Potato Grower

WWW.POTATOGROWER.COM 35 • Creates complete traceability by automatically linking field and storage locations. • Generates detailed Field Maps and Bin Maps. Clicking loads in maps identifies links and pops up a report. • Maps are useful to provide transparency to buyers and processors. • Provides clear links between field and storage to track quality characteristics. • Provides data for efficiency analyses and a variety of management reports. • Modular design to suit any size operation. • Straightforward components are easy to install. • Integrates with Greentronics' yield monitor. Tracks from known locations in the field to precise layers and areas in storage Advanced Track & Trace System RiteTrace FROM FIELD TO TRUCK TO STORAGE TO DETAILED BIN MAPS AND REPORTS NEW PRODUCT For more information visit greentronics.com or contact us at 519-669-4698 As a leader in precision agriculture systems we offer unique solutions specifically designed with the root and vegetable producer in mind. 166850GreLtd12h.indd 1 4/24/17 9:59 AM assistance and guidance of experts in urethane formulation. Although urethane producers can create customized formulations to accommodate varying characteristics such as hardness, resilience, and spring rate, some also have developed proprietary formulations.Double L Global, an Idaho-based potato equipment manufacturer, for instance, relies on a proprietary performance- based polyurethane formulation from Argonics called Kryptane for components used to clean and sort potatoes. This includes gentle rollers, rotating cleaning stars and rugged, load-bearing parts. "The urethane parts we use range from soft and pliable for gently handling potatoes, to very hard load-bearing components," says Roy Withers, an engineer at Double L. Kryptane is an extremely wear-resistant material for applications where sliding, impact, abrasion or corrosion regularly occurs. Examples include impact- and abrasion-resistant plates; blasting curtains and screens; chute, bin and hopper liners; pipe, fitting and valve liners; vibration pads, seals and gaskets; and truck bed liners, wheel chocks and crossover pads. Withers says Double L utilizes the proprietary urethane for a recently developed component designed to sweep product off a conveyor path. Previously, the component consisted of an integrated polyurethane paddle and a torsion spring. However, issues would often arise with the integrated paddle spring because the springs were inconsistently wound, causing the component to look aesthetically askew. The misalignment also often meant costly re- work. To create a more aesthetic and streamlined part, Withers inquired as to whether the performance requirements of the torsion spring could be achieved by making the entire part made from polyurethane. In order to achieve the desired spring performance, Withers felt the two design variables he could use were the cross-sectional area of the part and the durometer of the urethane. Initially, Withers measured the metal spring's spring rate in an attempt to match performance requirements. He then developed a design with a specifically calculated cross-section. Argonics delivered four different polyurethane prototypes. Double L then physically tested the prototypes by seeing how much force it took to bend each and how far it would deflect. After a few iterations, the correct durometer and cross-section were identified, and the urethane part went into production. Now, there is no metal spring; it's all one piece. Withers says the sweep component is designed to be stiff enough to swipe potatoes off the conveyor, yet flexible enough to bend if it hits a hard object like a rock. He says more economical tooling and the ability to fill even complex mold cavities can be particularly helpful to engineers during iterations of design, prototyping and testing. "Instead of choosing to make parts via injection molding, I will often choose the method of poured urethane parts from Argonics because I do not want to pay the high cost of injection-molded tooling," says Withers. "Urethane is usually much more cost-effective for us, whether for one-off or higher volume parts."

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