Manufacturing a Variety of Screw Conveyor Systems

Thomas Conveyor manufactures screw conveyors as small as 4 inches in diameter and up to 120 inches in diameter, with material thickness up to 1-1/2 inches. Our reputation for engineering and technological expertise in state-of-the-art screw conveyor systems is well deserved. We understand the intricacies of conveying material horizontally, at an incline, and vertically with conventional, shaftless, and high-temperature equipment.

Screw Conveyor Advantages

• Extreme Versatility:   Several options and parts combinations are available for conveying a wide variety of materials in many different markets.  

• Mixing:   The normal rotation of the screw when conveying material also lifts and tumbles the product, which makes a screw conveyor an efficient mixer.    

• Simultaneous Conveyance in Two Directions:   Combining right-hand and left-hand flights produces bidirectional conveyance.

• Ready Reversibility:   No need for soft-start units.   
• High-temperature Materials:  Properly applied screw conveyors can handle product at temperatures above 1000 degree F.
• Abrasive Materials:   Many special materials and hard-coating options are available to extend screw life in extremely abrasive applications.
• Flood Loading Capability:  Screw feeders are very efficient and reliable in regulating feed to downstream equipment. The screw diameter, pitch combination, pipe size, and flight configuration can be customized to solve specific bin unloading requirements.
• Total Enclosure Screw Conveyor Systems:  

  Completely enclosed systems protect the environment from the product being handled (dust-tight) and/or protect the conveyed material from the environment.   

• Large Lump Size:  Within industry guidelines, conveyance of pieces up to 7-1/2” is possible.
• Multiple Inlets or Discharges:  Intermediate inlets and/or discharges are readily added.

Types of Screw Conveyors

Screw Conveyors are one of the oldest and simplest devices used for the movement of bulk materials. Our screw conveyor systems are compact and easily adapted to congested locations. They can be used as a mixer or agitator, mixing and blending dry or wet ingredients. Screw conveyors are available in a wide variety of materials resistant to corrosion, abrasion, and heat. Horizontal, inclined, or vertical conveyors are also available. Thomas Conveyor is the largest custom screw conveyor manufacturer in North America.

• Inlet is always control fed
• Trough loading of 15, 30, and 45%
• Volumetric conveying device

Multi Screw Conveyors are used as screw feeders and may consist of twin, triple, or quadruple screws, side by side. They provide a means of moving a wide variety of material from bins or hoppers at a constant and controlled rate of flow.

• The inlet is usually flooded with material (100% loaded)
• Volumetric metering device

Ribbon Flight Conveyors consist of sectional flights, butt-welded to form a continuous helix. The flights are secured to the center pipe by supporting legs. Ribbon flight conveyors are used to convey tacky, gummy, or viscous substances, or in applications where the material tends to adhere to the flighting and pipe.

Paddle Screw Conveyors are used in applications where material needs to be mixed before reaching its destination. Adjustable paddles provide complete mixing action and controlled material flow. Conveying action can be controlled by adjusting the angle of the paddles.

Screw Feeders move a wide variety of material from bins or hoppers at a constant and controlled rate of flow. One or more tapered or variable pitch screws convey the material at the required rate. Screw feeders are available in a variety of types to suit specific materials and applications.     

• Inlet is always flood loaded
• 100% trough loading at inlet
• Volumetric metering device

Shaftless Screw Conveyor systems are used in applications where particle sizes are large. They do not require hanger bearings because there is no center pipe. Typical applications include bottling plants, rendering, recycling plants, and wastewater treatment.

• Transfer sticky or viscous bulk materials from one location to another
• Conveyor or feeder design   
• Volumetric conveying or feeding device

The Thomas Grit Washer is used to separate, classify, and dewater grit from wastewater and grit slurries.

• Heavy-duty design and construction
• Large settling basin separates solids from liquids
• Typically used in municipal wastewater applications
• High-torque drive to handle upset conditions
• Support legs for elevation requirements

Heat Transfer Screw Conveyor systems cool or heat bulk materials during conveyance. These units feature special tubular jacketed housings.

• Heat transfer mediums include water, glycol, steam, and hot oil
• Indirect heat transfer device
• Available in hollow-flight design

Pressurized Screw Conveyors use tubular or pipe housing with ANSI flanges, or a reinforced U-trough. This type of conveyor is used for conveying various types of chemicals, and in fire-suppression applications.