For many operators, batch process controls are a black box—it’s unclear what’s inside them, how they’re programmed, or how exactly they control the rest of the system. This presents problems for both operators and engineers. Making even a small change or upgrade requires a service call, or someone on staff with programming knowledge. To service…
Proper measurement in continuous flow solids applications can easily be taken for granted. Oftentimes, it is not until a recipe is incorrect or flow stops that the feeder or another measurement device gets attention. A variety of factors can cause flowrates to become inaccurate, and pinpointing the problem is the best way to determine a…
Producing high-quality finished products from dry solids starts with getting the right mix. Mixers are not one-size-fits-all, and your batch mixing system must be designed with your ingredients, facility, capacity, and other considerations in mind. Without the right mixer, segregation problems, dead zones, an low mixing activity can cause harm to your product. Go through…
When solid materials mix, a degree of material segregation is inevitable. A variety of processes are used to achieve a predetermined level of uniformity in batch mixing processes, however other processes downstream can cause the materials to separate again. With proper design considerations and awareness of the material segregation physics at work, processes and products…
Powder flow problems cause frustration and hours of expensive downtime. They can also damage machines, create backups, and produce sub-par products. Some types of materials, machines, and working conditions make powder flow problems more likely. We’ve identified the most common powder flow control problems and flow control solutions to help you solve these troublesome inefficiencies.…
New or renovated equipment is a significant investment and, once it’s installed, you want to make sure it works without incident. Equipment that’s not suited for your materials or process can cause expensive downtime, maintenance costs, product inconsistency and more. How can you make sure you’re getting the right equipment before you buy? Knowing the…
Recent changes in food, environmental, and worker safety have caused many grain and pet food engineers to take another look at their manufacturing facilities. Some of these rules are newly changing, others are just recently subject to penalties for noncompliance and all deserve adequate attention. For greenfield sites or renovations, appropriate attention to food and…
Here are two case studies in which operations needed to expand and manufacturing capabilities needed to be increased along with how the APEC Premix System gave these companies the capability to meet their goals. Multinational Premix Company A premix company wanted to expand their operations in North America and needed to greatly increase their manufacturing…
APEC’s in-house engineers and fabricators have successfully designed an innovative, high-quality horizontal ribbon mixer that can be utilized in the processing of animal feed, pet food, and other products. Taking great pride in our equipment’s capabilities, we have confidence that our horizontal ribbon mixer will give your processing plant the advantage it needs. The Advantages…
Case Study: From Manual Labor to Automation From manual to automatic, here is how the needs of a Michigan automotive sealing component and reinforcement company were met when APEC designed and manufactured automation equipment for them. Before Automation The client, an eastern Michigan manufacturer of automotive sealing components and reinforcements, had been processing their products…
