How to Choose the Right Machines for Your Application? For Flawless and Quality Compound Production…

Feeding systems used in various industries are employed for the processing of materials that are conveyed volumetrically. During production processes, feed systems such as valves, screws, conveyors, or similar devices are utilized, depending on the movements of the drive units. In these systems, the feeding is not homogeneous, meaning the flow does not remain constant at a fixed rate. This issue can lead to variations in the material structure. Since the materials do not have a homogeneous distribution, they may not meet the necessary physical and chemical properties. Several R&D studies have been conducted to overcome this challenge.

Improvements in electrical component characteristics, software, and mechanical advancements have contributed to the development of new feeding systems. Engineers seeking solutions have been able to calculate flow rates by continuously measuring the weight loss of the material in the hopper over time. Systems designed in this way are referred to as "Weight Loss" feeding systems.

For various industrial applications, cheaper methods with greater deviations have also been developed. This system, referred to by users as "Weight Gain," involves pouring the conveyed materials into a single hopper using one weighing unit. In this feeding system, all materials are weighed in a single hopper and are collected by being poured on top of each other. During this accumulation, materials with different specific gravities tend to settle at the bottom of the hopper due to gravity. This accumulation prevents the formation of a homogeneous structure and necessitates another mixing process. Especially in mixing machines like Banbury, since the mixture is created in a single hopper, the combined mass can become somewhat homogeneous. Another disadvantage is that the weight accuracy of the material poured into a hopper on load cells is a function of the total weight of the poured container plus the product. In other words, a system designed to add both macro and micro components into the same container may not accurately detect smaller quantities.

If a more homogeneous structure in the mixture and a continuous flow at controlled temperature and pressure are desired, the only solution is to achieve excellent dispersion with a twin-screw extruder. The feeding system used in twin-screw extruders, which are employed for faster and shorter production times, is solely a gravimetric feeding system based on Weight Loss.

To ensure that the general feeding process is carried out as efficiently as possible, it is important to discuss all these options with the dosing system manufacturer.