Vibro Sifter Applications

Vibro sifters handle five basic jobs. Most plants use the same machine for more than one of them by changing the screen.

1. Scalping and De-lumping

Removing a small amount of oversize – lumps, agglomerates, packaging fibre or foreign particles – from a material that is otherwise in specification. A coarse screen (often 10–30 mesh) is used and most of the material passes through. Common at raw-material receipt and before charging a blender. See vibro screening machine.

2. Grading and Classification

Splitting a material into two or more size fractions – for example, separating granules into oversize, on-size and fines after drying. A double or triple deck vibro sifter does this in a single pass.

3. Sifting Before Compression and Filling

In tablet and capsule manufacturing, dried granules and lubricated blends are sifted to give a uniform particle size and good flow into the press or filler. This is the main use of a pharmaceutical vibro sifter.

4. Check Screening (Safety Screening)

A final screen before packing or dispatch to make sure nothing oversize or foreign reaches the customer – common in food, spices and premixes. See food grade vibro sifter.

5. Solid–Liquid Separation

Separating solids from a liquid or slurry, for example removing oversize particles from a paint, coating or liquid chemical. Outlet arrangement and screen selection are adapted to the liquid.

Materials Commonly Sifted