Moisture Control and Water Addition
H2O · °C | online temper time and water addition control for granules
VIB-SMC©
ONLINE TEMPER TIME AND WATER ADDITION CONTROL
VIB-SMC© is an easy and compact continuous control system to determine the surface moisture of gravimetrically conveyed free-flowing granular bulk materials such as e.g. cereals (wheat, rye, rice, maize, etc.) just before the first production process. It replaces old-fashioned manual methods such as biting and touching the grain with online automatic control.
The VIB-SMC© allows just-in-time reaction by controlling:
- penetration depth of the dampening water at constant grain moisture
- optimal water addition directly before the first production step
- optimal temper time ≙ maximum flexibility of the outer bran layer
At vibronet® we take time for our customers' questions and wishes. We always provide a thorough consultation, regardless of where our customer is situated worldwide.
Whether it is production optimisation or the development of new products - vibronet® has gained decades of practical experience and knowledge in various industries worldwide which you can and should lucratively use for the success of your company.
Dipl.-Ing. Dieter Otto Gräf
M.Sc. Engineering and Milling
CTO / Company Founder
APPLICATIONS
MILLING
- Surface moisture control after the temper time at B1
- Control of optimum and equal water addition
- Control of optimum temper time
DRYING PROCESS
- Surface moisture control in front of and after drying processes
EXTRUSION
- Surface moisture control before processing
CEREAL HANDLING
- HACCP control point in front of packing / loading process
- Control during shifting of product between silos
- Control during unloading/discharging process
STRUCTURE
VIB-SMC© consists of a compact stainless steel measuring unit and a multilingual control panel with touch screen.
FUNCTION
Sensors measure dielectric constant (conductivity) and temperature of the product. These measured values are assigned a corresponding surface moisture value. An integrated temperature compensation equalizes temperature fluctuations.
VIB-SMC® | vibronet-Gräf GmbH & Co. KG | Cereal Damping Systems
VIB-SMC© is an easy and compact continuous control system to determine the surface moisture of gravimetrically conveyed free-flowing granular bulk materials.
Product Brand: vibronet®
Product In-Stock: https://schema.org/InStock
Editor's Rating:
5
5
FAQ
VIB-SMC© – Frequently Asked Questions
What is the VIB-SMC© and what does it do?
VIB-SMC© is an easy and compact continuous online control system for determining the surface moisture of gravimetrically conveyed free-flowing granular bulk materials such as cereals. It is designed for use just before the first production process and replaces old-fashioned manual methods such as biting and touching grain with fully automatic online control.
Which materials can VIB-SMC© be used with?
VIB-SMC© is suitable for all gravimetrically conveyed free-flowing granular bulk materials. Typical applications include cereals such as wheat, rye, rice and maize, as well as other granular products handled in milling, drying, extrusion and cereal handling processes.
What does VIB-SMC© replace compared to traditional methods?
VIB-SMC© replaces old-fashioned manual grain assessment methods such as biting and touching the grain to estimate moisture. These subjective, operator-dependent methods are replaced by continuous, automatic and objective online surface moisture measurement, enabling just-in-time reactions to changing product conditions.
How does VIB-SMC© measure surface moisture?
VIB-SMC© uses sensors to measure the dielectric constant (conductivity) and temperature of the product as it passes through the measuring unit. These measured values are assigned a corresponding surface moisture value. An integrated temperature compensation module equalizes temperature fluctuations to ensure accurate and consistent readings regardless of ambient or product temperature changes.
What does VIB-SMC© control based on the surface moisture measurement?
Based on continuous surface moisture readings, VIB-SMC© allows just-in-time control of three key process parameters: the penetration depth of dampening water at constant grain moisture; the optimal water addition directly before the first production step; and the optimal temper time, which corresponds to maximum flexibility of the outer bran layer.
What is the significance of controlling temper time with VIB-SMC©?
Optimal temper time corresponds to maximum flexibility of the outer bran layer — a critical condition for efficient milling and clean separation of bran and endosperm. By continuously monitoring surface moisture, VIB-SMC© enables the mill to react immediately when the grain has reached the ideal tempered state, rather than relying on fixed time intervals or manual checks.
How is VIB-SMC© used in flour milling?
In flour milling, VIB-SMC© is used for three purposes: surface moisture control after the temper time at break roll passage B1; control of optimum and equal water addition during conditioning; and control of optimum temper time to ensure the grain reaches the mill in the ideal state for efficient milling.
Can VIB-SMC© be used in drying processes?
Yes. VIB-SMC© is suitable for surface moisture control both in front of and after drying processes, allowing operators to monitor and verify moisture levels at the entry and exit points of a dryer to ensure consistent product quality and avoid over- or under-drying.
Is VIB-SMC© suitable for extrusion applications?
Yes. VIB-SMC© can be used for surface moisture control directly before extrusion processing. Consistent moisture levels at the extruder inlet are critical for stable process conditions and uniform product quality, making online moisture monitoring at this point highly valuable.
How is VIB-SMC© used in cereal handling and logistics?
In cereal handling operations, VIB-SMC© serves multiple roles: as an HACCP control point in front of packing and loading processes to verify moisture compliance; for moisture control during shifting of product between silos to track changes during storage; and for control during unloading and discharging processes to detect incoming product moisture before it enters the plant.
What does the VIB-SMC© system consist of?
VIB-SMC© consists of two components: a compact stainless steel measuring unit and a multilingual control panel with touchscreen. The compact design allows installation in space-constrained locations within a plant, and the stainless steel construction ensures hygienic and durable operation in cereal processing environments.
Does VIB-SMC© compensate for temperature variations in the product?
Yes. An integrated temperature compensation function is built into the VIB-SMC© measuring unit. It continuously equalizes temperature fluctuations in the product, ensuring that surface moisture readings remain accurate and reliable regardless of changes in product or ambient temperature during operation.
Who manufactures VIB-SMC© and where is it available?
VIB-SMC© is manufactured and distributed globally by vibronet®-Gräf GmbH & Co. KG Cereal Damping Systems, based in Germany. It is part of the vibronet® product family and is made in Germany.
How can I contact vibronet®-Gräf GmbH & Co. KG about VIB-SMC©?
vibronet®-Gräf GmbH & Co. KG Cereal Damping Systems is located at Neumühle 1, 35633 Lahnau, Germany. Contact by phone at +49 6441 62031, by email at info@vibronet.com, or visit vibronet.com for further information and enquiries.