HANDLE MATERIALS THAT PACK, CAKE OR SMEAR

Packing generally refers to material becoming denser or more consolidated under pressure, vibration or handling. Caking occurs when particles bond or agglomerate into larger masses, often because of moisture, temperature, pressure or storage conditions. A material can experience both behaviors.

Powders can change during storage or handling. Pressure, vibration, moisture, temperature and time may cause consolidation, bridging or caking that reduces the material's ability to flow freely.

Softness, moisture, fat content, temperature, pressure and repeated mechanical interaction can all contribute. Smearing is highly material-specific, so understanding the actual process conditions is important.

Not necessarily. Caking may begin during storage or before the material reaches the conveyor. The conveying system can be selected to avoid unnecessary additional compaction or mechanical working, but the complete material-handling process should be considered.

TipTrak is a strong option where carrying the material with limited mechanical working suits the product. Bucket material, feeding and discharge arrangements are selected around how the material releases in its actual process condition.

KleanTrak supports the product on a belt rather than continuously working it through a confined mechanism. That can make it worth evaluating where gentle supported conveying and sanitation are important.

Powderflight provides enclosed aeromechanical conveying for compatible powders. Review the material’s condition and how it feeds, travels through and discharges from the conveyor. A representative trial helps assess whether buildup or changes in flow affect the application.

UniFlex can convey many powders and granules, but because the screw mechanically works the material, applications involving compaction, smearing or significant caking should be reviewed carefully.

Bagstander configurations may include bag manipulators that compress and work the bag to help loosen compacted material and promote discharge. The downstream hopper may also use appropriate flow aids where required.

Yes. Depending on the application, UniTrak hoppers can incorporate flow aids such as vibrators or fluidization pads to help promote material movement.

It can. Many powders and granular materials become more prone to caking as moisture content or humidity changes. The effect depends on the specific material and process conditions.

It can. Some food, chemical or specialty materials become softer or tackier as temperature changes, which can increase smearing or buildup during handling.

Testing can help show how a material behaves in available UniTrak test equipment and may reveal compaction, smearing, flow or discharge issues that are difficult to predict from specifications alone.

Where practical, yes. If temperature, moisture or storage condition affects the material, a representative sample and realistic condition can provide more useful information than testing material that behaves differently from the production product.

Useful information includes the material, bulk density, moisture or temperature considerations, required conveying rate, conveying distance, vertical elevation, storage method, current handling method, feeding behavior and the specific packing, caking or smearing problem you are experiencing.