Pitman, NJ---(April 22, 2002)—K-Tron will demonstrate a  new screw speed modulation algorithm that can improve short-term feeder accuracy on single screw feeders by up to a factor of two. It will be shown at the May 7-9 Powder and Bulks Solids Trade Show in Chicago.  This improvement is standard in the latest generation of SmartConnex gravimetric feeder control software.

Single screw feeders, particularly at low rates, can have an unsteady feed rate within one revolution of the screw, resulting in mass flow pulsation.  Spiral or full flight single screw feeders exhibit this pulsation more commonly than other screw configurations.  Mechanical changes to the screw can improve the smoothness of the flow, but there is always some residual pulsation.  The smoother the material flow, the better the feeder accuracy that can be attained.

The patented screw speed modulation algorithm is packaged into the most recent software release of K-Tron’s Smart Control Module (SCM).  The SCM is at the heart of K-Tron’s SmartConnex feeder control environment, introduced two years ago.   The new SCM software release will also feature integrated refill control for K-Tron Hurricane vacuum loaders.  The Smart LoPo feeder controller, a simple, economic feeder controller for use with feeders using one load cell (such as K-Tron’s K2G or Compact line) also incorporates both the screw speed modulation algorithm and integrated refill.