Screw Conveyor Nz

Choosing The Right Screw Conveyors In NZ

Most manufacturing plants in NZ use screw conveyors. But with the many kinds of screw conveyors and conveyors in general, how do you choose the system to match your production needs?

A screw conveyor is made up of a large screw, also called Archimedes' screw, placed inside a flexible or rigid hollow pipe or tube. As a motor turns the screw, the material turns inside the length of the screw. In effect, the material is transferred from one end to the other. It is suitable to convey granular materials, plastic pellets and liquids.

In most industries it is used as rotary feeder to move materials at a specific rate or quantity into a process. Sewage treatment plants use the Archimedean screw because it is able to handle different flow rates and suspended solids. In agricultural applications, screw conveyors, also called auger conveyors, are used to fill silos or bags with grain. Other applications of the screw conveyor are in snow blowers and grain elevators.

There are different types of screw sections, depending on the texture or weight of the material that is to be conveyed, the incline of the system, and mechanism that the industry requires, such as mixing and retention time. For example, if the material to be conveyed is sticky, choose a ribbon flight screw section. It is also suggested that the screw section be electro polished for easier cleaning.

In buying a screw conveyor system, here are other things that you must first consider.

What kind of material shall be conveyed? While most screw conveyors can handle various products from fine to large particles, material characteristics such as flow properties, temperature, bulk density and inherent hazards must also be considered. Some manufacturers offer a wide variety of materials such as those made of stainless steel, and corrosion resistant and wear resistant conveyors.

In what direction must the system convey? Some screw sections work better to convey materials horizontally, others up an incline. Consider also the length through which the material must pass.

Is the system easy to clean and does it require low maintenance? If the system is to be used in a food processing or pharmaceutical plant where contamination is to be avoided at all times, choose a conveyor system with lesser crevices or joints that may trap particles. The parts must also allow a thorough wash down. Also, check if the system has internal bearings or filters that may wear and need replacement.

Are there space considerations such as floor space, plant layout or ceiling height? A flexible conveyor system may be bent to a certain degree. Thus, it takes up lesser space than the rigid conveyor system, making it the more popular choice for manufacturing plants with space limitations.

Screw conveyor systems continue to be the more popular choice than its competitor, the pneumatic conveyor system. While both are suitable for bulk conveying processes, the screw conveyor requires lower capital as well as operating costs. Also, there are some industries where pneumatic conveyors are not suitable.

Manufacturers in New Zealand and in other countries offer integrated services. Aside from conveyor design and selection, they also provide for factory assistance testing, documentation and certification, even worldwide crating and freighting. This makes choosing the right screw conveyor easy. Check the different websites and see the many designs that the manufacturer can offer.