Powder Bridging
When materials bond together creating an arch above the outlet of a container, IBC, hopper, mixer or silo, bridging occurs.
Matcon's IBCs are utilized for processing, storing, and transporting bulk materials including solids, powders, granules, and tablets.
When discharge occurs solely in a flow channel above the outlet, and products at the sides get held up, rat holing occurs.
When particles of varying sizes or weights pass through the discharge valve at an uneven speed, segregation occurs.
Containment is used when hygiene and safety requirements must be met while eliminating the risk of cross-contamination.
To understand the major performance differences that might be expected when comparing one IBC system to another, a thorough and complete technical test is required.
These are some of the weak links that might be caused by insufficient technology, which will negate any Lean advantages of decoupling the system:
Product flow – The integral Cone Valve vibration and variable lift height provide complete product flow control without the need for additional feeders. Small lift heights can be used to control free-flowing materials, and sticky materials can be prompted to flow.
Segregation – By holding back the powder in the centre of the IBC and stimulating flow from the sides, the unique Cone Valve technology encourages the powder to move under mass-flow, ensuring that material discharges as first in, first out, preserving the mix's integrity and preventing segregation or demixing.
Cleaning – IBC's simple design makes it easy to clean and therefore poses a minimal risk of bacterial or cross-contamination. This reduces the costly risk of product waste.
Matcon's S series Cone Valve IBCs are made of stainless steel with a surface finish to meet your specifications. Each IBC contains a unique Cone Valve technology within the IBC that prevents the traditional powder handling issues of bridging, blocking, and blend segregation. Each IBC is built with no enclosed crevices or hollow sections that could trap products or contaminants, allowing them to meet the strictest hygiene and safety standards. The range is suitable for blending, storing, and transporting powder mixes, and it provides contained dust-tight powder handling. The IBCs are available in different sizes: Small IBCs (300-500l) for smaller batches or testing, Medium IBCs (1,000 to 2,000l ) the most popular of IBC batch sizes and Large scale IBCs (2,500-3,000l ) for larger batch sizes.
The gentle Tablet Handling System enables for the efficient handling of tablets and capsules. At the same time, the efficiency of the tablet coating, printing, inspection, and packing processes is improved. The Tablet IBC is at the heart of this system, with its unique pharmaceutical grade polyethylene construction, tablet spiral, and gentle opening Cone Valve - all of which are designed to prevent tablet damage or breakage. A pharmaceutical grade Cone valve is used in the outlet. The IBC can handle tablets (coated and uncoated) and capsules in batches of up to 650kg. The integrated entry spiral allows tablets to gently slide into the bin, minimizing drop height, acceleration, and impact and thus reducing the risk of damage.
A square-sectioned white polyethylene bottle is positioned centrally within a mild steel or stainless steel support frame to make up the R Series IBC. The bottle has a round inlet at the top and a round outlet at the bottom. These are commonly implemented in non-food, non-hygienic applications where a stainless steel IBC would be unnecessary. Powders are discharged under mass-flow discharge to prevent mix segregation and are fitted with the same Cone Valve technology as the stainless steel range. Bridging and blocking concerns with powder handling are also resolved. They are available in different sizes from 500L to 2500L and are stackable to 2 IBCs height.
The IBC Tumble Blender allows rapid batch changeovers. As the ingredients are completely contained within the IBC, there is no need to clean the Blender, making lengthy product swaps a relic of the past.
While one IBC is being blended, the next can be filled, allowing for parallel processing without having to stop mixing. As IBCs are formulated and discharged independently from the blending process, excellent overall equipment effectiveness rates is achieved. Mix any recipe at any time with a IBC Blender, making your manufacturing process more flexible and efficient.
Loading, unloading, and cleaning time are considerably reduced as the IBC is the blending vessel. There is no downtime for cleaning or possibility of cross-contamination because the IBC filling and emptying processes takes place independent of the blender. A IBC blender allows you to efficiently produce a broad range of recipes and batch sizes if you need to mix a variety of batches.
The system is constantly blending, resulting in a high OEE – It is filled, emptied and cleaned offline.
In-bin blending allows for quick recipe changes with no risk of contamination.
Better batch capability entails the ability to produce a wider range of batch sizes.
The Intensifier package enhances blending capabilities by allowing for the addition of liquids.
Factory-assembled modular solution with a proven design and low risk.
Experience the flexibility of crafting low-volume mixes on-demand with the Pilot Scale Blender. Tailored for blending modest amounts of powder, this blender is ideally suited for validating new recipes or creating premium, small-scale powder batches.
The blender setup comes with key features like a safety guard, Pilot Scale IBCs, and an optional High Shear Intensifier, all designed to guarantee a secure, smooth, and effective discharge process.
By incorporating the Intensifier, the blender's mixing capabilities are boosted with the infusion of high shear, expanding the possibilities for recipe development. Additionally, the option to include a MicroNIR Spectrometer offers valuable insights into blend homogeneity.
Pilot Scale IBCs, offered in both 100L and 200L sizes, come designed for convenience with smooth-rolling castors and are equipped with a Matcon Manual Cone Valve at their outlet. This strategic valve design promotes a consistent mass-flow discharge of powders, safeguarding the integrity and quality of your meticulously blended products.
By adding a high shear cutter to the IBC industrial mixer, which will not blend by flow alone, recipes can be blended, and materials distributed, allowing the incorporation of liquid fats and the processing of more cohesive powders, as well as the removal of agglomerated lumps. It eliminates the need for multi-stage blending. in single-stage blending, liquid fats are efficiently mixed. Disperse micro-ingredients efficiently to ensure a high-quality final product. High shear without heat build-up – particles blend without degradation to produce a high-quality final product.
Directly add liquids to the blending vessel without opening it or without manual intervention, thereby accelerates the mixing process by eliminating the need to stop and restart the blender.This adaptable and sanitary system will reduce manual handling and improve containment, enhancing the benefits of IBC Blending even further. During the mixing process, liquids are dispersed evenly and automatically in your powder recipe. Deliver liquid additions ranging from 5-150 liters. The typical injection amount per revolution is 200-800g. Equipped with Loss in weight monitoring on liquid tank.
Use NIR spectroscopy to enhance your understanding of the blending process. The NIR spectroscopy will demonstrate that tumble blending works with your materials it will also be able to give real-time results as the blender is in motion, which will identify the point at which the material becomes blended. Once the blending time is established, this can be fed into the blender settings and used to optimize the blending cycle with the opportunity to save minutes in this process, which could lead to the ability to process additional batches within a shift.
Between batch changes, any system should always be thoroughly cleaned. IBCs are cleaned off-line, enabling processes to continue with fresh, clean IBCs, reducing downtime when compared to fixed mixer systems.
Matcon IBCs have smooth product contact surfaces, a single piece Cone Valve, and no moving parts, enabling for quick, easy, and effective cleaning and drying.
There is a variety of cleaning systems for the IBC's, ranging from a simple, manually positioned wash lance to a fully automatic wash station.
Cleaning both stainless steel powder handling IBCs and polyethylene Tablet IBCs can be completed with the same equipment.
Providing a thorough internal wash and dry of the IBC without removing the Cone Valve. To remove any powder residue, a high-pressure spray lance distributes water in a controlled and repeatable pattern on all of the internal surfaces of the IBC. The drainage frame includes a cone lifter for automatic outlet cleaning with the Cone Valve in place. A typical wash and dry cycle only require 20-30 minutes (product dependent). High manufacturing efficiency rates as the IBCs are cleaned off-line without disrupting the mixer or the manufacturing line. The simple design of the IBC enables for easy cleaning of the internal surfaces with no risk of cross-contamination.
This cleaning solution offers a high manufacturing efficiency rate as IBCs are cleaned off-line without causing mixer or manufacturing line down-time. The air wash module wash and dries the inside of the IBC without removing the Cone Valve. To expel any particles of powder dust and residue, pressurized air is supplied through a lance and nozzle arrangement. By using only air, the risk of waterborne bacterial growth that is associated with traditional water-based systems is eliminated. This is especially useful in applications involving dairy or infant nutrition powders. A dust extraction unit collects any residual powder waste. Depending on the product, a typical air wash cycle lasts only 6-10 minutes.
The High-pressure spray wash lance arrangement, the simplest of cleaning mechanisms, is manually fitted onto the IBC lid. To remove any powder residue, high-pressure jets spray water in a controlled and repeatable pattern on all of the internal surfaces of the IBC. The simple IBC design allows for easy cleaning of internal surfaces with no risk of cross-contamination. High manufacturing efficiency rates since IBCs are cleaned off-line without disrupting the mixer or the manufacturing line. Manual operation.
When using a Matcon Powder Recipe Formulation Systems your recipes can be formulated directly into IBCs off-line and then added to the batch processing flow as needed. With check weighing capabilities and material tracking, traceability is possible.
You can reduce the time spent normally waiting for powder recipes to be formulated for batch processing. The Recipe formulation system keep the production flow moving.
The Sack Tip module offers a simple, fully contained transfer of powders from sacks into Matcon IBCs with minimal dust exposure before inserting the IBC into your batch processing flow. It has a hygienic and easy-to-clean design for quick and efficient product changeovers.
Any 'tramp' material is captured by a flatbed vibratory sieve and magnetic grate. Traceability is achievable with check weighing and material tracking.
This system provides a high manufacturing efficiency rates as IBCs are formulated off-line and rapidly brought into blending without causing mixer down-time. Full recipe formulation is possible including minor and micro ingredient additions.
The formulation system consists of several ‘ingredient' containers mounted on a framework, with ‘batch' containers traveling below collecting the ingredients in accordance with the programmed batch recipes.
If you have a large list of ingredients to assemble for each recipe, you can reduce the amount of time spent weighing and batching by automating the process. This also reduces the possibility of measurement or ingredient addition errors. The configurations are determined by the throughput rates, the number of raw ingredients, and the accuracy levels required.
The module can produce multiple recipes from a single formulation street as contained transfers is possible. Full recipe formulation, including major, minor, and micro ingredient additions, is possible on the same line. IBCs are formulated off-line and quickly brought into blending without causing mixer downtime, resulting in high production efficiency rates.
Automated ingredient preparation ranging from 10-1000kg. Full batch traceability and security are provided.
The Flexi-Batch formulation system is an accurate, flexible, and cost-effective recipe batch processing system designed for larger throughput requirements.
A very efficient alternative to a butterfly valve. A manually operated cone valve is situated in Matcon's Manual Cone Valve IBC's outlet. When compared to butterfly valve IBCs, this provides a better discharge. The Manual Cone Valve unit consists of a valve body with a single-sided arm that supports a lever-operated cone valve. Depending on the desired powder discharge flow rate, this lever can be locked in the open or closed positions, or in any intermediate position, via a locking handle.The annular gap generated as the cone valve rises inside the IBC increases mass-flow of the powders when it exit the IBC.
The Discharger Valves are designed to be installed on Silos and Hoppers to equip them with Cone Valve technology, allowing for more controlled powder discharge. Discharger Valves allow for the controlled discharge of even the most difficult materials, ranging from free flowing to cohesive powders. Existing silos and hoppers' discharger valves, which range in size from 500mm to 2.5 meters, serve as both a flow aid and a shut off valve. In-situ maintenance is possible without completely emptying the silo. Since the Cone Valve encourages mass flow, it pulls material from all sides of the vessel, preventing rat-holing and bridging.
Matcon's powder packing equipment features a straightforward design that allows manufacturers to minimize downtime by efficiently cleaning change-out parts offline. Switch recipes in just minutes instead of hours.
The Cone Valve ensures a dependable, complete discharge of a powder mixture from the IBC, preserving the integrity of your homogeneous blend and ensuring your product is accurately packaged into pouches, tubs, bags, or other packing line equipment. The Cone Valve technology prevents powder mix segregation, which is essential for precise feeding of powder packing machines and third-party equipment.
Using Cone Valve technology, you can ensure a high-quality feed to packing. Maintain a consistent, controlled flow of material to keep the high-speed packing lines running smoothly. The Cone Valve technology integrated into each IBC protects the blended material as it is fed into the packing line, preventing any loss of blend homogeneity.
Without any secondary refill devices, discharge the IBC directly into FMCG packing systems. Refilling is automatic and controlled, resulting in a consistent feed that enables packing lines to increase throughput. Cone Valve technology prevents product segregation during discharge, resulting in consistently high-quality products.
Because the IBCs provide a constant feed to the packing line hopper, high manufacturing efficiency rates are possible. Due to the rapid changeover of IBC, the packing line can continue to operate without significant downtime.
Product quality is ensured because product is transferred without the risk of segregation thanks to Cone Valve technology in each IBC. Consistent product feed since the Cone Valve technology prevents bridging and blocking.
Fully contained material transfer guarantees that no product is spilt or leaks, eliminating the risk of cross-contamination. Fast replenishment of material due to the quick swap of IBCs. Flow of material to the packing line feed hopper is constant and consistent. Replenish based on the signal from the buffer hopper. Cleaning is simple and quick.
If you have a lot of ingredients to assemble for each recipe, you can reduce the amount of time spent in weighing and batching by automating the process. This also reduces the risk of error in measuring or adding ingredients. By using the Powder Packer Module enable you to change recipes faster than ever with high accuracy, dosing directly from Matcon IBCs.
The module is ideal for small campaign runs. Versatile enough to cover a wide range of powder characteristics from cohesive to free-flowing. It offers full discharge & protection against segregation due to mass-flow. The powder packing machine is very simple to use. Enabling you to fill into sacks/bags without the need for screw feeders. Configurations are dependent upon throughput rates, the number of raw ingredients & accuracy levels required. It is used for automated preparation of ingredients from 10-1000kg.
The advantages of this module are many:
Matcon's UK Test Plant, provides extensive testing services with full-scale materials handling equipment, allowing you to assess your product in realistic production settings.
This process ensures confidence in your materials by enabling precise recipe blend time determination, IBC blending validation, material flow and discharge assessment, and segregation prevention confirmation. Additionally, dosing/packing accuracy and speed, cleaning efficiency, gentle tablet handling, system integration, and production capacity are evaluated.
The onsite lab analyzes material properties like bulk density and flowability to develop optimal powder handling solutions. Virtual testing options are available for those unable to visit.
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