In pneumatic granule conveying systems, connecting different types of materials to multiple machines without manual intervention is an increasingly common requirement for plastics processing companies. The Vismec automatic manifold meets this need by automating plastic granule sorting.

Here is how it works, the advantages it offers, and the available configurations.

What is an automatic manifold in plastic granule conveying systems? 

An automatic manifold connects multiple plastic granule feeding lines to different processing machines, routing each material to the correct destination without requiring the operator to manually change connections. 

In centralized pneumatic conveying systems, each injection molding machine or extruder must receive the right material at the right time, quickly and efficiently. As a result, when production changes require frequent changes to material-to-machine combinations, manually managing the connections becomes a bottleneck. 

 

The manifold solves this problem by eliminating manual line connections, reducing feeding errors and downtime associated with system reconfiguration. 

In practice, it represents the final stage of automation along the granule conveying line: upstream, materials arrive from storage systems or dryers, while the manifold automatically routes them to the correct point of use, without requiring a dedicated operator for this stage. 

Manual or automatic manifold: when is automation needed? 

Vismec also offers a manual manifold, with stainless steel frames for 5 or 10 combs. This solution is suitable for systems with a limited number of material-to-machine changes or lower budgets, where occasional operator intervention on the connections does not significantly affect productivity. 

Instead, the automatic version is the better choice when: 

• material-to-machine combinations change frequently throughout the production day;
• the number of materials and machines to be managed is high;
• the goal is to eliminate operator intervention on the line while also reducing the risk of human error when selecting the material.

Let’s take a closer look at how this conveying management device works and the advantages of the Vismec solution. 

Vismec automatic manifold: features and advantages 

The Vismec VYDRA automatic manifold can connect up to 24 materials to a maximum of 24 machines in the smaller-diameter model (Ø40 mm), while the larger-diameter models can manage up to 20 materials and 20 machines. 

In all configurations, the entire sorting process takes place without any manual intervention during production. 

Stepper motor and clamping system 

The connections are positioned by a heavy-duty stepper motor, which ensures speed and accuracy when switching from one material-to-machine combination to another.

The system is designed to maintain this accuracy even after a high number of switching cycles each day, without requiring adjustment or periodic maintenance.

The special clamping system ensures a perfect seal, without vacuum loss during conveying. This is essential for maintaining consistent pneumatic conveying efficiency.

Stainless steel construction and common line cleaning 

All parts of the Vismec VYDRA automatic manifold that come into contact with the plastic material are made of high-strength stainless steel. This makes it suitable even for abrasive or filled materials, which are often more aggressive on mechanical components than virgin polymers. 

An optional high-pressure compressed air blast is available to clean the common section of the conveying line, i.e., the section shared by all materials passing through the system. This prevents residual plastic granules or dust from contaminating the next material flow after each change. 

This reduces the risk of cross-contamination between production runs while limiting the need for scheduled manual cleaning.

Below is a summary of the main advantages of the VYDRA automatic control unit.

• Fully automated conveying: it eliminates any manual intervention on the connections, freeing up operator time for other production tasks.
• Accurate switching: the stepper motor and clamping system ensure fast positioning and a secure seal without vacuum loss.
• Resistance to abrasive materials: stainless steel construction makes the system suitable for filled or reinforced plastic pellets.
• Space optimization: the compact structure reduces the footprint compared with solutions based on multiple independent connections.

Our automatic manifold is available in several models, which we will look at in the next section. 

Automatic manifold configurations and technical data 

The Vismec range includes different pipe diameters to accommodate different conveying capacities and system layouts.

• Ø40 mm model: up to 24 inlets/outlets, dimensions 2050 × 1125 × 1000 mm; the configuration offering the highest connection capacity.
• Ø50 mm model: up to 20 total inlets/outlets, dimensions 2050 × 1125 × 1000 mm.
• Ø60-70-76 mm models: up to 20 total inlets/outlets, larger dimensions of 2825 × 1297 × 1182 mm, suitable for higher throughput rates or longer conveying distances.

Choosing the right automatic manifold model therefore depends on three factors: the variety of materials and number of machines to be connected, the diameter of the pipes already installed in the conveying system, and the required throughput rates.

These variables should be considered together, especially in companies with multiple lines operating simultaneously, recipes that change frequently throughout the day, or production layouts with numerous material consumption points distributed across the production area.

These are precisely the conditions in which the number of manual switching operations can increase rapidly, together with the risk of error. Therefore, our engineering department analyzes the relevant parameters as early as the quotation phase.

Would you like to efficiently automate material sorting in your plastic granule conveying system? Contact the Vismec team for expert advice and a customized quotation.