Over 10,000+ customers' choice, Focus on screening industry 40+ years
Protein powder processors vary significantly in production scale – from R&D laboratories processing a few hundred kilograms per day to large sports nutrition plants processing dozens of tonnes per day. The feeding system configuration requirements differ accordingly. Gaofu's feeding system – based on a modular design – integrates four core units: a dust‑free feeding station, an intelligent screening module, a pneumatic conveying system, and a visualisation control centre. Enterprises can flexibly combine these units according to their own capacity requirements.
1. Small‑to‑Medium Batch Production (1‑5 tonnes/day) – Basic Configuration
For enterprises in the R&D trial stage or small‑batch production, the basic configuration is recommended: dust‑free feeding station + pneumatic conveying + weighing and metering module.
The dust‑free feeding station handles enclosed bag opening and feeding of protein powder – the feeding platform maintains a micro‑negative pressure, with dust efficiently collected and no material loss. The pneumatic conveying system delivers protein powder through enclosed piping to the next process – Gaofu's GFZK series vacuum feeder covers conveying capacities of 200‑6,000 kg/h. The weighing and metering module achieves recipe‑based precise batching.
This configuration has a relatively low investment threshold – later expansion can add storage hoppers and CIP cleaning systems on top of the basic configuration. The "agile start, phased investment" approach effectively protects the enterprise's initial investment.
2. Medium‑Scale Production (5‑20 tonnes/day) – Full‑Process Automation Configuration
For enterprises that have entered stable production with continuously growing capacity, the full‑process automation configuration is recommended: dust‑free feeding station + intelligent screening module + pneumatic conveying + automatic metering + control centre.
The intelligent screening module performs online screening before protein powder enters the conveying pipe – effectively removing lumps and foreign matter. The pneumatic conveying system uses a combination of positive‑pressure and negative‑pressure conveying, with conveying capacity of 3‑5 tonnes/hour and conveying distance of up to 50 metres. The automatic metering module features a dedicated metering system for powdered materials like protein powder, with metering accuracy errors ≤±0.5%. The visualisation control centre is equipped with a touchscreen interface – multiple recipes can be preset and the feeding process started with one touch. Automated feeding is 3‑5 times faster than manual operation, increasing single‑line capacity by over 30% – one system can replace 3‑5 workers.
3. Large‑Scale Production (20+ tonnes/day) – Multi‑Line Parallel + Intelligent Control
For large sports nutrition plants, the multi‑line parallel feeding solution is recommended: multiple feeding units + centralised control + MES integration + recipe management.
The system supports multiple feeding units operating in parallel – simultaneously supplying material to multiple production lines. It is equipped with recipe confidentiality management – with password‑protected access. The system can be integrated with MES information systems – raw material usage data is uploaded in real time for digital management and traceability. Core equipment has passed national explosion‑proof (CNEX) certification. The system supports multiple preset recipes – one‑touch product changeovers – significantly shortening changeover time. It features AI intelligent learning programmes that automatically calibrate accuracy parameters, ensuring long‑term stable accuracy.
As a food ingredient consumed directly, the protein powder feeding system must meet corresponding food hygiene standards. Different application scenarios have different hygiene requirements – from basic food‑grade to GMP clean‑grade – with corresponding differences in selection configuration.
1. Food‑Grade Standards – Basic Configuration Requirements
For general food‑grade protein powder production, the feeding system must meet the following basic requirements:
Fully enclosed conveying eliminates dust emission. The system uses fully enclosed pneumatic conveying design – raw materials never contact air or personnel from feeding through conveying. It effectively controls workshop dust concentration to ≤10 mg/m³ , complying with the requirements of the General Hygiene Standard for Food Production (GB 14881‑2013). The piping can achieve "zero" material residue.
Food‑grade stainless steel materials. All parts that contact protein powder are made of 304 food‑grade stainless steel (316L available on request) – with smooth surfaces that resist material adhesion and are easy to clean.
Dust‑free feeding. The dust‑free feeding station intercepts dust and foreign matter at the source – the dust collection fan prevents material dust from dispersing during bag opening.
2. GMP Clean‑Grade Standards – High‑Standard Configuration Requirements
For sports nutrition plants requiring GMP certification, or enterprises producing foods for special medical purposes, the feeding system must meet higher‑standard configuration requirements:
Hygienic‑grade structural design. The system design fully considers GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) requirements for the food industry – with no dead corners – providing reliable food safety assurance at the equipment level. The internal surfaces of conveying pipes are mirror‑polished – with smooth internal surfaces and no dead corners.
316L stainless steel materials. For production scenarios with higher corrosiveness or stricter hygiene requirements, 316L stainless steel – with its added molybdenum content offering superior resistance to chloride ions – is the preferred choice.
Quick‑release design for cleaning validation. The system supports quick‑release structural design – facilitating routine inspection and cleaning. All protein powder‑contact parts support quick disassembly and cleaning – complying with HACCP, ISO22000, and other food safety management system requirements.
Cross‑contamination prevention design. Protein powder production workshops typically handle multiple product varieties – whey protein, soy protein, pea protein, collagen, and more – the system supports changeover production of multiple product types, effectively preventing cross‑contamination.
3. Allergen Isolation Standards – Special Configuration Requirements
Whey protein is a food allergen – raw materials containing allergens should be physically isolated from general raw materials. Gaofu's feeding system's fully enclosed design is itself an effective physical isolation measure – material is fed and conveyed in an enclosed system, with no cross‑contact with the workshop environment or other materials. For production lines requiring frequent changeovers between allergen‑containing and non‑allergen‑containing materials, dedicated feeding units are recommended – or dedicated conveying components (such as screens and seals) for different materials – to avoid cross‑contamination from allergen residue.
Based on the above analysis, protein powder processors are advised to follow these five steps for systematic evaluation when selecting a feeding system:
Step 1: Define capacity requirements. Determine the required conveying capacity based on the production line's daily throughput, peak demand, and future expansion plans. Gaofu's GFZK series vacuum feeder covers conveying capacities of 200‑6,000 kg/h , while the positive/negative pressure pneumatic conveying system can achieve 3‑5 tonnes/hour – flexibly selectable according to actual needs.
Step 2: Determine the hygiene standard level. Based on product type and target market, clarify the required hygiene standard – food‑grade, GMP‑grade, or allergen isolation grade. This decision directly affects material selection (304/316L), structural design (dead‑corner‑free), and cleaning configuration (CIP‑compatible).
Step 3: Assess workshop layout and conveying distance. Measure the actual path from the feed point to the receiving equipment – horizontal distance, vertical lift height – and count the number of bends. Gaofu's feeding system covers conveying distances of 1‑50 metres – flexibly configurable according to workshop layout.
Step 4: Match core unit configuration. Based on capacity and hygiene standard requirements, select the required modules from the four core units – dust‑free feeding station, intelligent screening module, pneumatic conveying system, and visualisation control centre – and combine them flexibly.
Step 5: On‑site material testing. Protein powder's flowability, bulk density, hygroscopicity, and other characteristics directly affect actual conveying performance. It is recommended to provide actual material samples to the manufacturer for on‑site material testing before purchase – with actual measured values as the basis.
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About Gaofu
Originated in the 1980s, Xinxiang Gaofu Machinery Co., Ltd. has developed into a leading enterprise after more than 40 years of steady development. The company holds authoritative national qualifications including National-level Specialized, Refined, Unique and Innovative Little Giant Enterprise, National Green Factory, National High-tech Enterprise, and National Intellectual Property Advantage Enterprise, and acts as the President Unit of the Vibration Industry Association.
It has established three provincial and municipal R&D platforms: Henan Provincial Industrial Design Center, Henan Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center for Intelligent On-line Screening System, and Xinxiang Municipal Fine Screening Engineering Technology Research Center. Up to now, Gaofu has obtained more than 500 patents covering invention, utility model and design. It has been awarded the Science and Technology Achievement Prize by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China and has participated in drafting and formulating 4 national standards.
Gaofu's product portfolio covers multiple series and hundreds of specifications, mainly including vibrating screening equipment, conveying equipment and intelligent automatic material handling systems. We provide one-stop overall solutions such as automatic feeding systems, powder supply systems, pneumatic conveying systems, metering and weighing systems, batching systems, micro-ingredient batching systems, water supply systems, oil supply systems, fluid conveying systems, central kitchen powder supply systems, powder conveying systems and feeding systems.
In terms of food production lines, our mature supporting systems cover two major categories: baking production lines and pasta production lines. The baking series includes production lines for bread, cake, crisp cake, croissant, toast, pizza, biscuit and hamburger. The pasta series includes intelligent production lines for steamed buns, stuffed buns, twisted rolls, sesame paste cakes, steamed dumplings, boiled dumplings, fried dough sticks and pies.
Gaofu products sell well across Greater China and are exported to more than 100 countries and regions worldwide, including Russia, Canada, the United States, New Zealand, Japan, Brazil and South Africa. Widely applied in food, pharmaceutical, chemical, metallurgical, building materials, mining, thermal power, environmental protection and other industries, our products have won the trust and recognition of over 10,000 global customers.
Adhering to the corporate mission of improving material quality and efficiency to meet customer needs, Gaofu has long-term stable cooperative relationships with global clients to achieve harmonious and win-win development. At present, Gaofu has become an official qualified supplier of many Fortune Global 500 enterprises, including CNPC, Sinopec, Sinochem Group, China Resources Group, Sinopharm Group, COFCO, China National Building Material, China Aerospace and Jinchuan Group.
