Bulk Solid Samplers for Representative Dry Material Sampling

Improve Sample Accuracy | Automate Quality Control | Increase Process Confidence

We help identify and implement the right Sentry bulk solid sampling solution for powders, pellets, granules, seeds, flakes, grains, and other dry bulk materials. From gravity chutes and hoppers to screw conveyors, drag conveyors, and pneumatic conveying systems, Sentry samplers deliver representative samples that improve quality control and process reliability.

Get a Bulk Solids Sampling Recommendation

Automatic and manual bulk solid samplers for powders, granules, pellets, grains, plastics, food ingredients, chemicals, minerals, cement, agriculture, and dry bulk material handling applications.

Sentry ISOLOK SAK Sampler

Collect fixed-volume increments of powder, flakes, or granules.

Discuss My Application Download Product PDF Technical Information

Collect fixed-volume increments of powder, flakes, or granules.

Do you need measured increments in a contained sampling arrangement?

The Sentry ISOLOK SAK extends and retracts a plunger, trapping a measured quantity of material between its seals. The increment discharges by gravity into a closed container. This page covers the SAK bulk-solids model within the wider ISOLOK family.

Typical application
Build a composite sample from repeated increments of suitable salt, cement, fertilizer, or food product.

Also known as: ISOLOK automatic point sampler, fixed-volume sampler, plunger sampler.

What this sampler can help you do

Control the increment volume

The selected arrangement captures 16 or 18 cc per cycle.

Separate collection from the process

The sealed plunger arrangement isolates the sample collection point from the process.

Plan composite sampling

Use repeated increments at defined intervals, with collection and control arrangements selected for the duty.

How the sampling cycle works

Extend into the product

Compressed air drives the plunger into the material stream.

Capture an increment

Retraction traps material in the annular space between the plunger seals.

Discharge to the container

The measured sample drops by gravity into the closed collection container.

Materials & industries to review

Food products & salt

Suitable flowable powders, flakes, or granules. Review cleaning, seal compatibility, and sample discharge.

Cement, gypsum & alumina

Discuss abrasion, dust, operating conditions, and the required maintenance access.

Fertilizers & industrial solids

Check corrosion, particle size, moisture, and the application-specific seal arrangement.

Exact-model demonstration

See the ISOLOK SAK plunger cycle

Sentry’s SAK animation shows the plunger extending, capturing a fixed increment, and returning for discharge. Use it to discuss the mounting position and the collection arrangement.

Watch on Sentry Equipment’s official YouTube channel

Review the sampling point and collection path

Define the increment volume and the number of cycles needed for the collection period. Check the mounting location, seal compatibility, pressure, and temperature together. As a point sampler, the SAK also requires a location and sampling plan that address any segregation.

Dimensional inspection of a Sentry bulk-solids sampler component — Sentry manufacturing: dimensional inspection of a bulk-solids sampler component. Photo: Sentry Equipment.

Document your material properties, process conditions, and required sample quantity with Sentry’s application worksheet.

Open Application Worksheet PDF

Configuration & selection

Sampling method: Automatic fixed-volume point sampling with a sealed plunger.
Increment size: 16 or 18 cc per cycle, depending on the selected configuration.
Maximum particle size: Published maximum 9 mm; confirm particle shape, flow behaviour, and clearance.
Mounting & construction: 2 in clamp-ferrule mounting arrangement and 316 stainless steel construction; application-specific seals.
Process conditions: Review pressure, material temperature, ambient temperature, seals, and duty cycle as a complete combination.

Options to discuss with RTS

16 or 18 cc increment arrangement
Seal materials for the process conditions
Mounting ferrule and chute or hopper adapter
Auxiliary air ejection for suitable non-free-flowing duties
Programmable sampler controls
Individual or composite sample collection arrangement

Send a line sketch, material description, particle-size range, bulk density, flow rate, pressure or vacuum, temperature, and cleaning requirements. Include the sample quantity, collection interval, and laboratory test you need to support.

Review My Sampling Requirements

Questions to settle before selection

Does fixed volume mean fixed sample mass?

No. The mass of an increment changes with bulk density and how the material fills the sampling space. Tell RTS your required test mass, density range, production variation, and collection period when planning the cycle frequency.

How often should we take a sample?

Base the plan on the lot or batch, how the material varies over time, the test method, and the required composite quantity. Share the production pattern and analysis requirements so RTS can review the interval and collection arrangement with Sentry.

Can the sample be collected automatically?

Discuss sampler controls, the container location, and individual or composite collection. Confirm the controller and any indexing or collection equipment as part of the quotation; those accessories are not assumed to be included.

PDF Literature & Technical Resources

Use the literature to plan the discussion. Final materials, operating limits, controls, mounting, and installation drawings are confirmed for the selected application.

Compare the Sentry sampler range

Conveyor point sampling

Model A Sampler >>

Take repeatable point samples from a conveyor or gravity chute.

Example: Collect routine quality-control increments from a well-mixed dry ingredient stream.

Also known as: Automatic point sampler, conveyor sampler, sliding-gate sampler.

Free-flowing strip sampling

Model RX Sampler >>

Collect a strip sample across a free-flowing material stream.

Example: Review a flour, granular ingredient, grain, or seed stream where segregation could bias a point sample.

Also known as: Automatic strip sampler, retracting-tube sampler, pneumatic-line sampler.

Gravity-flow point sampling

Model RPG Sampler >>

Automate point sampling from a gravity chute or hopper.

Example: Take scheduled increments from a well-mixed granular ingredient leaving a hopper.

Also known as: Automatic point sampler, rotating-chamber sampler, gravity-chute sampler.

Retracting strip sampling with an auger

Model RB Sampler >>

Take a strip sample and convey it out with an auger.

Example: Review a powder stream where gravity transfer through a sample tube is unreliable.

Also known as: Automatic strip sampler, retracting auger sampler, bulk-powder sampler.

Low-height strip sampling

Model D2 Sampler >>

Sample across a gravity stream with a rotating slotted tube.

Example: Review a gravity chute carrying powder, granules, or suitable kibble where material can segregate.

Also known as: Automatic strip sampler, slotted-tube sampler, D2 SSD sampler.

Fixed-volume point sampling

ISOLOK SAK Sampler >>

Collect fixed-volume increments of powder, flakes, or granules.

Example: Build a composite sample from repeated increments of suitable salt, cement, fertilizer, or food product.

Also known as: ISOLOK automatic point sampler, fixed-volume sampler, plunger sampler.