Machinery & Equipment

VUELA sets new standards for efficiency, durability and ease of use in ventilation technology. (Image source: TPI-Polytechniek)

Global innovator and field ventilation solutions and components provider, TPI-Polytechniek recently introduced VUELA, an innovative ventilation inlet, designed to optimise airflow within facilities like never before

With its unique V-shaped valve, VUELA sets new standards for efficiency, durability and ease of use in ventilation technology. The device is equipped with an innovative V-shaped inner valve that guides air optimally under all conditions. This unique shape ensures that air jets penetrate deep into the facility, guaranteeing even and effective distribution of cool air.

Comparing this technology with traditional systems VUELA's performance really stands out. VUELA ensures unmatched control over the facility's ventilation. From a minimum capacity of 55 cfm at 0.05 SP at the minimum opening to an impressive maximum capacity of 1887 cfm at 0.15 SP at full opening, VUELA perfectly aligns with customers’ requirements.

These capacity ranges highlight not just VUELA’s versatility but also its commitment to delivering optimal performance under any circumstance. Moreover, the device comes equipped with the latest accessories and seals, including a new pulley unit made from durable ABS. This makes the system resistant to chemical and high-pressure cleaning while also being easy to maintain and assemble - a true revolution in the ease of ventilation maintenance.

Future potential

VUELA is specifically designed to easily replace the 145-VFG, making the transition to more efficient ventilation effortless. Without the need for extensive adjustments, VUELA offers a perfect fit. This puts efficient ventilation within reach. With this device, TPI-Polytechniek embraces the future of indoor air management, where efficiency, durability, and ease of use are essential. 

“After 25 years of producing our 145-VFG inlet series it’s time to set a new standard," said managing director TPI-Polytechniek, Loic van der Heijden. "We recognised the need for a ventilation solution that goes beyond conventional systems. We took all features found useful over the years and combined these in a whole new design. With identical dimensions to the original 145 series, VUELA can also easily replace 145 inlets.”

For more information, visit: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

The ZHKA 350 tipper semi-trailer is based on a lightweight, high-performance design for maximum transport efficiency. (Image source: Fliegl)

The innovative ZHKA 350 2-axle rear tipping semi-trailer has an aluminium body, offering a range of features designed for optimum performance and versatility

With a gross vehicle weight of approximately 31 tonnes and an unladen weight of approximately 6 tonnes, depending on the equipment, the ZHKA 350 offers an impressive payload. Thanks to the nova-grey curved frame front, which saves weight in favour of the payload and stabilises the frame, as vertically acting forces are optimally bundled and transferred to the fifth wheel coupling plate. 

Moreover, the presence of a steel guide on the underside of the curved chassis has a rounded shape, which makes manoeuvring easier, as there is more freedom of movement for the tractor unit without corner surfaces. In addition, 9,300 mm long aluminium body, being conical in shape, allows even moist materials like manure and silage to slide off easily, thus favouring the unloading of any agricultural transport goods. 

The rear wall with rubber seal and turnbuckles as well as the 400x400 mm grain hatch make the ZHKA 350 versatile for a wide range of transport goods, including grain and even rapeseed as well as moist loads such as manure. No liquid escapes, as the body is completely sealed. Particularly noteworthy is the pendulum rear wall with double-jointed hinges and double hook locking, which enables lateral levelling of up to 300 mm and fast unloading.

The air suspension with tilt lowering results in a very smooth ride on the road. This feature is optional and can also be deactivated if required. To secure the load, the ZHKA 350 is supplied with a roller tarpaulin with platform as standard. The standing platform at the front of the Fliegl tipper semi-trailer is bolted directly to the sleeve of the tipping cylinder, allowing the platform to swivel backwards over the fifth-wheel plate when tipped up, reducing the overhang forwards over the kingpin.

The compressed air supply and electrical connections are installed on the platform, allowing the driver to couple the connections while standing.  Another optional feature is the hydraulic TopLift Light folding roof which provides a simple and quick cover for silage and wood chips and, depending on the equipment variant, can be conveniently controlled from the driver's seat through a radio remote control.

With this semi-trailer, Fliegl Agrartechnik GmbH is further expanding its product range in the agro-truck sector and offering a more cost-effective alternative to the push-off semitrailer.

For more information, visit: www.fliegl.com 

Bishnu Tamang, along with his family, who reported positive results from using the biogas plant. (Image source: Farnek)

Top executives from the ESG (Environment, Social & Governance) team of leading UAE-based smart and green facilities management (FM) company Farnek, revisited Nepalese families that received Farnek biogas plants

In 2015, the plants were installed by Farnek technicians to provide a renewable energy solution, allowing villagers to produce methane by fermenting animal waste. 

Upon speaking with local residents, it was concluded that the installation of these plants saved a considerable amount of their time, effort and money, that would earlier be spent in collecting wood, and buying gas and fertiliser from local markets. One of the farmers also added that he recycled the slurry from the cow dung and used it as fertiliser for his corn fields. 

Plant construction 

To construct these plants, a pit was dug close to the house, within which an enclosed dome-shaped digester was built underground out of clay and bricks, which was then covered by soil. 

There is an inlet for cow dung and other organic waste and liquids, which during the decaying process, produce methane. An outlet pipe then carries the gas direct to the kitchen for cooking and lighting. Even the slurry of the remaining manure serves as a high-quality fertiliser replacing chemicals and any excess can also be sold on to other farmers. 

The dung from two or three cows each day produces enough methane gas for five hours of cooking or lighting. Each biogas plant saves the equivalent of 7.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per year for up to 20 years, thus contributing to a reduction in the impact of fossil fuel usage.  

The villagers agreed that with regular cleaning over the past eight years, maintenance had been minimal, and minor pipeline leaks were easily fixed. 

For more information, visit: www.farnek.com

Since installing a TOMRA 5B sorting machine in February 2023, there have been clear improvements in product sorting and volumes. (Image source: TOMRA)

Industrial director at De Marchi, Carlos Alberto De Marchi highlights the importance of his business partnership with TOMRA, explaining that the TOMRA 5B's installation has brought great progress, both in terms of resource management and economics

The main benefits of using the TOMRA 5B optical sorter are maximum food safety, higher quality product sorting, optimized production line throughput, and ease of operation. Product quality becomes more consistent, and employees who previously worked on sorting can be redirected to other important parts of the production line. Thanks to optical technology, the food selection process is now automated, thereby increasing the quality and productivity of the production line. By maintaining constant inspection quality, the machine increases the safety of the food reaching the customer's table. 

Six months after installation, the TOMRA machine yielded positive feedback. "With the automation of the line, we have a 30% increase in productivity and much greater safety in the products we produce, which would have been impossible with the manual process," commented Carlos. "Moreover, we are bringing together profitability, reliability, and agility in our processes to reach higher levels. We have exceptional personalised support from TOMRA through various channels, which makes all the difference."

João Medeiros, area sales manager of TOMRA Food Brazil highlights the importance of this partnership for TOMRA in the minimally processed fruit and vegetable segment and looks forward to TOMRA's cooperation with De Marchi. "We are sure that this is just the beginning of a great and long-lasting partnership, because De Marchi is constantly looking for innovations, whether in the industrial area or in the field. Our mission is to serve them with the utmost excellence, contributing our experience to future projects to automate new lines, always supporting De Marchi's success." 

For more information, visit: www.tomra.com