Pipework
5.5. Pipework
When all the positions and arrangement for material feed, hopper loader and blo- wer are determined, start assembling the pipework.
Rigid pipes should always be laid next to each other and there should be the follo- wing minimum distances in between:
40 mm (1.67 in.) pipe diameter. . . . . . . . . . . 75 mm (2.95 in.) center distance 50 mm (1.97 in.) pipe diameter . . . . . . . . . . 85 mm (3.35 in.) center distance 65 mm (2.66 in.) pipe diameter . . . . . . . . . 150 mm (5.91 in.) center distance
Laying the pipe can be done on wall brackets, energy supply bridges or in ducts in the floor. Combinations are also possible. Devices according to the local environ- ment have to be provided to allow for screwing of the pipes if they are laid on. The distance between the individual supports should not be more than 3 to 4 m
Line laying is normally started with the suction line, parting from the blower. Initi- ally, a piece of flexible line of approx. 1 m (3.38 ft.) should be provided to avoid the transfer of oscillations. Flexible lines have to be pushed onto rigid lines and con- nection pieces at a depth of at least 5 cm (1.97 in.) Use hose clamps for fastening. Pipes are connected by means of wide band clamps and rubber muffs. Please check that the pipes are free from gaps and that the clamp is tight. Elbows have to be installed (also in the suction line) on joints from the vertical to the horizontal and where the direction changes. Minor directional changes can be overcome by bending straight lines. A minimum bending radius of 500 mm (19.79 in.) should al- ways be observed (energy loss!).
When assembling conveying branches the minimum distance between machine throat center and discharge of conveying branch must be at least 1.5 m (4.92 ft.) to avoid too small a bending radius. When arranging the flexible connection line movements of the processing machine during operation or during mould change have to be taken into consideration! Assembly of the conveying line is started at material takeup . For line laying the same instructions given for suction line apply.
If PVC hoses are used for conveying, they must be grounded: draw out the copper lead on both ends of the hose and jam it between hose and tube. For fastening, use threaded clamps.