Gericke Group has launched a newly developed perforated plate with hexagonal apertures designed to increase throughput in centrifugal sifting applications.

The hexagonal geometry provides more open area than a circular aperture with the same nominal size. Gericke says the design can improve material flow while maintaining structural integrity.

For a 3-mm aperture measured across flats, the hexagonal design provides 7.80 mm² of open area. A conventional 3-mm circular hole provides 7.07 mm². The difference represents a 10.3% increase in open area.

Gericke tested the design using plain white flour in a GS4-722 centrifugal sifter equipped with a 3-mm screen. Under identical operating conditions, the conventional circular screen achieved an average throughput of 16,567 kg/h.

The hexagonal screen reached an average throughput of 19,338 kg/h. That represents a 14% increase in processing capacity.

The measured throughput improvement exceeded the theoretical increase in open area. Gericke said the optimized aperture geometry reduces flow resistance, allowing material to pass through the screen more freely.

The hexagonal perforated plates can also serve as direct replacements for conventional circular screens, according to the company.