Continental and the differences between screw conveyors and screw feeders

Screw conveyors are available from Continental.

Screw conveyors are among the many high-end material-handling options available from Continental Conveyor Ltd. These systems are particularly important in construction, food processing, mining, pulp and paper, and other key Canadian industries. But a lot of people in these sectors still tend to confuse these products with screw feeders, and there are subtle differences. Since the functions of screw feeders and screw conveyors are similar, like transporting grain or powder, this confusion is understandable. But the distinction is important to recognize.

Same task at different rate

Screw conveyors move bulk materials from one area of a machine to another. Screw feeders perform virtually the same task, but at a different rate. The latter are specifically designed to deliver finer, granular types of substances accurately from one part of a feeder mechanism to the other. The main difference is that the feeder can adjust the speed of the bulk material moving from the hopper, which matches the pace of the feeder when it is operational. The volume rate of material flow discharged from a screw feeder can be controlled. While a screw conveyor can handle free-flowing materials, its discharge speed cannot be regulated.

Another key distinction: screw conveyors run at a moderately full capacity. The material in these conveyors can run anywhere from 15 to 50 per cent capacity, whereas screw feeders go at a flooded 100 per cent full capacity. The reason for this difference in capacity is that the operational speeds of screw conveyors cannot be changed and are usually set at fixed high levels. But the dispensing speed and flow control of material from the inlet can be altered with a screw feeder.

The third difference between these products is that the flighting, or the diameter and pitch, can be modulated on screw feeders, depending on the kind of material they are conveying. There is a fine line between feeding and conveying material with these two types of systems.

Innovative screw conveyors are available from the Continental crew, which is always ready and willing to give expert advice on these industrial material-handling systems.

To learn more, contact Continental.

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