Dust Controlled Granulator Solution for Clean Manufacturing
A dust controlled granulator feeding system was required by a customer operating within the medical industry. The customer needed a solution capable of maintaining continuous production while preventing dust from escaping through the hopper during the grinding process.
In clean and sensitive production environments, dust control is an important consideration. With conventional hopper configurations, airflow generated by the rotating rotor can sometimes carry fine particles upwards through the hopper. For applications where cleanliness, containment and process control are critical, this can create a challenge.
The customer needed a solution that would allow material to be fed into the granulator continuously, without stopping the rotor and without exposing the cutting chamber to the surrounding environment.
Developing a Dust Controlled Granulator Feeding System
MO-DI-TEC developed a custom automatic double slide gate feeding system for a BM340 conventional-speed granulator.
The system works as a mechanical airlock, using two slide gates to control material entry into the granulator while keeping the cutting chamber isolated from the outside environment. This helps minimise dust emission during grinding, while still allowing the granulator to run continuously.
Although this dust controlled granulator system was originally developed for a BM340 granulator, the same concept can also be adapted to the MO-DI-TEC Goliath range, depending on the material, process and customer requirements.
How the Dust Controlled Granulator System Works
The double slide gate system is designed so that both gates cannot open at the same time.
During operation:
- The upper slide gate closes
- The lower slide gate opens to feed material into the granulator
- The lower slide gate closes again
- Only once the lower gate is closed does the upper slide gate reopen
This sequence ensures that the cutting chamber remains closed off from the external environment throughout the feeding process. Meanwhile, the granulator rotor continues to run, supporting consistent throughput without unnecessary production interruptions.
Benefits of a Dust Controlled Granulator Feeding System
This tailored feeding system provides a practical solution for manufacturers who need to combine dust control with continuous granulation.
It is particularly suitable for applications requiring:
- Reduced or eliminated dust emission during grinding
- A closed feeding system
- Clean processing environments
- Continuous feeding with uninterrupted rotor operation
- Integration into automated production lines
- Support for sensitive materials and controlled manufacturing processes
Typical applications include medical, pharmaceutical, clean production and other environments where dust containment and process cleanliness are essential.
Dust Controlled Granulator System Features
The system includes:
- 100% electromechanical operation, with no PLC required
- Robust and reliable construction
- Pilz safety relay with dual-channel safety architecture
- Self-monitoring safety circuit
- Prevention of unexpected restart
- Emergency stop function
- Local control to pause the feeding cycle without stopping the granulator
- Standard air pressure monitoring
- Optional functions available depending on customer requirements
The Outcome
The final dust controlled granulator feeding system enabled the customer to maintain continuous production while improving dust containment during the grinding process.
By using a double slide gate arrangement as a mechanical airlock, MO-DI-TEC delivered a bespoke solution that supported the customer’s cleanliness requirements without compromising granulator performance or throughput.
This project demonstrates how tailored granulator solutions can help manufacturers overcome specific process challenges, particularly in industries where clean operation, reliability and containment are essential.
MO-DI-TEC Dust Controlled Granulator Solutions from Summit Systems
Summit Systems supply and support the full range of MO-DI-TEC granulators, including conventional-speed and low-speed solutions for plastics processing applications.
From standard granulator installations to more specialised feeding and material handling requirements, Summit Systems can work with customers to identify the most suitable MO-DI-TEC solution for their process, material and production environment.
