Screw conveyor: efficient material handling

30 May 2022

The easiest and quickest way to transport bulk material is with a screw conveyor. These conveyor systems are suitable for the efficient transport of both dry materials and liquids, making them an important part of some industrial and manufacturing processes. We've put together a summary of what a screw conveyor is, what it's made of and why it's indispensable in certain sectors.

What is a screw conveyor and what is it used for?

Whether in agriculture or in the construction industry, the screw conveyor helps to speed up work in all situations and conditions. In the case of a conveyor system, the conveyor is transported by a pulley shaft which is welded to the pipe shaft in a screw-type arrangement. The materials are moved in a closed, lidded tube or trough running along a screw shaft, and driven by a motor.
According to the operating principle, the most important thing for the process is that the coefficient of friction between the trough or the screw tube and the material surfaces is greater than the coefficient of friction between the material and the screw shaft. However, the principle of operation of the auger is not limited to its transport function, it can also perform mixing and pressing tasks.

Different versions of the auger can be used in different situations, for example, there is a belt auger, a plate auger and a paddle auger. There is also a variety of solutions in terms of layout. If the objects or materials to be transported are not very large, a pulley with a screwed surface can be used, while if the material to be transported is larger, it is more practical to change the position of the material by moving the blades.

The pulleys themselves and the pulley shaft vary according to what exactly the task is, what material needs to be transported. Likewise, the discharge chute can be fitted with additional parts, such as a thread puller head or a cutter blade. The auger can be used horizontally, but it can also be used on slopes.

What are the parts?

The construction of the conveyor is complex, the desired movement is the result of the interplay of several elements. One of its two end plates is the drive side, to which the bearing, the mass cup and the drive are connected (this can be indirect or direct), and the other is the free-running side, to which the bearing and the mass cup are connected.

The conveyor system also includes the rotor, the suspension bearing, which varies depending on the length, the hopper, the trough element and optionally sensors.

Makrofilt: the master of screw conveyor manufacturing

Makrofilt specialises in the manufacture of custom filter presses and screw conveyors. Fully customised screw conveyors are made by the company, using high quality materials and manufactured by highly qualified technicians. Our reliable and customised systems are delivered turnkey, so that the customer has nothing to do other than to outline the requirements and then to operate them.

Curious about our work? Contact our colleagues!


Makrofilt Szűréstechnikai Kft.
2200 Monor, Péteri út 014/19 hrsz.
(house no. 45)

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