1. How long does a FLOVEYOR last?
2. If I used this machine to move product X, will it degrade it?
3. How do I know what rate of output to expect?
4. Isn't this really a kind of pneumatic conveyor?
5. You say dust isn't usually a problem. When might it be a problem?
6. How easy is the machine to clean?
7. How much trouble is it to replace the rope assembly?
8. Is there a danger of fluidised powders exploding because of static electricity?
9. Is there anything it won't move?
10. What if I want to increase the output? Can I speed up the rope assembly?

Back to top1. How long does a FLOVEYOR last?

It depends what material you're putting through it. With a soft material like flour, there's little wear and the machines can run for decades with only minor maintenance. Some machines have been running for more than 25 years. An abrasive material will mean more frequent replacement of the wearing parts.

Back to top2. If I used this machine to move product X, will it degrade it?

In almost every case, we can say: no, degradation is minimal - no matter what X is. An example is with something delicate like tea leaves, which is less and less valuable the more the leaves are broken, there's so little breakage that FLOVEYORs are regularly used to transport tea leaves in large quantities.

Back to top3. How do I know what rate of output to expect?

It would probably be impossible for you to estimate. The output depends on the physical properties of the material. We've gathered much experience and have rules of thumb for almost any kind of material. For output rate contact your local distributor.

Back to top4. Isn't this really a kind of pneumatic conveyor?

No, it relies on a different principle. A pneumatic conveyor needs a lot of pressurised air blown through it, so there's usually a great deal of dust at the outlet. In the FLOVEYOR the air movement is in the opposite direction, hence a cyclone is not required to separate the air from the product. The work is done by the plastic discs; they push on the air, which in turn moves the product.

Back to top5. You say dust isn't usually a problem. When might it be a problem?

When the FLOVEYOR is being fed by bags and the inlet hopper is open.  If dust is generated, you can fit a dust hood to the hopper, that usually solves the problem. Or the hopper can be loaded inside a sealed and ventilated chamber.

Back to top6. How easy is the machine to clean?

It depends what you're putting through it. In most cases the machine is self-cleaning. It will usually empty itself of materials that have a low-to-medium density. If cleaning is needed, this really is an easy machine to clean. You don't have to take it apart to clean it. Whilst running the machine, residue material can be blown through with compressed air, or water can be run through it, then drained out.

Back to top7. How much trouble is it to replace the rope assembly?

The machine was designed to make this job easy. You first open the hinged top cover, that gives you access to the rope assembly, then find the coloured joining disc, undo the four bolts, attach the new rope assembly to the old one, use that to pull the new assembly through, detach the old one and join up the ends of the new one after knocking the housing back down a little. It's all done with minimum down time. Then you re-tension the new rope assembly.

Back to top8. Is there a danger of fluidised powders exploding because of static electricity?

We have never known it to happen. First, there's only a small volume inside the tube (unlike a large shed filled with flour dust). So the explosive volume is very small. Second, the casing is metal and you can easily conduct away any static. We recommend you earth the casing if you're using explosive materials.

Back to top9. Is there anything it won't move?

Yes. Things like stones, nuts and bolts, anything that's very dense and hard or large particles beyond the size of cocoa beans. Having said that it works well with products like sand etc.

Back to top10. What if I want to increase the output? Can I speed up the rope assembly?

No. If you change the speed, you interfere with the principle of operation. If you want more throughput, you may be able to change the hopper inlet. Generally, you increase or decrease the throughput by increasing or decreasing the flow of material into the machine, up to the limit it can handle. The speed of the FLOVEYOR remains unaltered.