Do Not Accept Unnecessary Downtime as Part of the Process
One key change can make all the difference
Vacuum conveying is steadily becoming the industry standard for bulk material transfer in the food sector. Anyone working in production knows the familiar challenge. One product flows perfectly while the next clogs, crumbles or arrives at the line already damaged. Many sites tell us they lose hours every month resetting lines or reconfiguring equipment to handle a different ingredient.
Across the industry, manufacturing plants regularly lose more than 300 hours each year through unplanned downtime or changeovers. In food and consumer goods environments, even more hours disappear to stoppages and general inefficiencies.
That’ s why truly versatile conveying matters. Volkmann UK vacuum conveyors are designed to handle the widest possible range of bulk materials, from fine powders and granules to nuts, sweets, mushrooms or even bottle caps. A single system adapts to different material characteristics, gentle enough for fragile powders yet robust enough for heavier, coarse or mixed loads. You don’ t need multiple conveyors or endless adjustments. Just one system that moves everything safely, cleanly, efficiently.
8 FDPP- www. fdpp. co. uk
Unplanned downtime, slow changeovers and clouds of dust with every bag opened have become routine frustrations for many food and drink manufacturers. Yet in an industry driven by consistency, cleanliness and efficiency, these quiet bottlenecks can be major barriers to growth. Powders such as sugar, flour, cocoa, starch, coffee, milk powder, spices and flavourings are vital ingredients but often the hardest to manage. Irregular flow, clumping, airborne dust, operator exposure and long cleaning cycles all contribute to avoidable losses. Traditional mechanical methods can make these issues worse and increase the risk of contamination and operator strain.
This is why the move toward enclosed vacuum conveying systems continues to gain momentum. For over four decades, Volkmann has specialised in the safe, hygienic and dust-free transfer of powders and bulk materials. Volkmann’ s compressed-air driven vacuum conveyors offer a clean, reliable and ATEX-certified alternative to mechanical transfer methods. By using dense-phase and plug-flow technology, ingredients are moved gently and consistently, protecting product integrity while keeping the environment dust-free. Volkmann’ s vacuum conveying systems support manufacturers by enabling rapid changeovers, compact layouts and scalable throughput, up to 10,000 kg / h where required, dependent on conveying distances and product characteristics.
Often the biggest contributor to efficiency loss isn’ t always equipment failure. It’ s constant micro disruptions, emptying hoppers manually, cleaning spills, clearing blockages, stopping to switch products, or breaking down equipment for lengthy washdowns. Volkmann systems are built specifically to remove these interruptions.‘ Tools-free’ disassembly enables rapid cleaning and fast product changeovers. With fully enclosed transfer routes, dust is eliminated at the source, improving both hygiene and operator safety.
A recent installation at TasteTech shows the real-world impact. Commercial Director Rob Sinton explained that“ the Volkmann system simplified the process and removed a manual handling concern we’ d been trying to rectify for years.”
Beyond the core conveying systems, Volkmann UK also provide a wide range of bulk material handling solutions including drum discharge units, bulk bag unloading stations, vibratory feeders and rip-and-tip equipment, enabling seamless integration into larger process lines. What sets the company apart is its engineering-led approach and commitment to helping customers find the right solution for their specific material and process requirements.
Volkmann UK offers free on-site trials of their vacuum conveyor with no obligation. See firsthand how it can reduce unnecessary downtime, revolutionise production processes and boost efficiency. Contact Volkmann UK to arrange a trial or request a brochure and visit their website for more details.
VOLKMANN UK Limited, Unit 4 Anglo Office Park, Lincoln Road, High Wycombe, Bucks, HP12 3RH + 44( 0) 1494 512228 mail. uk @ volkmann. info uk. volkmann. info