A vibratory tray micro feeder conveys powder along an open or enclosed tray driven by an electromagnetic or piezoelectric vibrator, with rate set by vibration amplitude. Having no rotating parts in the product, it handles fragile granules, flakes, and abrasive powders gently across 0.1 to 150 litres per hour and cleans by simple tray removal.
The drive oscillates the tray in a pitched elliptical motion; each cycle throws particles forward in micro hops, producing a smooth mass flow along the tray to the discharge lip. Amplitude, controlled through the drive voltage, sets the conveying speed and thus the rate. A hopper with adjustable gate maintains a constant powder bed depth on the tray so amplitude alone governs the delivered flow.
Challenges
Rate Sensitivity to Bed Depth
Variations in the powder layer depth on the tray change delivered rate independent of amplitude setting.
Cohesive Powder Not Conveying
Sticky powders absorb the vibration energy and creep or stall on the tray surface instead of hopping forward.
Amplitude Drift with Temperature and Voltage
Electromagnetic drive output drifts with coil temperature and supply variation, shifting the calibrated rate.
Dusting from Open Trays
Fine powders dust from open trays into the room, losing product and contaminating the area.
Segregation Along the Tray
Mixed particle sizes stratify under vibration, with fines percolating downward and discharging unevenly.
Solutions
- Gate-Controlled Constant Bed Depth: A calibrated hopper gate holding a fixed powder bed makes amplitude the single rate variable across the range.
- Coated Tray and Tuned Frequency Selection: Low-friction PTFE-coated or electropolished trays with drive frequency tuned to the powder restore conveyance of lightly cohesive products.
- Closed-Loop Amplitude Feedback Drive: An accelerometer feedback loop holds true tray amplitude constant against temperature and voltage drift.
- Enclosed Tray with Dust-Tight Cover: Fully enclosed tube trays with sight glass and extraction connection contain fines through the conveying path.
- Short Tray Length at Constant Bed: Minimising tray length and running a shallow constant bed limits the residence available for stratification.
Applications
- Fragile Instant Coffee and Granule Dosing: Gentle feeding of agglomerated and freeze-dried granules without attrition.
- Abrasive Mineral Powder Metering: Feeding abrasive fillers where screw wear is unacceptable.
- Flake and Irregular Particle Feed: Conveying flakes and irregular particles that jam screw flights.
- Check-Weigher and Filler Top-Up Dosing: Fine trickle dosing to target weight at filling machines.
- Laboratory Formulation Work: Quick-clean benchtop dosing across frequent product changes.
Model Range and Capacity: JBM-MF-V Series
Basis: Rates at 10 to 100 percent amplitude with gate-set bed depth, kg/h at 0.6 t/m3.
| Model | Tray Width (mm) | Feed Rate (L/h) | Rate (kg/h) @ 0.6 t/m3 | Hopper (L) | Drive | Contact Material |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JBM-MF-V50 | 50 | 0.1 – 10 | 0.06 – 6 | 3 | Electromagnetic | SS 316L / PTFE |
| JBM-MF-V100 | 100 | 1 – 60 | 0.6 – 36 | 10 | Electromagnetic | SS 316L / PTFE |
| JBM-MF-V150 | 150 | 5 – 150 | 3 – 90 | 25 | Electromagnetic | SS 316L / PTFE |