The Dosing Station for Sensitive Products

Many production processes require the precise, safe and consistently reproducible dosing of bulk materials. This task is often complex: technical concepts must account for the individual characteristics of powders ranging from fine to coarse, as well as the production environment and the quality requirements of the final product.

In the pharmaceutical, food and chemical industries, the physical and chemical properties of bulk materials determine the most suitable technologies. Fine powders tend to clump and compact easily, while coarse-grained materials can form bridges or blockages. Adhesion or dust formation may lead to weighing errors and quality losses. Hygroscopic or temperature-sensitive particles demand stable environmental conditions, and in some cases, integrated drying may be required. In potentially explosive atmospheres, ATEX regulations apply. The chosen system must also meet stringent hygiene standards to avoid contamination. The goal is to select the ideal dosing system for each process—one that ensures accuracy, gentle handling and homogenous feeding or filling—while integrating seamlessly into the existing production line.

Pneumatic Linear Vibrators Drive the Feeding Trough

Vibration technology offers a wide range of solutions for demanding dosing requirements and sensitive products. The DosyPack dosing station from NetterVibration enables variable, fast and highly accurate dosing of bulk materials, and can also serve as a feeding unit for optical sorting systems. It consists of a storage hopper and a trough mounted on leaf springs, forming a compact unit that minimises installation effort. All product-contacting components are made of brushed stainless steel, while other parts are constructed from corrosion-resistant and physiologically safe materials.

The conveyor trough is driven by pneumatic linear vibrators from the NTS or NTK series. Depending on the application, these vibrators can be operated lubrication-free and are also available in ATEX-certified versions. They enable precise starts and stops, as the material flow stops immediately when the vibrator is switched off. The feeding rate is determined by the frequency and amplitude of the vibration: higher air pressure increases frequency, while an optional exhaust throttle regulates the amplitude.

Customised to Meet Process Requirements

The dosing station is available in a variety of customised designs and can be adapted to individual operational needs and industrial processes. The design and construction are tailored to upstream and downstream process requirements. Depending on the application, open or closed versions with lids and inspection windows allow for visual monitoring of the dosing process. The functional design and simple construction ensure quick and easy cleaning during product changes—an essential feature for use in hygiene-sensitive environments such as the chemical, pharmaceutical and food industries.

The compact dosing station precisely handles even poorly flowing and cohesive powders while treating delicate materials gently. Features such as lids, quick-release fasteners and a pre-dosing slide within the trough provide comfortable operation. All product-contacting components are made from stainless steel grade 1.4404, offering a high surface quality. An ATEX version for Zone 22 meets stringent safety and quality requirements. Variable conveying speeds achieved through low- and high-frequency vibrators allow optimal settings for a wide range of products, while different hopper sizes further highlight the system’s versatility.

Application Examples

A British manufacturer of laboratory measuring equipment and a French producer of spices and spice blends have improved their efficiency through the use of the DosyPack system. Both companies faced challenges in accurately dosing fine, cohesive powders—issues that traditional dosing systems could not solve, often resulting in inaccuracies, inconsistencies and product loss.

The technical solution from NetterVibration optimised dosing precision while preserving the quality of these sensitive powders. The result has been a significant increase in productivity and process reliability.

Read the complete article here (in German, published in CITplus 09/2025).

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