• Volkan
• March 25, 2025

Guide To Screw Conveyors

With a long history of innovation dating back to 250 BC, screw conveyors remain the oldest pump design in history. These conveyors are used to move large volumes of granular materials from one location to another and are one of the most reliable methods of conveyance.

How Screw Conveyors Work

Screw conveyors work through electric motors – a helical screw blade called a flighting rotates inside a tube or trough and pushes material forward. Once you drop granular material like grain or sand into one end, the motor turns the screw inside the tube and pushes it forward, much like how a drill inserts into wood.

The material from the screw conveyor exits at the end, either continuously or in batches. It’s a simple and efficient way to move material around a facility and makes sure all material gets to where it needs to be with accuracy.

Types of Screw Conveyors

• Horizontal screw conveyors are the most widely used type and move materials in a straight, horizontal path
• In comparison, vertical screw conveyors lift materials vertically and are perfect for elevating bulk materials
• Inclined screw conveyors operate at an angle. Above 45- degrees, an inclined screw conveyor is considered a vertical conveyor
• A shafted screw conveyor has a solid shaft that goes through the centre of the screw, while shaftless conveyors only have a spiral or helix without the centre shaft
• With an enclosed design, tubular screw conveyors minimise the threat of contamination or spillage
• Through screw conveyors are a common type of conveyor which allows the handling of fragile materials without an enclosed casing

Applications of Screw Conveyors

Various types of screw conveyors can be customised for multiple applications:

• Flour and animal feed mills are common applications for screw conveyors and they’re used to move animal feed into milling processes
• Food processing sites require sealed screw conveyors to avoid cross contamination and ensure no moisture or air contaminates the food.
• Industries working with hazardous chemicals greatly benefit from screw conveyors to ensure products are tightly sealed, especially when these chemicals are toxic.
• Pharmaceutical industries often work with materials like powders that must avoid outside moisture. Similar to food processing, these conveyors are usually sealed.

Benefits of Screw Conveyors

1. Improved efficiency

Screw conveyors effortlessly move materials from one place to another, leaving no room for error. Compared to other types of conveyors like belt, chain and modular, screw conveyors can be used in areas where space is limited, with a compact design that can fit in even the busiest of environments.

It goes without saying that industrial operations are more accurate and precise with machines taking control of material handling. Reliable and able to work around the clock, screw conveyors have a higher accuracy than relying on manual labour and can work to a level that staff cannot. Human error is always a risk, but with automated processes taking over, this is lowered significantly.

2. Greater versatility

Many materials can be transported with screw conveyors, including food, animal feed, pharmaceuticals and chemicals, amongst others. No matter the speed required, weight and type of material, they can handle both fine and coarse materials, so are suitable for a wide range of applications.

Bulk material can be moved to various locations at a speed manual labour can’t compete with. It’s important to have flexible screw conveyors that fit the needs of your industry to keep up with demand.

3. Cost-effective solution

Introducing automated processes reduces pressure on manual labour, which ultimately saves on business costs. With a lower likelihood of human error, companies can save costs with less wasted material. When you no longer need staff to sort materials manually, it opens the door to a more efficient, streamlined workflow.

The upfront cost of screw conveyors can be fairly low compared to other types of conveyors and the long-term savings can be significant. Plus, operational costs are relatively low and screw conveyors don’t require a large amount of power to function.

4. Customisable

From horizontal to inclined and tubular conveyors, there are plenty of options to suit your industrial requirements. In applications where hazardous or toxic materials are transported, the conveyors can be tightly sealed to prevent contamination.

You can also customise the design and size of screw conveyors to match your business needs. This includes specialised hoppers, portable designs, heating and cooling options, custom-engineered agitators and more. The speed of the electric motor can be modified to ensure the efficient movement of materials. Businesses will wish they used screw conveyors to improve efficiency from day one!

What To Consider When Choosing a Screw Conveyor

When choosing the right screw conveyor for your needs, you must consider the type of material being transported. The coarseness, shape and size of the material are important to note as certain sizes and capacities may clog the machine.

It’s crucial to consider if the material is hazardous, as you may need to prevent contamination outside the conveyor. In these cases, a sealed conveyor is the best option. Also consider how the temperature and humidity level of the facility may affect the material and customise the conveyor as you need to.

Conveying requirements like the length, speed, incline or decline need to be considered to ensure the rate of movement is appropriate. If you don’t want to commit to fully investing in a new piece of equipment, you can hire a conveyor to see how it works for you.

How To Maintain Screw Conveyor Systems

Maintenance of screw conveyors is relatively straightforward and cost-effective. As with any industrial machinery, regular checks should be carried out to spot early signs of wear and tear and damage. This is especially important when the substances being moved are hazardous. Checks for electrical connections, seals and specific components need to be carried out regularly to ensure high-quality performance and movement of the conveyor.

Regular cleaning should be carried out to remove any material build-up, especially in areas where the screw conveyors are being used constantly.

Companies must ensure they’ve used screw conveyors in the correct way to uphold health and safety and prevent any maintenance failures further down the line.

Would A Screw Conveyor System Work for Your Project? Explore Our Range Today!

With the range of flexible screw conveyors on the market, it’s important to work with a company you can trust. At Coveya, we have a high-quality range of conveyors for hire to help you scale your operations. To discover the screw conveyors we have available, get in touch with our experts at 0800 9159195, support@coveya.co.uk or by visiting our contact us page.