MechChem Africa July 2019

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A new ultra-heavy-duty Bulk Bag Filling System from Flexicon receives abrasives, high-density solids and other difficult-to- handle bulk materials from upstream processes or storage vessels, and fills the material by weight into bulk bags. Intended for Ultra-heavy-duty bulk bag filler with integral conveyor

mining,glass,ceramicsandotherdemandingindustrialapplications,the systemiscomprisedofheavy-gaugevariantsofthecompany’spatented TWIN-CENTREPOST™filler andFLEXICON™flexible screwconveyor consolidatedona robustskidwithintegral forkliftingtubesformobility. The filler is equipped with fill head height adjustment to accom- modate all popular bag sizes, pneumatically retractable bag hooks and an inflatable connector to seal the bag inlet spout. A feed chute outlet port can be supplied with a filter sock for dust-free air displacement during filling, or vented to an optional BAG-VAC™ dust collector or the plant’s bag house. The FLEXICON conveyor consists of a steel outer tube with a rug- ged flexible screw that self-centres as it rotates, preventing material from grinding between the screw and tube wall, while eliminating the need for a bearing at the intake end. Since the screw is driven at its upper end beyond the discharge point, material contact with seals or bearings is eliminated. Once the operator attaches the bag straps and activates the inflatable spout seal, all functions are automatic. The conveyor runs at full rate as the filler’s vibratory deck cycles on and off to densify and stabilise the material. Load cells transmit weight gain data to the PLC, which slows the conveyor rotation to trickle-feed rate, stops the conveyor once the bag has gained its target weight, and releases the bag straps, enabling a forklift to remove the palletised bag. Options are available for human-machine interfaces with touch screens and graphic representations of equipment inputs andoutputs, customised by application. The company also offers REAR-POST bulk bag fillers for pass- through roller conveying, and SWING-DOWN™fillerswhich addition- ally pivot the fill head to the operator at floor level for the fastest and safest bag connections. q

Self-contained, ultra-heavy-duty Bulk Bag Filling System from Flexicon fills bulk bags with abrasives, high-density solids and other difficult-to-handle bulk materials encountered in mining, glass, ceramics and other demanding applications.

Gear up for Industry 4.0 at KITE 2019

tion products and solutions. • Pyrotec PackMark: Will showcase its Pyrotec PackLink software – a fully- integrated customised product tracking system that increases line visibility. • The Fastener Factory: Will showcase a comprehensive range of quality branded products consisting of fasteners, tools, abrasives, drill bits and engineering consumables. • Ultravalves: Specialises in water control valves that include ratio pressure reduc- ing valves, Maric flow control valves suitable for the water, paper, sugar and petrochemical industries. “KITE not only provides the region with the latest trends and technology available to accelerate uptake of industry 4.0, but also creates a platform for visitors to garner more knowledge. This is achieved through the carefully thought-out seminar sessions available at the free-to-attend SAIMechE Seminar Theatre. “Other worthwhile learning sessions at KITE include the free-to-attend MESA (Manufacturing Enterprise Solutions Association) special interest group, and the paid-for Lifting Equipment Association of South Africa (LEEASA) conference,” con- cludes Sarnadas. q

director at Specialised Exhibitions Montgomery. “The exhibition, which is be- ing held between 24 and 26 July 2019 at the Durban Exhibition

The traditional manufacturing industry is at the centre of a digital transformation that is being acceleratedby the exponential growth of smart technologies. The current digital transformation is not simply the result of a greater level of produc- tion automation, but also the widespread adoption of information and communica- tions technology by the manufacturing industry. To remain competitive and sustainable, organisations and industrial processes need to be fully committed to readily adapting to this rapid change and exponential growth. TheKwaZulu-NatalIndustrialTechnology Exhibition (KITE), has continued to embrace changing trends in industry, not least of which is the uptake of those in 4IR. “We rec- ognise that inorder to remaincompetitiveon both the local andglobal stage, organisations need to gear up and retrain their teams to leverage thebenefits that Industry4.0brings to the party,” says Nick Sarnadas, portfolio

Centre, attracts a diverse collection of lead- ing industrial technology suppliers focused on increasing productivity and profitability for the market.” KITE 2019 showcases a broad spectrum of industrial technology from local manufac- turers, suppliers and service providers who understand the idiosyncrasies and specific needs of the local market. Some of the ex- hibitors using KITE as a launchpad for their products and services include: • SIYAMUVA: Product handling solutions incorporating zero pressure accumula- tion conveyors and motorised diverts. • Integration Services: Engineers low cost solutions to allow users to monitor their production lines, refrigeration, power distribution and building services from their smart devices. • H.A.S.S. Industrial: Focused on hearing health care in sub-Saharan Africa. • Festo: Will showcase its latest range of pneumatics, electric andprocess automa-

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