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Challenge
The client wanted a way to:
- Remove hand labor from the paper waste process
- Keep three production workstations clean and operational around the clock
- Prevent paper scraps from clogging equipment
- Collect waste safely in a sealed container that aligns with their security and recycling protocol
The biggest engineering challenge was the waste itself. The 1” x 4” paper pieces are long enough to bridge and jam inside a typical rotary airlock. This risk made traditional airlocks unsuitable.
Glacier Technology needed to develop a system that could:
- Run 24/7
- Maintain consistent high vacuum
- Keep airflow sealed and controlled
- Avoid jamming, even with problematic waste geometry
- Integrate cleanly into a high-security environment without disrupting production
Solution
To eliminate manual handling and automate the collection process, Glacier Technology supplied and installed a Eurovac central vacuum system designed specifically for continuous-duty industrial waste capture.
Why Eurovac
Eurovac systems provide:
- Industrial-grade vacuum producers designed for 24/7 uptime
- Superior filtration for consistent high-vacuum performance
- Engineered layouts tailored to customer workflow
- Reliable operation with minimal maintenance
- Clean integration into multi-source collection systems
All three printing workstations were ducted into a single Eurovac system. Now, instead of operators emptying individual bins, paper waste is automatically conveyed into a central discharge location. The vacuum system is 200 feet away from the production area. We added a bin level sensor to the collector, but also a warning light out in the production area to alert staff when the bin is nearing full.
Solving the Biggest Obstacle: Paper Waste Jamming
Because the 1” x 4” scrap pieces posed a jamming risk in rotary airlocks, Glacier recommended and installed a Plattco Double Dump Valve (also known as a double flap gate or double airlock).
This valve design:
- Moves material in discrete batches rather than relying on rotating blades
- Prevents bridging, binding, and jamming
- Provides an extremely reliable airlock seal
- Eliminates fugitive air that could compromise system performance
- Ensures smooth drop-out of waste into the Gaylord container below
Plattco’s Double Flap Airlock® Valve technology, trusted for more than 60 years, proved the ideal choice for handling irregular paper scrap while keeping the vacuum system sealed and efficient.
Impact
Results: From Manual Labor to a Fully Automated Waste Stream
The installation transformed the client’s workflow:
- Manual disposal eliminated at all three stations
- Cleaner, safer work areas without the mess of overflowing bins
- Reduced operator downtime, with fewer interruptions to production
- Reliable 24/7 performance, thanks to Eurovac’s industrial vacuum platform
- No jamming or system slowdowns, thanks to the Plattco double dump valve
- Fully sealed and controlled discharge, aligning with the facility’s security protocols
The automated Eurovac waste system now supports continuous production without adding labor burden, exactly what a high-security, high-throughput environment needs.
Engineered vacuum collection offers significant benefits for facilities facing labor-intensive material handling challenges.
For plants running around the clock, even small bottlenecks like trimming waste can slow output, increase costs, and create unnecessary housekeeping problems. With a Eurovac central vacuum system and the right discharge technology, Glacier Technology helped this customer streamline operations, reduce manual workloads, and maintain a clean, compliant workspace.
If your facility is facing similar waste handling, dust, or collection challenges, Glacier Technology can design and install a custom vacuum or air system that keeps your process running smoothly. Contact us to discuss your application.