Challenge
Find a cost effective, easy to maintain way to simulate process material flow
Business Results
- Ability to demonstrate full material
flow at 1,200 bags/hour - Payback achieved in less than a year
- Sales objectives realized
Based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, IMS Group USA offers bulk solids packaging solutions for the food, pharmaceutical, resin, chemical and other industrial markets. In addition to form, fill and seal equipment, IMS Group imports and assembles carton formers and sealers, case packers, tray formers as well as pick-and-place palletizers manufactured in Italy.
IMS Group USA wanted to set up an R & D showroom to demonstrate an automated form, fill and seal solution.
“It’s not good enough to simply talk about solutions,” said Nico Nicoletti, President of IMS Group USA. “Processors have a real need to see the equipment in action to truly understand how it can benefit their process.”
Innovative Solution is ‘In The Bag’
IMS Group USA chose to demonstrate the TB 1200, an innovative solution that simultaneously forms, fills and seals bags. Using a reel of plastic film instead of individual, pre-formed bags, the TB 1200 can be programmed to create bags ranging in volume from 2 to 18 gallons (7.5 to 68 liters) and 13.5 to 29.5 inches (343 to 749 millimeters).
The bag shape can be pillow or gusseted (square shape) for more stable palletization. Once formed, the bag is filled and impulse thermo-sealed. Typical payback of the system is less than one year due to savings in bag material and labor through automation.
Simple, Reliable Feeding Solution Needed
In order to demonstrate an ability to fill up to 1,200 bags per hour (20 per minute), Nicoletti needed to integrate a conveyor to the TB 1200 filling hopper.
“You need quite a bit of material when demonstrating the TB 1200 to customers,” said Nicoletti. “I wanted a solution that was simple to use, affordable and reliable. Hapman was highly recommended as an industry leader in conveying solutions, so I turned to them for an answer.”
Helix Flexible Screw Conveyor Selected
IMS Group USA encourages customers to send their product to its showroom to try out the TB 1200. However, when customer-specific material is not available, IMS Group USA uses a plastic pellet that is representative of the type of bulk materials and solids suitable for this equipment as a general demonstration material. Hapman’s 300 Series Helix Flexible Screw Conveyor with polyurethane hopper and flat wire auger conveyor was selected to convey the material 28 feet (8.5 meters) to the filling hopper, which is 20 feet (6 meters) above ground level.
“We’re very pleased with the conveying solution,” noted Nicoletti. “In addition to being highly effective, it is a very economical solution. Combined with the TB 1200, we’re able to offer a turnkey solution that provides a real payback in under a year.”
Benefits of Hapman’s Helix Flexible Screw Conveyor
Hapman’s state-of-the-art Helix Flexible Screw Conveyor conveys bulk material and solids simply and easily. Some of the benefits of contacting Hapman for this equipment include:
Easy to clean
Disassemble the conveyor in 5 minutes for a thorough wash down.
Excellent for batch, intermittent and continuous conveying
An economical option for conveying powders, crystals, pellets, friable material, flakes, granules and much more.
Simple, yet rugged construction
This keeps costs low and reliability high. A helicoid screw rotates inside a fixed tube. Fewer components minimize maintenance. The conveyor’s stainless steel construction stands up to a continuous operation and flow of highly abrasive materials.
Conveys materials over distances of up to 80 ft (24.4 m)
The Helix Flexible Screw Conveyor can also discharge heights of up to 40 ft (12.2 m).
Contact Hapman for a Helix Flexible Screw Conveyor
Hapman’s Helix Flexible Screw Conveyors are the most efficient, flexible and easy to operate and maintain conveyors on the market. With a single moving part, in the standard Helix, there will be minimal maintenance required. For more information about our Helix Flexible Screw Conveyors or to request a quote, contact Hapman today.
