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HammerTek expands European operations with Barcelona headquarters

Phil Black - PII Editor 1 minute ago

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HammerTek Corporation, manufacturer of the SMART ELBOW® deflection elbow for pneumatic conveying systems, has expanded its European operations with the opening of a new headquarters in Barcelona, Spain.

The move is intended to give processors and manufacturers across Europe more direct access to HammerTek’s pneumatic conveying expertise and its SMART ELBOW® technology, which is designed to address common problems associated with conventional elbows in bulk material handling systems.

The company says its deflection elbows have been used for more than 40 years in pneumatic conveying applications across industries including plastics processing, chemical processing, concrete, grain handling, foundries and ceramics.

“For over 40 years, HammerTek’s deflection elbows have provided reliable performance in pneumatic conveying lines for plastics and chemical processors, concrete plants, grain handlers, foundries, and ceramics manufacturers in 50 countries,” said Ledet. “Our elbows have eliminated blowouts, plugging, and raw material damage. This expansion gives processors throughout the region direct access to HammerTek’s expertise and a proven solution to costly performance problems associated with sweep, lined, and plugged tee elbows in pneumatic conveying systems.”

SMART ELBOW® designed to reduce pneumatic conveying wear

The SMART ELBOW® uses a distinctive bulb-like protrusion inside the elbow to create a rotating ball of material suspended within the conveying airstream.

As material reaches the bend, it is deflected around the elbow at either a 45- or 90-degree angle. According to HammerTek, the design means that incoming material does not directly impact the elbow wall.

This approach is intended to reduce several problems that can affect pneumatic conveying systems, including:

Elbow wear caused by repeated material impact.
Material degradation during conveying.
Melting of sensitive materials.
Product build-up and plugging.
Damage that can lead to unplanned maintenance and production interruptions.

By changing how material travels through the bend, the SMART ELBOW® is designed to provide an alternative to conventional sweep, lined and plugged tee elbows used in pneumatic conveying systems.

Reducing material impact in pneumatic conveying

Elbows are exposed to significant mechanical stresses in pneumatic conveying applications, particularly where abrasive or high-volume bulk materials are transported at speed.

HammerTek says its SMART ELBOW® design reduces the direct impact between the conveyed material and the elbow wall. This can help extend component service life while also reducing problems associated with material accumulation.

“In many cases, our elbows continue to perform at the same high level years after installation as they did on Day One,” said Ledet. “They do not adversely affect air pressure inside the conveying line and can actually improve conveying performance by eliminating problems caused by material buildup and elbow damage.”

Maintaining stable conveying conditions is particularly important for manufacturers handling bulk solids where pressure, flow and material integrity can all influence overall process performance.

A damaged or blocked elbow can also result in maintenance requirements and interruptions to production. HammerTek’s expansion into Europe is therefore aimed at making its technology and technical expertise more readily available to manufacturers looking to address these challenges.

HammerTek establishes European presence

The new European office will be led by Miguel Pavia, who brings more than 15 years of experience in international business development and consultative sales of industrial equipment in B2B environments.

Based in Barcelona, the European operation provides HammerTek with a regional base from which to support customers and develop its presence across European industrial markets.

The company says the European expansion will give processors more direct access to its expertise in pneumatic conveying and to solutions designed to address wear, plugging and material damage in conveying lines.

The SMART ELBOW® is applicable across a range of industries handling bulk solids, including plastics, chemicals, concrete, grain, foundry materials and ceramics.

HammerTek’s European office is now available for customer consultations as the company expands its support for pneumatic conveying applications across the region.

Pavia can be contact at sales@hammertek.eu or +34 93 694 2870.