If your manufacturing plant uses silos, bins or hoppers for material handling, then you’re well aware of flow problems typical of such setups. Ratholing, bridging and other issues often inhibit the smooth flow of materials, resulting in inefficient production processes and chaos in inventory management. Fortunately, all these problems can be solved with the help of industrial vibrators.
Vibrating equipment helps break the forces that cause particles of a material to stick to bin walls, which has an effect of promoting smoother flow. Industrial vibrators come in several basic types. Many designs are also available, each of which offers a unique solution.
Linear Vibrators
These use a linear actuator/motor coupled with a reciprocating piston to induce vibration. Thanks to their high-energy output in one direction, linear vibrators are well-suited for wetter materials. When bin walls flex in and out as a result of the linear vibration, any material that may have stuck will be effectively dislodged. Non-impacting linear vibrators are more preferable because they tend to produce less noise than their impacting counterparts.
Rotary Vibrators
To induce vibration, these devices rely on rotary motors whose shafts have eccentric weights attached to them. Most rotary vibrators produce a radial force output at a fixed frequency. The output can be adjusted by changing the unbalance of the eccentric weights. Although the devices are generally meant for dry materials, most industries prefer to use them in other areas due to their ruggedness, energy efficiency and minimal noise output.
Ball Vibrators
These induce rotary vibration by rolling a steel ball around a raceway using compressed air. The intensity of vibration depends on the weight of the ball and the speed at which it’s pushed over the raceway. With ball vibrators, proper mounting is crucial in ensuring vibration is properly transferred to the material via the hopper walls. It also helps disperse the vibration over a large area, which results in uniform flow of material. Compared to other equipment, the vibrators are the simplest and most affordable types of vibrators.
Features for Different Applications
Industrial vibrators can be powered by electric motors, hydraulic fluid or pneumatic pistons. It’s thus possible to find equipment suitable for a wide range of materials, from food ingredients to pharmaceutical raw materials. Manufacturers will also provide washdown-capable models for sanitary applications, while other devices feature explosion-proof housing and intrinsically safe wiring for hazard-prone environments.
Solving material flow problems isn’t always easy. With the proper choice of industrial vibrator, however, an effective, high-value solution can practically be found. Outlining your needs and partnering with a reliable vendor who offers a wide array of vibrator technology is the key to finding the perfect equipment for your needs.
