Flexible Screw Conveyors
100% interchangeable with your existing system
Benefits and Key Features Of Flexible Screw Conveyors
Renowned for their simplicity, reliability, and versatility, Flexible Screw Conveyors stand as the go-to solution for transporting dry bulk solids across all industries, such as food, including seasoning & flavouring, pharmaceutical, plastic, chemical and environmental sectors, as they are adept at transporting a wide array of materials, ranging from powders and pellets to crystals, brittle substances, granules, and flakes. Such diverse capabilities make them indispensable across various industrial applications, where precise material handling is paramount.
Flexible Screw Conveyors also offer an efficient, low-cost way of transporting dry bulk solids with them only consisting of one moving part, the flexible spiral, also known as a pigtail screw, process engineers around the globe opt for their low-maintenance requirements and overall reliability.
Our Flexible Screw Conveyors or Flexible screw augers are available in various designs and configurations whilst staying true to their fundamental operating principles. Flexible Screw Conveyors are designed to be precisely what their name suggests… flexible! Whether horizontal, vertical or at a 45° angle, through to a different room in your process plant or have multiple discharge points, Flexible Screw Conveyors can be adapted to suit almost any application without compromise.The UHMWPE tubing and spiral augers allow for construction around bends and obstacles, meaning our Flexi Screws can fit into the tightest of spots hence the name Flexible!
The spiral auger is designed to self-centralise inside the ultra-high molecular weight polyethene (UHMWPE) conveying tube, which maintains dust-tights conditions, preventing cross-contamination. The spiral uses the material being handled to keep itself rigid, which is maintained through consistent mixing of the contained powders. A single motor drives the spiral, gently transporting powders without the risk of product degradation before dropping out of the material outlet at a constant pre-determined rate.
Over two Decades of Experience Across a Variety of Industries
At powder conveyor, we specialise in manufacturing Flexible Screw Conveyors, providing material transfer solutions to processing manufacturers and machinery suppliers. We have the manufacturing and innovative technology that has enabled the UK and EU-based OEMs to incorporate our products into their industries. Some of the products that are used are Flexible Screw Conveyors, Gravimetric and Volumetric screw feeders, FIBC dischargers, sack tip stations and storage hoppers/silos. Sometimes, larger custom-built machinery is added – such as Rigid Auger conveyors and dosing systems.
Well known for their simplicity, Flexible Screw Conveyors, also known as spiral conveyors and centreless screw conveyors, exhibit a throughput capacity ranging from a few kilos to numerous tonnes per hour. At Powder Conveyor, we take immense pride in our manufacturing process, meticulously crafting the majority of conveyor components in-house. utilising cutting-edge technology such as laser cutting and fabrication combined with CNC press forming and CAD sheet metal design, we ensure precision and quality in every component we produce. Our commitment to innovation is evident in our substantial investments in advanced machining capabilities, including state-of-the-art CNC milling and turning facilities. By harnessing these capabilities, we empower our customers with cost-effective solutions without compromising on quality, giving Powder Conveyor a highly competitive edge in the flexible screw marketplace and enabling us to challenge traditional flexible screw manufacturers and bring a fresh, customer-centric ethos to the marketplace.
Construction
Our flexible screw conveyors can be seamlessly integrated into an existing setup, whether fed directly from sack tip stations, storage hoppers, FIBC dischargers, or other material handling equipment. While the base model provides reliable material transfer capabilities, at Powder Conveyor we offer additional features, such as additional agitation or quick-release mechanisms, to address specific operational needs, ensuring unmatched performance and versatility across all industries. Additionally, a variety of polish finishes can be requested, including welds as laid, standard, crevice-free, and mirror (0.2Ra), to ensure optimal hygiene standards and regulatory compliance.
Flexible Conveyors offer unparalleled versatility and durability, manufactured from a selection of materials tailored to meet the demands of a diverse range of industries from plastics to food, pharmaceutical and chemical. Constructed with durability in mind, our screw conveyors are constructed in mild steel, 304 stainless steel, or 316 stainless steel variants, each boasting distinct advantages to suit specific application requirements. These materials include the construction of any inlets, outlets, hoppers, lids, agitators, connection flanges and drive shafts.
- Mild steel (or low-carbon steel): A composition of iron, carbon, and manganese, it is a low-cost construction material known for its ease of shaping, making manufacturing this steel alloy cost-effective as it is easy to manipulate. Mild steel is not suitable for food contact or pharmaceutical processes.
- 304 stainless steel: An alloy composition containing 18% chromium and 8% nickel, is the most common construction material worldwide due to ease of fabrication, resistance to acidic and caustic solutions, and reduced risk of intergranular corrosion.
- 316 stainless steel: Typically used in food and pharmaceutical processes as 316 Offers a heightened resistance to corrosion and sodium chloride (NaC1) based substances compared to 304 stainless steel. 326 stainless steel is also easier to fabricate, weld, and is easier to clean.
To further enhance operational efficiency, our flexible screw conveyors feature easy-clean capabilities, including quick-release mechanisms, to reduce downtime and maximise productivity. Trantec remains committed to adhering to stringent regulatory standards, collaborating closely with the EC, USDA, FDA, and 3-A dairy food contact legislation to ensure compliance with current requirements.
Regardless of the manufacturer, all Flexible Screw Conveyors will have the same components. These include:
- Inlet (where materials are deposited) and corresponding connection flanges.
- Spiral auger that is cut to length with a section profile that is dependant on material properties and requirements.
- Dust-tight UHMWPE outer tube cut to length and size to match the spiral auger. UHMWPE is an approved material for extrusion and is the number one choice for conveying tubes due to its low friction, chemical resistance, and overall high wear resistance.
- Outlet (where materials are dispensed from) and connection flanges.
- Drive shaft with a motor adapter.
- Three-phase electric motor, 50/60hz – typically AC or DC (AC for higher RPMs).
The majority of our components are now produced in-house from specifically selected materials. Trantec can advise on the pros and cons of all, with full traceability available upon request.
Agitation Devices For Poor Flowing Materials
An agitation device serves as a crucial component when dealing with poor-flowing materials. To prevent material build-up, which can impede production efficiency, incorporating an agitator ensures constant conditioning and disruption of the material, to maintain a smooth flow. A contra-rotating agitator blade mechanism is typically employed; however, other agitation methods are available. The material’s flow properties are carefully considered to ensure the right agitator style is equipped to ensure optimal performance. Vibratory agitation is occasionally used for certain powders and granular materials that cannot flow with traditional techniques but are not commonly required as our agitation devices are independently driven, this provides precise control of rotation speed and product conditioning levels. Below are examples of common issues faced with poor-flowing materials.
Rat-holing: The term given to materials that form a hole above the spiral auger or the hop
Bridging (or arching): When powders form a bridge or arch above the spiral or discharge point in the hopper, causing similar issues to rat-holing, preventing material from dropping and entering the inlet for conveying.
Such challenges underline the necessity for equipment capable of managing these complexities effectively. Trantec agitators are designed to ensure continuous agitation and provide an even flow of material by preventing the formation of rat-holing and bridges.
