K-Tron Process Group Introduces A New Material Flow Aid For Its Pharmaceutical Loss-In-Weight Feeders

Pitman, NJ - The K-Tron Process Group is proud to introduce ActiFlow™ Smart Bulk Solids Activator, an innovative method to reliably prevent bridging and rat-holing of cohesive bulk materials in stainless steel hoppers without internal hopper agitation. The pharmaceutical ActiFlow design is a non-product contact device, consisting of a patent-pending vibratory drive and intelligent control unit, designed specifically to work with K-Tron's pharmaceutical line of gravimetric loss-in-weight feeders. The unit will be on display at Interphex 2010, April 20-22, Jacob Javits Convention Center, New York, booth 2505.

In applications involving difficult flowing materials, ActiFlow eliminates the need for mechanical agitators with secondary motors and gearboxes, as well as the need for flexible side wall agitation devices or aeration pads. 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 rat-holes are prevented before they can form.

K-Tron offers a wide variety of solids and liquid feeders for pharmaceutical processing applications. Pharmaceutical designs are all engineered to meet the rigid requirements of the industry; including cGMP standards as well as the use of FDA approved and certified materials of construction. The stainless steel K-Tron Pharmaceutical feeder is available in volumetric and gravimetric, single and twin-screw models.

The Pharmaceutical design ActiFlow is mounted outside the product contact area, thus reducing additional cleaning which might result with internal agitators or flex wall type devices. The ActiFlow works in concert with K-Tron's patented Smart Force Transducer (SFT) weigh scales. K-Tron's 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.

SOURCE: K-Tron