FLOCKMAN Advanced Poultry Technology

FLOCKMAN
Advanced Poultry Technology

How does FLOCKMAN Work?

3. How the Feed Weigher / Mixer works

The equipment combines weighing of the feed with mixing of 2 feeds together. The daily mixture is different depending on calculations done by the FLOCKMAN computer – see How the Software works

Feed Weighing

A load-cell weighs the feeds to an accuracy of 0.5%. The batch size can be set from 15 to 25kg in the FLOCKMAN software depending on the bulk density and flow characteristics of the 2 feeds to be used. A Proximity switch detects the level of feed that has been discharged into your holding bin under our feed weigher. When covered this stops more feed being weighed out when there is not sufficient space under our weigher for the next batch of feed to be discharged.

When feed starts to be augered out of your holding bin, the proximity switch is quickly uncovered, so starting up the weighing cycle for the next batch. A cone motor operates when the weighing cycle is complete. This drops the cone so allowing the feed in our weigher to discharge under gravity. When the feed has been emptied from the feed weigher, the cone motor closes the cone in the seal-tight orifice at the base of the weigher, ready for the next batch to be weighed.

An alarm is triggered if 2-3 minutes after the auger motor has been activated by the weigher, no feed has been brought into the weigher. An "Auger Fault" is registered on the PC and the Control Box. An alarm signal is generated and can be connected to a flashing light, hooter or other audible alarm or to a pager or telephone dial out alarm. A "Tare" Fault is registered if there is not enough room for feed to fall out of our weigher due to the proximity switch being too high.

Similarly a "Load Cell" fault is generated if the load cell fails (a very rare occurrence).

Feed Mixing

The PC determines the mix-ratio for the day – see How the Software works

Suppose this is 20% Feed 1 (Auger A) and 80% Feed 2 (Auger B). Suppose you have set the Batch size to 20kg.

Firstly Auger B is switched on until 8kg is registered on the load cell. Auger B is then switched off. A time pause always any feed falling into the weigher to settle and be weighed. When the weight in the weigher is constant, this weight is recorded and Auger A is started. Auger A is stopped when a further 4kg (20% of 20kg) is registered. Another pause until the weight is stable and the weight of Feed B is recorded. Finally Auger B is activated again until a further 8kg is registered (8kg + 8kg = 16kg = 80% of 20kg). After the weight stabilises, the final amount is recorded.

Note that the records may show 16.5kg Feed 2 and 4.3kg Feed 1. This extra is due to the weight of the feed, which was falling and was weighed AFTER 4 or 8kg had been registered on the load cell. At the next weighing, the quantity of each feed to be weighed to get to the correct ratio for the day is recalculated. So, after a few weighings, the ACTUAL ratio of feed weighed out and the TARGET ratio, become extremely close if not identical.