Service Advisor - April 2010

In this Issue

Training
Sorter Tips
Shaker Tips

April showers bring May flowers, which means processing season is just around the corner. Regardless if you are a year round or a seasonal processor, chances are you are busy with startup and maintenance activities. We are here to help you with all your Service, Parts and Training needs, call us +1.877.UPTIME1 (+1.877.878.4631).

We would like to know what services you need to make your job easier. If you have a few minutes please take a short 10 question survey http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/XFLBMWG to give us your thoughts.

Training

It’s Okay to Fail!

As long as you get back up and try it again. Unlike an instructor led course, online training is available all the time. So if you don’t get it the first time, take it again. Alternatively, perhaps you took the course several months ago and you want to refresh your memory prior to working on a sorter. That’s the beauty of an on-demand system where anyone can take the course at anytime from anywhere they can get an internet connection.

Many of you are new to online training and may not understand its full value. Let’s explore how our online training supports your organizational goals.

Reduced training costs: Each time the course is accessed your return on investment improves because you are dividing the fixed subscription costs by the number of users. You also achieve savings through decreased travel, reduced material, and improved (and more efficient) employee and equipment performance. A one year subscription allows your plant to have an unlimited number of employees take the training.
Increased productivity: Because online training is not bound by location or time, you can control the impact on production by training people during down times.
Standardization: Our online training creates a standardized process and consistency in the delivery of content. It also shortens delivery time. The courses are self-paced and typically take about one-third to one-half less time than our 3-day instructor-led course.
Integrated or Blended Training: An integrated program, such as our Plant Champions training, combines online learning with applied hands-on instructor-led training, providing the ultimate training experience.

Online training supports the employee’s development

Anytime access. Instructor-led events require your employees to align their schedules to the training. Many times if the training is in-plant, they are called away to fight fires. Online training eliminates this as it is anytime, anywhere access and the student can take the courses when they have time.
It’s okay to fail. Not all of us “get it” the first time and failure is a form of learning. However, no one likes to appear to “not get it” in a room full of peers or managers. Online training provides the environment to do it over without the fear of public embarrassment.
Improved retention. The use of multimedia and student interactivity produces a robust online training environment that enhances retention. Students receive immediate feedback from the activities and tests allowing them to review material, as needed.
Ongoing access to resources. Instructor-led courses are a great way to learn and the method by which most of us have traditionally learned new material or information. Unfortunately, if you need a refresher, you had better hope that you took good notes. With online training, you continue to have access to the content and resources to review when you need to.
Employer of choice. Offering your employees the opportunity to enhance their skills makes your plant a place people want to work. During downtime, is a perfect time for an employee to spend fifteen minutes learning to better manage a sorter for improved product quality or perhaps how to operate a forklift.

eLearning is Sustainable Learning!

eLearning is good for the environment. The UK’s Open University conducted a study and found that “producing and providing distance learning courses consumes an average of 90% less energy and produces 85% fewer CO2 emissions per student than conventional face-to-face courses.”

Online Training is cost effective and can produce great results. It’s all a matter of how you use it. We are offering a pre-season special, order a plant subscription before May 31st and receive a 20% discount.

Sorter Tips

10 things you need to do before the season starts:

Optyx® 6000 with Raptor Laser Technology

1. Inspect the conveyor system. Replace any bearings or gears that appear to be defective or near end of life. Adjust the infeed shaker, if necessary. If equipped with a product stabilizer, ensure that it is adjusted to the correct height. Adjust the discharge chutes and ensure that the pass chute is approximately 1 inch below the product trajectory.

2. Inspect the belt. If it is sitting in storage, thoroughly check the inside and outside of the belt for rips, tears, and cracks. Unless the belt was fairly new at the end of last season, we recommend installing a new one.

3. Clean the sorter. All windows must be clean and free of stains.

4. Order spare parts. Ensure you have critical spare parts on hand by ordering them now! Call our Parts Department for the recommended parts for your sorter +1.877-UPTIME1 (+1.877-878-4631).

5. Verify camera alignment. Unless the sorter was moved or a camera replaced, the alignment probably has not changed, but it is still a good idea to verify alignment.

6. Normalize the cameras. This sets the base light level for the camera. (If your sorter has a laser, calibrate the laser also)

7. Learn lanes. This ensures camera alignment with the ejector lanes so the ejectors fire at the proper objects.

8. Setup the software. Start by assigning user names and passwords. Setup your KeyWare. Verify the KeyWare settings from last year, or install it from a back up. You did make a back up last year, right? If not, install new KeyWare. Be prepared to adjust the settings when you start to process product. Make a back up after any changes and keep a log of those changes. The log is a great place to start when troubleshooting product quality problems.

9. Identify the system owner. This could be one per shift, if necessary. The system owner is responsible for ensuring the sorter is operating at peak efficiency. Any changes to the sorter should be made or approved by the system owner in addition to others that control the plant’s processes.

10. Training! Whether it be in-house training the system owner gives, or training provided by Key, you should ensure that everyone who interacts with the sorter knows how it works and what their role is with regard to operation, maintenance and sanitation.

Join us for a webinar https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/611156920 to learn details about getting your sorter ready.

Shaker Tips

Buying used or relocating a shaker? Caveat Emptor!

You found a great deal online or at the auction house on a used Iso-Flo shaker. Perhaps you are thinking about relocating a shaker within your plant or from another plant. While we support you utilizing your resources to the fullest, we offer a caution when buying or moving an existing shaker. Below are a list of questions you need to have answers to before you spend time and money you cannot afford on an effort that may not pan out.

First and foremost, consult with Key Technology Engineering and Applications before relocating or buying a used shaker. We can help you determine if it will fulfill your requirements. Asking the questions below after the fact may be too late.

What are the shaker's specifications for speed and stroke? Some shakers cannot be changed.
Will the product be delivered onto a sorter belt? What is the take away speed?
What are the shaker's rated product and bulk density in lbs/ft3 and max capacity in lbs/hr?
What is the max GPM's (gallons per min.) rating if it is a dewatering shaker?
What type of product does it currently convey and will it convey your product the same? Even if it is the same “product” it can have different properties and behave differently at different points in the process.
What type of screens does it have? Can they be exchanged with other type screens? Weight is a concern.
Will the width match up with mating equipment or must the discharge end be diverted or tapered down or change to or from a bias discharge? Modifications to the shaker will impact the original design speed and stroke and change its conveying characteristics.
What type of support does the shaker have: floor, casters, ceiling hung?
What is the angle design: incline, decline or level? Switching from one to the other may be a problem.
What is the angle of the spring arms for consideration of the product loft? Too much loft could damage the product, too little and it won’t move. Arm angle and length can not be changed.
What mating equipment will be feeding the shaker, at what angle and what speed?
What type of product surface or finish is required? Finish is very important to prevent excess build-up, sticking and movement of product.
What are the requirements of the non-product zone? Is 100% welding or skip welding acceptable? Is the frame SS or MS-Painted?
Will the used shaker after installation allow access for maintenance and sanitation?
Are the drives and motor above or below? Near the ceiling or low to the floor?

These are just a few of the questions that need to be addressed before purchasing used equipment or relocating an existing shaker. The list goes on, however, the above questions are a must.

Please note with used equipment, the seller or auction house may not have the shaker's specifications or drawings but the MODEL NUMBER is a must before Key Technology can assist with suggestions and/or answers.

Again, Caveat Emptor!