Products
BatcHHouse™
Rotary Scalpel™
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Scalpel operating Video ยป
Overview
3i's Technologies BatcHHouse brand of Rotary Scalpel metering feeders introduces a unique and revolutionary technology to the batching and filling process industries. Recommended for applications requiring exceptional precision and ultimate process optimization.
The Technology
Rotary Scalpel Technology (patent pending) utilizes two innovative key components: a large inlet specially designed to ensure consistent material flow into the rotary feed drum and a pneumatic "scalpel." Upon receipt of a set point weight, the pneumatic scalpel will "knife off" from a filled vane of the rotary feed drum the precise amount of material needed to complete a batch or fill a container. Unneeded material remaining in the same vane is recycled back to the material source, eliminating all waste. Rotary Scalpel Technology is the only metering technology that delivers a variable but finite volume of material to finalize the batch or fill process. All other solids metering devices take the approach of narrowing the flow channel of inlets, trays, screws, etc. to reduce volume to be delivered. All these restrictions lead to inconsistent flow of the material. Rotary Scalpel Technology is free of these limitations.
Standard Features
- Compact, space efficient design assures ease of installation in new or existing process lines
- Modular construction for flexibility of application
- Simple design for ease of maintenance
- Specialized metering and discharge of material preventing segregation and degradation
- Extremely accurate volumetric delivery device
- Simple mechanical design-only three moving parts ensures reliable, long term operation
- Designed to utilize a material's "Ideal Flow Rate" by eliminating inlet/discharge constraints
- Available for volumetric or gravimetric operating modes
Modes of Operation
Batch Scalpel as a Dribble Device - See Rotary Scalpel Applications
Added to any batch system, the Rotary Scalpel complements the operation of any batch system. The Batch Scalpel is a precise Batch Dribble device; used with an existing fast speed flow delivery device, (i.e. Slide Gate Valve, Screw/Belt/Vibratory feeder or conveyor) the Batch Scalpel will deliver the exact amount of material to complete the batch. After the fast delivery mode is complete, a weight reading is recorded and the dribble setpoint calculated. The pneumatic scalpel is then positioned and activated to "knife off" the exact amount of material required to complete the batch via the front discharge into the process. The position of the rotary feed drum is then incremented to position the next full vane for completion of the next batch. With this action the remaining material from the previous vane is discharged into the recycle chute, and the cycle repeats.
Batch Scalpel as a Stand-Alone Single Ingredient Batcher - See Rotary Scalpel Applications
The Batch Scalpel can be configured to operate as a gravimetric weight-loss (mounted on load cells) batcher or configured as a volumetric metering device used with a gain-in-weight scale system. The Batch Scalpel will run in
a fast mode to complete the major portion of the batch. After the fast delivery mode is complete, a weight reading is recorded and the dribble setpoint calculated. The pneumatic scalpel is then positioned and activated to "knife off" the exact amount of material required to complete the batch via the front discharge into the process. The position of the
rotary feed drum is then incremented, with this action the remaining material from the previous vane is discharged into the recycle chute. The unit is now ready for the signal to start the next batch.
Models Available
BatcHHouse feeders utilizing Rotary Scalpel Technology are available as:
- Model 80 VBS/GBS Batch Scalpel for batching processes
- Model 80 VFS/GFS Fill Scalpel for filling processes
Both models are based upon the same metering device and incorporate specialized controls configured for batching or filling applications.
Performance/Accuracy - See Rotary Scalpel Comparisons
For over 100 years the accuracy of gain-in-weight or loss-in-weight systems has been defined primarily by scale size and resolution. This principle remains true; however, the metering device plays a significant role in determining batch accuracy. Conventional feeding devices all have drawbacks in their ability to precisely stop material flow due to their physical design and/or the inherent properties of the material being fed (such as angle of repose). The Rotary Scalpel is the only device that actually delivers a variable finite volume of material as determined by the weighing system. Most commercially available batch systems quote accuracies as a percentage of full scale capacity of the scale or based upon scale accuracy of a loss-in-weight batcher. Determination of Rotary Scalpel Technology accuracy is based upon the finite increment consistently delivered and is expressed as a percentage of batch size. Rotary Scalpel Technology provides surgical accuracy delivering as low as 0.5 grams, independent of batch size.
Example:
0.0011 lbs (0.5 gms) / 100lbs (45,359 gms) = 0.0011% accuracy @ 100 lb batch
0.0011 lbs (0.5 gms) / 1lbs (453.59 gms) = 0.11% accuracy@ 1 lb batch