Arlington, VA -- U.S. Capital expenditures for packaging machinery are predicted to grow in the range of +1.5% to +2.5% to an estimated $5.084 billion.

The forecast and associated findings are based entirely on the results of this PMMI research, which consisted of in-depth telephone interviews with a representative market sample of 417 decision-makers reporting on the purchasing plans of 1,628 plants throughout all sectors of the domestic market, assessed equally in conjunction with detailed analyses of macroeconomic conditions and market-specific factors and expected developments deemed relevant to the outlook.

The +1.5% to +2.5% growth prediction is an exact repeat of the 2002 forecast, which, appears from follow-up data of last year's results to have come very close to the mark. While much of the economic uncertainty which existed then persists today as well, the outlook for 2003 appears to have a firmer footing upon which more solid, longer-term growth can emerge.

Five of the eight defined market segments studied (foods, pharmaceuticals, beverages, personal care and household chemicals -- which collectively account for over 80 percent of the machinery industry's annual dollar volume) are expected as a group to increase spending by +3.2 percent to +4.9% this year. And if not for the predicted decline in demand from two market segments -- durables/hard goods (-8% to -10%) and paper, textiles/soft goods (-10% to -12%) -- as well as 0% growth from the converters and "all other" segment, the aggregate outlook would be considerably brighter.

One may conclude, therefore, that machinery manufacturers who customers are concentrated in the five growth sectors should find business reasonably favorable this year.

Click here to read the complete 16-page Executive Summary. Please note that the Executive Summary is available in PDF format, which requires Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Source:  http://www.pmmi.org/

Dusseldorf, Germany – Larger and with more international representation than ever FILTECH EUROPA 2003 will take place from October 21-23, 2003 in Dusseldorf, Germany.

The International Conference with 150 technical presentations from 40 countries will feature the latest advances and techniques in liquid/solid and gas/particle separation (dust, gas & air filtration) in 3 days of in depth exposure. Technology and know-how transfer from science to practice and vice versa is a main target. The Conference language is English. Topics features will include:

Fundamentals, Modeling, Simulation, Testing and New Developments for

• Vacuum, Pressure, Press and Centrifugal Filtration - Cartridge and Bulk Layer Depth Filtration
• Gravity and Centrifugal Sedimentation, Flotation
• Separation Enhancement by Electrical and Magnetic Means
• Woven and Non-woven Filter Media
• Slurry Pre-Treatment by Coagulation and Flocculation, Surfactants, Filter Aids
• Combined Mechanical-Thermal Separation Process
• Computer-aided Design, Selection and Operation of Separation Equipment

Gas-Solid-Separation

• Filter Media Production (from fibers to ready-made elements)
• Filter Media Characterization
• Particle Collection with Single Fibers, Fiber Arrays, Particle Layers
• Particle Separation at High Temperature and High Concentration
• Separation of Nano-Particles (Product Recovery and Emission Control)
• Particle Separation in Motor Vehicles

Membrane Processes

• Development, Characterization and Fabrication of Advanced Membranes
• Reverse Osmosis
• New Application Fields
• Enhancement of Cross-Flow Techniques
• Cleaning and Recovery of Industrial Waste Water
• Selective Separation of Bio-Products

At the international exhibition global companies from the filtration and separation industry will display the latest equipment and services. Delegates and visitors will be able to meet, discuss and solve their filtration problems with competent partners from all over the world in a business-building atmosphere. Manufacturers and suppliers worldwide are invited to participate.

For further information contact:
FILTECH Exhibitions Germany
Contact: Suzanne Abetz
Brehmstr. 84
40239 Düsseldorf
Germany
Phone: +49/211/6 41 18 79
Fax: +49/211/6 41 19 12
E-mail: Info@FiltechEuropa.com
Web: www.FiltechEuropa.com

Elburn, IL - Monitor's Flo-Pad bin aeration device fluidizes materials in bins, hoppers and silos. The virtually maintenance free Flo-Pad uses multiple Easers mounted on a single air plenum chamber inside the vessel for a multi-directional air release.

Monitor's Flo-Pad has many advantages over other bin aerators. The Flo-Pad fluidizes materials without the noise and damaging vibration caused by pneumatic or electric vibrators. Additionally, unlike other types of aerators that use cotton or canvas to diffuse the air, the Flo-Pad uses multiple Evassers, which are less likely to be bound or clogged due to moisture. The Evassers also have a standard neoprene boot that prevents material backflow by expanding to let the pressurized air out and contracting when the air is shut off.

The most effective aeration of dry bulk materials is typically achieved by the use of multiple rows of Flo-Pads, one row located in each quadrant of the slopping bin bottom. The spacing between rows and individual Flo-Pads can vary from application to application. Units are available for high pressure and high temperature applications.

For more information contact:
Monitor Technologies LLC
44W320 Keslinger Rd
Elburn, IL 60119
Telephone:  800-601-6302
Web site:  http://www.monitortech.com

Increased Sales : CEMA Monthly Statistics Report

April 15, 2003 NAPLES, FL. -- The Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association (CEMA) reported that its February 2003 Booked Orders Index was 132 up 24 points or an increase of 22% from January 2003's Index of 108 (1990=100). The February 2003 Index represents an increase of 11% from the February 2002 Index of 119.

February Booked Orders Indexes were 89 for Bulk Handling Equipment* and 144 for Unit Handling Equipment*(1990=100).

The Twelve-Month Index for Booked Orders was 126 in February. Index represents an increase of 1% from January 2003's Twelve-Month Index of 125.

The CEMA Billed Sales (shipments) Index was 162 in February up 1 point or an increase of 1% from the January Index of 161. The February 2003 Index represents a decrease of 15% from the February 2002 Index of 191.

February Billed Sales Indexes were 83 for Bulk Handling Equipment* and 161 for Unit Handling Equipment*(1990=100).

The Twelve-Month Index for Billed Sales was 169 in February. Index represents a decrease of 2% from January 2003's Twelve-Month Index of 172.

* Since Bulk Handling Systems booked and billed sales are reported quarterly, they are averaged back to the two preceding months to enable a running monthly index.

Source:  http://www.cemanet.org

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

Mr. Barnes needs equipment for measuring bulk density:

Our current method of measuring bulk density of polymer/plastic powders, is messy not very repeatable.  Is there a company that makes equipment that can measure and or analyze bulk density of powders?
(Click here to post a reply)

Regards,
Brent Barnes
Advanced Forming Technology
brentb@pcc-aft.com

Mr. Fuller needs to convey magnesium powder:

I'm working on a system to dilute phase convey magnesium powder.  This system will covey magnesium from a hammer mill to a cartridge style dust collector with a rotary valve feeding a classifier.

NFPA 484 says that magnesium should be conveyed under the minimum explosibility concentration for dust to air ratio and should maintain a minimum of 3500 ft/min.  If I convey under air atmosphere, do I have a possible explosion hazard at the dust collector when the convey velocity is less than 3500 ft/min?  Should the magnesium be conveyed under a nitrogen atmosphere?  (Click here to post a reply)

Thanks,
Chip Fuller
Alliant Techsystems
charles.fuller@atk.com

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

FOR SALE: LCI Spartan Mixer/Granulator RMO35

Product contacting parts in 304 stainless steel, except anti-wear treatment for chopper rotor, mixing arm, and set nut.  Unit has 35 liter working volume.  Chopper rotor speed controlled by mechanical variable speed drive.  Unit in a mild steel chassis and cabinet with painted surfaces on cabinet.  Price:  $50,000

Do you have new, used or refurbished equipment for sale?
List your equipment and/or services in our E-Classifieds.  Its quick, simple and inexpensive.  You can even include a photograph with your ad! 

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© 1999-2003 Powder and Bulk Dot Com
Home page:  http://www.powderandbulk.com/

Joseph Taylor, Editor
Powder and Bulk Dot Com Newsletter
3948 South Third Street, No. 121
Jacksonville Beach, FL 32250

Phone: 904-280-4656
Fax: 904-273-1399

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

Our goal is to provide information to improve your business by using the resources available on the Internet.

Thanks,
Joe Taylor, Editor
jtaylor@powderandbulk.com

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This weeks photo is of an Atlantic Coast Crushers' Flow Smasher Crusher, processing 15,000 pounds per hour of magnesium sulfate, reducing the particle size to less than 1/4" output size at a major chemical processing plant. Flow-Smasher is a heavy-duty, high torque, high capacity crushing machine capable of reducing large chunks of friable bulk materials to a consistent, free-flowing size.

Photo courtesy of Jim Herdman of Atlantic Coast Crushers.

Send us your photos:  We would love to have your photo of a bulk materials process, packaging, conveying or handling "action shot" for our home page.  Send your photograph and description to: news@powderandbulk.com