Questions & Answers

Questions & Answers [Applications and Examples]

Vortex Cabinet Coolers
Description of the situation:

Protect sorting plants for the mineral industry against extreme environmental conditions with Vortex control cabinet coolers. Technical data / information: Control cabinet area 25 m2 / Control cabinet housing material: Sheet steel – painted / Exposure to direct sunlight: Yes / Maximum ambient temperature: 50°C / Maximum permissible cabinet interior temperature: 40°C / Required degree of protection: IP55.

Advice / solution:

The calculated cooling capacity of the control cabinet is 1,501 watts when exposed to direct sunlight. However, if the cabinet is protected from direct sunlight, the calculated cooling power is only: 625 watts. Nb this shows how important it is to insulate enclosures and protect them from direct sunlight!

Supplied:

2 x Vortex Switch cabinet cooler AFECO7035SS in side mounting construction with accessoriesconstruction with accessories.

Description of the situation:

A stainless steel control box with sloping top and dimensions H x W x D 1,100 x 800 x 300 mm is set up in a company where foodstuffs are produced. The drives and PLC in the cabinet produce approximately 250 watts of heat. Currently, the cabinet is fitted with ventilation grilles through which corrosive H2S gas enters and chemically affects the control boards, resulting in malfunctions. I am looking for a food grade solution that has to be “wash down”.

Advice / solution:

The calculated required cooling capacity of the control cabinet is 359 Watt. Due to the installation in an environment where cleaning with high pressure water & cleaning agents is used for hygiene reasons, an IP66 integrity is a strict requirement. The existing ventilation grilles must be removed and the openings closed completely.

Supplied:

Fiktech Vortex Control Cabinet Cooler AF4640SSSL in side-mount version with accessories, including a NHP solenoid valve (this ensures continuous flushing – “Purging” – of the control cabinet).

Air Knives & Air Cannons
Problem description / application:

A reputable company produces a wide range of sauces and dressings. Bottles with a height of approx. 200 mm and a diameter of ø 50 mm are filled in the production line. After this, transparent self-adhesive labels are applied to the sauce bottles. The adhering water should be removed from the bottles to ensure good adhesion of these labels. Throughput number of bottles per minute: 110 pieces / belt speed 35 m/min.

Advice / solution:

The customer requested FIKTECH to perform an initial test on site using LP (low pressure) Air knives and frequency controlled side channel blower. At an exit speed of the air knives of 145 m/sec. the result was rated as good by the customer.

Supplied:

Several sets consisting of LP Air Knives AFAK24Al length 609 mm & side channel blower ZDI550.

Problem description / application:

A leading manufacturer of ski sports equipment extrudes foil up to a width of 1,050 mm, onto which patterns are then applied in relief (“Embossing” technique). During the process, the foil is slightly deformed and is no longer taut over the next roll. This has adverse consequences; time lost due to corrective actions and rising costs.

Advice / solution:

To prevent damage caused by mechanical contact with the vulnerable foil, the use of an air knife is a practical and cost-effective solution. Depending on the required pressure, available compressed air and length, a choice can be made from HP (High Pressure) or LP (Low Pressure) air knives.

Supplied:

Aluminum HD air knife AF110042Al – length 1,066 mm & mounting bracket to simplify mounting.

HD-Inline
Situation / Process data:

In 2007 we already purchased an aluminum venturi (hose connection 19 mm) from you for a small transport system for granulate. It still works well, but the Wall is worn through. Can you still see which model we have had? This is used to supply calcium carbonate granulate (CaCO3) to a water treatment plant; Grain size 1-2 mm / Density 1,500 kg/m3 / Quantity Maximum 1 x 25 kg per day to be transported within 15 minutes.

Available compressed air capacity 250 Nl/min (7 bar) transport distance: Horizontal Max. 2 meters, Vertical Max. 3 meters (System with 2 bends).

Advice / solution:

At the time we supplied you our model AF6080Al, we advise you to use the stainless steel version, which has a higher degree of wear resistance than aluminium.

Supplied:

HD-Inline AF6060SS – 19 mm hose connection Stainless Steel AISI304.

Problem description / Application:

Double-sided adhesive tape is automatically applied from a large roll (length 4,000 m) to a component in the automotive industry. During the sticking process, the silicone paper of the double-sided tape is removed directly during application. The backing paper is not cut off, but pulled off immediately when applied. The removed paper must be disposed of continuously to keep the production environment clean.

Advice / solution:

The backing paper has a thickness of approx. 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm and a width of 16 mm. Using an HD-Inline venturi with an internal diameter of Ø 25 mm, the ribbon-shaped paper can be easily sucked up and then discharged. The transport can take place via pipes over the ceiling or at the side in a container.

Supplied:

Aluminium HD-Inline venturi AF6082Al with hose connection Ø 32 mm.

Vibrating Bin Aerators
Application description:

Two bag loading stations equipped with a pneumatic transport system process abrasive grain in different grain sizes. With very fine, mealy grain sizes, the vacuum of the pneumatic conveying system draws an almost cylindrical cone into the product, without the remaining material sliding down the hopper and “standing” against the side walls. The tops of the feed hoppers have a circumference of 1000 x 1000 mm, the hopper height is approx. 500 mm. The outlet opening has a diameter of 60 mm. How many Vibrating Bin Aerators do you think should be used and how much air pressure should be set to keep the material flowing?

Advice / solution:

We advise you to mount one AFI Vibrating Bin Aerator on each side of the funnel in accordance with the mounting instructions. When the aeration discs are operated, the abrasive is vibrated loose and fluidized, eliminating bridging. The product no longer segregates and flows smoothly to the spout. You can easily control the four Vibrating Bin Aerators with a solenoid valve & adjustable pulse/pause timer.

Supplied:

AFI Vibrating Bin Aerators, 2/2 Solenoid Valve 24 VDC – 1/2″ with attached control.

Application description / problem definition:

A group of companies specializes in thermal protection of industrial equipment and supplies a wide range of refractory products to improve steel casting, metallurgical fluxes and forming processes. At the moment there are problems with, among other things, a Y-distribution that is used to be able to choose between filling bagged goods or Big-Bags. There is a lot of material sticking to the wall just below the mixer, especially in the corners.

Advice / solution:

The AFI Vibrating Bin Aerators (also called: Aeration Discs) are often a better solution to these problems than vibrating motors, as they compact some products instead of loosening them. The particularly flexible silicone disc is even suitable for places with little space and small radii. It is advisable to place the aeration discs where problems of sticking and the like are observed. In your case: the wall just below the mixer (high in the Y-manifold). I advise you to start with a total of 8 aeration discs, please see the attached sketch. You can realize the pulse/pause control of the Vibrating Bin Aerators by your existing PLC.

Supplied:

AFI Vibrating Bin Aerators and 2/2 Diaphragm Solenoid Valves 24V DC – 1/2″.

FikVacWet Drum Pump
Application description:

I am looking for an industrial air-driven drum pump for suction and transport of chemicals / liquids, in a version suitable for flammable products.

Advice / solution:

The FikVacWet drum pump is not certified for pumping liquids with a low evaporation point / explosive substances. It is possible that the sucked gases, mixed with the expanding compressed air, form an explosive mixture. It is physically possible to pump such products with the FikVacWet, but at least additional measures must be taken to prevent an explosion, such as: -A) all components must be conductive/earthed. > Special pipe, steel (stainless steel) fittings, steel (stainless steel) suction pipe, etc. B) Instead of compressed air, an inert gas such as nitrogen (N2) can be used as the propellant gas. Nb. Use in this manner is entirely the responsibility of the user. The FikVacWet does not comply with ATEX regulations and may not formally be used in an ATEX zone.

Supplied:

The FikVacWet compressed air driven suction/discharge pump, which screws directly into a standard 200 liter oil drum. Accessories: PVC standpipe with angled, rotatable coupling / 3 m hose with connection sleeves / stainless steel suction pipe.

Application description:

1) Cooling tanks of our CNC machines (which can be heavily contaminated with e.g. chips, sludge) must be emptied. After pumping out and settling, this coolant should be able to be reused in an intermediate tank. This means that a fluid filter is needed somewhere in the system.
2) Liquid is leaking into our large chips container (outdoor installation). This liquid can be contaminated again with, for example, chips and sludge, is not usable again and therefore no filtering is required.

Additional questions:
1) Can the standpipe be used on different drums and is it easy to assemble and disassemble?
2) How noisy is the pump on the outlet side of the venturi?

Advice / solution:

The SS AISI316 FikVacWet suction/discharge pump has a ¾” NPT threaded connection, the standpipe screw connection 2” NPT and is equipped with a rotatable angled coupling with flexible hose. These are easy to mount on the lid of standard 200 liter drums and transfer after use. You may filter the contaminated coolant with the help of a filter bag that is hung in the receiving tank. The measured noise level is 75 dB (A) @ 1 meter / free field conditions.

Supplied:

The FikVacWet compressed air-powered vacuum / pressure pump, with a set of accessories; PVC standpipe with angled, rotatable coupling / 3 m hose with connection sleeves / stainless steel suction pipe.