Hapman has unveiled an advanced test lab dedicated to enhancing the accuracy of evaluating materials in conveying applications.
This new facility aims to assist processors in validating equipment choices, optimizing system designs, and mitigating project risks before installation.
Conveyor and System Testing Capabilities
The facility is equipped to handle a range of tests, including bulk bag unloading and filling, high-throughput conveyors, and integrated systems that connect multiple Hapman technologies.
Engineers can conduct comprehensive trials that mimic real production processes, such as shifting materials from loss-in-weight bulk bag unloading to gain-in-weight bulk bag filling using actual equipment and customer materials.
Helix® Flexible Screw Conveyors
The lab allows for applications involving bulk bag unloaders with options like conditioning
The lab allows for applications involving bulk bag unloaders with options like conditioning, pinch valves, access chambers, lump breaking, screening, and rotary airlock discharge.
These are all mounted on load cells for precise loss-in-weight control. It also supports bulk bag filling with features that include adjustable bag height, traversing fill heads, rear hooks, and gain-in-weight load cell control.
Available for testing are various conveying technologies, including different sizes of Helix® flexible screw conveyors, pneumatic conveyors, and configurations like CablePro™ and TubePro™ tubular drag conveyors. This setup allows Hapman to evaluate different technologies under controlled conditions to provide data-backed recommendations.
Customer-Focused Testing Approach
Hapman’s process emphasizes collaboration with customers, beginning with a review of the customer’s RFQ data and process needs to select and configure the most appropriate equipment. After establishing a test plan, Hapman uses the customer's material to verify performance expectations and equipment settings.
If the initial technology does not meet requirements, alternatives can be quickly tested to identify improvements and document enhanced performance for client assessment.
Proactively Addressing Material and Formulation Changes
Thorough testing confirms the ability of selected equipment to handle customer materials as anticipated
The lab underpins Hapman’s Performantee commitment, linking performance assurances directly to testing data. Thorough testing confirms the ability of selected equipment to handle customer materials as anticipated.
Any identified design enhancements, such as flow aids or configuration modifications, are documented in the test report and included in final proposals. For existing Hapman equipment users, the lab can evaluate new materials or formulation changes to assess if current systems will suffice or if updates are necessary.
Mitigating Risks in Bulk Material Handling Projects
Utilizing full-scale equipment and integrated system controls, Hapman’s new test lab offers a practical, data-driven method for minimizing risks in bulk material handling projects.
Processors benefit from enhanced understanding of material behavior, suitable technologies, and design specifics for achieving reliable, consistent performance.
Hapman, a pioneer in the design and manufacture of custom bulk material handling equipment, is proud to announce its new test lab designed to help processors more accurately evaluate how materials will perform in conveying applications.
The expanded facility allows customers to validate equipment selection, refine system design and reduce project risk before equipment is installed.
Conveyors and integrated system tests
The facility now accommodates bulk bag unloading and filling, higher-throughput conveyors and integrated system tests that link multiple Hapman technologies together.
This allows engineers to run end-to-end trials that mirror actual production processes, from loss-in-weight bulk bag unloading through conveying to gain-in-weight bulk bag filling, using full-scale equipment and real customer materials.
Helix® flexible screw conveyors
Within the lab, customers can test applications involving bulk bag unloaders with conditioning, pinch valve and access chamber options, lump breaking, screening and rotary airlock discharge, all mounted on load cells for precise loss-in-weight control.
The space also supports bulk bag filling with adjustable bag height, traversing fill heads and rear hooks, densification features and gain-in-weight load cell control. A wide selection of conveying technologies is available for testing, including multiple sizes of Helix® flexible screw conveyors, pneumatic conveyors up to larger 30 and 36 e-line units, as well as CablePro™ and TubePro™ tubular drag conveyor configurations.
This range allows Hapman to compare different technologies under identical conditions and make evidence-based recommendations.
Customer’s RFQ data and process requirements
Customer collaboration is central to the test lab process. Before any test, Hapman reviews the customer’s RFQ data and process requirements, then selects and configures equipment to meet those needs.
Once the test plan is established, the customer’s material is brought into the lab to confirm performance assumptions and validate equipment parameters. If a test shows that a chosen technology is not the best fit, the team can quickly trial alternatives and document improved performance for the customer’s review.
Evaluate new materials or formulation changes in advance
The new lab reinforces Hapman’s Performantee commitment, which links performance assurances directly to material test data. To maintain the validity of a Performantee, Hapman conducts thorough testing to confirm that the selected equipment will move the customer’s material as required.
Any necessary design features identified during testing, such as flow aids or configuration changes, are captured in the test report and then incorporated into the formal proposal. For customers already operating Hapman equipment, the lab can be used to evaluate new materials or formulation changes in advance, helping determine whether existing conveyors will perform as needed or if modifications are recommended.
De-risking bulk material handling projects
By combining full-scale equipment, integrated system controls and structured collaboration with customers, Hapman’s new test lab provides a practical, data-driven environment for de-risking bulk material handling projects.
Processors gain clearer insight into how materials will behave, which technologies are best suited to each application and what design details will help achieve consistent, predictable performance.
