Eriez® Unveils New Recycling Equipment And Expanded Space
Erie, PA - Eriez®, an authority in advanced technology for magnetic, vibratory and inspection applications, welcomed customers, local dignitaries and media personnel to its Erie, Pa. World Headquarters on Wednesday June 14, 2007 to tour the recently added 30,000 square foot expansion and see the company's newest innovation for the recycling industry, the ProSort Airless Metal Sorter, in operation.
The Erie plant, which opened in 1963 and today houses the company's sales, marketing, engineering and manufacturing operations, as well as corporate offices, grew to over 130,000 square feet when the expansion was completed in late 2006. According to Tim Shuttleworth, Eriez President and CEO, the new space, with its high ceilings and large, open areas, is an ideal location for the company to build its largest equipment, such as the new ProSort Airless Metal Sorter.
"Eriez is dedicated to continually updating existing lines and introducing new equipment that specifically responds to the needs of the industries we serve worldwide," said Shuttleworth. "The introduction of the ProSort Airless Metal Sorter underscores this commitment." He explains that the ProSort Airless Metal Sorter's advanced design provides a cleaner production facility and cleaner metal product than traditional air systems can offer.
The ProSort Airless Metal Sorter uses a conveyor belt and sensors, but replaces the air nozzles used in standard air units with cost-effective electromechanical paddles. The two-inch wide "motorized paddles" are constructed with an electromagnetic coil that is attached to a shaft and paddle. The coil is sandwiched between permanent magnets and when energized, causes the paddle to "kick" up until a reverse in polarity causes it to return to its original position.
Shuttleworth explains, "The paddles are positioned side-by-side in a bank as wide as the belt. When the sensors detect a piece of metal on the belt, the control circuit energizes the appropriate paddle at the moment the metal passes above, causing it to be diverted over a splitter and separating it from the non-metallic product stream."
Attendees at the June 14 event viewed a demonstration of the ProSort Airless Metal Sorter in action. The particular unit that was present, which is the first ever created, was shipped the following day to Liberty Iron and Metal Company, a scrap metal processing facility that is also located in Erie. Shuttleworth explains, "Liberty was unhappy with the air powered metal sorter they had. When they learned Eriez was working on designing a new Airless Metal Sorter, they were immediately interested. Soon after, we began working together to test and perfect the ProSort."
According to Eriez, in September 2006, Eriez installed a prototype 26-inch wide unit at Liberty Iron and Metal Company. "Its goal was to prove performance and help with the design of a production unit," said Al Gedgaudus, Eriez Recycling Product Manager. "The prototype unit operated extremely effectively and was uninstalled only when the new 84-inch wide model was delivered on June 15, 2007." He added, "Liberty also ordered two additional units, which are currently in production, for their facilities in other parts of the United States."
Besides the ProSort, Eriez indicates that a wide variety of other heavy equipment will also be built in the company's new space, including the company's largest magnets, column flotation equipment and more.
Shuttleworth explained that the June 14 event gave Eriez a chance to celebrate its recent success with the Erie community. "We have had several record years and sales continue to be strong. We credit our success to our superb people and state-of-the-art product line. By building cutting edge products such as ProSort, we are able to improve profitability for not only Eriez, but for our customers as well. That's a great feeling." SOURCE: Eriez