Key Technologies

Improving Feeding Performance Where It Matters Most

Consistent material flow and accurate weighing are essential for reliable gravimetric feeding. When materials do not flow as expected or weighing conditions change, feeders can struggle to maintain the required feed rate and process consistency. The result can be fluctuations in product quality, increased material consumption, and reduced process efficiency.

Addressing Material Flow and Weighing Challenges

Material properties, process conditions, and weighing conditions can all influence how consistently and accurately material is delivered. For example, powders may bridge or form ratholes, while changes in pressure can affect the weighing signal. Variations in material characteristics or operating conditions can also influence feeder stability and accuracy. Understanding these factors is an important step in selecting the right feeding technology.

Different feeding challenges require different technologies. K-Tron solutions are designed to address key factors that can affect material flow, weighing accuracy, and feeder performance.

K-Tron Solutions for Material Flow and Weighing

Coperion K-Tron Bulk Solids Activator ActiFlow

ActiFlow™ Technology for Reliable Material Flow

Difficult-to-handle powders and other bulk solids can compact within the hopper, bridging or forming ratholes, which impact the flow of material into the feeder. This can lead to inconsistent feeding and process fluctuations.

ActiFlow™ bulk solids activator technology actively promotes material flow within the feeder, helping prevent bridging to maintain a consistent supply of material. This supports reliable feeding performance, particularly when handling powders with challenging flow properties.

ActiFlow

Coperion K-Tron Electronic Pressure Compensation EPC

Electronic Pressure Compensation (EPC) for Accurate Weighing

Changes in pressure within a process can affect weighing conditions and influence gravimetric feeding accuracy. Without compensation, these pressure fluctuations can cause variations in the weight signal and affect feed rate control.

K-Tron's Electronic Pressure Compensation (EPC) technology compensates for the effects of changing pressure conditions, helping maintain reliable weighing and consistent feed rate control.

EPC

SFT Weighing Technology for Stable Feeding Accuracy

Accurate and stable weighing is fundamental to precise gravimetric feeding. Changes in operating conditions, material behavior, or weighing conditions can make it more difficult for a feeder to maintain the required accuracy.

K-Tron's Smart Force Transducer (SFT) weighing technology is designed to provide stable and accurate weight measurement, helping feeders maintain consistent gravimetric feeding performance across changing operating conditions.

SFT Weighing Technology

How Feeding Accuracy Supports Process Efficiency

Feeding accuracy affects more than the amount of material delivered at any given moment. Precise and consistent feeding helps manufacturers maintain formulations, meet product specifications, and control material consumption.

More accurate material delivery can also help reduce waste and minimize process fluctuations. Over the lifetime of a feeding system, these improvements can contribute to lower material costs, more consistent production, and greater overall process efficiency.

For this reason, the value of a feeding solution extends beyond its initial capital cost. The ability to handle challenging materials reliably and maintain accurate, stable feeding can have a significant impact on ongoing operating costs and process performance.

Discover the K-Tron Feeder Finder!

Identify the Right Feeder with Confidence

With a wide range of feeding technologies available, selecting the right solution can be challenging. Use the K-Tron Feeder Finder to narrow down your options and discover feeders tailored to your material, feed rate and process requirements.

EXPLORE FEEDERS