Vrac Tech

GKM Siebtechnik monitors the bearings of its KTS tumbler screeners with Schaeffler's Optime: wireless sensors track vibration and temperature, and the Optime C4 lubricator supplies all four lubrication points. GKM can also take over the monitoring. Tumbler screening machines operate continuously and are subjected to high loads. For the operator, therefore, it is not only the actual screening performance that matters, but also how reliably the machine remains available over the long term. Bearings play a particularly important part in this regard: Changes in their condition can be detected early on – provided they are continuously monitored. At GKM Siebtechnik, we therefore use Schaeffler’s Optime condition monitoring system on our KTS Tumbler Screeners. The aim is to provide transparency on bearing conditions and to detect potential anomalies at an early stage, before they lead to unplanned machine downtime. From machine condition to specific action required At the heart of the system are wireless Optime sensors, which are mounted directly on the relevant bearing points of the screening machine. They continuously monitor vibrations, shocks, and temperature, among other things. The data is transmitted via a…

4B's Touchswitch is an electro-mechanical belt and pulley alignment sensor with no moving parts for bucket elevators and conveyors. It detects lateral contact, keeps working under dust and material build-up and triggers alarm and shutdown. The Touchswitch is an electro-mechanical limit switch with no moving parts, which detects tracking and misalignment problems on bucket elevators and conveyors. When a belt misaligns or a pulley moves over and contacts the sensor, the built in solid-state electronic circuitry detects the lateral force of the belt or pulley and activates a voltage free solid state relay output. This output signal is used to immediately alarm and ultimately shutdown the machine. The face of the sensor is made from hardened and annealed stainless steel, not soft brass or aluminium, so wear life is longer when a belt contacts it. The Touchswitch is not affected by dust or material build up and will still work when completely covered by material. An external test wheel allows for quick and simple sensor/system testing. The sensors are usually installed in pairs on opposite sides of the machine. The sensors can be connected directly to a PLC input, or for greater safety, to a central independent…

The white paper highlights six common problems encountered when inspecting bucket elevators – ranging from worn components and damaged buckets to chain wear and loose fastenings – and provides practical recommendations. Periodic inspections of bucket elevators should be an essential part of any maintenance program. Often it is helpful to conduct these with a trusted vendor who can provide insight into solutions that go beyond just part replacement. The following are examples of common issues found during bucket elevator inspection programmes conducted by 4B. This paper will provide suggestions on what to look for and explain the consequences of each issue. Common issues # Worn / Loose Slide Lagging # Broken Buckets # Excessive Bucket Wear # Loose Sprocket on Head Shaft # Chain Wear # Loose Fasteners In this article we have shared six common problems identified during 4B bucket elevator inspections. Many other issues can arise and our team of bucket elevator specialists is qualified to inspect and provide solutions to help bring your bucket elevator back to its optimum performance. Contact 4B book your bucket elevator inspection.

Accurate moisture measurement in aquafeed processing improves feed quality, optimises energy use, and prevents process blockages. Digital sensors enable continuous monitoring from intake silos to final cooling. Role of moisture in aquafeed processing Aquafeeds require a balanced mix of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, minerals, and vitamins for healthy aquatic organism growth. Pelleting and extrusion increase gelatinisation and digestibility while maintaining feed palatability and water stability. Accurate moisture control across processing stages ensures consistent product characteristics, reduces material waste, and helps optimise overall plant energy consumption. Strategic sensor placement along the production line Effective moisture control requires inline digital sensors placed at key processing points. Installing sensors between raw material intake and storage silos prevents unsuitable ingredients from entering the system. Moisture monitoring before grinding reduces equipment wear and improves process efficiency, while measurement in the mixer allows precise water addition prior to extrusion. Further continuous monitoring at dryer inputs and outputs enables feed-forward…