Here Is Information On 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.

Even though the various types of conveying systems are designed differently, some of the basic components tend to remain the same. For instance, the various kinds of systems have a frame that provides support to the belt, wheels, or rollers upon which materials are moved. Also, these systems are usually powered through various means. Some common mechanisms of powering them include use of a motor, gravity, or through manual means.

The kind of conveyor system to be employed will be determined by the working environment and the type of material to be transported. There are several factors that one should put into consideration prior to purchasing the system. Also, one should put more attention to the specifications of a system that they intend to buy.

The first specification to consider should be the load capacity per unit length of the machine. This specification specifies the amount of load that should be transported on the system per unit length. Exceeding this capacity will usually damage the system. This value is usually indicated on the device or in the manufacturer manual that comes with it. Closely related to the load capacity per unit length is the maximum load capacity.

Other than the load to be moved, one also needs to consider the belt speed or the rated speed. The speed is measured in different units depending on the type of the system. The speed in screw and belt conveyors is measured in terms of feet per minute. Speed usually describes how far the load is moved in a given unit 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.

The frame configuration is another useful specification to know about when buying a conveyor. Frames can be designed to be curved, straight, or shaped like the letter Z. Where the drive mechanism is located on the system is also an important consideration. The drive mechanism may be located at the discharge end of the system or in the center. In rare cases, it may be found at the end where materials are fed into the system.




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