K-Tron is a global leader in the design, production, marketing and servicing of high-quality feeders, pneumatic conveying systems and related equipment for the handling of bulk solids in a wide variety of manufacturing processes.

No two process applications are the same, and K-Tron offers the widest range of materials handling solutions in the industry. All volumetric feeders, loss-in-weight feeders, weigh belts, flow meters and pneumatic conveying systems are offered in a variety of configurations. Volumetric and loss-in-weight feeders are available in single and twin screw configurations or as vibratory trays and liquid or solids pumps.

Feeding Principles

There are two basic feeding principles:

• Volumetric Feeding
• Gravimetric Feeding

Volumetric Feeding Principle:
              
The bulk material is discharged from a hopper with a constant volume per unit of time by regulating the speed of a feeding device.The actual volume of material fed is determined through calibration. The feeding accuracy is dependent on the uniformity of the material flow characteristics and the bulk density. 

Applications:

                     
Simple, economical solutions where a high degree of feed rate accuracy is not required. 



Gravimetric Feeding Principle:

           
The bulk material or liquid is discharged from a hopper by weighing the material being fed and regulating the speed of the feeding device. The weighing system with control compensates for non-uniform material flow characteristics and variations in bulk density, and therefore provides for a high degree of feeding accuracy.

Applications:

          
Monitored feeding.Material control. Set point input manually or by host computer or in master/slave operation.

K-Tron generally employs following types of gravimetric feeding:

• Loss-in-weight feeding
• Weigh belt feeding
• Flow metering 

Loss-in-weight feeding principle:

A feeding device with a hopper containing the material to be fed is placed upon a platform scale or suspension scale weighing system. The weight of the feeding device and hopper is electronically tared. The bulk material or liquid is discharged from the hopper by the feeding device and the resultant weight loss is determined by the weighing and control system. This actual weight loss is compared to a desired weight loss per unit of time based upon a desired continuous feed rate setpoint. Any difference between the actual and desired weight loss per unit of time results in a correction to the speed of the feeding device.

          
When the hopper content reaches a predetermined minimum weight level, the control by weight loss is briefly interrupted and the hopper is refilled. During the refill period, weight is increasing and the controller regulates the speed of the feeding device based upon the historical weight and speed information that was determined during the previous weight loss cycle.

• Flakes (e.g. corn flakes, bran flakes, and wheat flakes)
• Lumpy bulk solids (e.g. vegetables and fruits)
• Shear sensitive materials (e.g. corn flakes, frozen vegetables and frozen fruits)
• High abrasive bulk solids - due to a low friction coefficient applied to the materials
• Low melting bulk solids (e.g. fat flakes)

• Relatively lower price for high mass flow feed rates
• No refill device required
• Compact height allows easy fit in low headroom situations

• High resolution (1:4,000,000)
• Insensitivity to electrical noise during data transfer
• On-board microprocessor to linearize the weight output and compensate for temperature fluctuations
• Calibration done at the factory
• Elimination of low frequent vibrations without reducing the resolution

• Our range of Belt Feeders is available in two different belt widths that are 300 mm and 600 mm.
• Further, we can also offer an Open Frame (OF) version that allows direct discharge onto the belt surface. This model is used for materials like potato chips, when easy access is needed or when feeding very warm or very cold materials.
• Online Auto Tare with Optional Second Weigh Bridge. Our wide range of Belt Feeders also offers option of two Smart Force Transducer (SFT) weighing units. The first SFT measures the actual belt weight before receiving the material and the second SFT determines the gross weight after receiving material onto the belt.

These flow meters are designed and manufactured in such a manner that meets any feeder application. Further, these are provided with Operator interface choices for controlling loss-in-weight, weigh belt and Smart Flow Meters including single feeder, multi-feeder and multi-line controllers.

Wuxi K-Tron colormax has been the market leader in china's feeder industry for more than 10 years. Our feeders have obtained several patents. Wuxi K-Tron's Loss-in-Weight feeders use advanced control technology developed by our international R&D department to deliver precise feeding result for your process needs. Our product line has been developed with the needs of the user in mind.

Micro Twin Screw Loss-in-Weight Feeder

Micro Loss-in-Weight twin screw feeders are designed to feed all kinds of pellets and powders. Feed rate is 2-8 L/H, accuracy is <=+-2%.

Liquid Loss-in-Weight Feeder

Liquid Loss-in-Weight feeders are used for liquid which is low viscosity needed to be heated. It makes use of piston or gravimetric diaphragm pumps to feed. Conventional liquid feeders, which can be dissolved with heating, can be integrated into it. Min. feed rate is 2L/H, accuracy can be +-0.5%.
It can be switched between automatic operation and manual operation, which would be more convenient for each part to work alone.
Heating system can be an option to achieve constant heating for liquid media.

Wuxi K-Tron Loss-in-Weight Control Technology

Wuxi K-Tron controller, designed by K-Tron International's Research and Development Department, raises the performance level of feeding equipment surpassing other domestic feeders. This improvement has totally eliminated the hysteresis of the PLC controlling system.

• High tensile strength
• Durable performance
• High functionality
• Corrosion and abrasion resistant

• High functionality
• Easy to install
• Durable performance
• Corrosion and abrasion resistant

• Mono-column robot palletiser.
• Two-column robot palletiser.
• Four-column robot palletiser.
• Anthropomorphic palletiser.

• Pallet wrapping : The wrapping machines allow to wrap the full pallet with stretch film in order to facilitate their transport.

• Pallet Covering with a film hood : It ia a effect by inserting the full pallet in a piece of a tubular reel, sealed on the upper edge.