Some substrate producers rely on where their raw materials are mined. One such producer is a Logitec Plus's customer from the Middle East. This company reached out to Logitec Plus, requesting the Dutch machine manufacturer to develop a 150m3/hr mixing line for them. But it had to be able to be moved from one site to the other in only a few days. The blend's main ingredient is sweet sand, can only be found at specific locations.
"Dismantling and moving a 65m long, 20m wide monstrosity like this is usually not an option," says Mark van der Zande, one of Logitec Plus's owners. "But we did it. The entire mixing line is designed and constructed from modules that are attached to eachother with so-called twist-locks. Containers are stacked on ships using these same fasteners. In other words, they're solid."
Providing power
Also, the mixing line had to be able to run in the most remote locations. They, therefore, opted for two Caterpillar generators with a synchronization panel for the entire line's power supply. Given the extreme temperatures and conditions in which this mixing line must operate, a 20ft container was completely converted into a control unit. Besides the control panel, it houses the many variable speed drives, relays, switches, and everything needed to control the line.
The container is airconditioned to keep working conditions as pleasant as possible and to maintain the controls' correct working temperature. Workers can spend their breaks in a second converted container. It, too, is airconditioned and has a functional kitchen.
Still, there were plenty more hurdles to overcome. "A mixing line like this has many hundreds of meters of cables connecting things like sensors, lasers, and motors to the control panel. A solution had to be found for that as well. Our engineering department and our partner who builds our controls developed a suitable solution. It makes connecting and disconnecting the various components as easy and fast as possible," says Mark.
"All the individual components are connected with plugs. So when the line is dismantled, you don't have to mark, disconnect, and store countless cables only to have to reconnect them in reverse. Now, you just unplug and tie the cables to the components. You can then move everything from A to B in one go."
Sweet sand
The raw materials used in the mixes were yet another challenge. To keep that cost down, it was decided to use sweet sand as the main component. You can use this type of desert sand to grow trees. It also prevents trees from blowing over during desert storms. Sand, though, plays havoc on most machinery. Certain sections of this mixing line are, therefore, made of hardened steel. This ensures the line is less likely to wear out at its most crucial points.
The machine's coating also had to withstand the harsh desert conditions. The entire line is, thus, painted with multiple layers of offshore quality coating. To prevent too much raw material from being blown away during sand storms, all belts are equipped with cover plates. They also stretched a special canvas around the mixing line to limit the wind force. "It was a terrific job. Now that everything's up and running, we can reflect on a fantastic, exciting time," Mark concludes. You can see this machine in action in this video.
For more information:
Logitec Plus BV
Mark van der Zande
61 Energieweg
2404 HE, Alphen aan den Rijn, NL
Tel: +31 (0) 713 413 919
Mob: +31 (0) 653 381 309
Email: [email protected]
www.logitecplus.com