Beyond The Basics Of A Screw Conveyor
Posted by admin , on Jun, 2015
Depending on where you live and what type of industry you are in, a screw conveyor can also be called an auger. These pieces of equipment have been used for centuries to transport small to medium sized loose dry material or liquids up inclines or along horizontal stretches.
The first screw conveyor was called the Archimedes’ screw or the screw pump and was used to move water uphill. Operated by a hand crank, the design of the system is credited to Archimedes, a Greek mathematician. It was believed to date back to the 3rd century B.C, although there is some evidence they may have been used earlier.
The Operation
The operation of the screw conveyor is very simple. Today, they are controlled by computerized settings or through setting on the individual motor. The faster the screw inside the tube moves, and the larger the diameter of the screw and the tube, the more material is moved through the system.
The type of flight and screws, the actual auger component, will vary based on the type of materials which will be moved through the system. Ribbon types of screws help to eliminate sticking and clogging of moist materials while a more solid screw is required for moving fine powders or very liquid materials.
With a variable rate feeder the motor is simply slowed down or sped up to allow an exact amount of liquid, wet or dry material to be moved through the system per minute, hour or other specific interval.
Up Inclines
The screw conveyor is perfect for moving loose dry, semi-moist or wet material, as well as liquids, up an incline. With liquids, the auger or screw blade may not create a leak-proof seal with the tube, but the leak rate will be consistent, allowing the operator to control the specific amount of liquid moving through the system.
Since it can be used on a steep to vertical incline, the screw conveyor is an ideal choice for long lifts. It is important to consider the steeper the incline and the heavier the material moving through the tube, the more power will be needed to keep the auger turning.
It is possible to have a screw conveyor with more than one inlet or discharge point along the conveyor system. These custom designed systems are often used for mixing powders, chemicals or food along a production line. Custom designed systems can be created specifically for different types of production.
With H.C Davis Sons Manufacturing Co., INC., you have the advantage of our years in the industry with every screw conveyor, mixer or grinder we sell.
