Guide To Screw Conveyors

Conveyor systems require a number of different pieces to flow and function, and not every
conveyor system is the same. Screw conveyors are just one type of conveyor system that is
commonly used in manufacturing, and it is one of the most common.
Screw conveyors utilize a screw-like system to move materials, making them highly versatile.
There isn’t just one type of screw conveyor, though, so it isn’t necessarily easy to figure out
which type you need to fulfill your business’ unique requirements.
There are various types of screw conveyors with different purposes that each have their own
benefits. This guide will explain what screw conveyors are, how they function, and the different
types of screw conveyors. It will also go over which types of screw conveyors are most
appropriate for which industries and the materials they handle.

What are screw conveyors?

Screw conveyors are a piece of a system used to move items from one place to another. As
their name implies, screw conveyors are shaped like a screw – and they function like one, too,
turning material around to move it and bring in new products from one side to another,
according to ThomasNet.

Screw conveyors transport products for various industries and can be configured to fit business’
unique needs. They function like a screw, as their name implies, containing an inlet, discharge
outlet, flexible shaftless auger, feed tube casing, gearbox, and motor.

These conveyors are easy to clean thanks to the disconnect at the inlet. Pipe couplings ensure
that assembly and disassembly requires little effort, too, ensuring that screw conveyors require
only very minimal maintenance. They are also an economical option, being one of the most
affordable types of conveyors.

Screw conveyors are used in any industry that requires products to be moved from one place to
another. These devices can move flakes, powder, and grains; because they can move versatile
types of items and materials, they can serve various industries’ needs – from food to the
agricultural industry.

Types of screw conveyors

While all screw conveyors serve the same purpose of moving products from one place to
another, they don’t all perform their jobs in the same way.
There are various types of screw conveyors with different capabilities, with each type of screw
conveyor being best for a particular industry or set of industries depending on the materials they
are able to handle. Screw conveyors can be altered to suit a particular industry.

This guide lists the most common types of screw conveyors.

Inclined screw conveyor

Inclined screw conveyors are often used in cement mixers since they have the perfect design
for the flow of cement. Inclined screw conveyors operate on a tilt, usually about 0-20 degrees,
allowing the material to flow. The tilt can increase to as much as about 45 percent, but the
greater the tilt, the more the flow is obstructed. For most materials, a low tilt on an inclined
screw conveyor is ideal, but this can vary across industries spending on the viscosity of the
materials used. Once the angle exceeds 45 degrees, it becomes a vertical screw conveyor
rather than an inclined screw conveyor.

Inclined screw conveyors are often used in the food industry.

Shaftless screw conveyor

Shaftless screw conveyors are designed in such a way so as to allow product all the way
through the fixture. This allows for easier flow and less cleaning, and the design also prevents
the buildup of materials that could cause erosion.

Shaftless screw conveyors can handle food, chemicals, plastics, and minerals. As one of the
most versatile types of screw conveyors, though, they can handle a wide variety of products, the
list of industries by no means ends there.

Horizontal screw conveyor

Horizontal screw conveyors are the most popular type of screw conveyor, as they can be used
for a wide variety of applications and have a simple setup. They are not complicated, but they
are efficient, requiring minimal upkeep but getting the job done for a wide number of purposes.
Horizontal screw conveyors are used to move materials from one place to another over a
horizontal plane and handle semi-fluid materials best.

They are also an affordable option compared to belt conveyors and other options on the market.
Horizontal screw conveyors are commonly used to mix materials together during transport, and
can also be used for heating and cooling as well as other specific applications across industries.
They can transport both dry and semi-viscous materials.