HOPPER BELLOWS FOR FOOD POWDER DOSAGE

Scenario

In the food&beverage industry, dust management requires high-performance products resistant to fatigue and wear, but also hygienic solutions, certified according to the «MOCA» CE 1935/2004 standards and so compatible for food contact

Challenge

One of our customer, a manufacturer of automatic machines for dosing food powders, asked us for a solution to connect a rotating plate, exposed to approach and estrangement movements as well as to the vibrations connected to product handling, with the 8 hoppers of the plant exposed to a vertical movement according to the size to be filled

Solution

Operation and vibration were characterized by a bellow stroke of about 1mm. Furthermore, our technicians have found the presence of 8 funnels, integral with the plate of the dosage, whose potential leak of product caused non-recoverable losses, but in any case preferable to any entrance from the outside that could contaminate and highly damage the product.

Characteristics of the application

• Product in contact: powdered food products
• Positioning range 20 mm Max
• Bellows / vibration stroke: 1 mm (100 cycles / min)
• Duration: 8 h / day Max
• Pressure: 1 bar
• CE1935 / 2004 certification
• Internal diameter: 200 mm
• External diameter of the connection: 230 mm

ATP technicians have proposed a bellows in SINTEK H-TPU, thermoplastic polyurethane resistant to hydrolysis, certified by FDA and CE 1935/2004 and characterized by a high resistance to wear and elasticity. Together with the bellows, out technicians provided the application scheme of the bellows to the rotary table; the document highlighted the changes necessary on the housings.

Testimony

The machine designer was very satisfied with the solution. During the production the bellows was assembled without complications thanks to the modifications suggested on the seats. Grate satisfaction for the final user who has managed to extend the life of the component and at the same time obtaining the indispensable MOCA food certifications.