Coperion K-Tron Actiflow Smart Bulk Solid Activator

When feeding cohesive or other difficult materials, intermittent or inconsistent flow through the feeder's hopper impairs performance and can even halt the process. The ActiFlow Smart Bulk Solids Activator reliably prevents bridge-building and ratholing of cohesive bulk materials in stainless steel hoppers, in loss-in-weight feeding applications, eliminating the need for mechanical vertical agitation. ActiFlow is a non-product contact device, consisting of a vibratory drive and intelligent control unit. The ActiFlow device is bolted to the outside of the rear wall of the extension hopper, above the feeder, reducing headroom requirements. Together with the K-Tron Control Module (KCM) and ActiFlow Control unit, it continuously activates the material inside the hopper with an optimized frequency and amplitude based on changing material flow conditions. The patent-pending self-tuning algorithm implemented in the K-Tron Control Module (KCM) monitors the system, continuously adjusting the frequency and amplitude of the ActiFlow to maintain flow within the hopper. In this manner, bridges and ratholes are prevented before they can form. For difficult flowing materials, ActiFlow eliminates mechanical agitators with secondary motors and gearboxes, and eliminates the need for flexible side wall agitation devices or aeration pads. ActiFlow greatly simplifies the cleaning process during material change-over and is well-suited for applications in the food, pharmaceutical, plastics and chemical industries. Working in concert with K-Tron's patented Smart Force Transducer (SFT) weigh scales, advanced filtering algorithms are used to screen out vibrations, ensuring an accurate weight signal even with the ActiFlow running. The ActiFlow is used in loss-in-weight (gravimetric) feeding applications.