AGI silos have made a splash around the world and, with a new model coming to Australia, ABHR finds out more.
Ozzano dell’ Emilia, near Bologna in Italy, is the headquarters of AGI’s EMEA operations. Through its state-of-the-art facility, it manufactures a line of storage equipment that’s sold across Europe and Asia.
Rustom Mistry, senior vice president, Asia Pacific and managing director of AGI, said the company has now turned its attention to Australia, with its silos being key to its plans.
“Australian customers are looking for speed, efficiency, and durability,” he told ABHR.
“They are looking for faster solutions that are efficient and durable and hence make the most out of their investment. They also cannot afford unplanned downtime and that is where quality and durability play a big role.”
AGI silos are constructed from galvanised corrugated steel sheets with profiled external galvanised vertical stiffeners. All components are manufactured using highly automated techniques, ensuring fast and accurate production.
The sidewall sheets are manufactured from 0.8mm through to 5mm galvanised steel and the stiffeners of the bin from 0.8mm through to 6.0mm galvanised.
Where necessary laminated sheets are used for greater strength. The profiled stiffeners carry the vertical load of the silo to the base. The stiffeners feature strong bolted splice joint plates with a large cross-sectional area, critical elements in stiffener design.
Sidewall sheets are assembled with AGI’s high strength grade 8.8 bolts, guaranteed against corrosion with a spun galvanised coating. Rubber coated washers with ‘strip’ sealant for both horizontal and vertical joints ensure a perfect seal between sidewall sheets and fixings.
The silos are suitable for all free-flowing cereals, including wheat, barley, soyabeans, rice, and more.
Francesco Selva, senior director, GPM – Storage & Structural Products, said special configurations are also available for non- free flowing commodities.
“The silos have high mechanical properties,” he said. “They are made from standard European steel with a tensile strength up to 470 N/mm2 and a yield stress up to 420 N/mm2 provides for a better durability.They also benefit from improved logistics and assembly costs, thanks to weight optimisation.”
AGI takes the local wind and seismic requirements into account to ensure a perfect fit with the specific environmental conditions and to achieve the longest silo and accessory lifespan possible.
The silos incorporate a strong roof design, with a standard 30-degree roof pitch to ensure maximum storage capacity even with high angles of repose. The roof segments, manufactured from high quality tensile steel are ribbed and form an exceptionally strong modular roof system. Each roof assembly incorporates an inspection/access manhole as standard.
The simple design allows for fast assembly, incorporates galvanised “Z” section beams which are connected laterally and braced in single a-frames to provide stability both during the erection and the use of the silo.
AGI can also offer a wide range of catwalks and catwalk support frames.
The company’s engineers optimise every catwalk system design according to the specific application, to provide the most cost-effective, easily assembled and correctly engineered solutions. For example, considering the varying weights, dimensions and positions of the drive stations fitted to the chain conveyors loading the silos as well as other local factors.
In addition, silo designs can accommodate larger chain and belt conveyors up to 1500 t/h capacity. Wherever possible, there is a minimal use of independent support towers, therefore reducing installation and civil costs. A full range of accessories are available such as side extensions to allow access for machine maintenance, connections to cross catwalks, supports for conveyors at varying levels and connections to existing buildings or towers.
Selva said the silo’s stairs and ladders are completely compliant with European safety standards and have been awarded the ISO 9001 Quality Assurance Certification for the design, production and installation of grain storage silos, ensuring that the highest standards are maintained through all stages of the project.
“AGI has more than 30 years of experience in the industry. Experienced engineers and designers create innovative and practical solutions,” he said. “Our dealers are able to provide warranty, spares and after-sales support to our customers. We provide a complete solution to support our end customers right from design through installation and even after.”
AGI has 29 manufacturing facilities and has an extensive sales network across the globe. “We sell into more than 100 countries. This reach is very important and is one of our biggest strengths, as it allows us to leverage our learnings and best practices from other markets and improve our offerings to customers,” Mistry said.
“This also lets us serve multinational clients who have facilities across the globe – giving a seamless experience while providing solutions customised to the region where the facility is located.”