Small Quantities, Precise Dosing
In food processing, some ingredients may only be required in very small quantities, yet their accurate addition can be critical to the finished product. Flavours, colours, vitamin premixes, enzymes and functional ingredients can all require precise, consistent dosing to maintain product quality and formulation.
Trantec Solids Handling specialises in controlled powder feeding at very low rates, with micro screw feeders designed for applications requiring quantities from fractions of a gram upwards, depending on the material and process requirements. Achieving this level of dosing requires specialist feeder design and careful control of material flow, particularly when handling fine or cohesive food ingredients.
Designed for Precision
At low feed rates, the quantity delivered with each auger revolution becomes increasingly important. Auger diameter, pitch, flight profile and rotational speed all influence the volume of powder dosed.
Different auger sizes and geometries can therefore be used to accommodate varying throughput requirements and achieve the required dosing range. For example, dosing a powdered flavour into a seasoning blend may require a different arrangement from feeding a fine vitamin or mineral premix.
Understanding Powder Behaviour
Ingredient characteristics can significantly affect feeding performance. Fine powders may be cohesive, lightweight or prone to aeration, while variations in particle size and bulk density can affect how consistently material flows into the auger.
Consistent filling is essential. If powder does not reach the metering section uniformly, filling variations can cause fluctuations in feed rate. Hopper design and any conditioning or agitation required to maintain a stable supply must therefore be considered alongside the feeder.
Trantec conducts in-house material testing using the customer’s actual product. This allows the powder’s behaviour to be assessed under operating conditions, helping identify potential issues such as bridging, inconsistent flow or material retention. The findings can then be used to refine the equipment before manufacture.
Hygienic Construction for Food Production
For food processors, equipment must support effective cleaning while maintaining reliable powder flow.
Crevice-free construction helps prevent product from becoming trapped in difficult-to-clean areas. Smooth, highly polished product-contact surfaces minimise powder retention and provide a smooth path for material through the feeder. Stainless steel construction provides a durable and readily cleanable solution for food-processing environments.
Accessibility is equally important where equipment is cleaned between products or batches. Trantec’s quick-release micro feeders allow easy disassembly, with a removable front panel and quick-release components such as the auger and agitator, providing direct access to product-contact areas for cleaning and inspection.
This is particularly valuable when handling flavours, colours and seasonings, where different formulations may pass through the same equipment, and thorough cleaning between production runs is essential.
In-House Engineering
Established in 1996, Trantec Solids Handling has extensive experience designing and manufacturing powder-handling equipment.
Its micro screw feeders are designed and manufactured in-house at its Lancashire facility, including manufacturing their own augers. This gives Trantec direct control over the components at the heart of the feeding system and the ability to produce different sizes and geometries to suit individual requirements.
Keeping design, manufacture and testing under one roof provides greater control over quality and development. It also allows efficient modifications when testing identifies a need for adjustment, without relying on external manufacturing. For customers, this helps ensure the finished feeder suits the intended process.
Discuss Your Application
Micro dosing requirements vary considerably between ingredients and processes. Trantec’s engineering team can advise on suitable micro dosing solutions for individual applications.
Tel: 01282 777 566
Email: sales@trantec.net
Web: www.trantec.net
