Pressing

The material is fed into the baling chamber via a feed conveyor, and is force fed between the chains of the baling unit. The uncompressed material is rotated around the axis of the chamber and as more material enters, the chamber compression of the material increases.

The bale compression increases as more material is force fed into the chamber and the bale becomes evenly firm and stable. Only relatively low power is required to compress material in this way. Softer and smaller material fragments surrenders and embeds larger and harder objects during the compression process.

The computer system monitors the compression, by measuring the hydraulic pressure in the system.

The operator sets the compression level required for the baled material via the computerized system.

Netting

When full chamber pressure is reached, a net is wound around the bale. The net is fed into the chamber by means of jet air nozzles.

The net wound around the surface of the bale maintains its form and prevents the compressed material from expanding when the chamber is opened as well as increasing the mechanical strength of the bale.

The net is made of environmental friendly polythene. A roll of net is sufficient for more than 100 bales, and is easily changed by the operator.

The operator sets the required number of windings of the net and the computer system checks continuously that the net is properly fed.

Transfer to the wrapping unit

The baling chamber opens up and the heads of the chamber are pressed towards each circular end of the bale to hold it firmly during the transfer to the wrapping unit. The net wrapping and the high bale compression minimises material loss.

Wrapping

The bale is wrapped with a thin, strong and stretchable plastic film which is air tight and water resistant.

The wrapping is made by means of a sweep arm which rotates on the wrapping table to give a 50% overlap of film on the bale.

While the bale is being wrapped, the heads of the baling chamber returns to the baling position. The baling chamber closes and new material is fed into the unit. When wrapping is completed, the film is cut and the bale is loaded to the bale conveyor.

The stretch film, although thin, is very tough. This ensures the hermetic enclosure of the material which prevents the escape of litter as well as stops the degradation processes.

The stretch film and the net in which the bales are wrapped consists of polythene which converts to carbon dioxide and water when incinerated. The plastic film is only 25-30 µm and it constitutes of only 0,1-0,2% of the total weight of the bale. A roll of stretch film is sufficient for 15-25 bales depending on the number of layers. Rolls of film is easily replaced by the operator.

Unloading

The wrapped bale is tilted onto a bale conveyor for unloading to further transportation or storage. If the conveyor is equipped with a scale and a marking unit, each bale can for example be marked with weight, material type or with a bar code, depending on the demands of the job.

Flexus - Bale Opener - Waste to Energy