Screw conveyors – a step towards automation
At the beginning of the 20th century, Henry Ford revolutionized the automotive industry and introduced a new logistical invention into his car factories – the production line. This moment in industrial history can be considered the beginning of production automation – a process that continues to be improved to this day.
However, you do not have to be an automotive magnate from Detroit to implement such solutions in your work. For a good start, today’s hero is enough – the screw conveyor.
What is a screw conveyor?
A screw conveyor, also known as a trough conveyor, is a device designed to transport bulk material, most often as part of a simple production line. Its operation is based on the rotation of a characteristic spiral screw, to which the conveyor owes its name. This element, called the transport screw, forms a kind of concave trough filled with the conveyed material. It can rotate faster or slower, thereby regulating the throughput of feeding. The entire mechanism is extremely simple and therefore reliable.
Screw conveyor – for what applications?
Screw conveyors are used to move loads composed of small, dry, unbound particles in order to subject them to further production processes. These may include grain, offcuts, sawdust, shavings or dust.
Where can a screw conveyor be used?
In a sawmill
A screw conveyor will prove useful in all kinds of wood processing plants, especially those generating large amounts of loose waste. In such a configuration, the screw conveyor can feed sawdust into a briquette press or a granulator and thus be part of a pellet or briquette production line.
Also check our other article: pellet production
In processing plants
Conveyors are also used in agriculture and in the processing of agricultural crops.
The transport screw can easily handle all kinds of grain. This type of equipment will also significantly facilitate the filling of bags and silos.
In industry
Gravel, rubble, sand, dust – these are materials commonly used in industry. Their proper dosing is ensured by a screw conveyor. Especially when combined with an automated production line, a well-configured conveyor can significantly speed up and simplify many processes. The trough conveyor is also used in chemical plants, where precise and controlled dosing of substrates is mandatory.
In the boiler room
A screw conveyor is also a good fuel dosing device. For example, in pellet burners connected to a controller, the conveyor supplies the furnace with an appropriate portion of fuel depending on the current heat demand.
In summary:
Screw conveyors are universal devices that, in their simplicity and versatility, have no equal. They guarantee precision and continuity of operation, which are difficult to achieve with manual dosing of bulk materials. They will perform excellently in almost any production line, regardless of its complexity. In addition to logistical advantages, screw conveyors relieve physical workers and in a way take the weight of the load off their shoulders.
