Ceramic Glaze Pump and Transfer System Electric Motors

On a ceramic glazing line, electric motors turn the mill that grinds the glaze, the propellers that keep it from settling in the tanks, the pumps that push it from tank to application cabin, the belts that carry tiles under the cabins and the discs that throw glaze onto the tile. Maker catalogues mostly show 0.37–4 kW for agitator and pump motors and about 0.55 kW for disc motors, while glaze mills take 2.2–75 kW depending on charge. Part of the glaze is moved by pumps running on compressed air rather than a motor; this page separates the points where a standard motor works from those that need something else.

DRG Motor is a manufacturer, supplier and seller of electric motors. We do not sell pump casings, impellers or diaphragms, agitator propellers, the mill itself, gearboxes or inverters; these belong to the equipment maker. Our part is the motor behind them: the three-phase unit spinning pump shafts, agitators, belt rollers and mill shells; models are on Buy Electric Motors Online. For general pump motor rules see the Pump Motors category, and for the plant as a whole our ceramic plant motor guide.

How is glaze prepared and how does it circulate on the line?

Glaze is a heavy suspension of frit, kaolin, stains and water. In the preparation room the raw materials are ground in small ball mills, sieved and transferred to agitated storage tanks. At the head of the glazing line, every application point has a small agitated tank and pump beside it: the pump feeds the cabin and the overflow runs back to the tank. If circulation stops, the solids sink to the bottom, which is why the agitator motor keeps turning throughout the shift.

Glaze mill versus body slip mill

A glaze mill is small and batch-run compared with the large mills preparing body slip; glazes of different colours are ground in separate batches. The shell turns slowly, the motor is connected by belts or a gearbox, and a full drum starts heavily. Large body slip mills are the subject of a separate page; only the glaze batch mill is covered here.

Sieve and iron separator

Before returning to the tank, glaze passes a sieve and a magnetic iron separator. Sieves are mostly shaken by vibration motors; one catalogue lists a 0.18 kW, 1500 rpm vibration motor for a glaze sieve. That motor belongs to a family of its own, apart from the standard range; see our vibration motors article.

Glaze pumps: which ones have an electric motor?

Three families of pumps appear on a glazing line, and each needs a different kind of drive. Knowing which one you have before replacing anything prevents a wrong motor order.

Vertical centrifugal tank pump

The most common layout is a vertical-shaft centrifugal pump dipping into the agitated tank, with the impeller in the glaze and the motor on the tank cover. In some tanks one motor drives both agitator and pump; in others each has its own. The impeller is rubber-lined against abrasive glaze; that is a pump matter, not a motor one. Because the motor stands vertical, the mounting must be stated clearly on the order.

Diaphragm pumps: air-operated and electric

Double-diaphragm pumps are widely used for glaze transfer. Most of them run on compressed air and carry no electric motor at all; when they fail, check the compressor and air line. In electric diaphragm pumps an eccentric mechanism pushes the diaphragm; on one maker’s DN25 pump this is done by a 0.55 kW motor.

Progressive cavity and piston pumps

Progressive cavity pumps may be used for high-viscosity glaze and engobe, with the motor geared down to a low speed. We found no reliable catalogue value for their motor rating in glaze service, so we give no figure. Selection follows application data: send us the old motor plate, pump model, flow, pressure and glaze density. The large piston pumps that feed slip to the spray dryer are mostly hydraulically driven and belong to body preparation.

Motors of glazing line belts and applicators

A glazing line is a long string of belts carrying tiles from press or dryer under the cabins. Small geared motors drive the belts, with speed set by inverter; one line description gives 0.75 kW motors for the belts. Brushing and dust-blowing units use motors as small as 0.24 kW, and edge scrapers come with 0.11 kW motors. These very small motors arrive as one piece with their gearbox, so replacing the motor cannot be separated from the gearbox output.

Bell (campana) and disc applicators

In a bell applicator, glaze flows as a curtain from a pump-fed bowl onto the tile; the bell itself has no motor, and the pump and flow control set the coat. In a disc cabin, fast-spinning discs fling the glaze onto the tile. One cabin description gives hollow-shaft disc motors of 0.55 kW at 3000 rpm, with the glaze fed to the disc through the motor shaft. Such special-shaft motors are not part of the standard IEC range; a replacement needs the machine maker’s part.

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How many kW is a glaze pump motor? Catalogue values

A) Motor ratings given in catalogues and data sheets of glaze preparation and glazing line equipment makers:

Depending on model and tank volume, this equipment group uses roughly 0.37–4 kW for glaze pump and agitator motors, up to 30 kW on large storage tanks, 0.11–2.9 kW for belt and cabin drives and 2.2–75 kW for glaze mills. The total motor power of a glazing line grows with the number of application points; the rows show single units.

B) Where DRG fits: 0.37–4 kW pump and agitator motors match our 71 to 112M frames, and 15–75 kW mill motors the 160L to 280S cast iron frames. Brush, blower and edge scraper motors below 0.25 kW, hollow-shaft disc motors and air-operated diaphragm pumps are outside our range.

Worked example: the effect of density on a glaze transfer pump

Run the catalogue tank pump at 90 L/min against an 8 m head. As an example, take pump efficiency 0.40 and glaze density 1750 kg/m³ (real values come from the pump data sheet and the lab). Power is P = ρ·g·Q·H / η:

If the same pump is tried with water and the motor sized on that basis, it is overloaded by roughly three quarters once it pumps glaze. That is why the calculation always uses the real glaze density. Put your own flow, head and density into the pump power calculator.

Ex rule, environment and items outside our range

Most ceramic glazes are water-based and run with standard motors. However, if a solvent or dust zone exists in glaze preparation, a certified motor is required; the standard DRG motor is not sold with this certificate. If solvent-based digital ink preparation, a room where organic binders are mixed or the area where dry powder glazes are emptied is classified as a hazardous zone, an Ex (ATEX) marked motor must be used there; the plant’s explosion protection document sets the zone.

Wet surroundings and cleaning

The glazing line is washed down at the end of every shift. Our IP55 motors are protected against water splashes, but aiming a hose straight at the motor is not advised. On vertical tank motors, glaze dripping on the cover slowly clogs the fan cowl; add that cowl to the cleaning list.

What our range does not include

Ex-marked motors, brake motors, single-phase motors, servo motors, hollow-shaft disc motors and submersible pump motors are outside our range. Vertical operation requires the motor to be ordered for vertical mounting and the axial load to be confirmed by the pump maker; write V1 (shaft down) on the order.

DRG motors for the glazing line

Models picked for tank pump, agitator, belt and disc drive ratings (400 V current):

Small 4-pole motors dominate a glazing line; discs and fast agitators may call for a 2-pole model. Every one of them is a three-phase IEC induction motor; small sizes come in aluminium, larger ones in cast iron, and each can be ordered with a B5 or B14 flange, on feet (B3) or for a vertical shaft (V1). For a replacement, plate power, speed and voltage, flange spigot, shaft diameter and key, and the pump’s coupling type are compared with the pump data sheet; we confirm the fit after that comparison.

B5 dimensions for flange-mounted pump motors

B5 flange of the 71 to 112M frames used on tank pumps and agitators, mm:

Since the pump lantern seats on the motor flange, P, M and N must match exactly. For foot-mounted motor dimensions see the technical drawings page.

Live price table

The shop feeds this table with today’s figures for the glaze pump, agitator and belt sizes listed above:

DRG MOTOR motors are guaranteed against material and manufacturing defects for 2 years from the delivery date (warranty certificate).

Motors in this power range

• DRG-801-4 – 0.55 kW – 1400 rpm – 80 cast iron
• DRG-802-4 – 0.75 kW – 1420 rpm – 80 cast iron
• DRG-801-2 – 0.75 kW – 2880 rpm – 80 cast iron
• DRG-90L-4 – 1.5 kW – 1445 rpm – 90L cast iron
• DRG-112M-4 – 4 kW – 1450 rpm – 112M cast iron

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Browse the products, ask for a quote: motors suited to glaze pumps and the glazing line are on Buy Electric Motors Online. A WhatsApp photo of the pump motor plate gets things moving; on the phone (+90 (542) 666 11 11), mention whether it is a tank, diaphragm or screw pump and how dense the glaze is.

Frequently asked questions

Can I swap an air-operated diaphragm glaze pump for a motor-driven one?

Changing the pump is a matter for the pump maker. If an electric pump is chosen, send us the motor rating and flange from its data sheet and we will find the match.

Why does the glaze tank agitator motor keep tripping?

Glaze settled at the bottom of the tank may be jamming the propeller; empty and clean the tank before fitting a bigger motor.

How do I see glazing line motor prices?

The table above refreshes live from the shop; the row link takes you to ordering.

For questions: +90 (542) 666 11 11 · info@drgmotor.com · contact.