Brabender showcased its latest modular Generation 2.0 feeders at Fakuma 2021

After a one year break from Corona, Fakuma reopened this year for an in-person event with a strict hygiene and safety policy. Brabender Technologie, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of gravimetric feeders for bulk solids and liquids, presented its products at the international trade fair for industrial plastics processing in Friedrichshafen from October 12 to 16, 2021. At the booth in Hall A6, exciting new product developments were seen first hand and through discussions with Brabender’s experienced staff.

Generation 2.0 – Modular Design

With ever-smaller lots sizes and quicker product changes, feeding equipment today must be more versatile. The design of the generation 2.0 equipment has taken these requirments into account with the modular concept for easy disassembly and accessibility. At Fakuma, Brabender Technologie showed this modular design on its twin-screw feeder DDSR20 2.0 and the single-screw feeder DSR28 2.0.

The modular design allows the gearbox on both feeders to be easily and quickly changed and replaced. “This flexibility enables the customer to switch between single to twin-screw versions,” emphasizes Jürgen Knez, head of product development at Brabender Technologie. The screw trough is located at the front end of the scale and can now be easily removed. “This has greatly enhanced the feeder accessibility, and end users benefit from the ease and speed of cleaning components that come into ingredient contact,” says Knez. Captive quarter turn fasteners on the screw trough, hopper and lid aid in the quick changeover.

Quick seal change and visual checks

Seal replacement is also much easier – and faster – thanks to the easy screw trough removal, from the front of the feeder: a new seal can be inserted within five minutes, with special seal versions available for ATEX, food and pharma,. The newly installed seal change indicator can indicate the need to change seals at an early stage, thus preventing gear and motor damage. In addition, all Generation 2.0 units feature dust-tight vertical outlets made of food-grade, transparent PETG. This hard plastic is shatterproof and the transparency allows the operator to perform visual checks of ingredient flow.

Available servo motor

All Generation 2.0 feeders are available with an optional servo motor. This servo motor has the added benefit of a much wider speed range that have full torque available at low rpm. The need to change screws and screw tubes can now be reduce further minimizing downtime. At low speeds, servo motors in high torque conditions still allow excellent speed control.

Modular = more individual, flexible and efficient

Jürgen Knez sums up the successful equipment update: “This enhanced version 2.0 design has enabled us to start offering customized, purpose-specific feeders that are more effective than the previous generation.” Brabender Technologie will continue to develop its full product portfolio to align with the generation 2.0’s modular concept.

Other exhibits: the FlexWall® FW40 universal feeder – was on show at the trade fair with a Plexiglass housing that provides a view into how it works – and two feeders from the DS line, which are ideal for feeding granules.

For more information, please visit http://www.brabender-technologie.com.