A powder sieving machine controls the particle size of fine and free-flowing powders by passing them through a mesh under vibration. Sterial Machinery's vibratory sieve machine is a gyratory vibro sifter with screens from 4 mesh down to 300 mesh, suited to pharmaceutical excipients, food powders, cosmetic powders, pigments and chemical powders.
Fine Powder Sieving: What Makes It Different
Coarse granules pass a screen easily. Fine powders – roughly finer than 100 mesh (150 µm) – are harder: they can cling to wires, form bridges over openings and agglomerate if they absorb moisture. Getting good results depends on:
- Enough screen area – choose a larger diameter than the output alone suggests.
- The right motion – the motor weight setting controls how long powder stays on the screen.
- Screen tension – a correctly tensioned mesh vibrates cleanly and resists blinding.
- Dry, free-flowing feed – damp or oily powders may need drying or a coarser cut.
Mesh and Micron Reference
Use this table to translate a particle size specification into a screen. Full guidance is in the mesh size guide.
| Mesh (ASTM E11) | Nominal opening (µm) |
|---|---|
| 4 | 4750 |
| 10 | 2000 |
| 20 | 850 |
| 30 | 600 |
| 40 | 425 |
| 60 | 250 |
| 80 | 180 |
| 100 | 150 |
| 120 | 125 |
| 140 | 106 |
| 200 | 75 |
| 270 | 53 |
Powders Commonly Sieved
- Lactose, MCC, starch, talc
- Magnesium stearate and lubricants
- Flour, sugar, milk powder
- Face powders and cosmetic bases
- Pigments and colour powders
- Detergent and chemical powders
- Herbal churna and extracts
- Metal and mineral powders
Advantages of a Vibratory Sieve Machine
- Higher throughput than manual or rotary hand sieving.
- Consistent results batch after batch.
- Enclosed design reduces dust in the room.
- Screens can be swapped for different products.
- Portable and easy to clean.
| Model (screen dia.) | 12" | 20" | 24" | 30" | 36" | 48" | 60" | 72" |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Output (kg/hour)* | 25–100 | 50–200 | 50–250 | 75–300 | 100–400 | 125–500 | 150–1000 | 200–1500 |
| Charging height (mm) | 700 | 1000 | 1015 | 1210 | 1220 | 1200 | 1150 | 1190 |
| Discharge height (mm) | 480 | 610 | 610 | 750 | 700 | 660 | 640 | 640 |
| Total height (mm) | 720 | 1020 | 1035 | 1230 | 1240 | 1220 | 1170 | 1210 |
| Electric motor | 0.25 HP | 0.5 HP | 0.5 HP | 0.5 HP | 1 HP | 1.5 HP | 2 HP | 3 HP |
Related Vibro Sifter Configurations
Vibro Sifter Machine
Core gyratory vibro sifter range from 12" to 72" diameter, 4–300 mesh, SS 316 contact parts.
View details
Pharmaceutical Vibro Sifter
cGMP-oriented design for sifting APIs, excipients and granules before blending and compression.
View detailsFood Grade Vibro Sifter
Stainless steel sifter for flour, spices, sugar, starch and other dry food ingredients.
View detailsIndustries: Pharmaceutical Industry · Cosmetics Industry · Food Processing Industry · Paint & Coating Industry
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the finest mesh available?
Screens are available up to 300 mesh. Very fine sieving depends heavily on the powder's flow and moisture.
Why does my powder blind the screen?
Fine, sticky or moist powders can block mesh openings. Larger screen area, correct tension, the right motor setting and dry feed reduce blinding.
Can I use one machine for granules and powders?
Yes, by changing screens. Size the machine for the most demanding product.
