• General

  Filling very thick masks

  Posted by JohnM on July 8, 2015 at 9:08 pm

  We are making a very thick mask containing clay.  The filling is a challenge as our table top piston filler can’t do it.  The material is thick enough that you can hold a half filled 5 gallon pail upside down and no product will fall out.  An auger filler has been suggested but the volume can’t justify the cost yet.

  Any thoughts or suggestions?

  Thanks

  john

  JohnM replied 9 years, 4 months ago 3 Members · 3 Replies
• 3 Replies

• 

  Bobzchemist

  Member

  July 9, 2015 at 2:37 pm

  Well, the fully manual way would be to use a large pastry bag.

  http://www.ebay.com/itm/120751538720?rmvSB=true

   

  You can add a bit more power with something like this:

  http://www.jondon.com/ea-power-push-2k-7030-300ml-dispenser.html?gclid=CNXr2oaizsYCFdgGgQodA8gLWg
  

  
  

  A more automated way would be to use a clay extruder, otherwise called a pug mill:

  http://www.peterpugger.com/
  

  Soap makers use something similar

  http://www.sigmaus.com/plodders/
  

  Or you could try a pastry/pasta extruder from the food industry

  http://www.webstaurantstore.com/tabletop-pasta-machine-8-8-pounds-hour/915TR70.html
  

  and there are solutions from other industries:

  http://www.sealboss.com/equip.htm
  

  
  

  If you can reformulate, most companies selling this kind of product have come up with a way to make a flowable product that only sets up after it’s packaged. This also eliminates problems like air bubles.
• 

  belassi

  Member

  July 10, 2015 at 12:58 am

  Wow Bob, an answer that goes well above the call of duty! An absolute keeper. This should be stickied! Thanks.

• 

  JohnM

  Member

  July 10, 2015 at 9:03 pm

  Bob

  Really great input. Thanks. I will look at all these.

  John

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