Piab piFlow p Smart Vacuum Conveyor Features Unique Machine Learning

Offering six times faster changeover, the Piab piFlow p Smart vacuum conveyor enables users to save time when changing from one material to another, increasing the productivity of their operations. Changeover that would take one hr in a conventional vacuum conveyor takes only 10 min in the new and unique vacuum conveyor.

A world first, piFlow p Smart is a self-optimizing vacuum conveyor targeted primarily at industries handling many different materials and/or those in which frequent changes need to be made. This makes the conveyor ideally suited for producers within the food and pharma sectors, where its full changeover potential will save time and money.

With each new conveying cycle, the piFlow p Smart uses machine learning to automatically tune the process by configuring and optimizing a flawless flow of materials, set at the correct rate.

“After just a few cycles, piFlow p Smart has figured out what type of material it is dealing with and will automatically adjust itself to optimize how the material is conveyed. There is no longer a need for operators to readjust settings between different batches of materials. piFlow p Smart will do it for you with higher accuracy than even the most experienced operator can deliver,” explains Milan Bratt, product manager vacuum conveying.

piFlow p Smart is a standalone system that has been designed to cater to an endless range of powders and granules. Strategically placed sensors assist the conveyor’s auto-tuning system to control and fine-tune in accordance with environmental conditions, such as temperature and humidity, that affect the properties of the conveyed material. By automatically adjusting the carrying air, the vacuum conveyor eliminates the need for manual adjustments at the feed point. The filling level is also constantly monitored by two level sensors, safeguarding against filter damage.

The vacuum conveyor requires a minimal amount of maintenance.