Matrix Engineering provided the structural, mechanical and electrical engineering for a drum packaging improvement project at ISP. The previous drum filling operation was manual and labor intensive requiring tipping and manhandling of 600 lb drums.
The product in this case was an additive for hair spray which is responsible for its stickiness. The product is very viscous with the consistency of a very thick syrup that dries like glue. Matrix conceptualized and designed twin drum filling lines in which empty drums are palletized and filled on a scale. Loading arms for filling drums were designed to swing to either pallet scale for versatility in loading drums in either drumming line from two different tanks. Our engineers designed the piping systems associated with the product as well as caustic piping required to backwash the system and clean it out after packaging runs. We also designed an quick-acting air operated swing door system for accessing each scale with a fork lift. This area was also a Class I Div 2 area.