salt in his silos:

I am the Plant Engineer at a Georgia Pacific Resin Plant located in Albany, Oregon. We use salt as a solid additive to our process. It is delivered by truck using pneumatics to our salt storage silo.

The salt silo is a cylindrical hopper with a conical bottom. It holds 90,000 lbs of salt (1,400 ft3). The hopper discharges to a bottom port and valve and to an augur to transport to its next destination. The silo is made of mild steel with a coating to prevent corrosion by the salt.

Our problem is that we experience both ratholing and bridging. The tank came with a series of vibra jets mounted on the walls of the silo cone. These are not sufficient to prevent the build-up. We are able to operate the system by pounding on the cone from the outside when build-up begins. However, there are times when this is insufficient.

The salt is hygroscopic (think of table salt in a salt shaker) and at times becomes fairly well entrenched. We are considering installing vibrators and/or air cannons to try to keep the salt mobile. However, any activity that exposes any metal to the salt on the inside of the tank will ultimately result in tank failure from corrosion.

The Mucon Promo Flow device as shown on your web page interest us. Could this device overcome the difficulties that we are seeing with this hopper? How would one be installed within an existing installation? What could we expect for cost? Would it compromise the coating integrity of the inside of the hopper?  (to post reply, click here)

Thanks,
Terrance
Georgia Pacific
TTVIRNIG@GAPAC.com

Click here to share your expertise with others in our Help Forum.

Dynamic Business Development Manager Wanted!

Due to the continued growth of our Bulk Materials Handling division Stock Equipment Company, an innovative leader in the design and manufacture of bulk material handling systems and environmental controls primarily in support of the power generation industry, has an immediate opening for a dynamic Business Development Manager to work within our Bulk Material Handling division.

The key characteristics and experience we desire for this Business Development role will include:

• Someone with Bulk Material Handling experience -- areas such as belt and chain conveyors, bucket elevators, vibratory feeders, barge unloaders etc.

• An individual with technical competence of Bulk Material Handling product lines

• The position will include support of our Regional Sales Managers' efforts and could be based anywhere throughout the United States

• Previous sales experience - either outside/on-site sales or inside/customer service looking to move to outside sales. Ideally this experience is with coal fired power plants but not required

• A firm grasp on material character and how that influences machine selection and design

• Should possess the ability to speak the "bulk solids language"

If you are passionate, driven and own a successful track record within a bulk solids handling organization you maybe the ideal candidate!

Stock Equipment Company offers professional challenges, personal rewards, competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits plan.  Please forward resume and salary requirements to:

Stock Equipment Company
Attn: Stephen Moore
16490 Chillicothe Road
Chagrin Falls, OH 44023
Email: stephen.moore@stockequipment.com 
Web site: http://www.stockequipment.com/

Stock is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a culturally diverse workforce.

The Job Fair is a free service of Powder and Bulk Dot Com.  You can post job opening for managers, engineers, sales, reps or other talented people you need. ...Or one can post their resume for companies who are looking to add talented people to their staff.

Do you have a position you need to fill?  Visit the Job Fair.

© 1998-2008 Powder and Bulk Dot Com
Home page:  http://www.powderandbulk.com/

Joseph Taylor, Editor
Powder and Bulk Dot Com Newsletter
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Phone: 904-280-4656
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Email:  jtaylor@powderandbulk.com

Powder and Bulk Dot Com's Newsletter is a 100% opt-in e-mail list of information for the materials handling professional.  Do you have company news, a new product, new service or other information you would like to share with our subscribers?  Please submit articles via e-mail, only to: news@powderandbulk.com

I hope you and your family had a great Memorial Day weekend and are looking forward to the summer.  Check out these great stories this week, starting with an acquisition by Prater-Stirling, read on!

With over 6,000+ subscribers and over 160,000+ visitors each month, our goal is to provide information to improve your business by using the resources available on the Internet.

Very Truly Yours,
Joe Taylor, Editor
jtaylor@powderandbulk.com

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Bulk Material Handling
by Conveyor Belt 5
by Allen Reicks, Michael T. Myers
Paperback: 166 pages, 2004

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Screw Conveyor 101
by Michael P. Forcade
Spiral-bound, 260 pages, 1999

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Modern Drying Technology:
Volume 1: Computational Tools at Different Scales
by Evangelos Tsotsas, Arun Mujumdar
Hardcover, 359 pages, 2007

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Storage Silo Selection
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This week's homepage photo is of Cleveland Cascade® Chute installed at the Lafarge Davenport, Iowa facility. This PEBCO Chute features lightweight fiberglass cones with abrasion resistant steel liners, a heavy duty shroud and a special dust enclosure attached to the bottom. 

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