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Drum Conditioner

The Rheo Drum Conditioner (Drum Massager) provides a safe and reliable means of conditioning hardened product within raw material containers. The breakup of hardened product allows for easier product flow out of drums later in the manufacturing process.

 

Safety: Eliminates the need for a mallet or baseball bat in the product conditioning process, allowing the operator to break up material throughout the drum without removing the lid so the material stays contained.

Efficiency: Programmable recipe system conditions drums without relying on operators to manually control the machine, freeing them to perform other tasks simultaneously.

Reliability: Automatically condition drums using customized recipes to ensure repeatability with breaking up the material.

 

Demo Drum Conditioners Available for Trial!

Test one of our demo Drum Conditioners at your site. The first two weeks of the trial are free, you just pay shipping charges. Request a demo today by emailing sales@rheoengineering.com or click the button below and fill out the form.

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CO434

[Part #2023497]
  • 208-240V Electric Utility, Powered Hydraulic System
  • Automated Controls
  • Powered Turntable
  • Drums up to 24″ diameter and 40″ tall

CO431

[Part #2029967]
  • Pneumatically Powered Hydraulic System
  • Manual Controls
  • Powered Turntable
  • Drums up to 24″ diameter and 40″ tall

CO434

[Part #2032149]
  • 480V Electric Utility, Powered Hydraulic System
  • Automated Controls
  • Powered Turntable
  • Drums up to 24″ diameter and 40″ tall

CO434

[Part #2032151]
  • 230V, 50Hz Electric Utility, Powered Hydraulic System
  • Automated Controls
  • Powered Turntable
  • Drums up to 24″ diameter and 40″ tall

 

Testing

Rheo offers a full service testing center for verifying performance of the Drum Conditioner on your powders. Rheo has tested many powders on our conditioner – contact us for a full list of powders or to schedule your trial. 


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How the Drum Conditioner Works

The Drum Conditioner (Drum Massager) utilizes two hydraulic actuators to provide up to 4500 lbs of force to the sides of the drum in order to condition even the hardest of materials. This system has three primary functions:

Conditioning Arms

Two guided arms are actuated using two separate actuators that apply up to 4500 lbs of force to the sides of the drum. The end effectors can be changed for different profiles per the client drum type and application requirement.


Drum Elevator

This function moves the drum up and down between the conditioning arms to allow total contact along the height of the drum.


Rotating Drum Platform

The drum platform is built on a rotary bearing that allows the drum to rotate, allowing the conditioning arms to contact all points along the circumference of the drum.


Features

The Drum Conditioner (Drum Massager) has several benefits when implemented in the manufacturing process:

  • Automated/Repeatable Conditioning
  • Improves Material Transfer Efficiency
  • Contained Conditioning
  • Simple Controls
  • Conditions All Parts of Drum
  • Customization for Any Drum Type/Size
Drum conditioner with features call out.

Transparent Polycarbonate Safety Shrouding

NEMA 4X Washdown control panel

Dead-Man controls with E-Stop

Forklift Pickup Point

Drum Elevator

Rotating Drum Platform

Heavy duty stainless steel frame construction

Dual acting high force actuators

Control Options and Power Configurations

Manual (pneumatic)

The manual Drum Conditioner (Drum Massager) uses momentary push buttons to control each function. Safety interlocks prevent any operation when the loading door is open.

Typically manual units are pneumatically-powered hydraulic. This is the simplest design if compressed air is available. Compressed air is used to power a hydraulic pump which provides pressure to hydraulic cylinders and hydraulic motors.


Automated (electric)

The automated Drum Conditioner (Drum Massager) comes standard with a fully automated conditioning sequence controlled by a PLC with touchscreen HMI. The automated conditioning sequence is customized for each specific drum in order to optimize the conditioning cycle and ensure repeatability.  The software can retain up to 50 recipes. Safety interlocks prevent any operation when the loading door is open.

Automated units are plug-in electrically powered. This is the most common configuration because of the speed that it can provide. The Drum Conditioner can be configured to use any voltage input and the motors can be sized to deliver the desired speed. A hydraulic pump is used to power hydraulic cylinders and hydraulic motors.


Power configuration options from Rheo for equipment

Power Configurations

The Rheo Drum Conditioner (Drum Massager) has several power configuration options available.

  • Pneumatically-powered Hydraulic: This option is the simplest design if compressed air is available. Compressed air is used to power a hydraulic pump which provides pressure to hydraulic cylinders and hydraulic motors.
  • Plug-in Electric:  This option is the most common configuration because of the speed that it can provide. A hydraulic pump is used to power hydraulic cylinders and hydraulic motors.

Cleanability

All exposed surfaces on the Drum Conditioner (Drum Massager) can be fully washed-down for cleaning. Most exposed surfaces are stainless steel, with the exception of some small plumbing components.


Surface Finish

Rheo offers several different surface finish options to fit your application needs.

Visit our GMP Compliance page to learn more.


See common applications for the Rheo Drum Conditioner

Common Applications

  • Warehouse
  • Weigh and Dispense
  • Any Products without Anti-Caking Agents