A manufacturer of animal feed supplements was in need of equipment to increase production and efficiencies in their operation. Their process involves opening various ingredients in 50 lb. bags and blending these ingredients in precise batches to formulate their products. The opening of the bags has always been done manually and is very labor intensive. Staging of the ingredient bags for batching is also a critical element in the process to achieve the proper blend. A solution was needed to increase production, reduce labor, and improve quality and safety. To accomplish these goals, an infeed conveyor staging system and automated bag opening system was installed.
The required number of bags were staged on a horizontal conveyor system creating the batch. The batch cycle is then initiated, which feeds the bags into the bag opening system. The bag opening system automatically opens the bags and separates out the product from the cut bags. Product flows into the takeaway conveyor system that travels to the blender. Empty bags are automatically discharged out the back end of the system for compaction and disposal.
Bags are opened at a rate of up to 15 bags per minute and emptied through this automated bag splitting system. Precise cutting is achieved by utilizing slitter blades that do not shred the bag. An internal rotary drum screener allows the product to be separated from the bag at the required throughput with the end result being a client product ready for blending.
In summary, automated bag opening systems replace the labor intensive manual bag break stations. The bag opening system eliminates all elements of an operator with a razor knife opening the bags. This improves overall safety and quality of the process. Bags are opened continuously until production needs are met. This improves production efficiencies by greatly reducing the time it takes to create product blends.
Ancillary equipment like bag compactors, balers, dust collectors, and product takeaway conveyors are supplied to provide a complete system.
Contact Thomas Conveyor at 844-220-0086 to discuss your future projects. We supply a full range of equipment that can improve your overall process. From conveyors to powder handling, Thomas Conveyor & Equipment will assist you every step of the way in engineering systems to meet your needs.