Hopper

Hopper

What is the hopper? 

Tramòggia s. f. [lat. trimŏdia "container that contains three moggi", comp. from tri- "three" and mŏdius "moggio"] (pl. -ge). Meaning: 1. a. Device used to facilitate the unloading, by gravity, of loose materials, in powder or in small pieces, consisting in the simplest form of a container with the shape of a truncated pyramid or cone, with a smaller base at the bottom equipped with an opening (mouth) closed by a hatch. It is used in some operating machines such as dies and presses, in gas generators, in silos for minerals and cereals, etc. Hoppers are indispensable machines in contemporary industry, because they allow the user to speed up and facilitate the transfer, unloading and disposal of different products types.
From construction to the food sector, from agriculture to solid waste management and recycling, many industrial sectors benefit from the hoppers use. However, to satisfy such a diverse and wide range of needs, hoppers cannot all be the same.
It is important to understand which options are to be evaluated in order to choose the right hopper for each application. Let's see some fundamental considerations, which need to be done.

Hoppers: how to choose the perfect one

The hoppers are designed to ensure safer, practical and productive handling of materials. The different sectors in which they are used have specific requests; therefore, various models are available to meet the different needs of each industry. The hopper must be chosen based on specific structure, size and shape. Above all, the practical application for which it is intended must be taken into account.
It is necessary to consider the feed materials of the hoppers. In the hopper’s choice, the feeding material plays a fundamental role.
What are the components or materials that it will have to convey?
The answer is strategically important, as it affects the hopper’s design. The aim is to treat and store the material effectively and the hopper has the task of making this process as smooth as possible. First, whomever designs a hopper must be sure that the metal with which it is built is compatible with the content that will come in contact with the hopper. Otherwise, the material may be damaged.
These are considerations that it is necessary to keep in mind, if you want to avoid disastrous economic consequences. Now, let's see the two most used types of hoppers.

Conical hoppers and wedge hoppers

Industrial hoppers are typically of two types: conical or wedge-shaped.
The conical hoppers are designed in a cone shape. The steep morphology of the cone allows a more regular flow and direct feeding of the material. Instead, the wedge hopper is built with a tank with a narrow slot, and is ideal for industrial applications that require the use of a conveyor.

Industrial hoppers operation and coatings

The hoppers can be equipped with specific functions, according to the different industrial sector’s needs. For example, to improve their applications efficiency, they can be equipped with functions to adjust the resistance to humidity and to control the temperature.
The choice of production material allows you to customize the hoppers. They can also be supplied with a vibrating mechanism, applied for an easier sliding of material against the hoppers walls, limiting friction. It is possible to take into account the possibility to incorporate windows, which allow workers to monitor the storage material’s levels.
The last two considerations concern the hopper’s internal finishes and external coatings. They are important to protect the hopper over time, both from the action of the materials with which they come into contact and from external agents that attack the structure. In hoppers intended for outdoor use, paint coatings can act as an additional protective layer.

The risks of choosing the wrong hoppers

Given the importance of the role of the hoppers in the production process, it is necessary to ensure that they comply with the specific characteristics of the industrial plant of destination. If this is not the case, there is a risk of compromising the safety of the plant workers and obtaining a poor quality final product.
We have seen some essential points that need to be considered when choosing hoppers. It is important that the customers can rely on an experienced partner to be able to make a choice that suits their needs. It is essential to work with a manufacturer who can recommend the appropriate material type for each specific application. Choosing the right hopper system is a decision that has an impact on the effectiveness of the material’s transport and storage. Since there are specific models able to satisfy the peculiarities of each industrial plant, Poggi Spa can give the necessary support already during the design phase.
Poggi Spa Group is here to recommend the most suitable solution for each customer's needs. Get in touch with us to inform us about the specifications and the purpose that the equipment must have. We will be able to guide you in creating the perfect hopper for you and together we will consider the additional features that can improve the efficiency of your production process.

Poggi In-line Hoppers

In-line hoppers are mainly used in the storage of aggregates (sand, gravel ...) and in the storage of big size granular materials. The hoppers are divided mainly in two parts, the upper storage hopper and the lower weighing belt, which doses the material by pneumatic gates, facilitated by vibration or aeration systems, depending on necessity.
The weighing belt, completely independent from the upper part, allows the operator to refill the storage hopper without interrupting the work cycle, resulting in high productivity products.
In-line aggregate hoppers are normally hot-dip galvanized, in order to protect the machine from typical damages from site operations, but are also available painted upon request; they can also be customized in the application of our customer logo and any further personalization.

Poggi Primary Hoppers

Primary hoppers are mainly used in the storage of aggregates (sand, gravel …) and in the storage of big size granular materials. They are largely used in the storage of pre-mix aggregates for the production of concrete or mortar, or used as loading station for the In-line hoppers of production plants.
The hoppers can be also divided in two parts, the upper storage hopper and the lower weighing belt, which doses the material by pneumatic gates, facilitated by vibration or aeration systems, depending on necessity.
In-line aggregate hoppers are normally hot-dip galvanized, in order to protect the machine from typical damages from site operations, but are also available painted upon request; they can also be customized in the application of our customer logo and any further personalization.

Hoppers and Screw Conveyors 

Furthermore, it is possible to find hoppers in combination with screw conveyors, which are used for the extraction and transport of cement and similar materials in concrete mixing plants as well as for cement and similar materials in construction premix plants. In this case it is possible to learn more about the topic by connecting on Shopify to the description sheets of products such as: the Big Bag Silos, the Manual Bag Breaker, the Powder Blender Machine and the same screw conveyor in the ES type. These reading sheets are very detailed and explain the hopper and the screw conveyor’s versatility and constantly evolving products, in order to offer always to the customer new solutions and ideas for his projects.


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