WASHING MACHINE

FOR EXTRUSION DIE PLATES TYPE 'LTF'

A RELIABLE MACHINE FOR A PERFECT, FULLY AUTOMATIC WASHING OF ANY EXTRUSION DIE-PLATE IN THE AQUAFEED - PETFOOD AND FOOD INDUSTRIES

Washing the extrusion dies is an absolutely necessary, yet unpleasant, operation for the operators assigned to this work.

The methodology depends on the surface of the extrusion orifices: in pet food the result can be achieved using a high-pressure washer, confining this operation to a special room and forcing the operators to wear extremely uncomfortable protective clothing; in the aquafeed sector the orifices are reduced to very small diameters (up to 0.5 < 0.6 mm) and the cleaning operation represents a real problem as it requires manual intervention on thousands of holes with calibrated cylindrical pins.

The LTF AUTOMATIC WASHING MACHINE has been designed and developed to completely and impeccably automate the washing operation with numerous advantages:

The absolute certainty of perfect washing even of matrices with very small passage holes; up to Ø 0.6 mm in the case of extrusion of fish feed
Eliminates the need for a dedicated operator: any operator can provide it independently.
The extruder conductor can wash itself in 2 < 4 minutes the die dismantling from the extrusion head;
Thanks to the possibility of choosing different washing programs, no type of matrix needs to be finished by hand after automatic washing.

1. NOZZLES FOR DRIPPING BY COMPRESSED AIR

2. HIGH PRESSURE NOZZLES FOR WASHING AND RINSING THE MATRIX

3. INTERNAL MACHINE WASHING BALL

4. HIGH PRESSURE NOZZLES FOR WASHING AND RINSING DIFFUSER DISC OR OTHER TYPE OF MATRIX

By turning on the electrical panel the machine prepares for operation; automatically loading water from the network until it reaches the working level.
To load the matrix, the operator presses the request button on the touch screen panel, which unlocks the lid opening.
Once the pieces to be washed have been positioned, choose the most appropriate washing program for the type of matrix to be washed on the touch screen panel and, by closing the machine lid, starts the cycle.
The complete wash takes place automatically in 3 steps:
WASHING

The high pressure pump [A] powered by the centrifugal pump [B] starts and the dirty pieces inside the washing machine begin to rotate driven by the gearmotor [C], exposing their entire perforated surface to the nozzles.

The impact of water sprayed at 100 < 250 bar of pressure removes every particle and cleans perfectly even punctures with a diameter of 0.5 millimetres. The working pressure is displayed by the digital pressure switch [D] and is adjustable by means of the valve [E]

The entire washing cycle takes place with recycled water to reduce consumption. The particles removed during cleaning are retained by a first filter [F] with a 1 mm hole, and by a second in-line cartridge filter [G] with a 0.5 mm hole.

The machine is equipped with a flow switch [H] which controls the passage of water and warns the operator via a pop-up on the operator panel of the need to clean the filters to prevent the pump from running 'dry' [A].

As an option, at a surcharge, the machine can be equipped with an automatic counter-current filter cleaning system [G]; discharging the impurities into the sewer.

MAINS WATER - Min 2 bar

COMPRESSED AIR - 6 bar

DISCHARGE TO SEWER

FUNCTIONAL DIAGRAM

STANDARD MACHINE

FLUSHING
At the end of the wash cycle, the machine begins a rinse cycle with clean mains water. During this cycle the washing water is partially replaced and cooled by that used for rinsing.
The duration of this cycle can also be programmed from the operator panel. During this cycle it is possible to add a certain quantity of disinfectant to the rinse water with a specific accessory.
DRIPPING

The washing ends with a third cycle: the pump stops and compressed air is introduced into the circuit which, through special nozzles [J], causes the washed pieces to drip, making them ready to be put away, ready for use.

All operating parameters are programmable separately via a 7'' color HMI touch screen panel.

The machine's software includes a self-cleaning cycle to be carried out periodically with the possible aid of a descaling product to keep the pump and nozzles in perfect working order.

AUTOMATIC CLEANING OF THE CARTRIDGE FILTER [G] - OPTIONAL

As an option, for a surcharge, the machine can be equipped with an automatic counter-current cleaning system of the filter [E] with waste particulate discharge into the sewer.

Accessori per la pulizia automatica del filtro in linea a cartuccia

FUNCTIONAL DIAGRAM DELLA MACHINE WITH CLEANING

AUTOMATIC CARTRIDGE FILTER [G]

ON THE BASIS OF THE INFORMATION PROVIDED BY THE CUSTOMER, THE MACHINE IS DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED FOR WASHING ANY TYPE OF MATRIX

BÜHLER MATRIX AQUAFEED WITH DRILLING Ø 0.8 = 0.5 mm² - Pump 200 < 250 bars

WENGER PETFOOD MATRIX WITH 'STAR' PERFORATION - 12 mm² - 100 bar pump

WENGER AQUAFEED MATRIX WITH HOLE Ø 1.0 = 0.8 mm² - 200 Bar pump

OVERALL DIMENSIONS - Weight: ~ 700 Kg

UTILITIES AND CONSUMPTION

ELECTRICITY

3 PHASES Voltage and frequency as in use in the country of installation.

Installed power: 15 < 19 kW depending on the characteristics of the pump installed.

A – MAINS WATER

Minimum 2 bar. 80 litres/min - 29 psi - 17.5 impgal/min

3 PHASES X 400 Volts - 19.00 kW

Consumption per complete washing cycle: 0.7 litres/sec during rinsing cycle

B – COMPRESSED AIR

De-oiled 6 bar. - 87 psi

Consumption:

1,500 Nlitres/min - 330 Nimpgal/min during the dripping cycle

C – DRAINING TO SEWER

40 litres/minute - 8.8 impgal/min during rinsing cycle

65 litres - 14 impgal litresi at each periodic tank emptying for washing water replacement.

MANAGER RESPONSIBLE FOR PRODUCTION

CUSTOMER 'XY'

Provides a drawing of matrices that they consider to be the most difficult to clean (probably those with the smallest holes) and, possibly, the diffuser disc if they are used to washing it at the same time.

Torre carries out a study to verify the feasibility of the requested result and to size the main parts: pump, die rotation system, etc. Based on the study, Torre calculates the price for a possible supply.

If the proposed price falls within the budget dedicated to this project, Torre will make a proposal as follows:

Torre provides Customer 'XY' with a machine on trial.

The machine is supplied at no cost: Torre will at its own expense carry out the transport, start-up and training of Customer 'XY' personnel on the production site.

Customer 'XY' tests the operation of the machine for an agreed period, (E.g. 4 weeks).

At the end of the trial period:

to. If the machine works perfectly: that is, if at the end of the washing cycle of max 5 or 6 minutes 100% of the holes on the matrix will be perfectly clean.

Customer 'XY' purchases the machine by paying the price proposed by Torre in point 3.

b.If the machine cannot clean 100% of the holes, or has problems during the trial operation period,

Torre collects the car at his own expense and nothing will be charged to Customer 'XY'

The only problem to be resolved remains the customs issue of import into a possible non-EEC country in relation to the TVA.

Two possible solutions:

- Customer 'XY' carries out a temporary import: he will regularize the procedure by paying the tax when he purchases the imported machine on trial or by re-exporting the machine as it does not meet the agreed performance.

In this case Torre would pay all the expenses of the customs broker who will handle the procedure.

- Customer 'XY' advances the TVA which however immediately recovers as compensation on the tax applied to internal sales in the non-EEC country.