Paddle agitator

verticalfor liquidsfor the glass industry

General description
The Glass Service stirrer mechanisms homogenize glass in the forehearth to remove surface defects and ensure uniform blending in colouring forehearths. Typical applications include removal of cat scratches and cords, and glass blending.

Design for harsh conditions
Components exposed to high temperatures use selected materials to improve reliability and reduce maintenance: steel supporting frames, high-temperature bearings and quick-release couplings are standard.

Typical composition
Generally a stirrer mechanism includes:

• Steel support frame
• Manual or motorized lifting system for stirrer removal
• Stirrers (paddle type or screw type)
• Control system (central cabinet or local control panel)

Available systems
Glass Service provides two main systems:

• Flag-type stirring machine
• X-Y stirring machine (movement on X and Y axes)

Flag-type stirrer mechanism: key features

• Steel vertical support column
• Manual or motorized vertical movement
• Quick release coupling for refractory screws or paddles
• Bearing cooling and lubrication with compressed air
• Up to 5 rotors can be installed
• Easy replacement of paddles/screws and simplified maintenance

Flag-type stirrer: components and drive
The assembly comprises:

• Large diameter steel tube vertical column
• Vertical movement via manual rack and pinion (motorized optional)
• Electric motor and gearbox with manual speed control
• Drive transmission using chain, tensioner and pinion
• Screw spindles with high-temperature graphite bearings
• Quick coupling for refractory screws or paddles
• Compressed air system with filter and pressure regulator for bearing cooling/lubrication
• Heat shield
• Control box with inverter, emergency stop and start/stop

X-Y stirrer mechanism: advantages and movements
The X-Y unit reduces installation footprint and simplifies maintenance. Vertical movement is motor-driven; horizontal (Y) movement runs on two reinforced rails. Spindles run on large graphite ball bearings. Advantages include:

• Minimum installation space
• Maintenance performed away from hottest forehearth area
• Precise repositioning of spindles over the forehearth

Rotors and transmission
Rotors are driven by motor and gearbox located on top of the chuck holder arm. Rotation direction can be set per rotor or synchronized; optional inverter for speed control. Moving parts are protected by steel guards; drive assembly cooled and lubricated by compressed air. Quick-release chuck and rotor coupling accepted.

Maintenance and replacement
Paddles and screws are designed for quick removal and replacement with minimal side space. Sequences and drawings are provided to facilitate safe maintenance operations.

Options
Available options:

• Pneumatic clutch (torque limiting with fault detection and alarm)
• Motorized vertical lifting
• Inverter control for spindle rotation with AUTO/MAN, incremental speed, display and remote DCS control via 4-20 mA

Technical specifications

• Vertical height (flag-type): Approx. 2,275 mm – customizable
• Vertical stroke (flag-type): Approx. 950 mm – customizable
• Distance from forehearth centre to support column: customizable
• Number of rotors (flag-type): 1 to 5
• Max. weight per stirrer (flag-type): 120 kg
• Stirrer speed (screw, flag-type): 4.8 – 26 rpm (manual adjustment)
• Stirrer speed (paddle, flag-type): 1.3 – 12.6 rpm (manual adjustment)
• Installed power (flag-type): 0.75 kW
• Power supply (flag-type): 380 V 3 Ph – 50 Hz / 440 V 60 Hz
• General dimensions (X-Y): according to forehearth dimensions
• Number of rotors (X-Y): 1 to 5
• Rotor interaxis (X-Y): tailored
• Max. weight per stirrer (X-Y): 60 kg
• Stirrer speed (screw, X-Y): 4.8 – 26 rpm (manual adjustment)
• Stirrer speed (paddle, X-Y): 1.3 – 12.6 rpm (manual adjustment)
• Installed power (X-Y): 0.75 kW
• Installed power for spindle arm raising (X-Y): 0.18 kW
• Power supply (X-Y): various, tailored solutions