Material processing and handling solutions specialist, Akona Process Solutions, is now building Cablevey conveying systems in the UK, delivering faster lead times, lower costs and a smarter solution for European manufacturers. Previously produced exclusively in the US, the decision to co-locate production to the UK has been driven by customer demand and commercial strategy. With an increasing requirement for shorter lead times, reduced shipping costs and localised services, the shift enables Akona to respond more swiftly and efficiently without compromising Cablevey’s proven track record of quality. Production is already underway, with three UK-built projects in progress. The first system is due to be commissioned in Ireland in the next 3-4 months. “Customers have been asking for a locally manufactured Cablevey solution for some time,” said Akona’s Ben Ayrton, Managing Director Europe. “They want faster, more cost-effective delivery, with the confidence that comes from dealing with a regional partner who understands the regulatory and logistical landscape. We’re now in a position to meet that demand head-on.” The move also delivers significant commercial advantages for…

The new designed Precision-flo for weight adjustment on Vibroscreen simplifies eccentric weight adjustment for circular vibrating screeners Kason Corporation, part of newly formed brand, Akona Process Solutions, and a leader in screening, sifting and processing equipment, has launched an innovative design in circular screening technology: Precision-Flo. This new system significantly simplifies the process of adjusting the eccentric weights, which are crucial for the vibratory motion of their Vibroscreen circular screeners. Tool-free adjustment The traditional approach to adjusting eccentric weights in the industry is often a slow and complex process, typically necessitating the use of tools and partial disassembly. In contrast, the new Precision-Flo system effectively removes these complications by introducing a tool-free adjustment mechanism that is both rapid and efficient. This advancement is especially beneficial for operators for the initial setup of the screener, or for regularly modifying the amplitude settings for varied applications. No extra weights or adjustments In operation, the top…

Akona Process Solutions will make its debut at CFIA Rennes this March, combining the strengths of is legacy brands Cablevey, Kason, Marion and Spiroflow under one new company name. After participating in CFIA Toulouse last year, Akona looks forward to showcasing its product offering at the premier event for the French food industry. Exhibiting in Hall 2.3, Booth #2-F32, Akona’s stand will feature a compact yet impactful presence. Marc LeMeut, regional sales manager France & Benelux and Emmanuel III Ricohermoso PhD, solutions & continuous improvement consultant, will be on hand to introduce Akona’s offering and discuss how the newly formed brand is set to bring innovation and expertise to the market. Created from the merger of Advanced Material Processing (AMP) and Automated Handling Solutions (AHS), Akona unifies the capabilities of Cablevey, Kason, Marion and Spiroflow, bringing over 200 years of experience in delivering high-performance processing and handling solutions for high-value materials across food and beverage, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and chemical industries. With engineering, sales, and service centres in Germany, UK…

Material processing and material handling solutions companies, Advanced Material Processing (AMP) and Automated Handling Solutions (AHS), have announced their merger and rebranding as Akona Process Solutions (Akona), a portfolio company of Chicago-based, May River Capital. Akona unifies the technologies and global reach of AMP and AHS to deliver an extensive portfolio of processing and handling solutions for high value materials in the food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals and chemicals industries. The new company will continue to leverage AMP’s and AHS’s Cablevey, Kason, Marion, and Spiroflow brands, together bringing over 200 years of collective experience in solving the most demanding material handling and material processing challenges. Akona is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA, with engineering, sales, and service centres of excellence across the USA and Europe. Akona is uniquely positioned to address customers’ growing…

Automated Handling Solutions (AHS), the leading provider of automation solutions and specialised material handling equipment comprising Spiroflow and Cablevey Conveyors, is set to join forces with Advanced Material Processing (AMP), comprising Kason Corporation and Marion Process Solutions, to jointly showcase their material processing equipment and solutions on stand 4-309 at the POWTECH trade fair, on 26 - 28 September at Nuremberg, Germany. On stand, Spiroflow will have on display their signature flexible screw conveyor, as well as their innovative material automatic refilling system, SMART-4. Cablevey will present its enclosed tubular drag cable and disc conveyor, designed to ensure safe, clean, and efficient material transportation. In addition, Cablevey will also introduce its groundbreaking innovation - the new Cleanvey Clean-in-Place (CIP) system - a revolutionary sanitary solution designed to automate the wet cleaning process. Within AMP’s exhibit,…

Automated Handling Solutions (AHS) and Advanced Material Processing (AMP), material handling and processing platform companies consisting of Spiroflow and Cablevey Conveyors from AHS, together with Kason Corporation and Marion Process Solutions from AMP, have launched a new test facility in central Germany. The site is designed to service the whole of Europe and will enable customers to fully benefit from these unique partnerships and their integrated product portfolios. The 1000 sqm premises is conveniently located close to Frankfurt Airport and offers customers the opportunity to experience the full range of products from all four businesses, including Spiroflow’s T6 Bulk Bag Discharger, T3 Bulk Bag Discharger, 4” AMC Conveyor, 3” AMC Conveyor, a full range of Flexible Screw Conveyors, Low Profile Bulk Bag Filler, CTE Filler, and SMART 4 Bin; Cablevey’s 6” Cablevey conveyor with wash down Clean in Place; Kason Corporation’s M1 CENTRI-SIFTER, Multi Deck…

Spiroflow Solves Cement Handling Problem for Security Products Access Security Products Ltd. is a leading manufacturer and supplier of burglary and fire resistant safes, vaults and physical security equipment. The company uses an expensive proprietary cement mixture in the walls of their safes and vaults rendering them almost impenetrable to thieves and fire. The material is a fine powder, which arrives by container quite compacted, has very poor flow characteristics, bridges easily, is very abrasive and readily absorbs moisture. The cement is packaged in twenty 2,000lb/ 900kg single trip, single loop, lined bulk bags which must be emptied into a large outdoor storage silo. Access Security had initially purchased a $ 40,000 pneumatic conveying system from another supplier but the cement material accumulated within the conveying tube rendering the conveyor completely inoperable. After working with the vendor for some time without resolution, Access Security ultimately had no other choice but to scrap the equipment and find…

Automated Handling Solutions (AHS) and Advanced Material Processing (AMP), the combined material handling and processing platforms consisting of Spiroflow and Cablevey Conveyors for AHS, and Kason Corporation and Marion Process Solutions for AMP, have recently released an impactful new group website. The launch follows the formation of AHS and AMP by Chicago-based private equity firm, May River Capital, both created to offer a differentiated and comprehensive suite of material handling equipment and industrial automation solutions. The site provides top-tier introductions for each brand - Spiroflow, a global manufacturer of material handling equipment and provider of control systems integration, and Cablevey, a global speciality conveyor manufacturer that designs, engineers, assembles and services tubular drag cable and disc conveyor systems - together with Marion, a leading producer of industrial mixing, drying and integrated material handling solutions, and…

Automated Handling Solutions (AHS) and Advanced Material Processing (AMP), material handling and processing platform companies consisting of Spiroflow and Cablevey Conveyors from AHS, together with Kason Corporation and Marion Process Solutions from AMP, will be exhibiting on Stand C08 in Hall 4 at the forthcoming SOLIDS Trade show on 29-30 March at Messe Dortmund. Alongside material handling and processing equipment displays, both AHS and AMP will be using the show as an opportunity to promote their new German facility, including a fully equipped test centre and offices, which is scheduled to open on 1 April. At the event and on behalf of AHS, Spiroflow will be showcasing its reputable flexible screw conveyor, while Cablevey will be demonstrating its enclosed tubular drag conveyor - ideal for moving materials in a safe, clean and efficient manner. Both the flexible screw conveyor and Cablevey conveyor will be running continuously through the show with various…

The new Spiroflow unloader installed at Skretting of Longridge, Lancashire, UK, has enabled an increase of productivity. Discharging bulk bags is 4 to 5 times faster then before. Skretting of Longridge, Lancashire, UK, a fish food manufacturer, had an ingredients handling system installed over 8 years ago by a specialist contractor who had included a simple bulk bag unloading arrangement which feed ingredients into an Aero Mechanical Conveyor. Requirements # The Aero Mechanical Conveyor lifts ingredients up to a horizontal screw conveyor feeding storage bunkers on the floor above. # It was the ‘simple’ bulk bag unloading arrangement that proved to be the bottleneck in the production process and the cause of constant frustration to operators. # Comprising just a lidded hopper with a spigot, where the neck of the bulk bag was attached, the simple bulk bag unloading arrangement required the a fork lift truck for the duration of discharge because there was no other means to support the bag. # In addition, an operator had to be on standby to aid the flow of poor flowing or compacted products. Spiroflow Bulk Bag Unloader The Bulk…

A good solution to reducing material breakage is a gentle conveying system. Low-speed, high-volume movement will slowly push the material along without too many contact points and no impact forces. In many industries, the integrity of the materials or products being conveyed is of utmost importance. This is especially true in the food processing industry, where materials are particularly fragile, and breakage can lead to many negative consequences. However, even though preserving material integrity is crucial during the conveying process, no less than 29% of industrial facilities state that material breakage is one of the top three conveying challenges they face on a daily basis. Material breakage Material breakage is defined as the separation of material particles into two or more pieces under the action of stress. Any place where the product or raw material is sliding against a conveyor surface (be it a tube, flat surface, or any other) can cause material abrasion and possibly material breakage. Breakage generally leads to a decrease in product value. In the food industry, even the smallest amount of breakage can lead to lost product, sanitation issues,…

For the first time in 14 years, the aero mechanical conveyor, operating eight hours a day, five days a week, needed a replacement wire cable. Customer Requirements Excelso Coffee & Tea needed a reliable means of transferring blends of roasted coffee from a mixer where flavoring is added to a buffer hopper above the packaging machine that packs finished product for shipment to customers. Excelso Coffee & Tea Company For 14 years, Excelso Coffee & Tea Company in Norcross, Georgia, has been using a Spiroflow Aero Mechanical Conveyor (AMC) in its flavored coffee production operation without replacing any parts – until July 2008. Excelso is a custom provider of coffee and condiments to offices, vending machine outlets and private label sales. It roasts more than 2,000,000 lb/ 907,000kg of coffee a year. This equates to 3,000,000 cups of coffee a day. Conveyor installed in 1994 The Model PC3 Aero Mechanical Conveyor was manufactured and installed at Excelso’s production facility in 1994. Operating intermittently eight hours a day, five days a week, the AMC conveys coffee from a V-Ribbon blender to…

Spiroflow experts discuss tea conveying challenges and review considerations for the mechanical conveyors most suitable for conveying tea Before it is packaged, tea is handled in loose leaf or instant powdered form. Both forms come with challenges that must be overcome via conveyor system design to ensure a final product that is consistent in both flavor and quality. In this article, Spiroflow experts will discuss tea conveying challenges and review considerations for the mechanical conveyors most suitable for conveying tea. Tea Conveying Challenges * Degradation - Friable tea products are prone to degradation, which can cause undesired flavor variations. A conveyor featuring gentle handling will prevent and protect the product from bruising and breaking tea leaves. In addition to impacting flavor, excessive degradation resulting in too fine of a product can cause challenges with separation and blending. * Dusting & Safety – Additionally, conveying tea can result in considerable amounts of fine combustible dust which, if not contained, is extremely dangerous – as static buildup from conveying…

The Aero mechanical conveyor is cost effective and capable of self-emptying to ensure that everything emptied into the inlet comes out the other end. Customer Requirements Patak’s Foods Ltd. of Leigh, Lancashire in the United Kingdom is a world leader in the production of Indian food. With more than 300 employees, products are distributed internationally to more than 40 countries. The Leigh plant was a significant investment in state of the art food processing facilities which, at 164,000 sq. ft/ 50,000 sq. m, is believed to be the world’s largest Indian food plant. There was a need to improve the transfer of goods from storage to the processing area. * The plant uses 2,700 tons of spices from around the world. * Together with other ingredients, they produce over 1 million snacks and over 1.5 million ready-made meals and 30 million jars of sauce a year. * To achieve this, they are currently working 24/7. To keep up with demand there was a need to improve the transfer of goods from storage to the processing area. Spiroflow Solution A Spiroflow Aero Mechanical Conveyor (AMC) was the natural choice for…

To continue to support our global customers, Spiroflow is pleased to announce that Frema Process will be representative agents in Denmark. Frema Process will be offering local support to customers backed by Spiroflow engineering and manufacturing. Head of Export, Craig Suttle, coordinates with all our overseas agents to manage the project from enquiry to installation. Craig says, “Spiroflow is always keen to work with experienced partners and representatives. It’s clear from our discussions with Torben that he will only add to our expertise and ability to support our clients in Denmark.” The foundation of Frema Process is 30 years of experience in the design of agitators, mixers and pump systems. A global network has ensured collaboration with leading suppliers of agitators, mixers, pumps and process equipment. They offer solutions for all tasks within mixing, stirring and handling of liquids, gases, granules, powders and solids. Spiroflow has a network of highly skilled representatives across the world.

To assist in the breakdown of conglomerated product during conveying, rotating cutter bars have been added to Spiroflow’s iconic flexible screw conveyor Spiroflow’s flexible screw conveyor (FSC), the mainstay of many global conveying operations, now includes a new patented feature. To assist in the breakdown of conglomerated product during conveying, rotating cutter bars have been added to the device, which are powered by the FSC’s drive motor. The addition will not only result in less agglomerated material in the end process, it will also prevent foreign objects from progressing through the conveyor and stalling or damaging the apparatus, thereby creating downtime. Spiroflow has been synonymous with flexible screw conveyors for over 45 years. The brainchild of Michel Podevyn, Spiroflow’s president, who pioneered its early development, the FSC continues to offer a system that’s hygienic, low on installation and maintenance costs and high on efficiency and performance. In explaining the FSC’s early development, Podevyn said: “We tried various systems such as a rigid screw, which deposited metal contaminants…

As a result of legislation changes made by the EC, Spiroflow advices customers on the safe handling and containment of titanium dioxide (TiO2) powder. TiO2 suspected carcinogen We are taking steps to advise our customers on our range of conveying solutions that are ideally suited to the safe handling and containment of titanium dioxide (TiO2) powder. The move comes as a result of legislation changes made by the European Commission in February 2020, in classifying titanium dioxide (TiO2) as a suspected carcinogen (cat 2) by inhalation. The regulation becomes official on 1 October 2021, meaning that businesses handling TiO2 will need to upgrade the containment of their processes, so that their operators are protected. Even products containing as little as 1% TiO2 will need to be included. Widespread use of TiO2 TiO2 is an inert inorganic compound that is used as a white pigment in many industrial applications. These applications include the manufacture of paints, coatings, printing inks and wall coverings where TiO2 plays a critical role in providing essential product properties: whiteness, covering power, brightness,…