ProRate Feeder
Designed for on-machine feeding, the ProRate Feeder is ideally suited for injection or extrusion feeding applications. As the material enters the processing machine, the ProRate precisely meters pelletized color concentrates, modifiers or free flowing additives into the raw material stream. A full range of feed rates is available with the ProRate’s variable speed motor and full complement of auger sizes.
Designed for modular flexibility, ProRates can be added or removed to adapt to your changing requirements. If, for example, you start metering one ingredient and wish to add a second, simply bolt on another ProRate Feeder. In addition, microprocessor based controls provide easy calibration and continuously monitor the ProRate’s speed via a closed loop control system to ensure feed accuracy.
Injection applications 
To maintain a consistent ratio of raw material and additives, the ProRate can be set up to cycle on and off repeatedly with the injection molding machine. The ProRate’s inhibit circuit synchronizes the feeder with the injection process. This enables the ProRate to introduce material only during the screw recovery cycle.
Extrusion applications
The ProRate is also well suited to the continuous feed of extrusion applications. Once the feed rate has been set, the ProRate will maintain that setting accurately for long or short run times. The ProRate can also be slaved to the extruder. By connecting the ProRate’s voltage-following circuit to the extruder, it will match the speed changes of the extruder, up or down, from the initial set point.
Construction & Performance Features:
Cast aluminum housing
Cast of high grade aluminum alloy, the ProRate housing will stand up to the loads, vibrations and lateral forces of the most demanding application.
Easy calibration 
The ProRate’s easy-to open/easy to-close sample port and micro-processor-based controller make rate calibration clean, fast and precise. Operating in the sample mode, the controller displays the exact number of auger revolutions during the sample run. Material sample weights, taken through the sample port, are then divided by the number of revolutions to arrive at a displacement per revolution.
High performance motor 
Each ProRate employs a heavy duty DC motor that operates efficiently at low or high speeds. High starting torques and smooth operation throughout the speed range are achieved through a spurgear reducer. Additionally, the motor’s built in, digital tachometer supplies feedback to the closed loop control system to assure a consistent RPM.
Microprocessor based controls 
Solid-state, microprocessor based controls make operator supervision simple and precise. For operator input and monitoring, each controller has a large, easy-to-read LCD display, fault alarms and a touch-sensitive data entry key pad. Through the controller the ProRate can be programmed to follow an extruder, cycle on and off repeatedly with the injection molding machine or operate in sample mode for calibration.
“Quick” material change
Color or material change-outs are made quickly and easily with the ProRate’s swing-away motor design. Simply swing the motor and drive away from the housing, pull out the slide gate, and empty the feed hopper. With the drive to the side, the feed auger and barrel sleeve can also be removed for cleaning.
Added Flexibility: 
Choice of auger size
Your choice of five rate varying augers is available. Easily interchangeable without tools, each auger is housed in a precision-machined, companion barrel sleeve. This assures the proper clearance around the auger for optimum feed accuracy.
Choice of hoppers
Center- and side-mount hoppers are available. Center-mount hoppers are for applications where all ingredients are metered by ProRates. Side-mount hoppers provide clearance for a major 
ingredient hopper to be mounted on the ProRate pedestal. To provide visual inspection of material and easy hopper cleaning, each hopper includes dual viewing ports and a quick access cover. Level sensors and lids designed to accommodate Series 2400 Receivers are available options.
Modular design
Each carbon steel pedestal assembly has positions for up to four ProRate Feeders. Unused ports are fitted with clear Lexan sight glasses. This allows ProRates to be easily added or removed to adapt to your future requirements.
