Dimpled Surfaces In Machinery

Tribology is the study of science and engineering of interacting surfaces in relative motion. It includes the study and application of the principles of friction, lubrication, and wear.

Often times within packaging and processing machinery and certainly among our inventory of 9,000 machines – you will notice purposeful variation within the way equipment is built, finished and surfaced.

An example of this is the dimpled surfaces you’ll find within packaging and processing equipment, combination scale feed buckets, vibratory conveyors, etc.

For vibratory conveyors, dimpled surfaces allow materials to move freely along the surface without sticking.

Likewise for scale feed buckets, once the product is dropped into scales from above, it’s important that the product is able to freely discharge at set weight into packaging containers.

In the cases where there is a more sticky product, gummy bears, Tootsie Rolls, Starbursts, etc. dimpled feed buckets provide less surface area for the product to latch onto.

Think of a wet noodle thrown against a flat-surfaced mirror or glass window.

Most likely, the noodle will stick.

Now, think of that same noodle thrown against a brick wall with an uneven surface.

Most likely, the noodle will drop under its own weight and inability to create a consistent bond with the surface.

By surface texturing machinery we can improve tribological performance.