Vibratory tables are used to settle, compact, densify and de-air materials and can also be incorporated into production, packaging, weighing and testing processes.
Cleveland Vibrator offers flat-deck, low-profile, grid-top, weigh, belt conveyor and foundry shakeout table configurations, with custom designs available for a wide range of container sizes, materials and load requirements.
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What does a vibratory table do?
A vibratory table transfers controlled vibration into a container, mold, product or bulk material. Depending on the process, vibration can settle loose product, remove trapped air, increase bulk density, consolidate material in a mold or perform testing.
Common applications include packaging, bulk-material compaction, concrete and refractory consolidation, foundry processes and quality testing.
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What materials can be compacted on a vibratory table?
A broad range of materials can respond to vibration, including foundry sand, powdered materials, ceramic mixes, concrete, refractories and packaged products.
The important question is not simply whether a material can be vibrated, but what combination of frequency, force and stroke produces the desired result.
Read to Learn More: Stroke, Frequency and Force: Keys to Vibratory Compaction
How do I choose the right vibratory table?
Start with the process.
Consider the dimensions and weight of the item being vibrated, material characteristics, desired amount of compaction, available floor space, loading/unloading method, conveyor integration, weighing requirements, controls and required vibration characteristics.
Those requirements help determine whether the best solution is a flat-deck, grid-top, belt, weigh or other specialized table.
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What is a flat-deck vibratory table?
A flat-deck table provides a solid vibrating surface on which a container, mold or product is placed.
It is a versatile configuration for production, packaging, testing and material compaction and is often appropriate when the load can be placed directly onto and removed from the table deck.
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What is a grid-top vibratory table?
A grid-top table is designed to integrate with roller conveyor systems.
At the vibration station, the grid rises through or above the rollers, lifts the container off the conveyor, vibrates it and then lowers it back onto the rollers so it can continue through the production line.
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What is a vibratory weigh table?
A vibratory weigh table combines settling or compaction with weighing.
Grid-top weigh tables can incorporate digital scale instrumentation and set points to coordinate filling, weighing and vibration, allowing the station to become part of an automated or semi-automated packaging line.
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What is a vibratory belt table?
A vibratory belt table combines vibration with conveyor movement so material can be settled inside a container while that container moves toward the next packaging operation.
This can be useful where compaction needs to fit into a continuous production or packaging process rather than operating as a separate manual station.
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How much can vibration compact my material?
The percentage of compaction varies significantly by material. Particle size, particle shape, bulk density, moisture, initial aeration and vibration parameters all affect the result.
Instead of relying on a universal compaction percentage, testing a representative sample can determine how the material responds and estimate achievable compaction.
Read to Learn More: Stroke, Frequency and Force: Keys to Vibratory Compaction
How long should material be vibrated?
There is no universal time. Many materials achieve most useful compaction relatively quickly, and continuing to add vibration after the material has settled may provide little benefit.
Testing is the best way to determine the point at which additional vibration stops providing meaningful compaction.
Read to Learn More: Vibratory Table Compaction Conundrum
Can you over-vibrate a material?
Yes. More vibration does not necessarily create more compaction.
With an unsuitable combination of force and frequency, some materials can begin to aerate or fluidize instead of densifying. The objective is to identify the vibration conditions that reach maximum useful compaction efficiently.
Read to Learn More: Stroke, Frequency and Force: Keys to Vibratory Compaction
What frequency is best for vibratory compaction?
It depends on the material. Material characteristics determine the appropriate combination of frequency, force and stroke.
Heavier or fine materials may respond differently from light or coarse materials. Actual testing is valuable for difficult or high-value applications.
Read to Learn More: Stroke, Frequency and Force: Keys to Vibratory Compaction
Can a vibratory table help fit more material into a container?
Yes. Settling an aerated bulk material can reduce its volume, allowing more product to fit into a drum, box, bulk bag or other container.
The economic benefit can include improved use of container capacity and reduced packaging or shipping requirements, depending on the material and process.
Read to Learn More: Bulk Bag / Box Filler Densification
Can a vibratory table be used for concrete?
Yes. Vibratory tables can help remove air and voids and consolidate poured concrete in molds.
The appropriate vibration characteristics depend on the mix, mold, load and desired finished-product characteristics.
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Can a vibratory table be used for refractory materials?
Yes. Refractory consolidation is a common vibratory-table application.
Vibration can assist with de-airing and settling castable refractory material into molds. Because mixes differ significantly, material testing can be valuable when specifying the vibration system.
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How much weight can a vibratory table handle?
Capacity depends on the table design. Cleveland Vibrator has experience designing compaction tables for both small loads and very heavy industrial loads.
Table construction, deck dimensions, isolation system and vibratory drive are selected around the actual load and process.
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Can a vibratory table be built to custom dimensions?
Yes. Table designs can be customized around the customer’s product, container, available space and manufacturing process rather than forcing every application into one standard deck size.
Read to Learn More: Vibratory Compaction Table Design Options
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