Oli Vibrators is helping bulk handling businesses navigate unknowns by installing the right solutions.
When a producer of calcium carbonate changed the parameters of its product, it ran into a big problem.
Instead of flowing freely like it once had, the product would hang up in the hopper, stopping this new and improved material from flowing at all.
To solve this conundrum, the business called solutions-based vibrator specialist Oli Vibrators.
“First, we needed to find out what the characteristics of the product were,” Oli Vibrators managing director Mark Thompson told ABHR.
“When we know about what we’re working with, we can normally find a solution within 24 hours. In a lot of cases when someone comes to us, they don’t know what they need to know, which is why we always ask for more information.
“In this case, the client didn’t know about the velocity of the product. They dug out drawings of the silos and the hoppers they were using, which helped us understand the process more.
“The questions we asked they hadn’t considered – they just assumed the product was going to be okay. But when the recipe changes, whether it’s flour or cement the characteristics also change – and the facilities they have may not be adequately prepared to handle that.”
Oli Vibrators has been involved in the bulk handling industry for more than 60 years, providing a range of specialist vibrators and flow aids for the mining, quarrying, mineral processing, grain, animal feed, food processing, waste management and construction sectors.
The company’s team believes there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution because each application requires a different approach. It works closely with customers to determine the characteristics of the product, such as bulk density, explosive risk, hygiene requirements, whether it is hydroscopic, the vessel it is being stored in, and more.
With that information, the company’s engineers will usually find a solution that will work for the customer within 24-to-48 hours.
Thompson said the team is highly experienced which means they have industry knowledge about many bulk handling applications.
“Our experience means our people know what to ask, going through all the parameters. If we know everything we need to from the start, there’s a very high chance of getting it right the first time,” he said.
Oli Vibrators products are built with heavy-duty ductile cast iron and high-quality bearings, IECEx & IP66 rated to international standards. The company’s heavy-duty range ensure its equipment lasts for decades.
The business provides more than just vibrators. It has a range of bin and silo aerators that have been developed for the bulk storage of dry, fine, and granular powders. The VBS Aerator is used extensively worldwide throughout the food, chemical and grain processing industries.
Thompson said fluidisation can often help in situations when vibrators cannot.
“A lot of products compact under their own weight, so it might not be practical to use vibration as it could exacerbate the problem. However, if we were to fluidise the material with air, it will flow easier and cleaner,” he said.
“We might need to think outside the box if air isn’t available, such as thinking carefully about where equipment is positioned and what it will be used for.”
Vibrators and fluidisers can provide a significantly safer alternative to manually clearing blockages.
Often, manually clearing blockages requires personnel to strike a hopper or silo with a hammer to dislodge the blockage and means they are often left working at elevated heights with an increased risk of injury. Bad product flow and hangup can also occur as the engineered metal is bent and warped out of shape via the strikes, ultimately resulting in a damaged asset.
Manually clearing blockages is also not a way to achieve optimal production. Not only are employees wasting energy and time on heavy manual labour, but customers and transport workers will be waiting for the load to finish.
“At the end of the day, vibrators play a critical role in material handling systems, particularly those dealing with powders and aggregates,” Thompson said.
“They increase your productivity through consistent flow and reduce manual intervention for operators. As a result, you’re dealing with less maintenance costs, less wear and tear from blockages, and don’t need to deal with the effects of clearing blockages manually.”
Oli Vibrators has seen significant growth over the past year, following an investment into the company’s supply chain.
Locally, the company’s team is also growing to keep up with an increase in demand for product and face-to-face site visits.
Thompson said Oli Vibrators prides itself on being able to visit its customers to find the right solution.
“There are a lot of competitors in this space, so you’ve got to be offering the right product for the right price,” he said.
“We see a lot of repeat business, as our clients see the value of long-lasting flow aids.
“We’re excited to continue growing and aim to expand our offering in the food sector.”