How reliable are your systems?
We build all our systems with longevity and reliability in mind. Breakdown callouts, both for our customers and ourselves, are not cost effective. Average down-time of our systems, taken across the range of systems we have installed, is measured in hours per annum, not days, weeks or months.

What is the difference between gravimetric and volumetric systems?
Gravimetric systems dispense by weight, volumetric systems by volume.

In a gravimetric (weight) based system, Ozark use force-compensated scales. This type of system gives absolute weights, therefore a 100g weight = 100g ± the scale readability. Generally, the smaller the scale capacity the better the readability of the scale.

With a volumetric system a flowmeter is used to monitor the amount of liquid being dispensed. A signal from the flowmeter is passed to the system computer which calculates the volume of liquid passing through the unit. The software also calculates the volume of liquid within the system pipework. While a volumetric system is not as accurate as a gravimetric system, there are nevertheless many non-critical applications for which this type of system is suitable.

What is the advantage of the Ozark MF4 dispense valve?
This valve was designed, manufactured and patented by Ozark Systems. It is a multi-stage valve which initially gives a high flow rate in order to fill drums or tanks rapidly. As the target weight is approached the valve is progressively closed, achieving a drip-free cut-off once the requested dispense has been achieved. The advantage of this valve is that it requires no maintenance, gives a straight flow pattern to ensure that the material enters the container without spraying or cross-contamination, and it does not require a wash cycle following each dispense. The valve has no external adjustment points, does not rely on O rings to seal and is an air-operated, failsafe-to-close unit. Constructed in 316 stainless steel, it is available in 4 sizes to suit different system sizes and throughputs.

How quickly can you deliver?
Dependent on our workload at the time you place your order, our standard delivery time is between 3 weeks and 16 weeks. We usually aim to install your system during shut-down periods, since it gives us more available space within your production area.

Will installation and commissioning cost extra?
No - not if you order from Ozark, but this is a very important question which is too often overlooked when a customer is considering the purchase of equipment. Look at the bottom line on the supplier's quotation: is the price quoted an all-inclusive price, or will you have to pay extra (or supply a large number of ancillary items) to complete the installation? What about packing and delivery? An installation engineer's time charged at an hourly rate? Commissioning costs? What length of system warranty is included in the price quoted? In some instances these 'invisibles' could effectively double the quoted cost of the system.

Ozark Systems' quotations are, in most cases, turnkey quotations, which is to say that the price quoted is for the system: built, delivered to your site, installed, commissioned and in production. The only items we don't include are those outside our control, such as your site preparation (civil works), the supply of services to the system and local duties and taxes.

What about spares and support?
We use the highest quality, readily available components on the market, which helps to ensure that component failure is kept to a minimum, and is not a feature of our systems! Once the warranty period has expired we will provide you with the information you require to support your system in-house, should you wish to do so - we don't insist that you purchase standard items from us. Most components are available from a number of international sources so, wherever in the world you are, a local supplier is usually not far away. Our business is based on building quality equipment, not on providing expensive spares and maintenance contracts.

Ozark valve spares, control boards and electrical components are held in stock for off-the-shelf supply should this ever be necessary.

What is the typical installation time for a system?
Installation time varies from site to site, dependent on the equipment and the site layout. Typical installation time, based on our experience over the last 15 years, is between 5 days and 24 days from our arrival on site to the system being in production. This figure is obviously dependent on the complexity of the system itself; a PD300D will inevitably take longer to install than, say, a CD60.

What weighing system do you use?
For gravimetric systems, where high accuracy, repeatability and reliability are critical to our customers' production, we use Mettler-Toledo force-compensated scales. In some instances, dependent on the process requirement, a load cell system could be adequate for the application. We can discuss this element of the system with you once we have more details of your particular requirement.

Why do you use scales?
Simply because a scale-based system provides the accuracy which most of our customers require.

What accuracies can be achieved with a scale-based system?
The technology employed within the scales we use (Mettler-Toledo) is known as 'force compensation'. This means that across the weight range of a few grams to many kilos the accuracy remains constant. Therefore, in the instance of a 300Kg scale set up in Standard Mode, the readability of the scale is in the region of ± 2 grams. This readability extends from zero to the full capacity of the scale.

What do you mean by 'readability'?
The readability of a scale refers to the smallest division that the scale can read.

Is there an alternative to a scale-based system?
Yes. We can provide a load-cell based system for applications in which accuracy is less important.

What are the advantages of a volumetric system for chemical dosing?
Two things: speed and cost. If your requirements are to dose 24 products to 20 positions (a fairly standard request) using our proven method of dosing we have the potential to remove 23 pumps, one scale and associated controls from the system cost. Once we have details of your requirements, we shall be able to provide you with the correct equipment for your needs.

Do you use Ozark MF4 dispense valves on your volumetric systems?
No. The Ozark MF4 valve is used only on our gravimetric systems, which dispense by weight. For volumetric systems we use flowmeters to monitor the volume of liquid dispensed.

How much money will I save by installing one of your systems?
It all depends on how much you're wasting at the moment! Payback is achieved through savings in material cost, reductions in machine downtime, reduced effluent costs and reductions in end product wastage. There are also substantial savings to be made in manpower and Health and Safety costs. The typical payback period for any of our systems is well under 12 month and one of our customers claims that, taking all of the above factors into account, the installation of an Ozark PD300D is saving his company £212,000.00 per annum - considerably more than the initial cost of the system! (read about this installation ...)

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Roundhill • Hollins Road • Waterhead • Oldham OL4 3SG • England
Telephone: +44 (0) 161 627 4479
Fax:            +44 (0) 161 678 8750
e-mail:        dispense@ozark.co.uk