Monitoring flour production more reliably with VEGAPULS 80-GHz radar sensors

VEGA sensors measure the contents of the silos with no difficulty, even while the just-delivered grain is raining down into the silos for minutes on end. And in the mill itself, where fine flour dust continuously collects on the instruments, measurement remains unaffected. Since they are maintenance-free, they require neither special cleaning nor special dust protection.
But inside tall, slender silos, the necessary installations and struts can cause problems for non-contact sensors during measurement. This is where the special feature of VEGAPULS 69 sensors makes the difference: its precision focusing helps separate the measuring signal from interference signals. With an aperture angle of only 3.5 degrees, the measuring beam flies right past obstacles.
Thanks to the reliable measurement data, the technicians and milling specialists in the three production facilities of Harinas Elizondo understand much better what’s going on inside the various processes. This helps them improve process reliability, increase plant availability and ensure reproducible product quality.

Before the purchased grain is released for production, it undergoes strict quality controls at Harinas Elizondo. Inspections begin with the delivered grain and end with the finished goods, always with the same diligence and effort. Among other things, the silos are checked to ensure that they are completely empty before each refilling and that no batches are “carried over”. Unbroken documentation and regular audits effectively complement the company’s standard operating procedure. All this, and the numerous certifications earned over the years, create confidence among customers.
With the same thoroughness it applies in monitoring product quality, the mill subjected the VEGA sensors to a tough practical test before deciding to implement them in production. “We wanted to be absolutely sure that the sensors could live up to our high standards,” recalls Victor Menchaca Ortiz. And that was because the company had previously tried sensors, including guided radars, from other manufacturers and had been disappointed, as they were simply not as reliable as expected. Today, the project planner is convinced that he has found the right solution. He’s quite enthusiastic about the accuracy of his numerous measuring points. The simplicity of integration also exceeded his expectations: “Everything on the sensors can be easily replaced if it should ever be necessary. After installation, I was able to set the parameters handily via Bluetooth. This saved me having to climb up to the top of the silo again.”