AEC OFE Blender User Manual

$30.

Operation and Installation Manual

OFE Series

Loss-In-Weight Color Feeders for Extrusion

Important! Read Carefully Before Attempting to Install or Operate Equipment

00

Part No. A0553649 Revision 3 Bulletin No. HR6-650B.3

Please note that our address and phone information has changed.
Please reference this page for updated contact information.

These manuals are obsolete and are provided only for their technical information, data and capacities.
Portions of these manuals detailing procedures or precautions in the operation, inspection, maintenance
and repair of the products may be inadequate, inaccurate, and/or incomplete and shouldn’t be relied
upon. Please contact the ACS Group for more current information about these manuals and their
warnings and precautions.

Parts and Service Department

The ACS Customer Service Group will provide your company with genuine OEM quality parts manufactured to engineering
design specifications, which will maximize your equipment’s performance and efficiency. To assist in expediting your phone
or fax order, please have the model and serial number of your unit when you contact us. A customer replacement parts list
is included in this manual for your convenience. ACS welcomes inquiries on all your parts needs and is dedicated to
providing excellent customer service.

For immediate assistance, please contact:

• North, Central and South America, 8am – 5pm CST [phone] for drying, conveying, heating and cooli

ng
and automation. For size reduction: [phone].
North America, emergencies after 5pm CST [phone]

North America email: [e-mail]

• Mexico, Central & South America

Email: [e-mail]

• Europe, Middle East & Africa [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

• India [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

• Asia/Australia [phone]

Email: [e-mail]

Sales and Contracting Department

Our products are sold by a worldwide network of independent sales representatives. Contact our Sales Department for the
name of the sales representative nearest you.

Let us install your system. The Contract Department offers any or all of these services: project planning; system packages
including drawings; equipment, labor, and construction materials; and union or non-union installations.

For assistance with your sales or system contracting needs please Call:

North, Central and South America [phone] or [phone] Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm CST

Europe/Middle East/Africa [phone]
India [phone]
Asia/Australia [phone]

Facilities:

ACS offers facilities around the world to service you no matter where you are located. For more information, please visit us at
www.acscorporate.com

United States:

ACS Schaumburg – Corporate Offices

1100 E. Woodfield Road
Suite 588
Schaumburg, IL 60173
Phone: + 1 847 273 7700
Fax: + 1 847 273 7804

ACS New Berlin – Manufacturing Facility

2900 S. 160th Street
New Berlin, WI 53151
Phone : [phone]
Fax: + 1 262 641 8653

Asia/Australia:

ACS Suzhou

109 Xingpu Road SIP
Suzhou, China 215126
Phone: + 86 8717 1919
Fax: [phone]

Europe/Middle East/Africa:

ACS Warsaw

Ul. Działkowa 115
02-234 Warszawa
Phone: + 48 22 390 9720
Fax: [phone]

India

ACS India

Gat No. 191/1, Sandbhor Complex
Mhalunge, Chakan, Tal Khed,
Dist. Pune 410501, India
Phone: [phone]
Fax: + 91 20 40147576

Write down your unit serial number(s) ________________ ________________
here for future reference ________________ ________________

________________ ________________
________________ ________________
________________ ________________
________________ ________________
________________ ________________
________________ ________________
________________ ________________

AEC is committed to a continuing program of product improvement.

Specifications, appearance, and dimensions described in this manual

are subject to change without notice.

© Copyright AEC, Inc. 2012

All rights reserved.

Part No. A0553649

Page 2 OFE Series Weight Loss Feeders

Effective 12/12/12

Bulletin No. HR6-650B.3

Table of Contents

1 General Information .................................................9

1-1 Models Covered
1-2 Equipment Function
1-3 Necessary Documents
1-4 Standard Features
1-5 Options

2 Safety.......................................................................12

2-1 Work Rules
2-2 Tools and Equipment Needed
2-3 Mechanical Installation
2-4 Safety Considerations
2-5 General Responsibility
2-6 Operator Responsibility
2-7 Maintenance Responsibility
2-8 Safety

3 Shipping Information .............................................20

3-1 Unpacking and Inspection
3-2 In the Event of Shipping Damages
3-3 If the Shipment is Not Complete
3-4 If the Shipment is Not Correct
3-5 Returns

4 Installation...............................................................22

4-1 Setup
4-2 Unit Calibration and Setup
4-3 Diagnostics
4-4 OFE Menu Structure

OFE Series Weight Loss Feeders Page 3

Table of Contents

5 Startup, Shutdown, and Operation.......................27

5-1 Starting and Operating the Unit

6 Maintenance ............................................................29

6-1 Work Rules
6-2 Maintaining Feeders
6-3 Controller Setup
6-4 Mechanical
6-5 Electrical
6-6 Pneumatic System Maintenance

7 Troubleshooting .....................................................34

7-1 If Unit Fails to Operate
7-2 If Unit Stops Intermittently
7-3 If Unit is Inaccurate
7-4 If Drive Motor Burns Out or Blows Fuses

8 OFE Feeder Options...............................................36

9 Spare Parts List ......................................................37

10 Technical Assistance.............................................38

10-1 Contact Information
10-2 Returned Material Policy
10-3 Warranty

11 Safety Tag Information...........................................42

11-1 OFE Series Safety Tags
11-2 OFE Series Identification (Serial Number) Tag

Page 4 OFE Series Weight Loss Feeders

Safety Considerations

AEC OFE Series feeders are designed to provide safe and reliable operation when installed and
operated within design specifications and national and local safety codes.

To avoid possible injury or equipment damage when installing or operating this equipment,
always use good judgment and follow these safe practices:

; Follow all SAFETY CODES.
; Keep fingers away from slide gates, augers, cleanouts, and calibration hatches.

Because automatic operation may start unexpectedly, A PINCH HAZARD
CAPABLE OF CAUSING BODILY INJURY EXISTS ANY TIME THE
POWER IS ON.

; Wear SAFETY GLASSES and WORK GLOVES.
; Use care when installing, operating or servicing this unit.
; Disconnect and/or lock out power before servicing or maintaining the blender.
; Use care when LOADING, UNLOADING, RIGGING, or MOVING this

equipment.

; Operate this equipment within design specifications.
; OPEN, TAG, and LOCK ALL DISCONNECTS before working on equipment.

You should remove the fuses and carry them with you.

; Disconnect and lock out power and compressed air before attempting to clean out

an auger and slide gate area.

; NEVER PUT FINGERS OR TOOLS IN AN AUGER OR SLIDE GATE

AREA.

; Make sure the blender and components are properly GROUNDED before you

switch on power.

; Do not jump or bypass any electrical safety control.
; Do not jump or bypass any pneumatic safety control.
; Do not restore power until you remove all tools, test equipment, etc. and until the

blender and related equipment are fully assembled.

; Only PROPERLY TRAINED personnel familiar with the warnings and

instructions in this manual should work on this equipment.

OFE Series Weight Loss Feeders Page 5

AEC

“OFE” Series

Loss-In-Weight Color Feeders for Extrusion

This Feeder is manufactured by ACS, Inc.:

ACS, Inc.

801 AEC Drive

Wood Dale, IL 60191

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

The equipment is distributed in Europe by our European facility:

ACS-EUROPE

Daniels Industrial Estate

BATH ROAD

Stroud, Gloucestershire, England

GL5 3TJ

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Page 6 OFE Series Weight Loss Feeders

Annex B Information

The following design information is provided for your reference:

1. No modifications are allowed to this equipment that could alter the CE compliance

2. Ambient temperature: 40 degrees Celsius – Maximum (104 degrees Fahrenheit)

3. Humidity range: 50% relative humidity

4. Altitude: Sea level

5. Environment: Clean, dust-free and non-explosive

6. Radiation: None

7. Vibration: Minimal, i.e. machine mounting

8. Allowable voltage fluctuation: +/- 10%

9. Allowable frequency fluctuation: Continuous +/- 1%
Intermittent +/- 2%

10. Nominal supply voltage: 120/1/60 or 220/1/50 (Verify on serial number tag)

11. Earth ground type: TN (system has one point directly earthed through a

protective conductor)

12. Power supply should include a neutral power connection.

13. Over-current protection is supplied to the Feeder, but additional protection should be

supplied by the user.

14. The plug on the power cord serves as the electrical disconnect device.

15. Feeder is not equipped with local lighting.

16. Functional identification

17. Feeder is equipped with a CE mark

18. Feeder is supplied with an operating manual in the language of the destination country.

19. Cable support may be required for power cord, depending on final installation.

20. No one is required to be in the interior of the electrical enclosure during the normal

operation of the unit. Only skilled electricians should be inside the enclosure for
maintenance.

21. Doors can be opened with a screwdriver, but no keys are required.

22. Two-hand control is not required or provided.

23. All Feeders should be moved around and set in a place with a lift truck or equivalent.

24. There are no frequent repetitive cycles that require manual control⎯repetitive functions

are automatic while the conveying system is operating.

25. An inspection report detailing the functional test is included with the feeder.

26. The machine is not equipped with cableless controls.

27. Color-coded (harmonized) power cord is sufficient for proper installation.

OFE Series Weight Loss Feeders Page 7

Charts and Figures

1

OFE Series Weight Loss Feeder Illustration 11

2

OFE Series Customer Recommended Spare Parts List 37

Page 8 OFE Series Weight Loss Feeders

1 General Information

1-1 Models Covered

This manual covers all AEC OFE Series feeder models.

1-2 Equipment Function

Modern plastics processing demands the addition of precisely metered components.
Your OFE Series auto adjust colorant and additive feeder is a self adjusting, loss in
weight calibrated feeder designed to meter a precise preset rate of free flowing
pelletized additive into the extruder throat. The unit is equipped with an inductive
proximity switch to sense the extruder screw RPM to provide slaved in operation.

The unit is self-adjusting to compensate for varying bulk densities, different pellet cuts,
etc. It will save colorants that result from operator calibration errors, and varying bulk
densities of pellet additives.

1-3 Necessary Documents

The items listed below are required for installation, operation, and maintenance of AEC
OFE Series feeding systems. Additional copies are available from AEC, Inc.
Familiarize the appropriate personnel with these documents:

; This manual.
; The Customer Parts List.
; Operation and Installation manuals for accessories and options selected by the

customer, where installed.

1-4 Standard Features

All OFE Series loss-in-weight extrusion additive feeders are designed to feed high cost
additives and come standard with these features:

• Precision 1/10% span accurate cantilever load cell weighing system

• Alluminum and mild steel contact surfaces

• Surge hopper with conical reload valve

• Operator control panel with LCD display

OFE Series Weight Loss Feeders Page 9

• RS-485 communications port

• Parallel printer port connection

• Extruder following circuit

• Field mount proximity switch

• Square mounting flange

• 3” OD discharge opening

• 115/1/60 or 220/1/50 supply voltage

• Feeder housings with drain tube

• Hopper lid arranged for AEC SRC Series receivers and loaders. Hopper lid

may also be cut for customer-supplied non-AEC loading hoppers at no
additional charge, provided detailed drawings are provided with order.

1-5 Options

• RCP – RS-485 remote control panel with 10 ft. cable, 100 ft. maximum

distance (consult factory for longer distance)

• Supply hopper lids cut for non-AEC customer-supplied vacuum receivers or

loaders, per hopper

• Includes cutout and bolthole pattern only – adapters supplied at an

additional charge

Page 10 OFE Series Weight Loss Feeders

Figure 1

OFE Series Weight Loss Feeder Illustration

Top view

Front view

OFE Series Weight Loss Feeders Page 11

2 Safety

2-1 Work Rules

Install, operate, and maintain this equipment according to applicable work and safety
codes for your location. This includes OSHA, CE, NEC, CSA, SPI, and many other
local, national, and international regulations. Obey these specific work rules:

 Read and follow the instructions in this manual before

installing, operating, or maintaining any equipment.
Additional copies are available from AEC, Inc.

 Only qualified persons should work on, or with, this

equipment.

 Work only with approved tools and devices.

 Disconnect and lock out power while working on this

equipment.

2-2 Tools and Equipment Needed

You’ll need the following:

• Hand tools

• Fork lift or overhead lift

• Wire, conduit, and fittings for wiring runs (if receptacle is not

already in place)

• Mounting bolts with nuts and washers

2-3 Mechanical Installation

OFE Series Feeders may be mounted on the machine, a stand, or a
mezzanine. Be sure it is securely attached and additional bracing
is used if necessary. The sections on the following pages explain
general installation rules.

Read manual thoroughly before installing the
OFE feeder.

Use approved safety straps or chains to lift the
feeder at the marked lifting points.

Page 12 OFE Series Weight Loss Feeders

2-4 Safety Considerations

The terms NOTICE, CAUTION, WARNING, and DANGER
have specific meanings in this manual. See Section 11 for a

complete list of specific safety warning information.

A NOTICE is used to indicate a statement of company policy
directly or indirectly related to the safety of personnel or protection
of property.

A CAUTION indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if
not avoided, may result in minor or moderate injury.

A WARNING indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if
not avoided could result in death or serious injury.

A DANGER indicates an imminently hazardous situation which, if
not avoided, will result in death or serious injury. This word will
be limited to the most serious situation(s).

The term IMPORTANT emphasizes areas where equipment
damage could result, or provides additional information to make a
step or procedure easier to understand. Disregarding information
marked IMPORTANT would not be likely to cause personal
injury.

REPORTING A SAFETY DEFECT

NOTE: If you believe that your equipment has a defect which could cause

injury, you should immediately discontinue its use and inform
AEC, Inc., at our address listed in this manual.

The principle factors which can result in injury are:

1. Failure to follow proper operating and clean-out

procedures, i.e. lockout/tagout.

2. Failure to maintain a clean and safe working environment.

OFE Series Weight Loss Feeders Page 13

2-5 General Responsibility

NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE…

Safety is important. Owners, operators, and maintenance
personnel must realize that every day, safety is a vital aspect of
their jobs.

If your main concern is loss of productivity, remember this:

Production is always affected in a negative way following an
accident. The following are some of the reasons which can affect

your production:

• Loss of a skilled operator (temporarily or permanently)

• Breakdown of shop morale

• Costly damage to equipment

• Down-time

An effective safety program is responsible and economically
sound.

Organize a safety committee or group, and hold regular meetings.
Promote this group from the management level. Through this
group, the safety program can be continually reviewed,
maintained, and improved. Keep minutes or a record of the
meetings.

Hold daily equipment inspections in addition to regular
maintenance checks. You will keep your equipment safe for
production and exhibit your commitment to safety.

Please read and use this manual as a guide to equipment safety.
This manual contains safety warnings throughout, specific to each
function and point of operation.

2-6 Operator Responsibility

The operator’s responsibility does not end with efficient
production. The operator usually has the most daily contact with
the feeder and intimately knows its capabilities and limitations.

Plant and personnel safety is sometimes forgotten in the desire to
meet incentive rates, or through a casual attitude toward machinery
formed over a period of months or years. Your employer probably
has established a set of safety rules in your workplace. Those
rules, this manual, or any other safety information will not keep
you from being injured while operating your equipment.

Page 14 OFE Series Weight Loss Feeders