SmartFeeder™ Vibratory Feeders for Accurate Batching
Mass flow with no moving parts. Pulseless dribble feed. Instant-off control for repeatable batch accuracy—engineered for powders, granules, and fragile or abrasive products.
Overview
CMT’s SmartFeeder™ vibratory feeders deliver consistent mass flow for gravimetric loss-in-weight and gain-in-weight batching, as well as precise volumetric metering. The simple, robust design minimizes maintenance while protecting product quality.
Mass Flow, No Moving Parts
Feed tray shears the hopper outlet cross-section for true mass flow—no bearings or seals.
Hygienic Cleanability
Smooth stainless product surfaces ensure easy cleaning and sanitation.
Geomate® Mass Flow Design
Engineered geometry guarantees mass flow with pulseless dribble for accurate batching.
Feeders Details
- All SS construction
- Mass Flow Hopper
- LIW, GIW or Volumetric
- Total Cross-Sectional Shear
- No moving parts (5-yr warranty)
- One-piece weldment
- No bearings, bushings, seals, etc.
- Great for almost any product, except light fludizable powders, and larger particles over 1/2"
- Rates up to 275 CFH (ideal for batching)
Understanding Mass Flow Feeding
Common Hopper Flow Issues
Common “Fixes” That Don’t Work — Avoid These
- Cranking up random vibration — compacts or de-rates flow
- Undersized outlets with “more horsepower” — still arch
- Air lances everywhere — rat-holes and segregation worsen
- Cone-in-cone inserts without addressing wall friction
- Overspeeding screws — surging, blow-back into pneumatics
The Geometry of Mass Flow Feeding
Mass flow requires the right hopper geometry and feeder interface sized to your material—considering arching dimension, angle of repose, loose bulk density, and wall friction angle.
- Uniform, first-in/first-out flow
- Whole outlet activation—no dead zones
Historical Problems — Incorrect Feeder
- A bin designed for mass flow becomes ineffective if a standard feed screw is used at the outlet.
- Screws pull from back to front, creating a funnel-flow condition.
- Stagnant areas cause degradation, segregation, moisture uptake, and sanitary issues.
- The feeder is the second, equally critical component. It must maintain the mass-flow pattern — entire hopper outlet activation is required.
Mass Flow Feeder Design
Operation
Applications in the Brick Industry
Vibratory feeders play a crucial role in modern brick and clay manufacturing, where consistent raw material handling directly impacts product quality, throughput, and coating uniformity.
Consistent Clay & Sand Feed
Accurately meters clay, shale, sand, and additives into mixers or kilns for uniform composition and density across every batch of bricks.
Surface Coating Control
Delivers pulseless dribble feed for applying sand, sawdust, or coloring agents onto green bricks—ensuring even coverage and reduced waste.
Durability with Abrasive Materials
All-stainless product contact surfaces withstand abrasive clay and sand blends, minimizing wear compared to screw or belt feeders.
Reduced Downtime
No moving parts in the product stream means fewer breakdowns and lower maintenance—critical in high-volume brick plants where uptime drives profitability.
Batch Accuracy for Color Consistency
Precise loss-in-weight batching guarantees that pigment additions and specialty coatings remain consistent, improving brick appearance and customer satisfaction.
Dust & Cleanup Control
The feeder’s mass-flow design helps limit dust escape, supporting cleaner operations and compliance with workplace safety standards.
Applications in Batching Systems
Vibratory feeders are at the heart of precise batching systems—whether configured for Gain-in-Weight (GIW) or Loss-in-Weight (LIW). CMT’s SmartFeeder™ technology ensures accuracy, consistency, and uptime across a wide range of industrial batching applications.
Multi-Ingredient Recipe Batching
Handles major and minor ingredients with pulseless dribble feed, delivering uniform bulk density for repeatable accuracy across every recipe.
Bag Dump to Bulk Systems
Transforms manual bag dump stations into automatic weighing systems, eliminating operator guesswork and reducing material waste.
Bulk Bag & Silo Integration
Feeds seamlessly from bulk bag unloaders and silos into weigh hoppers or directly into production, maintaining control and flow stability.
Turnkey Automated Lines
Supports full batching trains with dozens of feeders, conveyors, mixers, and central dust collection—controlled by Allen-Bradley® PLCs and PanelView™ HMIs.
Abrasive & Fragile Products
Mass-flow vibratory feeders gently handle fragile products like food ingredients while resisting wear from abrasive powders and minerals.
Continuous Process Integration
Operates as standalone feeders or integrated into continuous batching systems, ensuring smooth transitions from storage to blending or mixing.
From bag dumps to silos, SmartFeeder™ vibratory weigh feeders provide the foundation for high-accuracy batching, ensuring every system delivers consistent flow, repeatable results, and lower operating costs:contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}.
