1. Overview
Thank you for purchasing our products!
Please read this manual carefully before use, which will help you use the equipment better.
This manual covers the instructions of the LYPA2S pneumatic double-barrel powder feeder, including precautions for use, product description, maintenance, troubleshooting, after-sales service and other aspects. This manual only introduces its main core components, because the configuration and function of the customized products are different.
The actual product may be slightly different from the description in the manual due to the continuous optimization and update of product functions.
1.1 Safety Signage
This manual explains some warning symbols to help users have a deeper understanding of various operations. The meanings of the symbols are as follows:
 | Warning! It indicates possible danger or damage to people or equipment. |
 | Caution! It means that when performing this operation, you should pay close attention to this prompt to avoid equipment failure or abnormality due to incorrect operation. |
 | Tips! It indicates important tips that will help you understand and use the device |
 | Explanation! It means detailed explanation |
1.2 Product Overview
LYPA2S pneumatic double-barrel powder feeder is mainly suitable for laser cladding, 3D printing, spraying and other industries.
This product adopts a disc-type pneumatic powder feeding structure. The inside of the powder barrel is a closed environment and the powder relies on its own gravity to enter the powder inlet block from the powder barrel based on the principle of gas dynamics. The powder disc rotates to transfer the powder from the powder inlet block to the powder outlet block, and then the powder is sent out from the powder outlet block through gas pressure.
LYPA2S pneumatic double-barrel powder feeder has the following features:
1.The disc structure design combined with servo motor drive makes the powder feeding stable and accurate;
2.The double powder barrels improve the equipment utilization rate;
3.The transparent powder barrel is convenient for observing the powder state; and the special structural design effectively reduces the influence of powder amount on powder feeding accuracy;
4.The powder stirring function can mix the powder and avoid powder blockage;
5.Equipped with Senfeng intelligent powder feeder control system, it can realize remote control.
Please be sure to contact us if you need this product for other processes or purposes.
 | Only inert gases such as argon, nitrogen, helium, etc. can be used as powder carrier gases. Oxygen, hydrogen, and any other flammable gases cannot be used! |
1.3 Technical Parameters
| Technical Parameters | ||
| Items | Specifications | |
| Powder tray type | Disk type | |
| Powder feeding mode | Carrier gas | |
| Powder barrel quantity | 2 | |
| Volume of a single powder barrel | 2.5L | |
| Powder feed capacity per barrel | 0.4-150g/min | |
| Powder feeding accuracy | ±1% | |
| Air pressure | 2-6bar | |
| Gas flow | 3-30L/min | |
| Powder particles | 20-300um | |
| Powder feed distance | 20m | |
| Rated speed of powder disc | 0-12r/min | |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 535x650x1550 mm | |
| Weight | ≈100kg | |
 | BAR: pressure unit, 1bar=0.1MPa PPM: percentage concentration, 1ppm=0.001‰ | |
1.4 Structure, Functions and Consumables
Pneumatic double-barrel powder feeder consists of a cabinet, powder feeding barrels, electrical control system, pneumatic system, etc.
| No. | Items | Functions | Consumables | ||
| Items | Specifications/Code | Qty | |||
| 1 | Casters | Casters make it easy to move the cabinet | / | ||
| 2 | signal input | Power supply, gas source, external control interface | / | ||
| 3 | Left cooling window | Cooling window helps dissipate heat from electrical components inside the cabinet | / | ||
| 4 | Cabinet | Cabinet is used to support and install parts | / | ||
| 5 | Left barrel flow meter | It is used to adjust the powder feeding gas flow | / | ||
| 6 | Control panel | Human-machine interface for setting and displaying powder feeding parameters | / | ||
| 7 | Powder feeding barrel | It is used to store and feed powder | Powder inlet block | LYPA2.01-9 | 2 |
| Powder outlet block | LYPA2.01-10 | 2 | |||
| Sealing ring | A03210025
| 1 | |||
| Sealing ring | A03210012
| 1 | |||
| 8 | Handle | Handles make it easy to move the powder feeder | / | ||
| 9 | Right barrel flow meter | It is used to adjust the powder feeding gas flow | / | ||
| 10 | Electric cabinet door | It facilitates maintenance of internal parts of the electrical control cabinet | / | ||
| 11 | Right cooling window | It facilitates heat dissipation of electrical components inside the cabinet | / | ||
| 12 | Main power switch | It is used to turn on and off the main power supply of the powder feeder. | / | ||
Note: The above wearing parts models are for reference only. Please contact us for confirmation before purchasing wearing parts.
2. Installation of Powder Feeder
2.1 Installation Instructions
Only trained professionals can install, use, repair and troubleshoot this equipment. During installation, please ensure that the machine tool equipment has stopped running.
Consideration should be given to whether the length and position of the power cable and the gas pipe will restrict or interfere with each other when connecting the power supply and gas.
2.2 Installation
2.2.1 Preparation before Installation
1.Check the appearance of the powder feeder and the integrity of its accessories.
2.Please check whether the accessories are complete according to the packing list which is included in the powder feeder packaging.
3.Before installation, ensure that the powder feeder is placed horizontally and stably, the powder barrel assembly is locked, and the main power switch on the right side of the cabinet is turned to “OFF”, as shown in the figure below.
2.2.2 Installation of Powder Feeder
The mechanical components and internal electrical components of this product have been installed and debugged before delivery. The user only needs to connect the external power supply, external control signal connector, air source and the air path connected to the host.
The input terminals of external power supply, air source and signal are all located on the left side (2) of the cabinet, as shown in the figure below.
1.Connect the main power cord. Connect the power cord to the main power connector on the left side of the powder feeder.
2.Connect the external control signal (optional connection). When remote control is required, you can choose to connect the external control signal connector on the left side of the cabinet.
3.Insert the powder-carrying gas pipe into the air inlet connector on the left side of the powder feeder.
4.Install the powder feed pipe onto the powder outlet connector on the barrel.
Note: The gas source used by the powder feeder is dry nitrogen, helium, argon and other inert gases. Please use high-purity, clean, dry gas; if the protective gas contains a moisture or impurities, it may affect the powder fluidity, thereby affecting the powder feeding accuracy and cladding quality. The following table introduces the recommended gas specifications.
| Gas | Purity | Maximum water vapor content (ppm) | Maximum content of hydrocarbons (ppm) |
| Nitrogen | 99.998% | <5 ppm | <1 ppm |
| Argon | 99.998% | <5 ppm | <1 ppm |
| Helium | 99.998% | <5 ppm | <1 ppm |
In addition to the impurities in the protective gas, oxygen and water vapor in the environment may also penetrate into the powder feeder. It is recommended to use a barometer with a stainless-steel diaphragm, because diaphragms made of other materials may produce hydrocarbons due to oxidation and decay, thereby contaminating the powder.
 | The powder-carrying gas must be an inert gas! The powder-carrying gas pressure is 0.2-0.6MPa, please do not use it at overpressure. |
3. Use of Powder Feeder
3.1 Precautions
1.Operators should wear protective masks when adding powder, changing powder and cleaning the powder barrel in order to prevent inhalation of metal powder, which may harm their health.
2.This product needs to be connected to a 220V AC power supply and ensure good grounding;
3.The powder feeder should be placed horizontally to avoid affecting the powder feeding effect or tipping due to tilting;
4.The powder feed gas should be high-purity nitrogen, argon or other inert gases, and the gas pressure range should be 0.2-0.6MPa;
5.The air tightness of the product should be tested before each use, refer to Chapter 3.4 for details.
3.2 Power on
Before using the powder feeder, ensure that the powder barrel assembly is locked, connect the power supply and air supply, and then turn the main switch on the right side of the cabinet clockwise to turn on the main power, as shown in the figure below.
3.3 Control Panel Operation
3.3.1 Control Panel Instructions
The control panel has a touch screen, an emergency stop button and a buzzer alarm, as shown in the following figure:
3.3.2 Touch Screen
1.Main interface
The panel display after the powder feeder is turned on is as shown below. Select the language in the lower right corner to enter the control interface. This system is standardly available in Chinese and English. Please contact us if you have special requirements.
2.Control interface
The control interface is divided into 4 functional units, including menu bar, parameter setting bar, time bar, and alarm bar. The menu bar has three modules, including powder feeder parameter setting and display, PLC IO display, and alarm record.
3.Parameter setting unit for powder feeder
The parameter setting unit is divided into two function bars, including mode selection and parameter setting. The mode selection function bar includes Local mode, Remote 1 mode and Remote 2 mode, as shown in the figure below.
 | Local mode: It controls the powder feeding parameters and the start and stop of the powder feeder; Remote 1 mode: It controls the powder feeding parameters and the start and stop of the powder feeder externally; Remote 2 mode: It controls the powder feeding parameters on the powder feeder and controls the start and stop of the powder feeder externally. |
LYPA2S pneumatic double-barrel powder feeder controls the powder feeding amount by the powder tray speed. Click “r/min” on the first line of the control page to enter the powder feeding speed setting page. After entering the required speed value (r/min), click the “ENT” key to complete the setting. The rated speed setting range is 0-12r/min.
 | To ensure uniform powder feed, the powder feed air flow on the side of the cabinet should be adjusted at the same time when the powder feed amount is set to increase or decrease. |
In the powder feeding parameter setting bar, “Powder Feeding Gas”, “Powder Feeding Motor” and “Stir” are touch start/stop and display buttons. When the display is green, it indicates the pneumatic state. For powders with poor fluidity, the stirring function of the powder feeder can be turned on.
 | When feeding powder, be sure to feed air first and then feed powder; when shutting off powder, be sure to shut off powder first and then shut off air. |
4.PLC IO display unit
The PLC display unit is used to monitor the working status of each communication signal. When the dot in front of the signal is green, it means that the current signal communication is normal.
5.Alarm recording unit
This unit is used to collect statistics on the alarm records of the powder feeder.
6.Custom alarm
7.System alarm
3.4 Inspection of Air Tightness of Powder Barrel
The air tightness of the powder feeder should be checked before each use, because it is an important factor affecting the stability of powder feeding. If there is air leakage, it will cause the powder feeding efficiency to decrease, powder blockage and other faults.
Operation steps:
1.Before testing, ensure that the powder feed barrel is clean and dust-free;
2.Remove the powder feed pipe from the joint;
3.Introduce 0.5-0.6Mpa nitrogen or argon into the gas source, click to turn on 1# Powder Feed Gas or 2# Powder Feed Gas on the touch screen, and set the flow rate of the flow meter on the side of the cabinet to 10L/min, as shown in the figure below;
4.Use a φ6 plug to seal the powder outlet pipe joint on the powder barrel, as shown in the figure below;
5.Wait for 1 minute and observe whether the float of the flow meter drops to the lowest position. If it drops to near the lowest position, it means the air tightness is good; if not, it means there is a leak. At this time, use soapy water to find the specific leak location.
3.5 Adding Powder
 | Before opening the powder barrel cover, make sure that the air supply to the barrel has been disconnected and the air pressure inside the barrel is in equilibrium with the external atmospheric pressure. |
1.Check and ensure that the air supply to the powder barrel is disconnected and that the air pressure inside the barrel is in balance with the outside atmospheric pressure;
2.Hold the handles of the quick clamp buckles with both hands and rotate them upward to release the locking status and remove the barrel cover vertically upward (Note: Determine the placement of the barrel cover and whether the length of the mixing motor cable is long enough. If not, disconnect the male and female aviation plugs of the mixing motor connection cable);
3.When adding powder, use a funnel or deflector to guide the powder to prevent the powder from falling on the output shaft of the stirring motor or entering the air duct;
4.Before installing the powder barrel cover, clean the dust on the sealing ring on the barrel base to prevent the dust from affecting the seal of the cover and damaging the sealing ring. Pay attention to the direction of the powder barrel cover during installation. Make sure that the marks on the cover and the base are on the same side (as shown in the figure below). Place the buckle on the barrel cover and rotate the buckle handle downward to lock the cover.
3.6 Powder Barrel Cleaning and Powder Feed Block Replacement
3.6.1 Cleaning of Large Amounts of Powder
1.Check and make sure that the air supply to the powder barrel is disconnected, and that the air pressure inside the barrel is balanced with the outside atmospheric pressure;
2.Insert one end of the powder hose into the quick powder outlet of the powder barrel, and the other end into the powder storage tank, and seal the powder outlet on the barrel with a φ6 plug, as shown in the figure below:
3.Turn on the powder supply air and quickly send the powder into the powder storage tank.
4.Turn off the powder barrel air supply and ensure that the air pressure in the barrel is balanced with the external atmospheric pressure. Then, seal the quick powder outlet joint with a φ6 plug, connect the powder outlet pipe joint to the powder feed pipe, and insert the other end of the powder feed pipe into the powder storage tank;
5.Start the powder feeder to feed powder and send the remaining powder into the storage tank;
6.Disconnect the power supply and gas source of the powder feeder;
7.Use an Allen wrench to remove the five M6x25 hexagon socket head screws on the base cover and remove the powder barrel, as shown in the following figure:
8.Clean the powder using clean compressed air or explosion-proof vacuum cleaner. It is recommended to operate in a dust removal room.
 | Be sure to wear a protective mask and goggles correctly during processing, and work in a well-ventilated environment. |
3.6.2 Cleaning up the Remaining Powder
To clean a small amount of powder in the powder barrel, refer to steps 5-8 in chapter 3.6.1.
4. Troubleshooting
Wear protective gear before servicing or troubleshooting the powder feeder.
| Faults | Analysis | Troubleshooting |
| Powder accumulates outside the powder tank | Improper operation of feeding powder first and then gas | Gas should be delivered first, then powder |
| The powder delivery pipeline is damaged or blocked | Check to ensure that the powder delivery pipeline is unobstructed and undamaged. Replace the powder delivery pipeline if necessary. | |
| The powder tray speed does not match the air flow, causing the powder feed to be greater than the powder output. | Adjust the air pressure or flow meter, or adjust the appropriate speed | |
| The powder is wet and clumping, blocking the powder outlet block | Bake the powder in advance | |
| Air leakage | Check the air tightness of the powder barrel | |
| Powder on the powder tray is uneven | Powder is moist | Dry the powder or replace it with dry powder |
| Wrong choice of powder suction block and powder scraping block | Replace the matching powder suction block and powder scraping block | |
| The stirring motor does not start | It is recommended to turn on the stirring motor for powders with poor fluidity. | |
| The powder feed flow rate setting is incorrect | Adjusting the appropriate flow rate is beneficial to the delivery of different powders, because the flow rate setting changes according to the different powder fluidity | |
| Abnormal powder output | Improper carrier gas pressure setting | Adjust the carrier gas pressure |
| Powder outlet pipe is blocked | Clear the powder outlet pipe or replace it | |
| Powder block is blocked or worn | Clean or replace the powder block | |
| The powder block cannot be scraped cleanly | The powder block is worn out | Replace the powder block |
| Powder tray shakes | Adjust or replace the powder tray |
In case of other failures, please contact us.
5. Warranty and After-sales Service
SENFENG adheres to the principle of “customer first” and wholeheartedly provides customers with satisfactory after-sales service. Customers enjoy one-year warranty service from the date they receive the product.
Liability and warranty regulations:
The SENFENG pneumatic double-barrel powder feeder has the ability to withstand normal operation if operated in accordance with the user manual and used normally. SENFENG provides users with warranty services, and the warranty covers defects in workmanship and materials.
SENFENG will repair or replace the defective product free of charge, as long as the warranty issue is confirmed by SENFENG and is due to the product’s own quality reasons during the warranty period.
The warranty covers the parts and labor required to repair the product.
The seller, manufacturer, and repairer will not bear the warranty responsibility, but will provide reasonable paid repair services if any of the following situations occur during the warranty period.
1.The warranty period has expired;
2.Damage caused by improper handling by the consumer after a malfunction;
3.Damage caused by failure to properly use, maintain, or repair the equipment in accordance with the user manual;
4.Damage caused by force majeure or human factors;
5.Damage caused by reasons other than equipment quality. We will not assume the three guarantees for the involved parts, but will provide reasonably-paid repair services;
6.Repair, modify, refit or disassemble the equipment without the permission of our professional personnel;
7.Replace or remove the logo;
8.Remove or tear off the label containing “Void if Removed”.
Appendix 1 Contact Us
Jinan Senfeng Laser Technology Co.,Ltd.
E-mail: senfeng@sfcnclaser.com
Tel/WhatsApp: +86 13210546543
Website: www.senfenglaser.com
Add: No. 1777 Kejia Road, High-tech Zone, Jinan City, Shandong Province, PRC
