The Merkle™ Batch Charger:
Batch Feeding Equipment for Glass Making
UNIQUE BY DESIGN
At Merkle Engineers, our primary goal is to provide the glass industry with the best in
customized equipment. The Merkle Charger gives you a wider range of batch feed
capabilities than ever before. We provide the charger that is best suited to
your operation, carefully considering your installation and service requirements.
...And Construction
Merkle builds chargers to suit your needs with the simplicity, durability and
reliability you have come to expect from us. When complete, we run your machine through
its shop trials. Only then is it ready for your inspection.
...On-Site Service at Installation
Merkle provides supervision for both installation and commissioning of your charger.
Our representative will work with your personnel to reassemble the charger and set it
up to suit your method of operation. A separate visit is made toward the end of furnace
heat-up to position the charger and make final adjustments. Instruction in maintenance and operation
is conducted during these visits.
...And During Production
We are always available to discuss or answer questions by telephone, FAX or e-mail. For
those problems which require a site visit, arrangements will be made quickly. We also
offer an extended maintenance agreement, which includes periodic inspection, assessment
of the charger, and review with your maintenance personnel, covering the features,
functions and maintenance of the charger.
PS3- Pneumatic Sand Seal System
Merkle's PS3 pneumatic sand seal system gets high marks from production and
maintenance personnel. This sand seal works efficiently to prevent batch from
escaping underneath the wiper bar, keeping the machine and the floor clean.
CONVENIENT ADJUSTMENTS
Merkle combines the very latest technology and materials available to create
chargers that can be easily-adjusted to meet changing furnace and production requirements.
In A Few Minutes...Or Less:
- Pan travel (stroke) can be adjusted with common tools to suit varying feed rates
or blanket requirements.
- Adjustments for pan angle and elevation can be made quickly during operation, using
controls conveniently located on the charger.
- Blanket thickness and profile are easily changed by adjusting the position of
individual gates with a simple ratchet mechanism at the side of the charger.
- Monitoring these adjustments is made easy by the convenient location of indicators
for pan angle, pan elevation and gate positions.
THE MERKLE TWIN/COUPLED CHARGER
Designed for doghouse widths from 6-14 meters, our Twin/Coupled machine is comparable
to having two independent, single pan machines coupled together. The Twin/Coupled charger
allows you to pull one unit back if there is a batch plant malfunction
(with insufficient batch for both units) or for parts replacement or maintenance. The
remaining unit will continue to charge the furnace, minimizing furnace upset associated
with a break in batch charging.
Machine Alignment
The two halves of a Twin/Coupled charger are mechanically connected to form a single,
rigid assembly, simplifying alignment.
Synchronization of Pans
The mechanical coupling of charger halves guarantees pan synchronization. If desired,
the operator can disconnect the center coupling to operate pans independently, or pans
can be operated up to 180 degrees out of phase relative to each other.
Auxiliary Drive on Standby
Two motor/speed reducer assemblies service an entire charging system, normally with
only one in operation at a time. Consequently, the remaining drive is on the line as a
spare without altering the charger position. Drive changeover can be accomplished in
minutes.
Electrical Installation
Only two motors require electrical connection to the facility, and synchronizers are
not required.
THE MERKLE MODULAR CHARGER
The newest in our line of state-of-the-art blanket batch chargers offers impressive
solutions to many of your charging challenges. A small version of our Single Pan machine,
the modular charger can be made in widths from 1-2 meters, to be used for very small
furnace openings, or in sets to accommodate any doghouse application.
Easier Handling
Manageable modules move into and out of position more easily than with the larger
machines.
Programming of Batch Distribution
With an electronic synchronizer, multiple units can be configured to produce feed
profiles unavailable with wider units. Pan separations of 25mm give the modular unit
the ability to retain batch log formation that is otherwise available only on larger
machines.
Lower Impact of Inactive Machine
Each unit is small so that removal of one module from service has temporary minor
impact on profile and negligible effect on batch feed rate.
CONSIDER OUR OPTIONS
As part of our continued commitment to customizing our product for your needs,
Merkle is pleased to offer a variety of equipment options, including AC or DC motors,
controllers, air or water cooling on pan and pusher bar, center-cooler mounting provisions,
stairs, ladders, a variety of clutches or couplings, and tractive devices for
positioning the unit.
DOGHOUSE ENCLOSURE
Increasingly conscious of keeping the doghouse area clean, many glassmakers choose the Doghouse
Enclosure to close off the space between the Charger and the Strut-Air backwall. The Enclosure is
commonly constructed with an air-cooled platform on which personnel may stand for inspection of
the backwall or the charger. The enclosure, typically built in two sections, is suspended from a
trolley mechanism for easy removal as needed. Fewer attachment points means an easy installation.
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