New electronic pressure compensation for loss-in-weight feeder

Coperion K-Tron has introduced a unique new Electronic Pressure Compensation (EPC) system for their high-accuracy loss-in-weight feeders. The main advantages of the new system include improved accuracy and reliability as well as lower initial cost and easier installation compared to traditional mechanical pressure compensation systems. Retrofitting options for existing feeders are available. EPC can be installed on a majority of Coperion K-Tron gravimetric feeders in almost any application and all industries. 

In a closed feeding system, pressure build-up inside a feeder can significantly impair weighing accuracy. The commonly installed mechanical pressure compensation systems are sensitive to structural factors and machine alignment and may therefore be intricate or even unreliable. Coperion K-Tron has now developed a clever but simple electronic solution for accurate and steady pressure compensation in feeder hoppers. The modular design incorporates pressure sensors and electronics tailored to interact smoothly with Coperion K-Tron’s KCM feeder control system. Depending on set-up and requirements, sensors can be positioned on the feeder hopper and, if required, on the material discharge tube. The software implements a self-optimizing compensation algorithm for best performance and dynamics identical to those of Coperion K-Tron’s SFT load cells, which allows for highly accurate feeding results, even in systems with perceivable pressure fluctuations.

A separate field evaluation kit allows for the assessment of potential pressure issues in existing installations.