powder feeding/loading
By Lisa C.
Published: April 6th, 2010
Published: April 6th, 2010
We have to load/feed a powder here into an injection molding machine. We currently have a Comet powder feeder (auger). Does anyone know of any other brand/type to look into? We feed with auger b/c it didn't load well (like a conventional vacuum loader with pellets), that is what everyone here is telling me. I have no experience with powders. Thanks in advance for your help.
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Powder is tricky It bridges,
Powder is tricky
It bridges, it tends to 'clump' due to static and other silliness. Ground everything to eliminate static. Make sure you are not on either end of the loader's limits (50% + or minus 10% is ideal). Although I hate these things, sometimes a vibrator will keep things flowing. (vibrators are noisy and tend to shake loose bolts and break weldments)
As Rick states, the problem isn't the powder or the feeder, it's the match between the two.
Go back to your supplier, something is fundamentally wrong trying to load this particular powder with this feeder.
Hope this helps
Bill Tobin
Conair and most any of the
Conair and most any of the loader suppliers have units designed for powders. They must know the bulk density, type or exact part number, and throughputs to properly size the unit. Most failures in this area result in not enough excess throughput capacity (less than 10% reserve), excessive vacuum line sizing (using 2'"3" O.D. lines that slow air velociity), or poor application of product to resin/machinery. Hope this helps, Rick.