Industrial vibratory weigh feeders

Vibratory Feeders for Accurate Batching & Metering

CMT SmartFeeder™ systems combine true mass-flow hopper geometry, high-frequency vibratory feeding and fast/dribble control for repeatable loss-in-weight, gain-in-weight and volumetric feeding of powders, granules, fragile ingredients and abrasive materials.

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Loss-in-weight vibratory feeder metering manganese onto a process line

Close-up of a vibratory feeder applying a controlled sand coating

No screws, bearings or seals in the material stream

LIW • GIW • VolumetricMultiple feeding strategies

Fast + Dribble FeedControlled approach to setpoint

Instant-Off ResponseReduces run-on and overshoot

5-Year WarrantyLong-term equipment confidence

Built around material behavior

Why SmartFeeder™ vibratory feeders improve batching performance

The feeder is not just a discharge device. It must activate the hopper outlet, maintain consistent bulk density and respond predictably to the weighing controls.

True Mass Flow

The GeoTray™ shears the full hopper outlet cross section so material is drawn more uniformly instead of creating stagnant zones.

Pulseless Dribble Feed

High-frequency feeding provides a more consistent final approach to target weight than intermittent “plopping” or surging.

Instant-Off Control

The vibratory drive stops without screw wind-down, helping the controller limit free-fall variation and final batch overshoot.

Low-Maintenance Feed Path

The one-piece feed tray has no internal bearings, bushings, shafts or seals exposed to abrasive or fine material.

GeoMate mass-flow vibratory feeder design features

MassMate™ hopper geometry and the GeoTray™ feeder interface are selected around the material’s flow properties.

How mass-flow feeding works

Hopper geometry and feeder geometry must work together

A properly designed hopper can still funnel-flow when the outlet is only partially activated. SmartFeeder™ technology is configured to draw from the complete outlet and preserve the intended flow pattern.

Material-specific hopper design

Wall angle, outlet size, arching tendency, wall friction and angle of repose are considered during application review.

Full cross-sectional activation

The tray overlaps and shears the outlet so material is not pulled from only one side or one narrow point.

Controlled energy input

Vibration overcomes the material’s angle of slump and provides a stable, controllable discharge rate.

Select the right weighing strategy

Loss-in-weight, gain-in-weight or volumetric feeding

The best configuration depends on recipe structure, refill method, batch size, required accuracy and whether the feeder must run continuously or by batch.

Loss-in-weight (LIW)

Weigh the feeder and material inventory

The controller measures weight loss over time and adjusts feeder output to maintain the target rate or deliver a defined batch.

Continuous gravimetric feeding
Minor and micro ingredients
Direct-to-process dosing
Refill sequencing can be automated

Gain-in-weight (GIW)

Feed into a weighed receiving vessel

One or multiple ingredients discharge into a weigh hopper, tote, mixer or container until the programmed setpoint is reached.

Recipe batching
Major and minor ingredients
Multiple feeders to one scale
Bag dump, bulk bag, silo or IBC supply

Volumetric

Meter by calibrated feeder output

Where gravimetric verification is not required, feeder amplitude or speed can be calibrated to provide a repeatable volumetric rate.

Simple standalone applications
Coating and spreading
Process trimming and addition
Lower control-system complexity

Application fit

Designed for difficult dry bulk materials

The absence of a rotating screw in the feed path can reduce compaction, wear, seal failures and product damage in applications where conventional feeders struggle.

Abrasive

Minerals, sand, clay, oxides and other wear-prone solids.

Fragile

Granules or ingredients that can be damaged by screw compression.

Fine Powders

Materials that can migrate through shafts and seals in auger feeders.

Cohesive

Products prone to packing, binding, bridging or variable discharge.

Fibrous

Special tray configurations can address wrapping and plugging risks.

Application review is essential. Highly aeratable or fluidizable powders, very large particles and unusual product geometries may require testing, a specialized tray or a different feeder type.

Installed feeder applications

From continuous loss-in-weight feeding to recipe batching

SmartFeeder™ systems can be sized and configured for minerals, additives, coatings, pigments and other dry bulk ingredients.

Calcium Carbonate

Loss-in-weight feeding of a fine industrial powder.

Vibratory feeder distributing sand coating across a production line

Sand & Surface Coatings

Uniform spreading with adjustable feed width and rate.

Titanium Dioxide

Compact gain-in-weight or volumetric feeder arrangement.

Bentonite

Controlled dosing of a cohesive mineral ingredient.

Dry Additives

Repeatable minor-ingredient addition into a continuous process.

Installed loss-in-weight vibratory feeder for manganese material

Manganese & Abrasive Minerals

Feed-path design avoids the rotating wear components used in screws.

More than a standalone feeder

Vibratory feeders integrated into complete material handling systems

CMT can combine feeders with bulk bag unloaders, bag dumps, IBCs, storage hoppers, weigh systems, conveying, mixers, dust collection and PLC controls.

Bulk bag unloading system with vibratory batch feeder and container conveyor

Bulk Bag to Container Batching

Unload, meter and fill individual containers from one integrated frame.

Bag dump station with vibratory feeder feeding a process line

Bag Dump to Process

Convert manual sack addition into controlled automatic feeding.

Bulk bag unloader with loss-in-weight vibratory feeder

Bulk Bag Loss-in-Weight System

Bulk supply, controlled discharge and gravimetric feeding in one structure.

Two bulk bag unloading stations feeding loss-in-weight vibratory feeders

Multi-Ingredient LIW Feeding

Independent ingredient streams supplied from bulk bags.

Multiple loss-in-weight vibratory feeders above a sand coating line

Multi-Feeder Coating Line

Multiple recipes or colors feeding a common production line.

Gain-in-weight vibratory batch feeder supplied from an IBC

IBC-Supplied Batch Feeder

Portable material storage paired with a weighed batching station.

Row of vibratory feeders applying sand mixtures to a manufacturing line

Direct-to-Line Feeding

Low-profile feeders positioned directly over the point of use.

Storage hoppers and vibratory feeders integrated over a production line

Storage, Feeding & Process Integration

Day bins, refill devices, feeders and line controls engineered as one system.

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Weighing and controls

Mechanical consistency is only half of batch accuracy

The feeder, scale and controller must work together to manage fast feed, dribble feed and the amount of product still in flight when the feeder stops.

Available control functions

Fast / dribble sequencing

Adjustable feed speeds

Preact compensation

Automatic preact learning

Auto-jog correction

High / low tolerance alarms

Vibration rejection

Recipe and batch reporting

Standalone controllers or complete PLC systems

Controls can range from a single-scale batch controller to an Allen-Bradley® PLC and PanelView™ HMI coordinating multiple ingredients and the surrounding process.

Single or multiple feeder / scale arrangements
Loss-in-weight and gain-in-weight logic
Automated refill, interlocks and permissives
Integration with conveying, mixing and dust collection
Control narratives, commissioning and troubleshooting

Preliminary sizing data

SmartFeeder™ sizes, capacity and drive requirements

These values are starting points for fine powders. Actual capacity depends on bulk density, particle size, flowability, tray geometry, head load and the required turndown ratio.

Offset Feeder Size	Theoretical Maximum Flow	Approximate Weight	Drive HP	Voltage	Startup Current
6 in.	18 ft³/hr	50 lb	0.17 HP	230/460 V, 60 Hz, 3 ph	1.8/0.9 A
12 in.	68 ft³/hr	90 lb	0.17 HP	230/460 V, 60 Hz, 3 ph	1.8/0.9 A
18 in.	134 ft³/hr	130 lb	0.52 HP	230/460 V, 60 Hz, 3 ph	7.2/3.6 A
24 in.	273 ft³/hr	250 lb	0.52 HP	230/460 V, 60 Hz, 3 ph	7.2/3.6 A

Convert mass flow to volumetric flow:

Required lb/hr ÷ loose bulk density in lb/ft³ = required ft³/hr

The published theoretical rates are based on fine powders such as flour or starch. Granules and pellets may achieve higher rates. Confirm final sizing with application data or a material test.

Reduce application risk

Test your material before finalizing the feeder

Material testing can confirm flow behavior, achievable rate, refill response and batch repeatability using the equipment configuration being considered for your plant.

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In-Person Demonstration

Live-Stream Test

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Related equipment for batching and feeding systems

Frequently asked questions

Vibratory feeder selection and application

What is the difference between a vibratory feeder and a screw feeder?

A vibratory feeder moves material by controlled tray oscillation rather than a rotating auger. This removes screws, shafts and seals from the material stream and can be advantageous for abrasive, fragile, fine or cohesive materials. Screw feeders remain a good choice for some floodable or highly adhesive products, so the selection should be based on material behavior and process goals.

What makes a vibratory feeder accurate for batching?

Accuracy depends on stable material flow, repeatable bulk density, a consistent dribble-feed profile, fast shutoff and control logic that compensates for material still in flight. The SmartFeeder™ is designed around all of these factors rather than relying on feeder speed alone.

Should I use loss-in-weight or gain-in-weight feeding?

Loss-in-weight is commonly used for continuous gravimetric dosing or when each feeder must independently control its rate. Gain-in-weight is commonly used for recipe batching into a shared weigh hopper, mixer or container. Batch size, number of ingredients, refill strategy and required cycle time determine the best approach.

Can SmartFeeder™ handle abrasive powders?

Abrasive materials are often a strong fit because the feed tray does not force product between a rotating screw and tube. Final construction, contact-surface finish and tray design should still be selected for the specific material and service conditions.

Can it feed cohesive or bridging materials?

The mass-flow hopper and full-outlet activation are intended to reduce stagnant zones and improve discharge of difficult materials. Cohesion, moisture, compaction history and storage time can significantly affect performance, so challenging products should be reviewed or tested.

What capacity is available?

The preliminary fine-powder table ranges from 18 ft³/hr for the 6-inch feeder to 273 ft³/hr for the 24-inch feeder. Required mass rate must be converted using the product’s loose bulk density, and the final selection must account for flowability and turndown.

What warranty is included with the SmartFeeder™?

SmartFeeder™ vibratory feeders are backed by a five-year warranty. Warranty scope and applicable terms can be confirmed with the project proposal.

What information is needed to size a vibratory feeder?

Provide material name, loose and packed bulk density, particle-size range, moisture, temperature, flow characteristics, required minimum and maximum rate, batch size, target accuracy, available headroom, refill source, construction requirements and any sanitation or hazardous-area criteria.

Start with the material and process

Let us review your feeder application

Send your material data, target feed rate, batch size and process layout. Carolina Material Technologies can help select the feeding mode, feeder size, hopper geometry, weighing equipment and controls—with SmartFeeder™ equipment backed by a five-year warranty.

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