Spin-lift stationary-screw Olds elevator joins our line-up

Announcing the addition of the revolutionary spin-lift Olds elevator to the UniTrak Powderflight line, president Bill Gorsline stated: “The Olds elevator fits very well between our TipTrak bucket elevator and the Powderflight aeromechanical conveyor.”

Unlike conventional screw elevators, the UniTrak Powderflight Olds elevator employs a cylindrical casing rotating around a fixed stationary screw. Material enters the casing through intake scoops and slides gently upward with minimal transport friction.

Only one moving part contacts the material—the tubular casing with attached in-feed scoops and delivery slinger, rotating around the static screw. Generous clearance between the screw and tube prevents casing wear, damage to material, and metal-on-metal contact.

At the top, material flows from the casing in a 360° pattern, into a discharge head with a chute or spout which can be custom-configured to the application and product characteristics. The infeed hopper is also customizable.

An optional Variable Frequency Drive enables the Olds elevator to be used as a doser/feeder. Various feed rates to be precisely controlled and the elevator can also accept signals from upstream or downstream equipment.

The one square metre footprint also provides bulk-handling solutions where a TipTrak™ cannot be used. “The Olds elevator has a small footprint, similar to a Powderflight™, Gorsline said, “…but, unlike our aeromechanical conveyors, the Olds can be operated continuously for 24 hours.”

“A TipTrak bucket elevator requires a lower horizontal section to provide a controlled infeed to the buckets on a horizontal plane”, said Gorsline. “Many factories and plants don't have floor space available to accommodate this, but the Olds elevator operates very comfortably in restricted space.”

“Investment cost for an Olds elevator is mid-way between a Powderflight™ and a TipTrak™”, stated Marketing Team Leader, Marie Lytle. “Many of our customers don't need to transfer product horizontally as well as vertically, and the Olds can be a superior alternative solution for them. That said, the TipTrak—with no transfer points—is still the best choice when you do have to go both horizontal and vertical.”

The Olds elevator is proven equipment, with installations delivering years of service in Australia, the United States and Mexico.

Food products tested successfully to date include: animal feed pellets; barley; dried bean; bread crumbs; chocolate chips; coffee beans; soluble coffee; corn;, dog food; flour; guar powder; macadamia nuts and shells; malititol (sweetener); peanuts; rice; sugar; timothy seed; wheat.

Other products conveyed by Olds elevators include: - boiler ash; calcium carbonate; carbon black; ceramic beads; coal fines;, epoxy resin; fertilizer; gypsum; lime; plastic; sand; sawdust; shredded rubber; soap powder; steel shot; sulphur pastilles; titanium chips; wood pellets.

UniTrak Powderflight Limited is licensed to market and manufacture the Olds elevator in the UK and EU.