Auger fillers derive their name from their reliance on auger metering, making them a preferred choice for handling fine powders or products with consistent size particulates like talcum powders, flour, cake mixes, and more. These filling machines typically comprise a main hopper, a stirring bar to ensure consistent feeding of the auger (even with non-free-flowing powders), and an auger enclosed within a closely fitting cylinder. As long as the auger flights receive a consistent feed, these machines boast remarkable accuracy. Auger powder fillers operate volumetrically, meaning they do not weigh the product unless directly interfaced with a scale; instead, they rely on precise revolution counts of the auger for measurement.
**Auger Filler Working Principle**
The operation of an auger filler involves several key components and precise control mechanisms:
Powder stored in the hopper is fed into the auger tooling, which comprises an auger, an agitator blade, and a funnel. Two motors mounted atop the filler provide separate control over the rotation of the auger and the agitator blade. The auger rotates to transport the product down to the funnel, while the agitator blade prevents product buildups or remnants in the hopper.
The auger guides the product to the funnel, where it is dispensed into the container. Fill volume is regulated by adjusting the auger speed and the fill cycle. Subsequently, the conveyor transports the filled container to the next station on the packaging line.
Upon the introduction of bulk materials into the hopper, the auger drive maintains a constant rotation speed to convey the materials to the funnel.
The agitator blade operates independently and rotates in the opposite direction of the auger to remove air from the powders, ensuring a uniform mixture.
Additionally, the agitator blade extends to the funnel's bottom to prevent rat-holing and cavitation, ensuring consistent packing of the auger flights with the product.
The auger flights are uniformly spaced to ensure each flighting pitch is filled with ingredients of the same bulk density and particle size, facilitating precise dosing as the auger rotates.
**Advantages And Disadvantages of Auger Fillers**
Auger fillers are highly versatile machines suitable for handling a wide range of dry products with consistent granule size and powders. In some cases, they can even be used as depositors for moist products like cooked rice and pastes. One of their primary advantages lies in their closed system design, making them particularly well-suited for handling very fine powders such as talc, flour, and baking soda, which tend to become airborne with other filling systems. Auger fillers also offer relatively high fill rates compared to net weight fillers and occupy less floor space.
**Advantages of Auger Fillers**
- Rapid Operation: Auger fillers typically operate 2-3 times faster than single-head net weight fillers, enhancing productivity.
- Dust-Free Operation: Auger fillers can be designed to minimize dust generation, even with fine powders, due to their enclosed system design.
- Versatility: They can handle both free-flowing and less-than-free-flowing products, provided the product consistency is maintained.
- Integration: Auger fillers can be easily integrated into various packaging applications, including form-fill machines, and used for filling cans, bottles, or boxes.
- Wide Filling Capacity Range: They offer a large range of filling capacities without the need for extensive change parts.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Auger fillers provide a cost-effective solution for filling operations.
**Disadvantages of Auger Fillers**
- Limited Accuracy: They may not reliably achieve accurate fills for products with irregular shapes or densities.
- Product Damage: Auger fillers can potentially damage products that cannot withstand compression.
- Handling Sensitivity: They may not handle products with soft consistency as gently as desired.
For further information on filling knowledge or to determine if your powder is suitable for auger filling, please reach out to our sales engineers for assistance.
