A follower plate pump is a device to pump highly viscous material directly from barrels. It is applied in food manufacturing, resin dispensing, gluing and many more.
The follower plate closes tightly to the wall of the barrel by a soft sealing lip and is lowered slowly into it, raising the material. This way the pumped amount is exactly the same as the amount lifted through the follower plate.
What is a FOLLOWER PUMP?
A follower pump is a device used for filling centralized pump tanks and vessels that contain medium to high viscosity fluids. They are usually used in food manufacturing, resin dispensing and gluing applications.
A FOLLOWER PUMP uses a flexible follower plate to suction fluid from an open barrel or drum. A standard follower plate is used where fluid viscosities are 500,000 to 750,000 cPs, and a high-viscosity follower plate is used where fluid viscosities exceed 750,000 cPs.
The follower plate is lowered slowly into the material, so that the amount of pumped and lifted material is equal. This is important to avoid lowering the follower plate too fast and squeezing out air.
This can result in a substantial amount of waste material being pushed out into the tank. Additionally, it can lead to contamination of the material being pumped as hardened materials are carried into the fluid.
Another problem that can be caused by lowering an intake socket in an open barrel is that the pump will soak up a significant amount of air. This causes the material to flow very slowly and could even cause the pump to fail.
To prevent this from happening, a soft sealing lip is applied to the follower plate. The follower plate is then lowered into the barrel and the material flows through a hole in the center of the follower plate into the intake socket.
The following plate also helps to maintain the prime of the grease pump. This allows the pump to dispense a small amount of grease at a time, rather than collecting it on the sides of the pail and then running out as it tries to empty the grease container.
A FOLLOWER PUMP can be installed in a variety of drums and containers, including steel and plastic pails. However, it is important to ensure the follower plate is partnered with a grease pump that has the same brand. This will help to ensure the grease container remains sealed and emptied correctly, as well as preventing contamination of the grease.
How Does a FOLLOWER PUMP Work?
ปั้มไลค์ is a must have on any pump that pumps grease or any other sticky substance that needs to be handled with care. Basically, a follower plate sits on top of the grease, creating a seal that prevents any air pockets from forming in and around the suction tube. This is an incredibly important function as it keeps the grease from dripping onto the sides of the container, which can lead to product contamination and process failure.
A good quality follower plate should also be accompanied by a high-quality grease pump to ensure smooth operation. A well-designed pump will minimise waste and odours from the sticky residue as it moves up the grease chain. Depending on your requirements, you might want to choose a grease pump with a flexible centre, which allows you to fit a wide variety of suction tubes.
The follower plate is probably the most useful component of your pump, so be sure to keep it in tip-top condition by cleaning it often. This will ensure it stays in prime condition for years to come, and will make your life that little bit easier. It’s a good idea to store it in a cool, dry location away from any heat sources and moisture.
FOLLOWER PUMP Applications
A FOLLOWER PUMP is a pump which is designed to pump liquids or semi-liquids by way of an inlet port and in which there is a follower plate fixed on the inlet port. This follower plate is designed to prevent the material pumped being soaked up by enclosed air when it is lowered from the barrel, thereby reducing the amount of material sucked out of the container and the volume of material left in the container.
To ensure that the amount of liquid pumped is equal to the amount lifted from the container, the follower plate has a sealing lip which is closed tight on the wall of the container. This is achieved by gradually lowering the follower plate from the container, causing the pumped amount to rise through the seal and into the inlet socket.
Suitable for feeding liquids under pressure such as grease, silicones or other high viscosity fluids from 200 kg drums. This pump can also be used as a feeder for high-volume metering valves on elevators or manifold applications.
For this purpose the pump is fitted with a double pneumatic lift unit which raises and lowers the follower plate and the pump. The double-lifted structure makes it versatile and adaptable to the most demanding applications.
This feature also helps to avoid the possibility of pump cavitation phenomena. This is especially important when a high viscosity fluid such as grease is being pumped and the pump is positioned over the top of a large drum.
The pump can be fitted with a pressure operated switch to de-energise the motor when the output pressure exceeds a predetermined safe valve, for example as a result of a filter or line blockage or failure of an output union non-return valve. The pump is thus a highly efficient, safe and reliable means of transferring fluids from one container to another.
In particular, the rotary motion of the output shaft is converted into reciprocatory movement of the pistons by means of a cam and a cam follower mechanism, such as a constant velocity cam or a double acting cam. This arrangement enables the use of an AC motor driving each piston to produce a predetermined rotational output speed at its rotary shaft.
FOLLOWER PUMP Installation
A FOLLOWER PUMP is a highly effective tool for pumping viscous material directly from barrels. These pumps are commonly used in food manufacturing, resin dispensing and gluing applications.
They have a long service life and are an ideal solution for any application that requires consistent, accurate delivery of lubricants to various locations within the machine. They are available in standard duty, manual and industrial styles, and offer a wide range of features such as automatic run and password protection with pre-lube functionality, as well as an option for a data management system (DMS).
These pumps are able to handle fluids with viscosities ranging from 500,000 cPs to 750,000 cPs. The best way to ensure you get the most from your follower plate is to check its rating and select one that can handle your fluid’s maximum flow rate.
The following are a few important considerations before you start to install your FOLLOWER PUMP:
First, you will need to determine whether your pump has a barbed or banjo fitting at its high-pressure port. If it does, you can simply transfer this fitting to your new pump. However, if it doesn’t, you may need to purchase a special adapter kit.
Next, you will need to remove the old cam follower and cam follower bolt from your fuel pump. The cam follower is a small, cup-shaped component that separates the end of the pump shaft from the cam lobes. When the cam follower is worn out, it can reduce pump lift and pressure, which can lead to engine fuel starvation.
The cam follower also helps to prevent metal particles from entering the cylinder head as they pass through it. If this part becomes severely worn, it can damage the cylinder head and your engine, which could require a costly repair or replacement of your camshaft and fuel pump.
A ring-shaped cover element and a ring-shaped bottom element make for a unique guide support that is both functionally effective and stylish. It also makes it possible to connect a number of different guide elements, including rods or guide rails.
