Useful And Essential Facts About Screw Conveyors

By Diane Perry


Mechanical devices which are used to move materials from one point to another are called conveyors. The application of conveyors is mostly in production plants and other areas where there is need to handle bulk materials. The systems are relied upon since they use little effort to move materials. As such, a lot of time and effort are saved which would have otherwise been used on moving materials. This is worth knowing about Screw Conveyors.

Over the years, several different types of conveyor systems have been designed and are in use. The mode of working in the various types of conveying systems is different. As such, the suitability of a conveyor system in a given application usually depends on the kind of work it is meant to do. How the system works will determine in huge part how it is applied.

Some basic parts of conveying systems tend to remain the same even though conveying systems differ in design. One of the features that is common among conveyor systems is the frame. The frame supports the belt, wheels, and rollers that move the materials. Another common feature is that different means are used to power the systems. The powering can either be through gravity, a motor, or manual means.

The kind of material that is being transported and the work environment may also determine the kind of conveyor system is used. When one is trying to buy a system, there are several factors that they need to consider. The specifications of the system are some of the most important factors that one should give attention to.

The amount of materials to be moved using the system should be the first factor to be considered. The amount of material to be transported per unit length is usually part of the system specifications. The system can be damaged if the specified capacity is exceeded. One can find this information in the user manual that comes with the machine or at times it is indicated on the machine itself. Another factor is the maximum load capacity which is almost similar to the maximum load per unit length.

The rated speed also known as the belt speed, is another important specification that one should learn about. The system being discussed will determine the units that will be used to describe the rated speed. The speed is normally calculated in feet per minute when dealing with screw or belt conveyors. This speed normally specifies the material that can be moved over a certain duration of time

Screw conveying systems normally handle bulk and powdered materials. As such, they have a specified throughput. Normally, the throughput is calculated as volume per unit time. For example, the throughput may be specified in terms of cubic feet per minute. Apart from screw conveying systems, there are other kinds of conveying systems which have a specified throughput value. Bucket, walking beam, vacuum, and vibrating conveying systems are examples.

It is also important to check the frame configuration of a conveyor before purchasing it. The frames are normally straight, curved or at terms they can be in the shape of the letter Z. Similarly, the location of the drive mechanism is important to consider. This is usually at the center or at the rear end of the system in most cases. It can also be located at the end where materials get fed onto the conveyor although this configuration is very rare.




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