How screw-conveyor systems by Continental differ from screw feeders

Continental is a fine source of screw conveyors.

Continental Conveyor Ltd. manufactures many high-end material-handling options, including screw-conveyor systems. Screw conveyors are especially important in construction, food processing, mining, pulp and paper, and other major Canadian sectors. But there are still many people in these industries who tend to confuse these products with screw feeders, and there are subtle differences.

This confusion is understandable because the functions of screw feeders and screw conveyors are similar, like transporting powder and grain. Still, the distinction is important.

Running at moderately full capacity

Screw-conveyor systems move bulk material from one area of a machine to another; a screw feeder performs virtually the same task, but at a different rate. Screw feeders are intended specifically to deliver finer, granular types of substances accurately from one part of a feeder mechanism to the other. The key 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 user can control the volume rate of material flow discharged from a screw feeder. Although a screw conveyor can handle free-flowing materials, the user cannot regulate the discharge speed.

Another major distinction – screw-conveyor systems run at a moderately full capacity. The material in these conveyors can range anywhere from 15 to 50 per cent capacity, whereas screw feeders run at a flooded 100 per cent full capacity. The reason for this difference in capacity is that users cannot change the operational speeds of screw conveyors, which are usually set at fixed high speeds. But one can alter the dispensing speed and flow control of material from the inlet with a screw feeder.

The third difference between these systems is that users can modulate the flighting, or the diameter and pitch, on screw feeders, depending on the type of material they are conveying. There is a fine line between conveying and feeding materials with these two kinds of machinery.

Customers can buy innovative screw conveyors from the Continental team, which is always rife with expert advice on industrial material-handling solutions such as these.

For more information, contact Continental.

• Tweet