Kubota Brabender Technologie showcased its new DDSR20 2.0 twin-screw feeder at Powtech 2022

Kubota Brabender Technologie showed for the first time its newly developed, dust tight OEB version of the DDSR20 2.0 twin-screw feeder at Powtech in Nuremberg, a leading trade fair for bulk solids and mechanical process engineering. In June 2022, this feeder passed OEB 5 certification, the highest OEB classification. Kubota Brabender Technologie is therefore one of the first manufactures to offer an OEB-certified feeder. OEB (Occupational Exposure Bands) are used to grade substances accurately into “classes” or “ranges” based on the health effects and efficacy aspects of the chemicals involved. The DDSR20 2.0 OEB is suited for feeding requirements in pharmaceutical applications or handling of hazardous materials, for example in battery manufacturing. In the last few years operator safety has been rightly increased and manufactures are reviewing the allowable exposure levels for their employees.

What makes the DDSR20 2.0 OEB-compliant?

To provide dust tight reliable seals, all feeder seals feature specially designed sealing systems. The leak check opening in the twin gearbox is sealed with a sight glass to maintain functionality and to prevent ingredient leakage in the event of shaft seal failure. The quick-release fasteners on the lid, hopper, and screw tube of the OEB version can only be opened using tools, thereby preventing accidental opening but are designed to remain in place on the feeder when it is being disassembled. Like all modular equipment generation 2.0 feeders, the OEB version also has a modular design, and the use of standardized components enables it to be easily converted to other models within the DDSR and DSR product lines. There is also the option of providing a kit to convert a standard feeder to the OEB version.

Jürgen Knez, Head of Mechanical Product Development at Kubota Brabender Technologie, explains:

“To convert to the OEB version, the trough, hopper, cover, and screw tube need to be replaced, as these four components feature a different finish. To ensure they are 100 percent dust tight, the components are machined after being welded. All joints feature a smooth surface of high dimensional accuracy and therefore deliver a long-lasting dust tight seal.”

Other ‘Powder Feeding’ and ‘Hygienic Design’ exhibits were on display at the Powtech booth alongside the new OEB version.

K 2022: focus on modular equipment generation 2.0

Kubota Brabender Technologie also brought the certified DDSR20 2.0 OEB with it to K 2022 in Dusseldorf, the world’s leading plastics industry trade fair. However, the focus was on the feeders from the modular equipment generation 2.0 recently relaunched. This new, state-of-the-art generation 2.0 has the following features:

• new improved sealing systems,
• precision screw tubes and screws,
• standard flange clamps,
• transparent, dust-tight downspouts,
• servo motors and
• gear modules

This second generation modular concept provides users with significant benefits in terms of flexibility, cleanability and time savings as the individual components can be easily disassembled, for example to clean Ingredient contact surfaces. This generation of feeder has many operator-friendly features such as component connections that do not use nuts and bolts but a simple clamping mechanisms. All 2.0 equipment designs are aligned with customer needs.

Jürgen Knez explains:

“The modular equipment generation has enabled us to provide a high degree of flexibility as standard – which is actually in essence a contradiction. By consistently using a modular philosophy, we have added a great deal of flexibility to our products by cleverly combining standard components from different sizes of feeder.”

The equipment shown at K 2022 also included the FlexWall®, universal gravimetric feeder, a liquid feeder, a fiber feeder, and a DS feeder specially designed for pellets, and for the first time, two NX feeders from Kubota Precision Equipment.

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