PPG's Nova Scotia factory is taking delivery of an ASHTON desiccant filling machine. The filler is fitted with a pneumatic tilt, to improve Health & Safety.
The large hopper can be re-filled at ground level, removing any need for lifting heavy refills.
It is also designed to reduce spillage and waste. In the lowered position, the hopper actually goes slightly past the horizontal position. This allows a small amount of desiccant to fall back into the hopper, making room for corner key connectors, and thereby saving material that would otherwise be tipped out of the ends of the spacer tubes.
There are 8 filling ports, each capable of taking two spacers face-to-face. Assuming two sides are filled in each frame, that's 8 frames per 1 minute cycle. The cycle, instigated by foot pedal, clamps the inserted tubes, tilts up, vibrates, lowers and the clamp releases. All fully pneumatic, no electrics.