- InterProcess Sp. z o.o.
Loss-in-Weight Vibratory Feeders DVC
Loss-in-weight vibratory feeders, operating in loss-in-weight (LIW) mode, are an ideal solution for the precise feeding of friable, abrasive and granular materials. Unlike screw feeders, material is conveyed by means of an electromagnetic drive – with no rotating mechanical parts whatsoever. As a result, delicate products such as flakes, fibres and pellets are not damaged during the feeding process.
The DVC family comprises two models (DVC45 and DVC60), covering a feed rate range from 0.1 to 1,000 kg/h. Furthermore, the weighing system based on a C3-class strain gauge load cell ensures continuous feeding accuracy of better than ±0.5% of setpoint. In batch mode, accuracy depends on the load cell range and batch size – typically ±0.1–0.5% for batches above 1 kg. A distinctive feature of the DVC vibratory feeders is their turndown ratio of up to 1:100, meaning the unit can operate from very low to full feed rates without any hardware changes. Consequently, DVC feeders are the optimal choice wherever gentle material handling combined with high precision is a priority.
The DVC gravimetric vibratory feeder family comprises two models – DVC45 and DVC60 – designed for the precise feeding of free-flowing bulk solids, granules, flakes and pellets. A conical hopper ensures uniform material discharge, whilst the electromagnetic drive with amplitude feedback control enables precise determination of the resonant frequency.
Key Specifications:
- Accuracy (Continuous): feeding error below ±0.5% of setpoint
- Accuracy (Batch): dependent on load cell range and batch size; typically ±0.1–0.5% for batches above 1 kg
- Feed Rate: from 0.1 to 1,000 kg/h
- Turndown Ratio: up to 1:100
- Drive: electromagnetic 230 V AC, 50 Hz, with amplitude feedback control
- Hopper: conical hopper with 15–90 l capacity
- No Moving Parts: gentle material handling without product degradation
- Materials of Construction: stainless steel 1.4301 (AISI 304) or 1.4404 (AISI 316L)
- Load Cell: C3-class strain gauge, IP66
- Options: hygienic design with tool-free disassembly for cleaning
Applications: abrasive granules and coarse powders, friable products (flakes, fibres – including glass fibres) and free-flowing materials requiring gentle handling.
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When to Choose a Vibratory Feeder Over a Screw Feeder?
A vibratory feeder is the optimal choice wherever the material requires gentle handling without contact with rotating mechanical parts. This applies in particular to friable products that could be damaged in a screw feeder – for example cereal flakes, glass fibres or irregularly shaped granules. An additional advantage is the exceptionally wide turndown ratio of up to 1:100, enabling the unit to handle both very low and high feed rates without any configuration changes.
Conversely, a screw feeder (DSL G) offers a wider feed rate range and is better suited to cohesive and difficult-to-flow materials. Therefore, the choice between the two technologies depends primarily on the physical properties of the material being fed.
| Criterion | Vibratory (DVC) | Screw (DSL G) |
|---|---|---|
| Feeding Principle | Electromagnetic drive – vibration | Rotating screw / auger |
| Moving Parts | None – gentle material handling | Screw + agitator |
| Optimal Materials | Friable, abrasive, granules, flakes, fibres | Powders (fine and coarse), cohesive materials |
| Feed Rate Range | 0.1–1,000 kg/h | 0.5–30,000 kg/h |
| Turndown Ratio | Up to 1:100 | 1:10 |
| Accuracy (LIW) | <±0.5% of setpoint (continuous) | <±0.5% of setpoint (continuous) |
| Cleaning | Optional tool-free disassembly; no moving parts | Screw and agitator removal required |
| Applications | Food, chemical, pharmaceutical | Food, chemical, pharmaceutical, construction |
The entire feeding assembly – conical hopper containing the material and the vibratory tray – is mounted on a C3-class strain gauge load cell. The weighed assembly is flexibly connected to the infeed devices and the discharge pipe, eliminating the influence of external forces on the weight measurement.
During feeding, the system measures the loss in weight and, on this basis, determines the actual mass flow rate of the material. A PID controller compares the measured value with the setpoint and adjusts the vibration amplitude of the electromagnetic drive accordingly. Thanks to amplitude feedback control, linear feeding characteristics are maintained across the entire feed rate range.
When the material level in the hopper drops below the preset minimum, automatic refilling is triggered – without interrupting the feeding process. During this brief period, the feeder switches to volumetric mode, operating at the last recorded amplitude. Once refilling is complete, the system reverts to full gravimetric (loss-in-weight) mode.
Applications Across Key Industries
🍞 Food Industry
Gentle feeding of cereal flakes, nuts, dried fruit, food-grade granules and food additives. The absence of moving parts ensures that the structure of friable products is preserved. Stainless steel construction meets HACCP requirements.
💊 Pharmaceutical Industry
Precise feeding of pharmaceutical granulations, pellets and products sensitive to mechanical degradation. A hygienic design with tool-free disassembly for cleaning and validation is available on request. Furthermore, the hygienic execution enables operation in GMP-compliant environments.
⚗️ Chemical Industry
Feeding of abrasive materials, glass fibres, chemical granules and products with non-uniform particle shapes. The absence of moving parts eliminates wear on feeding components. Variants for operation in ATEX-rated hazardous areas are also available.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A vibratory feeder has no rotating mechanical parts, which means the material is not subjected to shearing or abrasion by a screw. This is a key advantage when feeding friable products (flakes, fibres, pellets) and highly abrasive materials (e.g. glass-fibre-reinforced granules). In addition, the exceptionally wide turndown ratio of up to 1:100 enables operation at very low feed rates. The absence of moving parts also simplifies cleaning and reduces maintenance requirements.
DVC feeders perform best with free-flowing materials and granules – including friable products (cereal flakes, instant coffee), abrasive materials (glass-fibre-reinforced granules, sand) and delicate products (pellets, seeds). It is worth noting, however, that highly cohesive materials and fine powders are better handled by the DSL G screw feeder equipped with an agitator.
Yes – the DVC feeder is designed for both operating modes. In continuous mode, it maintains a constant mass flow rate with PID control and accuracy of better than ±0.5% of setpoint. In batch mode, it dispenses a precise, pre-set mass of material and stops automatically once the target weight is reached – accuracy in this case depends on the load cell range and batch size (typically ±0.1–0.5% for batches above 1 kg). Switching between modes is carried out via the control software.
The DVC feeder can be manufactured with an easy-clean design that allows tool-free disassembly of all product-contact parts. This is an optional feature available on request, not the standard configuration. Moreover, the absence of moving parts (screw, agitator) means fewer surfaces to clean compared with screw feeders. As a result, product changeover is faster and the risk of cross-contamination is reduced.
Yes – the DVC feeder can operate both as a standalone unit and as part of a larger installation. It is well suited to multi-component blending lines (alongside DSL G screw feeders), packaging systems and as a feeder to mixers or pneumatic conveying systems. The unit is equipped with a hopper lid featuring fill and vent ports, enabling automatic material replenishment.
Need a Vibratory Feeder?
Get in touch with us and our engineers will help you select the optimal solution – vibratory or screw – tailored to your material properties and process requirements. We also offer feeding trials.
Why Choose Our Solutions?
In-House Manufacturing – DVC feeders are designed and manufactured at our own facility
Complete Feeder Range – vibratory, gravimetric screw and volumetric feeders
Turnkey Solutions – from design through to commissioning and aftercare
Multi-Industry Experience – food, chemical and pharmaceutical sectors
Safety and Hygiene – systems compliant with ATEX, HACCP and GMP standards
Technical Support and Service – with rapid response, including 24/7 availability