Optimized integration of individual process steps as technological challenge

POWTECH in Nürnberg (Fig.), Germany, takes place every 18 months and is the meeting place for representatives of many industries: from chemicals & pharmaceuticals, food & feed, building & quarrying to ceramic & glass and wood & paper. Mechanical processing technologies are key technologies in all these branches of industry. The world’s leading exhibition for plant and equipment for size reduction, dosing, mixing, screening, conveying and particle analysis shows a broad spectrum of products and services from 11–13 October 2011.

The upturn in the German machinery and plant sector continues. For example, the member firms of the Arbeitsgemeinschaft Großanlagenbau im Verband deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau (AGAB – German Large Industrial Plant Manufacturers’ Group) expect virtually all sectors to experience a definite recovery in project activity this year and a continuation of the upward trend for orders, which has been noticed since mid 2010.^* This means the signs for POWTECH in the autumn are set to success – for the exhibiting companies as well as the expected 16 000^** trade visitors in search of information on current developments in processes and plant.

“Just under three months before the event we assume there will be a noticeable increase in space at POWTECH 2011,” says Claudia Hauser-Vollrath, Exhibition Manager at NürnbergMesse. “We are pleased that many of our exhibitors have decided to make their stands more attractive and larger, which we also interpret as a positive indication for developments in the sector. We can still find a stand space for last-minute exhibitors, however, so there’s no need for anyone to be turned down,” adds a pleased Hauser-Vollrath.

Another development step is clearly shown in a special way by POWTECH 2011 – the inclusion of mechanical processes in complete solutions and their integration into process engineering in turnkey plants. To a heavily increasing extent, plant planners and operators no longer only demand single equipment components, but expect partial or complete solutions including all engineering, installation and commissioning.

In many cases, the demands on manufacturers of mechanical processes even go so far as to expect the manufacturer to provide the operator with permanent support once a plant has been supplied. This gives the operator a guarantee that the optimum process method for his plant is constantly assured through adaptation to new technologies and that any changes in product requirements can be implemented as quickly as possible.

POWTECH 2011 clearly shows that the suppliers of process plant and equipment have adjusted to these changed requirements. Turnkey plants, a fine combination of individual process steps, freely definable interfaces between process stages and in-line analysis to fully automatic interfacing with process control systems, are increasingly the focus of many presentations at POWTECH. The exhibition offers numerous possibilities for defined and optimized linking of individual mechanical processes, weighing, dosing and conveying systems, pipelines and fittings, particle analysis and packaging of powders and bulk solids. Compliance with all environmental regulations and with process conditions subject to dust explosion risks is naturally also assured by the suppliers of turnkey solutions.

POWTECH belongs to the global POWDER & BULK NETWORK, the union of leading trade shows and conferences. The idea behind the network is to promote the worldwide exchange of ideas and information between technology suppliers and the processing industry. All events and more information at: www.powderbulknetwork.com . All exhibitors and their current product information can be found at: www.ask-POWTECH.de

^* Source: www.vdma.org

^** Together with TechnoPharm, the International Trade Fair for Life ­Science Process Technologies Pharma - Food - Cosmetics