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TECHNOLOGY EXPERTS
Plug-and-play for higher purity
Separating transformers, electric
motors, but also small fractions of
copper wire from ferrous scrap
streams is a piece of cake for the
TA-PO 1000, a solution developed
by Dutchman Roberto van den
Kieboom.
TA-PO is a relatively young recycling technology
firm from the Netherlands that designs and fabri-
cates lines to separate magnetic material from par-
tially magnetic material. Company founder and ceo
Roberto Van den Kieboom is on a mission. ‘Asia’s
scrap import restrictions have made clear there is
no future for mixed materials,’ he says. ‘Our solu-
tions help recyclers reach the higher purity and
quality required by the smelters.’ Other advantages
include multiple shredding and the end of any sort-
ing by hand.
The TA-PO 1000 is a complete plug-and-play line
that can be used to separate current electronic
scrap flows from 0 to 130 mm in a clean iron frac-
tion with less than 0.3% copper. This fraction after
separation is approximately 80% of the total input
of the TA-PO 1000 separator, the remaining 20%
consists of transformers, electric motors, small cop-
per wire, printed circuit boards and more.
Sorting out tiny copper wire
Van den Kieboom: ‘These e-scrap fractions are
often cleaned as much as possible by hand sorting.
However, it appears that the ferrous metal usually
contains more than 0.3% copper, which is a shame
because it cannot be used as a high-quality raw
material. And the copper is in the iron fraction for
which ultimately is not paid for.’
Another thing, says the entrepreneur, it’s impossi-
ble to separate small copper wire by hand. ‘But by
using the TA-PO 1000, even the smallest pieces of
wire automatically end up with the transformers
and electric motors.’
The TA-PO saves labour costs. Separating eight
tonnes of e-scrap fraction by hand requires four
human sorters. The TA-PO 1000 separator can be
used 24/7 with an up-time of 99%.
powerful magneticS
The TA-PO 1000 features a specially developed
magnet which separates 100% magnetic parts
(clean iron) from partly magnetic parts (transform-
ers, electric motors, printed circuit boards, etc.) at
a high speed via a vibrating feeder, chute and con-
veyor belt through a magnetic field.
Asked for the machine’s capacity, Van den Kieboom
says: ‘It all depends on the scrap input, size of the
fractions and the settings of the technology. On
average, it is ten to thirty tonnes per hour. But we
are currently working on a unit capable of process-
ing up to 70 tonnes per hour.’
eaSy to maintain
Bulk weight, fraction size and required settings
determine the capacity of the TA-PO 1000. Smart
design means maintenance is carried out quickly.
Challenging parts such as side guide caps and the
sliding channel can be opened automatically via a
touchscreen, conveniently as well as safely because
the machine can no longer be started at these times.
remote Service
All TA-PO 1000 separation machines are equipped as
standard with a modem so that support can always be
provided remotely. Adjustments can also be carried
out by the operator’s own staff after a brief explana-
tion. When a correct separation result has been
achieved, this adjustment can easily be saved as stan-
dard and quickly recalled. The TA-PO 1000 can either
be used as stand-alone unit or directly in line behind
the shredder and existing magnet system.
ready to uSe…indoor or outdoor
The TA-PO 1000 has a 15 metre cable and a 380 volt
/ 32 amp plug, so it can be used everywhere without
having to make special provisions in advance. The
entire TA-PO 1000 separation machine is almost 11
metres long, 1.65 metres wide and 3.4 metres high
with a total weight of less than seven tonnes.
According to Van den Kieboom, indoor installation is
preferable but the TA-PO 1000 also performs well
under extreme climate conditions: ‘Even at minus 10
Celsius, but also at plus 45 Celsius’.
Partly thanks to its galvanised and double-layer powder-
coated base frame, a long service life is guaranteed.
www.ta-po.com
Roberto van den Kieboom: ‘This machine per-
forms well under extreme conditions, even at
minus 10 Celsius.’
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