Dust-Free, Precisely, and Safe Filling of Big-Bags and Containers

The Big-Bag Filling Station LFB is used for an automatic, dust-free, precisely and safe filling of big-bags and containers in various sizes. The construction guarantees solid and stable big-bags no matter whether you want to fill plastic granules or fine powders. Due to the modular design, the filling station can be optimally configured for every task, even afterwards

The support arm with motorized, stepless height adjustment allows adaptation to different container heights. Specially developed pneumatically actuated hooks for big-bag loops ensure easy hanging and automatic hanging of the big-bag. The filling head to which the filling opening of the bundle is connected is equipped with a pneumatic seal. This ensures a largely dust-free connection.

The Big-Bag Filling Station LFB is available with a calibratable, intelligent scale and a control with standard components from Siemens.

Functional principle
In the basic variant, a pallet is placed at the seating of the filling station and is moved forward with a hand-held trolley after filling. By lowering the support arm, the big-bag can be hooked up easily to working height. The loops are hooked into sturdy stainless steel hooks and held by a fuse. In order to reach the rear hooks it is possibly to climb with one foot on the roller track. A step guarantees a safe position. The opening of the big-bag must be pulled over the filling mouth, which is coupled by a pneumatic expansion cuff and ensures a dust-free connection. To achieve this, the cuff is inflated by a pressure air system and a two-hand circuit. After the preparation of the big-bag, the filling process has to be started.

The possible bagging performance depends on the skill of the operator, the product properties, the dosing device and the feeding system. Realistic is an output of six to twelve big-bags per hour. If all labor saving options are selected a big-bag can be filled almost automatically. Manually the big-bag only has to be hooked and closed. The further sequence is automated.

Standard Version
The filling station is already semi-automatic in the standard version. The support arm is motor-driven and can lift already filled big-bags. Thus, both standing and hanging big-bags can be filled as what is required by the product.

Operation
In the simplest case, the system is operated via a few pushbuttons. It is of course possible to further automate the system in a modular way. For example, a PLC with coupling to a control system can be realized.

Control (Optional)
The control system is completely based on Siemens standard components. The verifiable weighing electronics is integrated in the S7-300. Operation is done via a color touch panel. We have also used some frequently used functions on hardware buttons to enable simple and fast operation and also to protect the touch panel.

The system can be used as a stand-alone device or optionally also control an upstream feeding system. Integration into a higher-level control system with Ethernet is no problem.

OPTIONS

Standardized and still-custom made:

OPTION: Inflation device (AV) In order to facilitate the filling of the big-bag, the bag can be inflated and shaped with an inflating device before filling. Thus, fold-free and fast filling of the big-bags is achieved.

OPTION: Inlet flap (EK) In the inlet area, the station can be equipped with an inlet flap in order to allow metered filling of the big-bags.

OPTION: Dust flap (SK) In order to prevent product trickling after decoupling the bag, the filling station can be equipped with a dust flap.

OPTION: Roller conveyor, single (RE) or complete (RS) In order to fully exploit the potential of the system, the use of one or more electrically driven roller conveyors is recommended. The installed roller conveyor can be folded up for cleaning purposes. For transporting the filled big-bags, the filling station can be equipped with further accumulation roller conveyors. With these the operator can close the big-bag while the next big-bag is being filled. In addition, the station can be equipped with a feed roller conveyor on which pallets and big-bags can be prepared so that they are directly available to the operator after the actual filling process.

OPTION: Vibrating table (RT) With the vibrating table, the product can be compressed in the big-bag by gentle shaking. The bulk cone is leveled and the fluidization is reduced. The vibrating process can be triggered by one or several percentage values from the setpoint weight or manually by pushing the button.

OPTION: Wheighing not ready to calibrated (VN); ready to calibrated (VE); calibrated (VG) With a weighing device an accurate filling of big-bags is possible. The resolution of the scale depends on the requirements of the calibration regulations. The weighing unit can be supplied as not ready for calibration,ready for calibration or fully calibrated.

OPTION: PLC control with free (SP) or Ethernet (SE) interface The sequence and weighing control is based on Siemens S7-300 series components. In the simplest version, only the coarse and fine commands of the scale are given as isolated output. All operating data can be reported to a control system via an Ethernet interface. Operation is done via a color touchpanel. The most important data are stored in a recipe management for the different container sizes and products. The filling process is operated by robust illuminated pushbuttons. The control is the standard scope of delivery, the type of coupling is selectable.

OPTION: Label printer (DE) With a receipt printer, batches and weight data can be printed directly and could be attached to the big-bag. This is absolutely necessary e.g. in case of a non-automatic weighing.

OPTION: Displacement measuring system (WS) In conjunction with the PLC control system the displacement measuring system enables the automatic start-up of taught-in positions of the motorized height adjustment. The sequences can thus be further automated and accelerated since the operator is not bound during the travel time.

OPTION: Dosing device (DO) A precise dosing device is necessary for self-operating and calibrated filling. This can be a screw or a suitable sluice. The dosing can be performed via an analog value from the weighing controller.

OPTION: Central aspiration connection (ZA) The filling can be equipped with connection to a central aspiration in order to suck up the displaced, dusty air.

OPTION: Special versions (SX) The standard version is suitable for big-bags of 1000-2000 mm height with 150 – 250 mm loop length and a filling mouth of 300-500 mm diameter. If desired, the height can be varied within certain limits. Customized changes by arrangement.