Blog
October 23, 2026 - Miscellaneous
Open spigots are easy to overlook because nothing is moving through them. But leaving one exposed can create problems long before it goes back into service. Dust escapes and settles around nearby equipment, while moisture or debris can enter the process and remain there until startup. You’ll find open spigots during maintenance, shutdowns, line modifications, […]
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October 13, 2026 - Manufacturing News & Insights, Miscellaneous
A flexible connector can look simple until the application involves equipment movement, cleaning requirements, unusual installation conditions, sleeve-material questions, or a connection that has already caused problems on the line. That’s where experience and product knowledge matter. PSI is an authorized BFM® fitting distributor, and Kyle Alger, Rich Powell, and Brittney Hagensick have completed official […]
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October 8, 2026 - Connector Materials & Applications, Efficiency, Miscellaneous
A BFM® fitting system uses a flexible connector that snaps into specially formed steel spigots on either side of a process connection. The connector is quick to remove and replace, but getting that benefit starts with careful planning. In particular, the distance between the spigots – the installation gap – must suit the connector and […]
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September 17, 2026 - Hygiene
In nutraceutical powder processing, the biggest cleanup challenge is not always inside the blender, screener, or filler. It can be the flexible connection between them. When a connector is difficult to remove, it can slow a changeover. If powder is left behind, it can create a concern before the next batch begins — especially when […]
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September 9, 2026 - Miscellaneous
If your Dust Hazard Analysis still points to NFPA 652, it is time to see what changed under NFPA 660. NFPA 660 combines six earlier combustible-dust standards into one document, effective December 6, 2024. For your plant, that means checking whether your DHA still reflects the materials, equipment, and process conditions on your line today. […]
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July 28, 2026 - Miscellaneous
Static electricity is easy to miss because you usually see the symptoms before you see the cause. Powder clings to surfaces Dust collects around connection points Filters plug up faster than expected Instruments drift or behave unpredictably Operators feel small shocks when touching equipment Static creates real challenges for safety, cleaning, and day-to-day operation. These […]
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July 10, 2026 - Connector Materials & Applications, Efficiency, Miscellaneous
Most powder processing problems at the connection point are predictable. A connector that’s too long for its application will sag or collapse. A sleeve running under vacuum will pull inward and restrict flow. A fitting on a bulk bag filler will fold unevenly under every downstroke until the material wears through. These aren’t edge cases. […]
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June 19, 2026 - Connector Materials & Applications, Efficiency, Miscellaneous
Lithium and other battery-grade powders are among the most demanding materials to handle in powder processing. They are fine, reactive, and — in the wrong conditions — combustible. When a connector leaks even a small amount of battery powder into the surrounding environment, the consequences range from product loss and contamination to operator exposure and […]
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May 27, 2026 - Connector Materials & Applications, Efficiency, Miscellaneous
Powder behaves differently in every plant, but the failure points tend to repeat: dust escaping at connection points, inconsistent seals, and changeovers that drag on longer than they should. Whether you’re moving food ingredients, lithium battery materials, pharmaceutical ingredients or nutritional supplements, the flexible connectors between your equipment are doing more work than they get […]
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May 7, 2026 - Miscellaneous
Most plants have more dust sitting around than realized. It collects on beams, cable trays, mezzanines, and the tops of equipment. You walk past it every day because nothing looks wrong, but it’s there. A small event inside a dust collector, conveyor, or process line can shake that dust loose. Once it’s airborne, it only […]
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March 13, 2026 - Miscellaneous
When you’re filling bulk bags, the area around the connection point can make or break your hygiene program. A small leak, a loose fit, or a bit of dust in the air can create more cleanup than expected. Keeping this step controlled is essential for preventing contamination and avoiding unnecessary downtime. This blog breaks down […]
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December 12, 2025 - Hygiene, Miscellaneous
Cleanliness is a core part of food production. It protects product quality, prevents contamination, and keeps equipment running as expected. Yet the CDC still reports about 800 foodborne illness outbreaks in the U.S. each year, many of them preventable with consistent sanitation. Staying on top of sanitation usually comes down to two priorities: Cleaning equipment […]
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