Building on a database of more than 20,000 results: HAVER&BOECKER reveals value of FT4 Powder Rheometer for developing high performance packaging solutions

HAVER&BOECKER (Oelde, Germany), a leading developer and producer of screening and packing machines for the processing industries, has revealed the pivotal role that dynamic testing with the FT4 Powder Rheometer® plays in ensuring the delivery of optimal, low risk packaging solutions. End Quote

(1888PressRelease) September 20, 2016 - Tewkesbury, UK : With a decade of testing in place, at a rate of around 1000 products per year, the company is comfortably secure in its reliance on the instrument; reliability remains consistently high and maintenance requirements are minimal.

"Extensive physical characterisation provides the basis for the design/selection of each customised packaging solution," said Dr Thomas Hilling, General Manager R&D Centre, HAVER&BOECKER. "We measure a wide range of parameters, including particle size, moisture and fat content, and density, but, until we adopted flowability measurements with the FT4, part of the picture was always missing. This was despite our best efforts with other testers such as a Jenike shear cell. We now measure the flowability of every sample we receive. Comparing the results with the database we have developed over a decade of testing helps us to identify the best packaging solution for every product and minimise investment risk."

HAVER&BOECKER develop integrated solutions, incorporating storage and conveying equipment, for packaging a wide range of industrial materials such as foodstuffs, chemicals, paints and cement. Ensuring continuous material flow through the system is vital and relies on selecting equipment that is well-matched to the inherent characteristics of the material. Early attempts at measuring flowability centred on the use of Jenike shear cell but this proved both time-consuming and unreliable, and gave results that were difficult to interpret with respect to equipment choice. Dynamic testing, in contrast, is quick and efficient and provides highly relevant data.

"The FT4 is very easy to use. Freeman Technology provided us with great training at the outset and we have never had any problems with measurement or functionality. Over the years we've upgraded the associated computer but with regards to spares and hardware nothing has been required, despite the fact that we use the instrument every day. With an extensive database now in place testing helps us to identify, for example, which drive will work best in the conveyor and where we will need aeration jets to lubricate the powder and enhance flowability."

Minimising the air content in packed powders maximises bag fill and is a defining goal. By robustly quantifying flowability, dynamic testing helps HAVER&BOECKER to reduce the amount of air in the process to a minimum, thereby optimising throughput, while at the same time de-risking the process with respect to blockages/downtime.

"For us, customer satisfaction relies on defining a processing solution that will work reliably for their product, from the outset, without modification or troubleshooting. The FT4 plays an important role in helping us achieve this goal and is the most relevant instrument for powder flowability measurements that we have been able to identify."

For more information on the FT4 Powder Rheometer go to http://www.freemantech.co.uk/ft4

Freeman Technology and Powder Rheometer are registered trademarks of Freeman Technology Ltd.

Freeman Technology
Freeman Technology specialises in systems for measuring the flow properties of powders and has over 15 years' experience in powder flow and powder characterisation. The company invests significantly in R&D and applications development, and provides detailed know-how to support its range of products. Expert teams guide and support users around the world in addressing their individual powder challenges, focusing on delivering the most relevant information for the process. The result is world-leading solutions for understanding powder behaviour - in development, formulation, scale-up, processing, quality control, or anywhere that powders have a role.

Freeman Technology's solutions include the FT4 Powder Rheometer®, a uniquely universal powder tester, and the Uniaxial Powder Tester, a complementary tool for quick and robust powder assessment. Systems are installed around the world in the chemical, pharmaceutical, toners, foods, powder coatings, metals, ceramics, cosmetics, and many other industries. They deliver data that maximise process and product understanding, accelerating R&D and formulation towards successful commercialisation, and supporting the long term optimisation of powder processes.

Freeman Technology is also the global distributor for Lenterra sensor instrumentation which provides in-line, real-time flow measurement solutions to enhance process understanding, and improve manufacturing efficiency and quality.

The company was founded in 1989 as a developer of automated testing systems for materials characterisation, and has focused exclusively on powders since the late 1990s. The company's R&D, manufacturing and commercial headquarters are in Gloucestershire, UK, with operations in the USA and China, and distribution partners in key global territories.

In 2007 the company received the Queen's Award for Enterprise in Innovation and in 2012 the Queen's Award for Enterprise in International Trade. www.freemantech.co.uk

Press information
Trystan George, Kapler Communications
1 Whiteside, Station Road, Holmes Chapel, Cheshire, CW4 8AA, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1477 539 545; Fax: +44 (0) 1477 539 540;
freeman ( @ ) kapleronline dot com

Please send enquiries to
Gemma Denslow
Freeman Technology Ltd, 1 Miller Court, Severn Drive,
Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire, GL20 8DN, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1684 851 551 Fax: +44 (0)1684 851 552
pr ( @ ) freemantech dot co.uk www.freemantech.co.uk

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