Buffering
hen designing a processing line or installation, we have two basic principles. The first principle is first in first out. The second principle is that the product may no longer be temporarily collected. When the product is brought into the line, it must enter the final packaging without the intervention of human intervention or a forklift movement. Here, a good production forcast also plays a crucial role. We therefore want to simulate production days with you using our calculation models. To prevent unnecessary temporary storage, we often work with storage hoppers and smart hoppers.
When we talk about buffering, we are actually talking about the principle of evenflow. We distinguish three types of evenfow hoppers. The traditional storage hopper. The new Allround Smart hopper. Both bunkers have the same goal, bridging the capacity of the processing line and the packaging machines. With our dynamic calculation models, we calculate the ideal evenflow capacity together with you. With the traditional storage bunker you can build up a stock. You can even work with enough storage space independently of the packaging machines. With the Allround smart hoppers you want to build up as little stock as possible. In principle, the level in the Allround Smart Hopper must remain as low as possible. The Allround smart hopper is specially designed to cause as little friction of the product as possible. The third type of even flow bunker is with the moving bottom. This machine guarantees a minimum drop height. The buffer capacity is smaller than the storage or smart hopper. The fourth way of buffering is with bins or big bag. For the collection for both crates and big bags, we have an extensive range of machines.
Smart Hoppers
Smart hoppers are for handling more tender products. Smart hoppers are generally not as tall and usually longer than our standard storage hoppers. This is done to keep the pressure build up by a layer. Smart hoppers have less drop height because of the moveable vertical belt which puts the product in the hopper in layers. The outlet is also different, because we use two conveyor with two different speeds, driven by a frequency drive. The smart hopper is meant to make as least as possible small buffer. Even to make no buffer while running in normal condition. Size according to calculation. Height of product layer in smart hopper is as high as macro bins. Outfeed is more gentle as compared to tipping with macro bins.
Another additional advantage of storage / smart hoppers is that logistics remain as simple as possible.
Storage Hoppers
Storage hoppers are the most efficient way to be able to run your line at 100% capacity all the time. The storage hopper is designed to act as a buffer in a processing line, or between a processing line and a packaging line. They can be built in segments, the content of the storage hopper depends on the length and height. Varying output of each grading size. You can run a size at full speed to a weigher/packer Storage hoppers can be in a block or row. Hoppers can be used as well for receiving as well storage for packaging at dispatch, can be with or without a ventilator. Two types of filling systems are generally used to fill the hoppers. Vertical filling arms is most gentle solution. Zig zag 01 is a very common way and is cheaper.
Another additional advantage of storage / smart hoppers is that logistics remain as simple as possible.
Evenflow
The third way of mechanical grading is the web sorter. With the web grader you can grade four-jug eight-sided (hexial) and round with this you can achieve the highest accuracy. Allround makes web graders with a working width of 80 cm to 140 cm. The machines can be expanded per grading section. The webs are made of rubber. The web grader is widely used in potatoes and in onions. The largest products, biggest grade, is the longest on the machine. Especially with onions, this can be a big disadvantage. Changing the webs is a bit of work. At Allround we have made it relatively easy. The size and number of grades is always determined according to the specific wishes of the customer. The machine has a relatively large footprint. The machine gives the highest percentage damage as compared with radial grading and shake grading.
Box / bin and big bag filling – Box automation
Allround has various solutions to collect products in bins or in big bags / jumbo bags. We roughly distinguish two types of bins (cubic boxes). The wooden cubic box and the plastic version the so-called Macro bin. In addition to these boxes, many big bags are used. For the big bag / jumbo bags we have three different types. The single one, here one big bag can be filled at a time. When the big bag is full, the elevator or line must be stopped for a while. Often this is not a problem and a single big bag filler can be a very economical machine. When the capacity is higher and the machine has to run continuously, we have the double big bag filler. The third big bag filler is the combination big bag box filler. With box fillers we distinguish the horizontal box filler and the vertical box filler. In addition to these semi-automatic box fillers, we can also offer you customized automatic box filling and emptying systems. These systems can be equipped powered feeding and discharge lanes. As a stand-alone system with a warehouse for empty boxes with an integrated stacking system for filled boxesd. With this system you can place and remove two three or six boxes / macro bins (link to website). The choice depends on the space available and the budget. We will make these considerations together with you.
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