Today’s manufacturing environment requires suppliers to produce faster and with greater efficiency. To support these initiatives, manufacturers need to invest in high-performance equipment that can integrate easily into the production process. Also, when choosing a new material conveying system equipment, manufacturers should focus on maximizing uptime and lowering costs by reducing the need for maintenance, the amount of energy used, and the amount of floor space needed.
The following blog post details the pros and cons of two different types of vacuum conveyors: the material loader series vacuum conveyor and the powder loader series vacuum conveyor. Keep reading to learn more!
Material Loader Series Vacuum Conveyor
A material conveying system can be defined as any device or assembly made of moving parts that moves material with the least amount of effort possible. Conveyor systems come in a wide variety of forms but typically include a framework that holds rollers, wheels, or a belt and facilitates the movement of materials from one location to another. They can be operated mechanically, by gravity, or manually. Material handling systems can accommodate various products and materials with a wide range of options.
Take, for instance, the material vacuum conveyors, which are an example of a material conveying system. It does this by making use of a pressure differential, which forces the material to move from one end to the other.
Material is “pulled” from one or more inlets toward the negative pressure end due to the pressure differential caused by a vacuum. Because the airstream that is created by the conveyor is able to easily capture fine, dry powders or bulks, this mechanism functions most effectively when used with those types of materials.
Pros of the Material Loader Series Vacuum Conveyor
The vacuum conveyor uses negative pressure instead of positive pressure (also called “push”) systems. This has two clear benefits: first, it stops too much dust from building up, and second, it makes any leaks in the system leak inwards, which stops material from being lost.
So, vacuum conveyors are perfect for industrial settings where a lot of bulk materials are being moved from places that could be dirty, like bags, railcars, silos, and other similar places.
They don’t require any maintenance, can be set up quickly, use less power, and save money on utility bills than conventional material conveying system.
Cons of the Material Loader Series Vacuum Conveyor
- Blockages are the most typical cause of vacuum conveyors failing and stopping working. This occurs when material of varying shapes and sizes becomes stuck in between the gears or along the path that the belt travels.
- It is possible for the vacuum conveyor to become out of alignment if routine inspections, checks, and adjustments are not performed. Mistracking occurs when the belt is shifted so far to one side that the system is no longer in its originally intended position. The misalignment itself may cause or contribute to problems such as spillages and blockages.
- Since conveyors rely on pulley systems for their operation, belt spillages can result in excessive use of the head pulley, which can then cause the machinery to fail.
- It is possible for the belt on a vacuum conveyor to slip off if the tension is either too high or too low. When this happens, the vacuum conveyor will make screeching noises, grate, and rattle. The belt is also susceptible to stretching or warping, both of which place additional strain on the equipment.
Powder Loader Series Vacuum Conveyor
Within a processing area, dry materials such as powders, granules, and other similar things can be moved from one location to another using a technique known as vacuum conveying, which employs the use of suction. It is a material conveying system that transfers powders from containers such as drums, bag dump stations, bulk bag unloaders, feed hoppers, and other similar containers to a receiving vessel so that the powder can undergo additional processing.
The powder can be conveyed either vertically or horizontally through a powder vacuum conveyor to and from the various processing machines. Using a “lean phase” design, air is used to hold the material in place as it moves through pipes that move the material. Its design makes it easy to clean, and it completely encloses the product while it is being moved to keep it dust-free. As a consequence of this, it is an excellent choice for uses that call for sterile conditions to be maintained.
Pros of the Powder Loader Series Vacuum Conveyor
- Transfers material in an environment free of dust and without spillage while being extremely careful not to damage the material in any way.
- Vacuum Conveying Systems are renowned for their dependability.
- Extremely low requirements in terms of upkeep and convenience in terms of cleaning
- Installation and control that are quick and easy, as well as CGMP and hygienic design
- Compared to mechanical transfer systems, a very small footprint is required.
- Can operate solely on airpower for use in potentially dangerous environments
Cons of the Powder Loader Series Vacuum Conveyor
- As a rule, more power is essential for vacuum conveying systems in order to get the desired level of air pressure. This is because the product is moved through the system by means of an air stream.
- A vacuum conveying system requires a more powerful dust collection system because the product being transported must be separated from the airstream of the conveying system before it is delivered.
- Vacuum conveying systems work well for low-density bulk powders like wheat, sugar, and whey, but they can’t handle materials with greater particle sizes or high-fat content, which might clog pipelines.
- Since air is the principal medium through which products are moved in vacuum conveying systems, specific safety precautions are required. This is due to the fact that flammable dusts provide a variety of fire dangers when they are suspended in air and a source of ignition is present.
Conclusion
The manufacturing industry has found that this particular type of material conveying system is the answer, particularly when it comes to dealing with powder materials. In the past, it was notoriously hard to move powdery materials, so vacuum transport has been used in a lot of different ways.
They can be used for a variety of transport and recycling purposes, as well as plastics manufacturing, chemical and food processing, and more. Since their tubes are bendable, they can be redirected around obstacles; this makes them flexible and low-profile, but it also increases the potential for debris to accumulate in the system.
Because the vacuum system only takes up a small portion of the plant’s floor space, there is the opportunity to install additional lines, which will result in higher production and greater profits. The vacuum system is a material conveying system that is a cost-effective alternative that ensures a quick return on investment.
