PTM builds agitator filling line - when standard is luxury

Stirring and filling systems are rarely standard. In most cases, there are individual requirements for the system depending on factors that determine the design, component selection, performance and layout of the system. These factors range from different agitator tank sizes and various types of medium removal to simple or complex control systems and much more. A lively exchange between customer and manufacturer is crucial, as is flexibility and know-how. Our customer, the company Loba GmbH & Co. KG based in Ditzingen near Stuttgart, presented us with very special challenges with their plans for an agitator filling line:

The case study

The company Loba GmbH & Co. KG is an internationally operating family business with its core business in the areas of design, finishing and care of wood and parquet floors. Loba works with various liquids, such as oils, cleaning agents, primers and many more. It goes without saying that agitator technology plays an important role here.

The requirements were as follows:

  • Three lifting stations with agitators for 200 liter drums
  • Stainless steel lid with ¾ lids and viewing flaps
  • Suction lances with subsequent filling station for filling small containers
  • Pumps
  • Central control unit

So far so good. However, there were a few challenges to overcome:

Highly viscous media - possible with powerful drive

The medium to be agitated is highly viscous and also has a very high density. A challenge for most drives. As high-speed motors with low torque, electric and vane motors in particular can only achieve this performance with a gearbox. Our radial piston motors, on the other hand, always work with very high torque. After a few tests, our 32 Nm drive proved to be the most suitable. With its 32Nm, it is in the mid-range of the PTM motor range and glides easily through any substance, no matter how viscous, such as adhesives, fillers, viscous food masses, heavy oils and other highly viscous media.

Different container sizes are easy to handle

Although the barrels at Loba all hold 200 liters, they vary in height. The Lifting stations must therefore automatically adapt to the respective height of the containers. We achieved this with a special circuit that ensures that the lifting stations reliably stop at container height.
Safety also had to be taken into account. The agitators must not start stirring until the system is completely closed. They receive the signal via the circuit that the lids are closed and only then start the stirring process. Conversely, the agitators are switched off immediately when the lid is lifted.

The central control system maintains an overview

The three stations are controlled practically and quickly via a central control unit. All three components of the agitator stations can be controlled together via the control unit: the agitators, the lifting stations and the pumps - all on one display. This allows Loba to keep an eye on the system as a whole at all times.

Customized filling concepts simplify the process

Loba needed a specially designed filling system for the small container sizes of two to ten liters. The result of our development is a system with nozzles similar to a filling station dispenser. The special trick is that the nozzles can be inserted into the lids of the containers after filling. Excess liquid simply drips back into the container, not a drop is lost and the surrounding area remains clean. Functional and practical.

Advice and contact

With our in-house production, development and manufacturing, we develop your individual paint supply system.
We support you in all matters relating to Stirring technology, from Agitator drive about Complete agitators through to entire systems. Our customer service team is also available to provide you with advice and support after the end of the project. Please contact us at +49 8134 25 797 0 or info@ptm-mechatronics.com.

PTM mechatronics - We bring movement into special environments.