The reception of powder raw materials is the starting point of each powder handling process. Depending on the type of package that is used by the powder raw material supplier, the equipment that facilitates bringing the powder into the production process will vary. For bags of for example 25 kg and 50 kg powder ingredients, AZO typically provides an ergonomically designed feeding hopper, that is connected to either a central or individual de-dusting system. AZO’s customers benefit from a cleaner production environment with minimized dust contamination and less need for cleaning downtimes.
AZO’s feeding hoppers are designed ergonomically with a console, that allows easy and spillage-free tipping of the powder. Initially, the operator only needs to open the hoppers lid, which is made easy by means of gas springs, and then simply needs to place the bag on the console before pushing it onto a grid and before slitting the bag open. As a result and advantage for AZOs customers, tipping bags is possible with minimized spillage of raw materials and by this reducing the cost of waste material.
Depending on the type of powder raw material, from fine easy-flowing powder to lumpy or sticky products as well as the desired functionality, AZO provides different kinds of grids. In case the objective is to only screen out impurities such as pieces of paper from the bag, a static grid is likely sufficient. In case the powder material tends to be lumpy or with poor flow properties, a vibrating perforated sheet could also be provided. The mesh size would always depend on the physical properties of the powder material itself. By means of the grids mentioned above, customers minimize the risk of impurities entering the powder handling process and as such benefit from an increased end product quality.
Typical for AZO is the round design of the feeding hopper. Obviously, a round hopper does not have any corners, in which material could get stuck and create contamination issues for the production process. Furthermore, the round shape design facilitates easier and even discharge from the hopper. Supported by a large variety of discharge aids such as rappers, vibrators, vibration bottoms or aeration pads, discharging the powder material becomes less of a challenge with AZO and customers benefit from a more reliable subsequent powder handling process.
In order to optimize processing time, feeding hoppers can be designed as intermediate storage hoppers as well for minor ingredients. This would allow an automated dosing into the subsequent process step and hence free up operators to fulfil other tasks while the feeding hopper remains sufficiently filled with powder raw material. By doing so, the process of tipping powder raw materials is separated from the main production process and as a result, a higher efficiency of the whole powder mixing process may be achieved.
Naturally, AZO can provide all feeding hoppers in either stainless steel or mild steel and, depending on the desired use of the hopper, a large variety of different surface finishes is available. As a result, AZOs customers receive exactly the feeding hopper that is needed for tipping their powder material into their production process.
