A polished performance by Spiroflow!

Spiroflow has supplied a mobile Bulk Bag Discharger with an integral Flexible Screw Conveyor to Metaref to deliver materials to a mixer. During 2012 Metaref, a division of Walther Trowal, approached three companies, including Spiroflow, to review the materials handling aspects of their ceramic chips manufacturing process. These chips are available in various shapes and sizes and are used in the de-burring, fettling and polishing of metal and ceramic castings. For 75 years, Walther Trowal has specialised in all aspects of the materials finishing and polishing industry. This includes the manufacturing of the ceramic and plastic finishing media, the fettling and polishing equipment itself and, also, the associated waste water treatment for wet finishing processes. They are a market leader and supply to Blue Chip customers worldwide within the aerospace, automotive, engineering and water treatment industries. Previously, in Walther Trowal’s manufacturing process, bulk bags of aluminium oxide were raised by forklift over a rigid intermediate bulk container (IBC). The bulk bag was then cut open by hand allowing the powder to flow into the IBC. Aluminium oxide was loaded into a mixer by raising and tipping the IBC. This was a very dusty process contaminating the air, creating waste and was also time consuming – hence the need for an effective Bulk Bag Discharger system. After witnessing successful tests at Spiroflow, the only one of the three companies to offer Walther Trowal tests on their product, it was clear a T2 Mobile Bulk Bag Discharger with an integral Flexible Screw Conveyor was the ideal solution. The Spiroflow T2 Mobile Bulk Bag Discharger features, full dust control through the use of a dust containment cabinet, in which the bag is opened; neck clamp, which eliminates any leak path between the bag and the discharger, and pinch bars which allow the automatic opening and closing of the bag with the doors of the dust containment cabinet closed. Bag massagers and bag tensioners ensure total bag emptying into the integral flexible spiral conveyor from which aluminium oxide is fed direct to the mixer. Thus the equipment supplied by Spiroflow provides a fully automatic powder unloading, proportioning and transfer system. It is all mounted on a robust mobile frame to facilitate the loading of a stand-by mixer that provides additional capacity when required. Adrian Martin, Managing Director of Metaref, confirms, “Our main requirements were dust control, simplifying our handling issues through material management and efficiency improvements. The Spiroflow unit has addressed all my concerns and although not the cheapest solution, it was by far the best and Spiroflow backed it up with successful tests on our product.” The Spiroflow unit was installed by Metaref’s engineers and commissioned by an engineer from Spiroflow, who upon completion trained Metaref’s operatives and engineers on the correct usage, preventative maintenance and procedures to ensure and maintain optimum performance. Adrian Martin, went on to say, “After the commissioning we started production first thing the following morning and we haven’t looked back since. I am 100% pleased we made the correct decision.” For more information about Walther Trowal and Metaref, their history, their products and their environmental commitments, go to www.walther-trowal.com To learn more about ‘Spiroflow’ Bulk Bag Dischargers and Flexible Screw Conveyors plus their ranges of Aero-Mechanical Conveyors, Tubular Drag Conveyors and Vacuum Conveyors and also about their Bulk Bag Fillers too, visit their web site at www.spiroflow.com or call them on +44 (0)1200 422525 to discuss your specific requirements.