Sunday, August 26, 2018

By Kenneth Hamilton


The history of conveying systems is not a short one. One of the best inventions of the ancient time are the auger conveyors, also known as screw conveyors. History places the evolution of this machine in the ancient Greece. As it happens, the design of auger conveyor was adapted from a prototype built by Archimedes back in the days. This inventor is responsible for the invention of a unique design which was used in transferring liquids from the bottom to the top.

As first, water was the main liquid that was lifted using this machine. It operates on a mechanism of a helical screw blade that rotates. Normally, the blade is confined within a tube. Today, auger conveyors are used in moving granular materials and liquids. As such, they are a common feature in several modern bulk handling companies and industries.

Bone meal, boiler ash, municipal solid waste, wood chips, cereal grains, aggregates, food waste, and many others are among items moved using conveyors. Usually, the spiral blade applied is twisted around a shaft. The shaft is driven at one end while the second end stays fixed. Some systems are designed in such a way that one end is driven, while the second end is free to move.

The volume transferred is directly proportional to the rate at which the shaft rotates. The design of the Auger conveyor is made this way to ensure effectiveness. Conveyors are used as variable rate feeders for various applications in industries. The rate of rotation is therefore modified to make sure that only materials or products are fed into the process at a given rate.

The horizontal screw conveyor is the most common kind of auger conveyors being used today. These types are made in varied sizes, lengths, and configurations. The materials applied in making them differ greatly. Many conveyors normally function at 45, 30, and 15 percent trough loading. Specific characteristics of the material being transferred determine the percentage of trough loading.

A 45 percent trough loading is suitable for non-abrasive, light and free-flowing materials. The percentage is decreased to 30 or 15 depending on the density of the material, its sluggishness, and if it is more abrasive. Despite the advantages of conveyors, they also have their own shortcomings. One of the shortcomings is blockage caused by materials under transportation when they bond on the spiral blade.

Blockages can result into a lot of inconveniences including delays and damage of the shaft. The damages suffered can cost a lot in terms of repairs. Also, there are some parts that are irreparable, meaning that if they get damaged the only remedy is replacement with a new one. It is for this reason that repairs are recommended after a certain period.

To finalize, advancements in technology have led to invention of better conveyors. The new designs are better such that they are energy saving, low noise, easy operation, low maintenance, good sealing, dust prevention, and well adapted. To add on this, they have flexible arrangements in terms of the positions of outlets and inlets. Also, they come in various sizes and shapes allowing people to choose what suits them.




About the Author:



0 commentaires:

Post a Comment