Articles for Difficult Products
-
May 16, 2025 by Brittany Dollimore
Quiz: Test your mineral processing know-how
Minerals are tough — conveying them can be even tougher. See if you know the answers to these questions on the basics of mineral ore processing.
-
May 15, 2025 by Paul Bowman
‘Fix me!’ 5 signs your valve needs attention
Find out how to diagnose and troubleshoot a rotary airlock valve that makes too much noise, stops rotating, or shows any of these other symptoms.
-
Jan 21, 2025 by Greg Thompson
How do shear pin sprockets keep valves in good shape?
When material jams inside your rotary airlock valve, shear pin sprockets can prevent unnecessary downtime and damage. Find out how they work.
-
Nov 21, 2024 by Nena Dallas
Quiz: Can you master milling with valves?
Think you know a lot about processing milled ingredients like flour and corn? Take our quiz on milling, conveying, and rotary airlock valves to find out.
-
Oct 17, 2024 by Nena Dallas
Which rotary valves are best at handling fertilizer mix?
Fertilizer mixes tend to cause buildup and abrasion in your conveying equipment. Try these rotary airlock valve recommendations to boost longevity and material flow.
-
Aug 08, 2024 by Nena Dallas
Tips for conveying recycled plastic flakes
Read our plastic flake conveying tips to maintain healthy material throughput, minimize product waste, and prevent contamination.
-
Jan 17, 2024 by Brittany Dollimore
5 tips for more efficient mineral processing
With its unique material properties and complex material handling systems, mineral ore is tricky to convey. Keep these tips in mind to optimize your process.
-
Dec 07, 2023 by Megan Thompson
What were this year’s top rotary valve topics?
In 2023, our readers were most interested in OSHA safety, the valve quoting process, cement conveying, and dust collection systems.
-
Sep 13, 2023 by Terri Shipstone
How do I keep plastic pellets intact in conveying?
For the best end product, it’s important to keep plastic pellets in a uniform shape and size. Learn the best rotary valve configurations and tips to prevent issues.
-
Jan 16, 2023 by Terri Shipstone
How do I configure a valve for conveying cement?
In a heavy-duty setting, durability and reliability are key. These coatings and options help rotary valves handle cement and construction materials
-
Oct 17, 2022 by Terri Shipstone
Valves for sugar, spice, and all things nice
Fine, powdery materials like sugar can get your equipment into sticky situations. These rotary valves help prevent build-up and corrosion
-
Feb 10, 2022 by Megan Thompson
Can I replace my old valve with an ACS model?
Find out how easy it is to get a drop-in replacement rotary airlock valve for any manufacturer
-
Oct 14, 2021 by Nena Dallas
Rotary valves with niche appeal
Some airlock valves are built with a specific application in mind, and that’s what makes them great!
-
Jul 21, 2021 by Nena Dallas
Here’s how we configure rotary airlock valves
Rotary valves, like hot dogs, have lots of customization options. Learn how we do it at ACS
-
Jan 22, 2021 by Megan Thompson
5 best practices for cannabis processors
New to the cannabis industry or just looking for some efficient processing tips? ACS has you covered
-
Nov 05, 2020 by Megan Thompson
Find your fit: Valves for cannabis and health food applications
Niche applications such as cannabis and alternative health food processing work best with specially configured Quick-Clean valves
-
Jun 18, 2020 by Terri Shipstone
Stand up to corrosion with the XTR Series valve
The XTR Series rotary airlock valve comes fully armored with a corrosion-resistant, food-grade coating
-
Jun 09, 2020 by Wayne Beveridge
Avoid sticky situations with a rotary airlock feeder
The Aero-Flow feeder valve mixes material with pressurized air to prevent premature wear and boost consistency
-
Sep 13, 2019 by Paul Bowman
Avoid rotary valve jams with adjustable shear protectors
Adjustable shear protectors prevent jamming, keep materials intact and maintain an efficient fill capacity
-
Jun 24, 2019 by Megan Thompson
The sticking point: Examining flow issues in bins, hoppers and silos
An ADM speaker sheds light on powder and bulk solid flow patterns
-
Feb 21, 2019 by Paul Bowman
Flex or fixed? The difference between two rotor tip types
Find out which rotor tip type is right for your process
-
Nov 24, 2017 by Nena Dallas
What coatings mean for your valves
When your valve needs to weather a material storm, layering it up with a coating can help it keep moving. Here's how.
-
Apr 25, 2017 by Nena Dallas
How to increase the life expectancy of your machinery
That rickety old valve has broken down again, and you're tired of replacing it all the time. Here are some tips on how to ensure your valves last longer and give you less downtime.
-
Nov 26, 2015 by Nena Dallas
Why you shouldn't size your airlocks for 100% pocket fill
Using the same methods to size all of your feeder valves is a recipe for inefficiency
-
May 21, 2015 by Nena Dallas
How to convey sticky material with a blow-through
Conveying sticky material? Harness the efficiency of a blow-through valve, without the premature wear!