MACHINING & MACHINERY VOLUMETRIC FILLERS
KINEMATICS & CONTROLS CORPORATION
Dispensing accurate dose weights of powdered materials is always challenging
Obviously , one can do it gravimetrically , by trickling material onto a scale with an integral feedback loop continuously monitoring and controlling the rate feed . Admittedly , this way of filling is very accurate . But it is also an agonizingly slow process and not well suited to high output production . Furthermore , it is fair to point out that a manufacturing process will rarely call for this ultra-precise level of accuracy . For processes which require only from ± 1 % to ± 5 % repeat accuracy per dose , and / or requires higher productivity outputs , volumetric powder filling is a far better choice ! However , volumetric filling of powdered materials is not without its own challenges .
By definition , all volumetric filling processes are called to deliver the same volume of material in each and every dose . In liquid filling applications , the weight of each delivered amount holds very closely from dose to dose because liquids are essentially incompressible .
By contrast , powders are compressible substances . In the process of filling powders volumetrically , the apparatus must somehow ensure not only that the same volume of powder is delivered in each dose , but also that it is delivered at a consistent density . This means that the density of the powder held within its volumetric chamber must somehow be compacted and delivered at a uniform constant density . We don ’ t necessarily need to know what the density will be for any volumetric powder charge , only that its value is consistent from dose to dose . We control the delivery weight by adjusting the volume of the chamber .
All Kinematics ’ powder fillers are volumetric fillers . They all operate on the same core principle . Powder is picked up and simultaneously compacted in its allotted volumetric chamber by means of a uniform vacuum force . The open end of the chamber is then doctored of any excess powder to insure an exact and repeatable volume is delivered .
Kinematics & Controls Corporation has been designing and building both liquid and powder fillers for more than forty years .
Finally , a gentle puff of low-pressure air is then exchanged with the vacuum to expel the charge into its designated container .
Kinematics & Controls Corporation has been designing and building both liquid and powder fillers for more than forty years . We have long since abandoned all efforts at turning out liquid fillers . They are too easy to make . We prefer the added challenge of building low-dose , high precision , powder filling equipment .
For further information , please visit www . kcontrols . com
108 PECM Issue 61