The hopper is a container similar to a large funnel into which the product is loaded from the top. It has capacity to store a sufficient quantity to carry out uniform and efficient channelling thanks to the deep slope which allows complete emptying of the product while preventing loss. All types of sensors to monitor its operation are common additions for precise control over its usefulness.

There are infinite variations given that our industrial equipment is adapted to each client’s needs. Hoppers of all types of capacities and sizes may be manufactured, both in carbon steel and stainless steel, with specific finishes and surface treatments for these materials. Likewise, pressure, jacketed, and heat-insulated hoppers are also available; all of them may be combined.

This technology is a system that enables powder materials to be conveyed suspended on an air bed.

Air enters the airslide through threaded sleeves and is distributed over the entire surface. Once sufficient internal pressure is achieved, the air exits through the porous fabric, starting the process of fluidising the material. Fluidisation allows particles to be separated by surrounding them with air bubbles and keeping them loose.

Finally, the material is conveyed due to the slope of the airslide between 4º and 10º.

Tanks receive the product through one or more inlets to be stored. The product will then be conveyed to its next destination. The objective of this application is to maintain the product with the required characteristics. Therefore, element properties such as temperature, pressure, homogeneity (in the case of a mixture of immiscible products) are often taken into account. In order to ensure that these objectives are met, tanks are equipped with all types of sensors to monitor their ideal operation.

There are infinite variations given that our equipment is adapted to each client’s needs. Tanks with a capacity of 5 litres or more may be manufactured, both in carbon steel and stainless steel, with specific finishes and surface treatments for these materials. Likewise, pressure, jacketed, and heat-insulated tanks are also available, with agitators or recirculation; all of them may be combined.

The operation of a conveyor belt consists of the continuous movement of a belt mounted on platforms with variable dimensions and which may have different types of accessories (side guards, stops, diverters, railings, wheels, and other types of pneumatic or mechanical accessories). Speed and load capacity will depend both on the characteristics of the material to be conveyed (dust, fine grain, packages, etc.) and the type of conveyor belt.

Operation using a Y to which two valves are mounted to select the desired path by opening one valve and closing the other. It is comprised of a Y-shaped pipe and 2 sleeve or ball valves.

There are different formats of diverter valves. These may be constructed in-house or commercially available; the latter may use rotary drums to eliminate the valves. Measurements vary according to the pipe to be used and if they are treated. They may be coated internally with anti-wear materials to minimise abrasion.

Through the distribution ducts, the air that passes through the fluidisation panels is introduced, which makes the solid material remain in suspension. Fluidised bottoms are perfect for powder materials, while vibrating bottoms are used for grain materials.

The fluidised and vibrating bottoms are made of carbon or stainless steel, with different outlet diameters and heights and valid up to 250ºC.

The through screw, also known as the Archimedean screw or helical screw, is made up of a toothed blade in the form of a helix that extends longitudinally along the shaft of the screw. Between turns of each screw, a space is formed in which the materials to be conveyed are deposited, which rise or advance each time the screw turns.

To move the through screw, a motor is installed, which is in contact with its helix that makes it rotate every time the motor turns. This motor rotation transfers the movement to the through screw.

The characteristics of the through screw used in each industrial installation depend on the flow to be dosed, the type of product, the point of origin, and the discharge point.

Parts of a through screw conveyor:

1.- Conveyor (through screw)

The conveyor is comprised of a through screw, which is basically a helix wound on a central shaft that makes it rotate. The helix may be helical or sinusoidal, and is sometimes replaced with blades, depending on the materials to convey.

The helices are made up of different ridges, separated by a certain distance (known as spacing). The ridges or helices also have a diameter, which is calculated according to their intended use.

2.- Housing

The housing is the structure that surrounds the through screw and through which the materials conveyed by the screw circulate. It is normally tubular or U-shaped and has a larger diameter than the helix.

• Tubular through screw feeders and risers:
  Ideal solution for dosing products at short distances. The standard measurements for this type of through screw range from Ø65 mm to Ø400 mm with lengths and designs tailored to each application.
•  U-type trough through screw feeders:
  Ideal solution for dosing products at short and medium distances and for processes that require interior inspection of the equipment. Custom lengths and designs for each application.

3.- Motor

The electric motor is connected to the screw shaft and drives its operation. This is an electric motor with a speed reducer coupled to the housing bedplate. Motor power must be in accordance with the distance that the material must travel and the weight to convey.

4.- Hopper or loading area

Constructed in sheet metal just like the housing, this is the receptacle through which the bulk material to convey is introduced.

The expansion of this type of Big-Bag container (Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container or FIBC) due to its advantages such as its resistance, price, efficient use of space, possibility of direct printing on the polypropylene fabric, availability of lifting handles, etc. has led to increased purchases of Big-Bag loaders as they are versatile and facilitate different types of filling as well as enabling direct weighing and product compaction.