In the competitive world of material processing, using high-performance sieving equipment is not a luxury but a necessity. However, Elcan’s experience working closely with thousands of companies over the last 35 years has shown that many overlook this vital piece of the puzzle, leading to significant bottlenecks, costly downtime, and headaches. This blog post highlights the top 3 signs you may have subpar sieving equipment in your process or, if looking to purchase new sieving equipment, what you should be aware of.
1. Low Yields
Yields lower than 90% are a significant indicator of subpar sieving equipment utilization. Many traditional sieving technologies struggle to maintain high yields, particularly when scaling up from pilot to production scales. In contrast, the Elcan Industries Hi-Sifter, with its unique vertical energy approach, consistently delivers 98% yields or higher, operating at small or large scales. This high efficiency minimizes waste and maximizes output, proving essential for companies looking to optimize their production processes and reduce material losses.
2. Low Throughput Rates
Another common issue with traditional sieving equipment is low throughput rates. This is brought on by several factors, mainly due to screen mesh blinding. Mesh blinding occurs when particles clog the screen openings, preventing further material from passing through and severely reducing the sieve’s efficiency. This limitation is particularly problematic when companies using these sieves systematically attempt to sieve below 74um on a commercial scale. The Hi-Sifter sieving machine technology excels in these environments by using a unique vertical energy approach that does not require ultrasonics, balls, or sliders to make efficient separations. This virtually eliminates all chances of screen mesh blinding, thereby maintaining high throughput rates. The unique engineering of the Hi-Sifter allows for efficient separations to be made at all size ranges down to as fine as 10um on a commercial scale, something that ultrasonics and traditional vibratory sieves cannot make.
3. Extremely High Spare Parts Costs and Lengthy Downtime
This is something that companies don’t typically experience right away until they have the equipment installed and are running at their plants. Inferior sieving machines are prone to frequent breakdowns and suffer from high spare parts costs related to maintenance and upkeep. Traditional vibratory shaker screeners and ultrasonics often experience mesh blinding, requiring the screen to be constantly sent out for re-meshing, which is costly and results in significant downtime. In contrast, the Hi-Sifter is engineered as a robust “workhorse” suitable for small and large-scale manufacturing. Its durable stainless-steel design minimizes the need for replacement parts. Moreover, if screen mesh blinding does occur or companies want to switch screens to different size separations, In that case, the Hi-Sifter allows operators to replace the screen mesh on-site within 15 minutes— a significant reduction in downtime compared to their counterparts. This capability translates to substantial savings in time and maintenance costs.
Using subpar sieving equipment can lead to increased operational costs, reduced efficiency, lower yields, and slow processing rates. Elcan Industries’ Hi-Sifter addresses these challenges head-on, offering high yields, superior throughput, and minimal downtime, all while reducing the need for costly maintenance. Companies experience a significant competitive advantage by choosing the Hi-Sifter for their process, enhancing their operational efficiency and bottom line.
If you struggle to sieve materials to your desired specs with high yields, contact us for more information on how the Hi-Sifter can improve your sieving results. Visit our website at www.elcanindustries.com or call us at 914-381-7500.
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