How to Choose the Right Industrial Vibrator Motor for Feeders, Screens and Hoppers
Industrial vibrator motors are at the heart of many bulk-material handling systems.
They provide the controlled vibration required to move material through vibrating feeders, separate products on vibrating screens, improve discharge from hoppers and silos, compact products and drive other types of vibratory machinery.
Choosing the correct vibrator motor is therefore important.
A motor that is too small may not produce enough vibratory force to move the product effectively. A motor that is incorrectly specified can also produce excessive vibration, poor material movement, unnecessary wear or an inefficient process.
This guide explains the main points to consider when selecting an industrial vibrator motor.
What Is an Industrial Vibrator Motor?
An industrial vibrator motor is an electric motor designed to generate vibration rather than simply provide rotary mechanical power.
Most rotary vibrator motors achieve this using adjustable eccentric weights fitted to the motor shaft.
As the shaft rotates, the offset mass produces centrifugal force. That force is transferred into the machine structure, creating the vibration required for conveying, screening, compacting or encouraging bulk material to flow.
At Spiral Elevators, vibrator motors are used across equipment including vibrating feeders, vibrating screens, compaction tables, spiral elevators and hopper-discharge systems.
Where Are Vibrator Motors Used?
Industrial vibrator motors have a wide range of applications.
Common examples include:
Vibrating feeders
Vibrating screens and sieves
Vibratory conveyors
Spiral elevators
Hopper discharge systems
Silos and bins
Compaction tables
Dosing systems
Bulk-material handling equipment
The correct motor depends on what the machine is expected to do.
A motor used to encourage powder to discharge from a hopper may require a very different specification from motors driving a large vibrating screen.
How Much Vibratory Force Do You Need?
One of the first considerations is centrifugal force.
The vibrator motor must generate enough force to move or process the material effectively while remaining appropriate for the mass and construction of the equipment.
Simply fitting the largest available motor is not the answer.
Excessive vibratory force can create unwanted movement, increase stress on the machine structure and reduce control over the product.
Motor selection should therefore take account of factors including:
Total vibrating mass
Product weight
Required throughput
Material characteristics
Machine geometry
Number of motors
Desired vibration amplitude
Operating speed
Mounting arrangement
Where an existing motor is being replaced, the motor nameplate provides valuable information.
2 Pole, 4 Pole, 6 Pole or 8 Pole Vibrator Motor?
Vibrator motors are available in different operating speeds.
One common way of identifying these is by the number of motor poles.
In a typical 50 Hz industrial application, fewer poles generally mean a higher rotational speed, while more poles provide a slower rotational speed.
This matters because speed affects the characteristics of the vibration.
2 Pole vibrator motors
These operate at relatively high speed and are suitable for applications requiring high-frequency vibration.
4 Pole vibrator motors
Four-pole motors are widely used across industrial vibrating equipment and provide a useful balance between speed and vibratory movement.
6 Pole vibrator motors
Six-pole motors provide slower vibration and can be suitable where a larger movement of material is required.
8 Pole vibrator motors
Eight-pole motors operate at lower rotational speeds and are often used on applications requiring slower, heavier vibratory movement.
Spiral Elevators currently supply vibrator motors across 2, 4, 6 and 8-pole categories, including OLI Vibra and VIBTEC units.
The motor speed should be selected as part of the overall machine design rather than in isolation.
Single Motor or Twin Vibrator Motors?
Some vibrating equipment operates using a single vibrator motor while other machines use two motors.
Twin-motor arrangements can be configured so that the motors work together to create controlled linear vibration.
This is commonly seen on vibrating feeders and screens.
The correct arrangement depends on the direction of movement required and the design of the vibrating structure.
When replacing one motor in a twin-motor system, compatibility with the second motor is particularly important.
Adjusting Vibrator Motor Eccentric Weights
Many industrial vibrator motors allow the eccentric weights to be adjusted.
Changing the relationship between the weights changes the centrifugal force produced by the motor.
This allows the vibration level to be adapted to the application.
However, increasing the weight setting is not automatically the solution to poor material movement.
Problems may instead be caused by:
Incorrect motor speed
Damaged springs
Loose mountings
Structural cracking
Material build-up
Incorrect feeder angle
Incorrect screen media
Electrical issues
A motor running in the wrong direction
Two motors not operating correctly together
The complete vibrating system should therefore be considered before altering the motor setting.
Choosing a Replacement Vibrator Motor
If an existing vibrator motor has failed, the quickest route to identifying a replacement is normally to obtain the information from its nameplate.
Useful information includes:
Manufacturer
Model number
Voltage
Frequency
Number of phases
Motor speed or pole configuration
Centrifugal force
Current rating
Mounting dimensions
Operating environment
A clear photograph of the motor and nameplate can also help identify a suitable replacement.
This is particularly useful on older vibrating equipment where the original manufacturer or exact motor specification may no longer be obvious.
OLI Vibra and VIBTEC Vibrator Motors
Different manufacturers offer extensive ranges covering light-duty through to heavy industrial vibration applications.
Spiral Elevators supplies OLI Vibra and VIBTEC vibrator motors, with the online range covering numerous force ratings and 2, 4, 6 and 8-pole configurations.
Rather than selecting a replacement based purely on physical size, the operating specification should be checked carefully.
A motor that bolts onto the same mounting plate is not necessarily mechanically or electrically suitable.
Vibrator Motors for Vibrating Screens
Vibrating screens rely on controlled vibration to move material across the screening surface and separate particles according to size.
The motor configuration influences:
Material travel
Screening efficiency
Bed depth
Throw
Frequency
Throughput
If a vibrating screen is performing poorly, replacing the motor with a larger unit should not be the first response.
The screen media, deck angle, springs, loading rate and characteristics of the material should also be checked.
Vibrator Motors for Vibrating Feeders
Vibrating feeders require controlled movement rather than uncontrolled shaking.
The objective is normally to create a consistent flow of product from a hopper or process stage to the next part of the production line.
Correctly selected vibratory drives allow material to move progressively along the trough while helping control the feed rate.
Spiral Elevators manufactures vibrating feeders for controlled bulk-material movement, including enclosed vibrating tube feeders where dust containment is important.
Vibrator Motors for Hoppers and Silos
Bulk powders and granular materials can sometimes bridge, compact or form a flow channel inside a hopper.
Controlled vibration can help disturb the material and improve discharge.
A properly designed vibratory hopper-discharge system can help reduce bridging, rat-holing and inconsistent material flow.
Motor positioning is particularly important because vibration must reach the part of the structure where it is required.
Simply attaching a large motor to a hopper without considering the hopper construction can produce poor results.
Need Help Identifying a Replacement Vibrator Motor?
If you have a failed vibrator motor or are unsure which motor is suitable for your equipment, send us:
A photograph of the existing motor
A clear photograph of the nameplate
Details of the machine
The material being handled
Your supply voltage
Any known operating requirements
Spiral Elevators can help identify an appropriate industrial vibrator motor for vibrating feeders, screens, conveyors, hoppers and other vibratory equipment.
Looking for an industrial vibrator motor?
View our range of vibrator motors, including OLI Vibra and VIBTEC motors, or contact Spiral Elevators with your motor details for assistance selecting a suitable replacement.
Call us today on: 0800 001 6520
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