LFA RTP33 User manual

RTP33 ROTARY PELLET PRESS
USER MANUAL
LFA Tablet Presses is a trading name of
LFA Machines Oxford LTD
All of the content in this document is covered by copyright ©

CONTENTS
Page 1. Introduction
Page 1. Technical Specications
Page 2. Installation
Page 3. Operation
Page 3. Speed Selection
Page 2. Adjusting powder feed
Page 2. Changing tablet thickness
Page 2. Adjusting ll volume
Page 4. NOTE - Powder recycling unit
Page 4. Adjusting running speed of motor
Page 5. Maintenance & Lubrication
Page 5.Lubrication
Page 5. Maintenance
Page 6. Trouble Shooting
Page 6. Cautions
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LFA Machines Oxford LTD ©
Introduction
The RTP33 is a continuous operation automated rotary pellet press that has been designed to
produce large commercial quantities of round pellets for the chemical and cermic-processing
industries.
It can press granules and dry powder into pellets with a maximum diameter of 12mm and maxi-
mum depth of 6mm.
With a powerful 2.2Kw motor, efcient powder recycling suction unit and 33 cutting heads, the
RTP33 can produce up to 110,000 top quality pellets per hour.
Technical Specications
1
CAUTION.
Please read these operating instructions carefully before installation,
starting up and repair. Inappropriate operation not recommended in
the instructions may damage the machine or cause personal injury.
Punches and dies 33 sets
Max. Pressure 40 KN
Max. Diameter of pellet 16.5 mm
Max. Depth of ll 15 mm
Max. thickness of pellet 6 mm
Diameter of upper/lower punch 26 mm
Length of upper/lower punch 115 mm
Diameters of central die 30 mm
Thicknesses of central die 22 mm
Rotating ratio of norm wheel 1.29
Turret speed 30 revs
Tab pressing capacity 43,000 - 110,000 pieces/hour
Net weight 850 Kg
Length (mm) 930
Depth (mm) 900
Height (mm) 1600
Max. power 2.2
Motor Speed 950rpm
Voltage 380

After removing the packing case, locate the RTP33 pellet press in a dry, well ventilated and well lit
location. Ensure that it is on a stable, level surface, then secure it with the foundation bolt.
To ensure safe operation, this machine must be earthed.
Unless you have requested a different voltage, your new machine will operate on a 380V supply.
When connecting the power, check that the direction the motor turns in is the same as the direc-
tion of the arrowhead. Be sure not to run it in reverse.
The electric current meter, button and indicative lamps are located on the front door of machine
base. A red lamp lights to conrm that the power is connected. When the motor is started the red
lamp is replaced by a green lamp.
When installing the powder hoppers, attention must be paid to the gap between the feeder
and the turret bench. This gap should be 0.05 – 0.1 mm – so that they are almost, but not quite
touching.
INSTALLATION THE PUNCH DIES
The turret contains 33 sets of punches arranged evenly around its edge. Each consists of an up-
per punch, a lower punch, and a die.
Before installing the dies, remove the dustproong plate, hoppers, feeder and semicircular cover
at the front of the machine, and ensure all surfaces are clean.
i. Loosen the dies’ locking screws on the turret, to avoid contact between the dies and heads
of the screws when installing.
ii. There is a copper bar set through the upper punch hole; strike it lightly with a hammer to
loosen. Install the dies, ensuring that they are at and tightly seated. The upper surface of each
die should be level with the upper working surface of the turret. Then tighten the screw.
iii. To install the upper punches, loosen the cog of the upper orbit and oil the tails of the
punches. Then insert the punches into the turret holes. As you insert each one, turn it with your
thumb and forenger to check that it can move up and down and rotate freely without friction. Af-
ter tting, tighten the cog.
iv. To install the lower punches, open the small access port on the main body of the machine.
The lower punches are installed following the same procedure as the upper punches.
v. After the punches and dies have been installed, replace all the parts that you removed at
the outset. Rotate the turret by hand for a couple of revolutions using the hand wheel to ensure
everything is running smoothly. Check the upper and lower punches are moving cleanly, with-
out friction. Turn on the motor and let the machine idle for two or three minutes. If it is running
smoothly, begin production.
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2
Installation

LFA Machines Oxford LTD ©
CAUTION: The tablet press should not be left running unattended. The operator should be vigi-
lant for signs of a blockage or other incident that might cause damage if not remedied. Switch off
the machine and check if any unusual noise occurs.
Each time you use the machine, it is important to check the punches are undamaged and in per-
fect condition before beginning production.
Also check the condition of the granules or powder, which must have a moisture content below
10 percent. Anything higher than this will affect the functioning of the machine and can damage
it.
SPEED SELECTION
Select ‘slow’ for products that are more difcult to form into pellets.
Select ‘fast’ for other raw materials.
ADJUSTING POWDER FEED
There are two feed hoppers. The front hopper supplies the left pressure roller. The back hopper
supplies the right pressure roller.
Adjusting the height of the hoppers changes the rate of ow of the powder. This can be
achieved by loosening the screw at the top of the frame and raising or lowering the hopper, then
tightening the screw again.
CHANGING TABLET THICKNESS
Pellet thickness is adjusted by changing the pressure, and by adjusting the amount of powder
lled.
Changing the pressure is achieved by raising or lowering the lower pressure roller. Raising the
roller a fraction increases the pressure and makes the pellets thinner, while lowering it a fraction
reduces the pressure and allows for thicker pellets.
The dial on the control panel has increments of 0-10. These represent increased or reduced com-
pression. After adjusting the dial, the star shaped handle in the centre must be tightened, as it
acts as a lock.
ADJUSTING FILL VOLUME
The amount of powder lled into each pellet is adjusted by turning the dial numbered “0-45”
that is located on the control panel. Each gradation equals a 0.01mm change in thickness. Turn-
ing it clockwise increases the ll volume; turning anti-clockwise reduces it.
3
Operation

NOTE - POWDER RECYCLING UNIT
The powder suction unit deposits the powder it collects in an aluminium box. Empty this box pe-
riodically to prevent overow.
ADJUSTING RUNNING SPEED OF MOTOR
The motor and associated controls are at the base of the machine casing. Motor running speed
is adjusted by turning the semi-circular shaped handle. A left turn increases speed, a right turn
decreases it.

Maintenance & Lubrication
LUBRICATION
Add engine oil to the machine’s oil cups and nozzles before each use, and as appropriate during
use if the machine becomes warm.
From time to time, add 3-5 drops of oil to the glass oil cup that lubricates the turret bearing.
Once a week, add oil to the nozzle outside the axle sleeve, to lubricate the rolling bearings on
each side of the transmission shaft.
Use grease to lubricate the tail of the punches and curve orbit.
NOTE When adding oil to any part of the machine, take care not to use excessive amounts that
will overow and contaminate the powder.
MAINTENANCE
The pellet press should be thoroughly examined once or twice a month to ensure that the moving
parts are in good order. In particular, check the worm wheel, the worm, the bearing, the pressure
roller, the crankshaft and the upper/lower orbit. Any damaged parts must be replaced before the
machine is used.
After using the machine clean away any stray powder or other matter. If the machine is going to
be left unused for any length of time remove the punches and dies and store them in oil in their
metal box. This is important, to prevent corrosion.
Clean the entire machine thoroughly and cover with grease for protection against moisture. The
cover with a cloth to protect against dust.
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5

Trouble Shooting
• Never feed wet material into the pellet press.
• If blockage or other problems arise during operation, never remove tablets by hand when
the machine is running, as this may cause personal injury.
• Avoid wearing loose clothing when operating the machine.
• If the machine becomes damaged, stop using it at once until properly repaired.
Caution
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6
PROBLEM CAUSE SOLUTION
Inconsistent pellet weight Length of the punches is dif-
ferent
Lower punch failing to move
freely
Unequal height of the two
hoppers
Unequal amounts of powder in
each hopper
Check punches with a calliper
Clear any obstruction
Adjust hoppers
Add powder to one hopper
Hopper/feeder blockage Powder too wet, or too ne
grained, or granules too large.
Foreign body has found its
way into the system
Change powder/granules
Clear any obstruction