Naugatuck, CT -- YoFarm are the makers of the unique yogurt and crunchy treats combo snacks, YoCrunch, have been producing smooth, healthy treats for decades. They decided to automate the transfer of the crunchy ingredients in its YoCrunch snack with a new vacuum conveyor system from. Specifically they wanted automate the process of transferring the dry ingredients from 2000 lb. totes into the "doams," or the plastic containers that sit atop the yogurt cup.

For years this had been a manual operation, both time consuming and labor intensive. Operators would literally scoop the granola or cookies or whatever the dry ingredient would be out of the enormous tote using a stainless steel bucket and carry the food over to a filler machine. The operator would be responsible for monitoring the right quantities using the cup as a guide.

According to YoFarm plant engineer, Peter Riebe, "Our production capacity has increased by more than 40% over the last few years. We needed a transfer system that could keep up with increased productivity and make us more competitive and profitable, while reducing the physical strain on our employees.  PIAB's C-33 vacuum conveyors had everything we were looking for in terms of functionality, hygienic safety, and quality."

PIAB's C-series of conveyors are designed to safely and quietly transport up to15 tons/hour of powders, granules and food in virtually any manufacturing environment. Made of stainless steel, these conveyors meet all the standards for hygienic safety and are corrosion-resistant and easy to clean.

Now with two PIAB C-33 vacuum conveyors in place, the YoCrunch dry ingredients are now transferred in a safer, completely automated system. The packaging process is now entirely hands-free, as measured amounts of dry food are pneumatically transferred to the filler machine, dropped in the "doams", thermally sealed and then mated with a container of yogurt. The machines run 24/7, and with no risk of human error, and the quantities are always exactly correct.

"The vacuum conveyors have taken the manual labor out of the process," Riebe said. "There is now no risk of employee back strain, as the operators just have to run the machines and monitor the process. They are much happier in their work."

One could say that PIAB's vacuum conveyors are now an essential, "smooth-running" ingredient in YoFarm's delivery of smooth 'n crunchy treats.

Source: http://www.piab.com/

NAPLES, FL. -- The Conveyor Equipment Manufacturers Association (CEMA) reported that its July 2003 Booked Orders Index was 114 up 2 points or an increase of 2% from June 2003's Index of 112 (1990=100).

The July 2003 Index represents a decrease of 2% from the July 2002 Index of 116.

July Booked Orders Indexes were 106 for Bulk Handling Equipment* and 113 for Unit Handling Equipment*(1990=100). The Twelve-Month Index for Booked Orders was 134 in July. Index represents no change from June 2003's Twelve-Month Index of 134.

The CEMA Billed Sales (shipments) Index was 168 in July down 9 points or a decrease of 5% from the June Index of 177. The July 2003 Index represents a decrease of 8% from the July 2002 Index of 183.

July Billed Sales Indexes were 105 for Bulk Handling Equipment* and 159 for Unit Handling Equipment*(1990=100).

The Twelve-Month Index for Billed Sales was 168 in July. Index represents a decrease of 1% from June 2003's Twelve-Month Index of 169.

* 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/

HELSINKI, Finland -- Metso Corporation's automation and control technology business area Metso Automation has agreed to sell its subsidiary, CPS Electronics Inc. to Scanfil Plc of Finland as of September 30, 2003. Divestment of CPS Electronics is part of Metso's efficiency improvement program and according to that Metso divests its non-core functions and products. The parties have agreed not to disclose the transaction price.

CPS Electronics is a contract manufacturer of electronics, specializing in small and medium-sized series production. It purchases basic components and circuit board bases, automatically and manually composes them, assembles ready products, designs maintenance procedures and performs testing operations. The company is located in Tampere, Finland. The number of employees totals approximately 130. Approximately half of CPS Electronics' net sales comes from customers outside Metso.

Scanfil is a global contract manufacturer and systems supplier for the telecommunications and electronics industries. Scanfil has production plants in Finland, China, Estonia, Hungary and Belgium. Scanfil has 1,650 employees. The company is listed on the Helsinki Exchanges.

Scanfil acquires production and know-how which Metso Automation has utilized in its equipment ten years time. Scanfill will continue as important contract manufacturer of industrial electronics for Metso Automation.

Metso Corporation is a global supplier of process industry machinery and systems, as well as know-how and aftermarket services. The corporation's core businesses are fiber and paper technology (Metso Paper), rock and mineral processing (Metso Minerals) and automation and control technology (Metso Automation).

Source:  http://www.metso.com/

Dedham, Massachusetts -- The process automation market, whose resilience is directly related to prosperity of the industry and the health of the economy, experienced less than mediocre growth. However, the total automation business to process industries worldwide is projected to grow at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.7 percent over the next five years. The market is forecasted to be over $58 billion in 2007, according to a new ARC Advisory Group study.

With excess capacity globally across many industries, few manufacturers are building new plants now. However, with expected economic growth, this will be absorbed. “Although users will remain very conservative in their spending decisions for capital equipment, global competition will compel most manufacturers to improve their plant machinery and process to stay competitive,” according to ARC Senior Analyst Himanshu Shah, the principal author of ARC’s “Total Automation Business for the Process Industries Worldwide Outlook.”

Process Industries Will Recover from Recent Slowdown

There are still many pockets of reliable growth in the process automation business. A myriad of process companies use legacy automation systems that do not measure up to the present day automation requirements of process plants, particularly in the era of collaborative manufacturing.

Process industries such as chemical, drug & pharmaceuticals, pulp & paper, and power have aging plants and systems that are obsolete by today’s standards. Process companies are severely challenged to improve their ROA and must utilize plant equipment effectively with modern controls for automation. As suppliers offer migration strategies and provide better interoperability through open standards, many users will embrace newer solutions with current technologies to help them compete in the global marketplace.

Suppliers Exhibit High Degree of Agility

To help manufacturers overcome their risk-aversion, suppliers are offering more services and broader solutions. These services offer growth opportunities in revenues. Suppliers are augmenting their deliverables, enhancing product functionalities, and offering fieldbus and wireless technologies to meet the expanding needs of users. They are also focusing on growth industries such as pharmaceuticals and food & beverage. Growth prospects in some industry segments such as refining and water & wastewater also remain better than average.

Asia and Latin America Will Grow Briskly

The economic slowdown in the US is having a negative impact on worldwide markets. In Europe, manufacturers are continuing to be cautious as their economic strength declines. Japan continues to face the same weak economic conditions it has struggled with for several years. However, there is opportunity. Latin America represents the highest growth area for total process automation, followed by the developing region of Asia. The North American and EMA (Europe, the Middle East, and Africa) regions will grow at about the same average annual rate, while Japan will see the least growth during the next five years.

Source:  http://www.ARCweb.com

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

Mr. Jenkins needs help with dust collection:

I am looking for better technology for collecting fine particles and dust that my plant currently produces.

Currently I have many bag houses and find that they consume a lot of compressed air (which makes the electrical bill soar) and the bags are expensive and need to be changed frequently and changing the bags is not an easy task. Any help would greatly be appreciated.
(Click here to post a reply)

Thanks,
Bob Jenkins
bob.jenkins@pqcorp.com

Bansi needs help with a dusting problem:

We are designing process.  The batch of bulk solids passes thru long 6" dia chute & enters into vessel with liquids.  We have observed that fugitive dust particles become airborne when bulk solids enters into vessel, creating dust cloud.

Particle size we got-most < 325 mesh & minor percentage < 1 micron. The end result of dusting in vessel could be clogging of vent lines & filters on vents, as well as dust nasting onto internals of vessels & cerating coating.  To reduce this we have looked into agglomeration of dust particles, proper chute design & even metering batch into vessel via chute rather than gravity feeding batch into vessel.

Anyone has similar problem & experience & what is best solution?  Experience with agglomeration or other dust suppression technology?
(Click here to post a reply)

Thanks,
Bansi
jaydesainj@yahoo.com

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

FOR SALE: Batch Mixer & Gear Box

Johns Manville in Waterville, OH has a used Mixer Systems Model 6800 Batch Mixer with 80 cubic feet mix capacity and a new S-20 Fairfield Gear Box available for sale. Picture of the mixer is attached. Sale "as is" Waterville, Ohio.  Click here more details

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

We now accept all major credit cards

Global Business Development Manager - Food & Pharma

A leading manufacturer of industrial equipment located in Southern NJ has an opening for a Global Business Development Manager focusing on the Food and Pharma Industry.  The position reports to the Sr VP, Feeder Group and may be located in Pitman, NJ or Niederlenz, Switzerland.

Responsibilities include the following:

• Competitive analysis and recommendations for strategic actions
• Ability to develop plans to acquire new customers / markets
• Consulting with customers for product / market analysis
• Developing sales strategies with VP Mktg/Sales for market penetration
• Coordination of sales and training activities with branch offices and sales representatives on industry specific equipment and processes
• Creation and delivery of various marketing activities (professional articles, lectures, customer seminars, process application sheets)
• Support of world wide sales organizations in helping to achieve budgeted bookings and operating profit goals
• Suggestions for developing projects of new or existing equipment concerning new markets

Required Experience and Education:

• Experience selling capital equipment in the Food or Pharma Industry
• In depth knowledge of food/pharmaceutical processing
• BS in Sales / Marketing / Engineering
• Excellent communication skills, self-motivation and negotiation skills
• Must be comfortable talking to a highly technical audience
• High Flexibility and independent
• Experience in international Sales and Product Management a plus
• Fluent in English, German a plus
• Experience with Microsoft Office Applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Heavy domestic and international travel required (30-40%)

Qualified candidates should send resume and salary requirements to: resumes@ktron.com .  Resumes without salary requirements will not be considered.

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.

© 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

Food, everyone likes food, how about a sweet and crunchy snack.  Find out how vacuum conveying helped make YoFarm's snacks fast.

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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Mixing of Solids
(Powder Technology Series, No. 12)
by Ralf Weinekotter, Hermann Gericke
Hardcover, 176 pages, February 2000

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Silos: Fundamental of Theory, Behavior & Design
by C. J. Brown, J. Nielsen (Editors)
Hardcover: 864 pages, February 1998

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Marks' Standard Handbook for Mechanical Engineers (10th Edition)
by E. Avallone, T. Baumeister (editors)
Hard Cover, 10th Edition, July 1996

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Find more books for the materials handling professional online, visit our Reading Room.

Increasing Conveying Rates in Pneumatic Systems
Guest article by A. Tim Agarwal,
Pneumatic Conveying Consultants

Past Ask Joe! Archived Articles

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This week's homepage photo is an inside view of a Lodige, 20,000 liter continuous rubber-lined mixer for blending 800 mt/hr of iron ore with bentonite binder in Eastern Quebec.  Lodige Process Technology is a leading supplier systems for industrial mixing for bulk solids, powders, dusts and pastes.

Photo courtesy of Terry Frank of Lodige Process Technology Inc.

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