Operating Instructions, Model 4400/PVC Pneumatically Operated Powder Filler
(Rev. A…11/11/13) ..................................................................................................... Page 10
© 2013 KINEMATICS & CONTROLS CORPORATION .............................. Brooksville, FL
valve and feel the vacuum change to a gentle pressure. Again, note the reading on the
compound gage. The pressure reading should be approximately 3.0 PSIG. If not, adjust the
discharge air pressure to this value as a starting point. If the vacuum and both pressure levels
fall within their specified ranges, the filler is operating properly.
7.0 OPERATING THE FILLER
7.1 Principle of Operation.
It is helpful to be familiar with the filler's operating principal. The Model 4400/PVC,
Pneumatic Powder Filler operates on a vacuum/volumetric filling principle. Stated
simply, the principle is, “...that if a dry product is picked up into a fixed volume
chamber, and it is allowed to be compacted at a uniform density by the constant force
of a vacuum supply, then the weights of successive doses of product taken from that
fixed volume chamber will, in fact, be closely repeatable.” The principle is sound, and
the Model 4400/PVC is a well-designed, and well-built embodiment of it.
7.2 Setting Up The Filling Gun
Use a steel ruler or vernier depth gage to set the face of the porous gun filter to it’s
approximate desired depth in from the tip of the gun. Draw a powder sample and
doctor-off the excess powder at the tip. Discharge the dose and record it's weight.
Adjust the center screw on the gun to either increase or decrease the fill weight as
needed* Draw and discharge another dose and recheck it's weight. Repeat above
steps as many times as necessary to achieve the desired fill weight.
*Small micro guns, between Ø3/32" and Ø5/16" are adjustable by turning the
outer barrel rather than the central stem screw.
7.3 Normal Operation
With the supply air turned ON, the console is normally in the vacuum mode. Powder
is ready to be picked up in the filling gun. Depressing the foot valve
reverses the air flow, changing vacuum to pressure, thus dispensing the powder.
The following steps should be followed:
1. Make sure all of the air line connections are made properly and that the filling
gun hasafilter inplace.
2. Set the Run/Purge toggle valve to the RUN position.
3. Flip the On/Off toggle valve to ON.
4. Adjust the operating air pressure to approx. 87 PSIG. (See Par. 4.4, above.)
5. Adjust the discharge air pressure to approx. 3 PSIG. (See Par. 4.6, above.)
6. Dip the open end of the filling gun into the bulk powder to pick up a charge. The
proper technique is to swirl the tip of the gun along the top surface of the powder
allowing the vacuum to pick up the material freely, and to compact it at an even
density. Thrusting the gun tip deeply into the bulk material will introduce the
unpredictable and non-repeatable factor of mechanical compaction into the mix. This
is certain to affect the repeat accuracy of the dose weight, particularly with highly
compressible powders.
