PECM Issue 83 2026 | Page 82

Getting materials up and into your process shouldn’ t be complicated

PROCESS TECHNOLOGIES SMARTER MATERIAL TRANSFER

VOLKMANN
Getting materials up and into your process shouldn’ t be complicated
Getting powders, granules and other bulk materials up into mixers, hoppers, multihead weighers or packaging equipment should be straightforward. But anyone working in production knows it isn’ t always that simple.
Limited floor space, awkward plant layouts, elevated equipment and materials that don’ t flow as expected can turn a relatively simple transfer task into a persistent headache.
How do you move material several metres vertically without losing throughput? How do you avoid blockages, dust and unnecessary manual handling? And how do you integrate a conveying system without redesigning half the production line?
Getting material where it needs to be shouldn’ t slow production down.
Vacuum conveying offers a practical way to move powders, granules and small components vertically and horizontally through enclosed pipelines, without the footprint or mechanical complexity of traditional conveying equipment.
Volkmann UK’ s vacuum conveyors typically achieve transfer rates between 50 and 5,000 kg / h, with capacities up to 10,000 kg / h possible depending on the application. Standard conveying distances range from 2 to 50 metres, with heights up to 20 metres. For specialist applications, distances up to 100 metres and heights of 40 metres can be achieved.
For engineers working around existing equipment, that flexibility matters. Materials can be transferred between production levels, around obstacles and directly into processing equipment, without taking up valuable floor space.
Less intervention. Fewer interruptions.
Getting material to its destination is only half the job. What happens along the way matters just as much.
Manual tipping, airborne dust, product breakage, frequent cleaning and equipment stoppages all add time to a process. Individually, these interruptions may seem minor. Across multiple shifts, they can become a significant drain on productivity.
Volkmann’ s enclosed vacuum conveying systems address these issues at source.
ATEX-certified designs support safe operation in hazardous environments, while contained transfer reduces airborne dust, product loss and operator exposure. Gentle dense-phase and plug-flow conveying helps protect fragile materials from breakage and segregation.
For food and pharmaceutical manufacturers, hygienic designs incorporating FDA-compliant materials support clean production. Tool-free disassembly also means less time spent dismantling equipment for cleaning and quicker changeovers between products.
With no moving mechanical parts in the product stream, maintenance requirements are kept to a minimum.
The right system starts with the material.
No two powders behave exactly alike. Bulk density, particle size, flowability and moisture content can all affect how a material moves through a conveying line.
That’ s why Volkmann UK focuses on understanding the application before specifying the equipment.
Our engineers assess the material, required throughput, conveying distance, available space and existing process to identify the most suitable configuration. Practical trials using your actual product help establish what can realistically be achieved before committing to a system.
Sometimes, improving production efficiency doesn’ t require a complete line redesign. It starts with finding a better way to get materials where they need to be.
Efficient material transfer. Engineered for your process.
VOLKMANN UK offers free noobligation on-site vacuum conveying trials, allowing manufacturers to assess how automated material transfer could improve their existing production processes. Contact our engineering team to discuss your application and discover how better material handling could help you achieve more from the machinery you already have.
For further information, please visit uk. volkmann. info
82 PECM Issue 83