Loss-in-weight feeders were introduced nearly 50 years ago but still are an integral part of the bulk material handling systems. The credit goes to its high accuracy, innate material handling flexibility and ease of material containment. Not to forget its strong suit of enabling advances in weighing and control.
Loss-in-weight-feeders are genuinely all-rounders and that’s why have replaced many volumetric and gravimetric feeders since its introduction.
They are used for applications that require extremely precise output under optimum ambient conditions. They are very flexible and can handle bulk solids, liquids and even poorly flowing products. It can operate in a continuous or batch mode as needed and can be used for both small to medium feeding ranges.
Loss-in-weight feeder principle of operation
The basic principle of operation of the Loss-in-weight feeder is as per its name that is controlling loss-in-weight. All components and/or any product that it contains is continuously weighed during operation: the feeder, the hopper and the material. The Loss-in-weight feeder make-up for the loss in weight by adjusting the rate of supply.
System Design
The system comprises of a Weigh hopper, loadcells, screw conveyor with motor and associated control electronics. Normally, the weigh hopper and screw conveyor are mounted on three numbers of loadcells. A junction box connects this loadcells to a controller.
Operation:
When the material flowing from the storage hopper is fed to the weigh hopper, it is controlled by a gate. When the material is fed through the feeder, the weight of the system decreases. Controlling the loss-in-weight feeder changes the feed rate and as a result, the speed of weight loss matches the desired feed rate. Loss-in-weight feeder controls continuously check whether the material is flowing at the desired rate. This output is provided by loadcells and are summed in the junction box and fed as an analog input to the controller.
The AAG Engineering’s loss-in-weight feeders, for instance, have been optimized for the bulk material weighing components. We have quite flexible installation options, varying feeder and hopper sizes to match your requirement and space. We analyse your requirements and design and implement the loss-in-weight feeder to utilize every millimetre of your space and deliver optimum results.
Systems designed by us are robust with minimum maintenance and maximum reliability. To know how our products can help us built long and robust relations contact us here.
