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One of Three-Tec's strengths lies in the development and manufacture of equipment that can reliably process small batches. A single screw feeder for a low batch weight application was recently produced for IPC Process-Center GmbH & Co.
Since Three-Tec develops and produces most of the equipment according to specific customer requirements, the preliminary clarifications are particularly important. Only when the equipment is perfectly configured for the customer's purposes can the best feeding results be achieved. Recently, a feeding unit was manufactured as a one-off for IPC Process-Center GmbH & Co. K. IPC offers contract manufacturing of innovative granules and pellets for the food, feed and chemical industries and is part of the Glatt Group. With a four-shift production operation that produces seven days a week, they rely on particularly reliable equipment. IPC approached us with a request to fill small quantities of granules and powders from the nutraceutical sector with target quantities of 30 to 100 g (0.04 to 0.2 l) per portion.
After clarification of all details, product tests followed in the test laboratory of Three-Tec, during which the customer was able to carry out tests with two different feeding units. The ideal solution was thus found in the form of the ED 20 B single screw feeding unit with a screw diameter of 20 mm. The unit was finally developed and produced exactly according to the customer's requirements. With the semi-automated system, the desired batch quantity can be filled in a short time and with an accuracy of less than 0.5 %. This accuracy is made possible by the use of the TT/S gravimetric batching control system and a PFW/S platform scale with a maximum load of 5 kg. This configuration is operated as a "Gain in Weight" system. The control system was completely rebuilt and modernized beforehand and could be used for the first time on this order. Thanks to a low disassembly effort for cleaning the device between product changes of less than 5 minutes, the device also offers the customer great flexibility.
With a great effort of all employees involved, who develop and manufacture all devices at our site in Seon AG, the device was delivered on time. After the first 2,000 fillings, the customer was able to draw a first positive conclusion: Antje Weigt, Project coordinator R&D and Business Development at IPC: "The device from Three-Tec does a very good job. The order processing was also accurate and everything worked to our complete satisfaction".
