Free Download : New FeedSmart Recipe Optimizer Tool

PITMAN, NJ -- The K-Tron Feeder Group, a division of K-Tron International headquartered in Pitman, NJ, has developed a recipe optimization tool processors can use to minimize total ingredient cost. The Microsoft® Excel® based FeedSmart™ Recipe Optimizer tool exploits permitted variations in a recipe’s ingredient proportions to engineer maximum savings on material costs.

Users simply enter current recipe proportions for each ingredient being fed, along with cost per ingredient, ingredient feeder setpoint tolerance range—based on product quality requirements, expected feeding accuracy for each feeder/ingredient and production data such as hours of production per year. Working within each ingredient’s permitted range of proportions, the FeedSmart™ utility strategically replaces expensive components with lower-cost ingredients, minimizing total ingredient cost. Optimized recipe proportions are automatically computed along with projected savings.

Savings associated with improved feeder performance may also be calculated, enabling comparative return on investment analyses connected to feeder purchase. Designed for any multi-ingredient continuous process application, the utility works in all currencies and weight units for recipes of up to six ingredients. Results can be exported for use in other spreadsheet or database programs.

FeedSmart is available for download free of charge at www.ktron.com/cutcosts.

For more information contact:
K-Tron Feeder Group
Routes 55 and 553
Pitman, NJ 08071
Phone +1 856-589-0500
Fax +1 856-589-8113
Email: cutcosts@ktron.com
Web site: www.ktron.com

WBF : Macgregor & Craig Named For Special Awards

ORLANDO,FL -- The WBF announces its 2005 award winners – Dr. John F. MacGregor and Lynn Craig. The WBF presents two prestigious awards to leading professionals throughout the world. Each award is named after a leading luminary in the development of process automation and their support of the WBF.

The Dr. Guido Carlo-Stella Award is presented to Dr. John F. MacGregor, Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering at McMaster University and the Thomas G. Fisher Award is presented to Lynn Craig, President, Manufacturing Automation Associates. These distinguished awards will be presented at the upcoming WBF 2005 North American Conference May 15-18 in Atlantic City, NJ.

The Dr. Guido Carlo-Stella Award, created in 1999 in honor of its namesake, is presented every year to individuals who have demonstrated technical excellence or have mentored and inspired others in the field of automation and information integration in the manufacturing industries. This year’s award is presented to Dr. John F. MacGregor, University Professor and Dofasco Chair in Process Automation and Information Technology at McMaster University, Hamilton, ON, Canada.

He is a co-founder of the McMaster Advance Control Consortium that is sponsored by many international companies. His research interests have spanned a wide range of areas, from polymer reaction engineering to process systems engineering, and statistical methods. In recent years he has concentrated on the development of multivariate statistical methods for use in process monitoring, fault detection, and control using the very large multivariate databases available from industrial processes. Dr. MacGregor developed the basic methodology for applying multivariate statistical process control (MVSPC) to batch processes.

The Thomas G. Fisher Award, first awarded in 2003, is not presented every year, but is given on merit to individuals who have demonstrated notable leadership in the development, teaching, and popularization of technologies, services and techniques in the field of process manufacturing. It has been decided that the award be presented this year to Lynn Craig, President of Manufacturing Automation Associates, Medford, NJ.

Lynn is well known for his tireless work and contributions within the batch industry and specifically with regard to the ISA Batch Standard (S88) and his passion for the WBF. He joined the SP88 committee in 1989 at the invitation of Tom Fisher, and became chairman of the committee when Mr. Fisher stepped down. Craig, still the current chairman, was at the helm when Part 1 of the S88 Standard was approved in 1995 and Part 2 in 2001. Craig continues to drive the standard process for Parts 3, 4 and 5.

A member of the CONTROL Hall of Fame, Craig’s enthusiasm and passion for the teaching, advancement and promotion of batch technology, says, “The work’s not done, but I think we’re starting to get it right.”

“I recommend Lynn for WBF’s highest honor”, says Maurice J. Wilkins, PhD, Manager Process Automation and Control Systems, Millennium Specialty Chemicals, a Lyondell Company and Chairman of the WBF. “”It could not be more fitting that Tom was part of getting Lynn into all of this. The Thomas Fisher Award was inaugurated in recognition of true leadership in batch. I cannot think of anyone who has shown more leadership and motivation in batch than Lynn Craig,” he said.

The WBF’s annual conference program and the most current information can be found by clicking on the conference link on the WBF website at www.wbf.org

Conference Registration can be done on-line at www.wbf.org or by calling the WBF at 407-774-5764.

New : Automated Mix Tank Charging Eliminates Hassle

Sewell, NJ -- IEDCO, Industrial Equipment & Design Company, has a simple, safe, hygienic and economical system to replace the widespread manual method of charging powders to reactors and mix tanks. No more lifting, carrying and dumping of bags or buckets!

The IEDCO Volkmann Vacuum Conveying System eliminates all of the containment, safety and ergonomic issues previously associated with manually scooping powders from a drum, climbing a ladder and dumping powder through a man-way or a small charge port of a tank or reactor.

The IEDCO Volkmann Vacuum Conveying System simply clamps to a sanitary ferrule on the mix tank. It is completely pneumatic and therefore inherently safe. All you have to do is plug it into a Ѕ” compressed air line and you are ready to go.

The Volkmann Vacuum Conveyor is compact, easily handled and easily cleaned. Powder is vacuum transferred from a drum, or other container, through a sanitary vacuum feed nozzle, and discharged into the tank through the sanitary butterfly valve on the conveyor. Download the Volkmann Brochure.

There are virtually no moving parts in the system so reliability is high and maintenance is low. A mirror finish and a diverging conveyor body design assure that powder transfer is complete, with no product hangup.

To learn more about IEDCO’s list of products and services contact:
Industrial Equipment and Design Company
465 Woodbury Glassboro Road
Sewell, NJ 08080
Telephone (856) 218-7330
Fax (856) 218-7337
Email: info@iedco.com
Website: www.iedco.com

UK -- Freeman Technology recently introduced a fully automated shear cell accessory for use on its FT4 Powder Rheometer. Now, work performed by an independent laboratory using BCR reference material CRM-116 (Community Bureau of Reference: BCR, Belgium), has confirmed the new shear cell’s ability to perform verifiable and highly repeatable shear tests. This reference material has been developed to allow verification of shear tests and experimental technique.

As part of their overall evaluation of the FT4 Powder Rheometer, researchers at the LGPSD-CNRS laboratory at the Ncole des Mines d’Albi in France have been working in conjunction with Freeman Technology’s Powder Applications Laboratory in the UK. Results from the work at the Ncole des Mines d’Albi showed that measurements made on CRM-116 using the FT4 shear cell gave excellent agreement with the shear parameters specified for the standard.

The FT4 is a universal powder rheometer that is used to conduct an array of powder flowability tests that provide a means to characterize the flow properties of powder materials and relate these to performance in process. Where shear testing is required to complement flowability data, the new automated shear cell accessory offers significant advantages over conventional methods.

For more information contact:
Freeman Technology Ltd
Boulters Farm Centre
Castlemorton Common
Welland, Malvern
Worcestershire
WR13 6LE, UK
Telephone: +44 (0) 1684 310 860
Facsimile: +44 (0) 1684 310 236
Email: info@freemantech.co.uk
Web site: http://www.freemantech.co.uk/

I

Lump Breaker Integrates Into Bulk Bag Discharger The lump breaker has dual 1-inch diameter, counter-rotating shafts with eccentric rotor blades running between companion stators.

High-Speed : Redler Container Loader System
The CLS is used to fill containers usually fitted with a liner with granular products such as grain, rice, sugar and a wide range of plastic pellets.

EXPO Pack Mexico Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary The longest running packaging industry event in Mexico, EXPO PACK Mexico is owned and operated by Packaging Machinery Manufacturers Institute.

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Rayovac Corporation
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Columbia County in Washington State is in the final stages of preparing to build an oil seed extraction/biodiesel facility.

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Seeking Sales Representatives - Worldwide

Redler Limited, the originator of 'en-masse' conveying, has been supplying high quality chain conveyors for over 75 years. We now seek sales representatives in the countries listed below.

If you have staff on the ground in these territories, or have an active sales organization, with a proven track record, selling conveying equipment into these countries, then you could become a Redler sales representative.

Countries; France, Germany, Spain, Poland, Czech Republic, Russia, Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Thailand

If you are interested, please send full details of your organization and capabilities to:

Mr Steve Clewley
Managing Director
Redler Limited.
Telephone +44 1453 763611
Fax +44 1453 763582
Email sclewley@redler.com 
http://www.redler.com/

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Pneumatic Conveying Design Guide
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This weeks photo is of a Loesche clinker grinding mill.  National Cement Company has contracted with Loesche America to install a new grinding mill, along with all auxiliary equipment at their cement plant in Ragland, Alabama.

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