Flexible Screw Conveyors

The use of flexible screw conveyors is limited to short distances (5-10 m, sometimes up to 20 m). Features of flexible screw conveyors as compared with a regular screw conveyor include the following components:

• Tube
• Screw flight
• Bearings / Seals
• Inlet and outlet
• Drive

The tube and screw flight designs have the most variances. The tube is made of plastic, often polyamide or special polyethylene, which makes it flexible in a way that permits the conveying path to be organized by the factory layout. The screw flight has no shaft and is constructed of steel; it can bend inside the tube. The drive is normally positioned at the screw's output, which keeps its seal and bearing away from the product.

1. Maximum sensor level
2. Manifold discharge
3. Hopper minimum level sensor
4. Bridge break unit
5. Hopper frame
6. Safety guard
7. Hopper
8. Electromechanical Vibrator
9. Electric anti-vibration dowels
10. Flexible conveyor tube
11. Outlet unit

Flexible Screw Conveyor Design

The actual capacity of a flexible screw conveyor when designing is determined by:

• Spiral rotational velocity and its model coefficient
• Tilt and infeed type
• Type of material being conveyed

The electric motor that drives the screw is called the drill, and the tubular casing is the only other significant part. A helicoid screw that revolves inside a stationary tube is part of the flexible screw conveyor. Screw conveyors can be utilized for horizontal transports of up to 80 feet and inclination motions of up to 60 degrees. Their diameter commonly ranges from 2.5 to 8 inches.

For example, a 45-degree angle, 360 RPM screw conveyor with an 8-inch diameter can move 1800 cubic feet per hour. The flexible screw is designed as a square bar, round, flat, and beveled edge shapes, and is manufactured from stainless steel. The product is forced through the tube as the screw revolves, producing directional force. It also generates centrifugal force, pushing the material against the tube wall.

There are numerous auger designs, and each one addresses the issues brought on by various material properties. An auger type that is most appropriate for the material that needs to be conveyed to achieve the greatest results from a flexible screw conveyor:

Flat Wire

Made of rectangular or square wire, flat wire augers are used to move powders or other light materials. As a result, the outward force against the tube wall decreases, and a higher positive forward force is applied to the product transported by the flat conveying surface.

Beveled or Square Bar

This particular drill style is made to transport challenging-to-handle or delicate materials with little product degradation or damage. The beveled auger is placed straight. As a result, it works at a maximum RPM of 600 while maintaining a far lower maximum permissible RPM level.

Round Wire

These flexible screws are typically utilized with heavy or extremely abrasive materials. They are manufactured from a coiled round bar. The strength and flexibility of this auger design, which reduces the load imposed on it by particle form, material weight, or material size, are its greatest assets. The round wire auger design produces high slippage and higher outward forces on the transported product.

Center Core

This tiny tube runs the entire length of the drill and is positioned in the screw's center. Limiting the amount of material that may enter the conveyor, the center core limits the pressure placed on the screw. When transporting fluid or highly aerated or dense materials, use a center core.

The flexible screw conveyor provides the best conveying option for the most diverse batch-processing applications. However, there are benefits and limitations to every type of bulk material handling conveyor that should be considered when choosing the right piece of machinery. Therefore, when choosing a flexible screw conveyor, the benefits and limitations are considered:

Advantages of Flexible Screw Conveyor

• Provides alternatives for hoppers that guarantee a dust-tight system and that the product stays inside the process
• Provides minimal to moderate material degradation
• Transports numerous free-flowing and non-free-flowing bulk materials with ease
• Suitable for both horizontal and vertical conveying
• Low price
• Simple maintenance
• Flexible installation

Limitations of Flexible Screw Conveyors

• Residual product is left in the casing
• Different screws are needed when using the same conveyor to move several products
• Height and length are limited
• Flexible screw conveyors also have limited capacities

Choosing the Proper Flexible Screw Conveyor Company

To make sure you have the most beneficial outcome when purchasing a flexible screw conveyor from a flexible screw conveyor manufacturer, it is important to compare at least 4 or 5 companies using our flexible screw conveyor directory. Each flexible screw conveyor company has a business profile page that highlights their areas of experience and capabilities and a contact form to directly communicate with the manufacturer for more information or request a quote. Review each flexible screw conveyor business website using our proprietary website previewer to get an idea of what each company specializes in, and then use our simple RFQ form to contact multiple flexible screw conveyor companies with the same quote.