Metalfab Screw Conveyor User Manual

Installation and Operating Instructions

Screw Conveyor

General Description

The Screw Conveyor is a simple and rugged means of conveying
material from one point to another. Our standard “U” shaped through
Conveyors are of heavy-duty design. Each screw flight is a continuous
helix with drive and end shafts which are carefully designed to provide
adequate bending and shear strength with tolerances for correct
bearing clearances. When equipped with a shroud (or metering
section), a variable pitched screw and is choke fed, it will perform as a
“rough” Feeder.

Warning: Keep hands clear of moving parts. Serious injury

can occur.

Installation

Screw Conveyors under 20 feet in length are shipped fully assembled
and are ready for operation. Longer conveyors are shipped in
sections. Each section has it’s own screw and bearing assembly.
Simply bolt the sections together and bolt the screw shaft to the pipe
axles at points of connections. The Conveyor should then be checked
for straightness and the screw should be turned manually to check for
interferences. If any interference exists, the support bearings should
be repositioned to eliminate the problem.

The Conveyor should then be put in position, leveled and bolted in
place at the tabs provided.

Electrical Requirements

Conveyors are normally provided with constant speed A.C. drives
consisting of a motor and a gear reducer. These may be direct
coupled or belt coupled. (See applicable drawings.) On occasions,
special requirements will utilize a variable speed transmission. In
these cases, check addendum to the operating instructions.

For standard drives, wire the motor for the proper voltage and check
the direction of screw rotation. All Conveyors are provided with right
hand flights and the rotation is clockwise when facing the discharge
spout. Proper motor fusing or heaters should be provided.

Operation

For Conveyors with shrouds or metering sections, a choke feed is
required. For Conveyors without these features, a regulated flow is
required to the Conveyor. When regulated flow to the Conveyor is the
mode of operation, then the Screw Conveyor should be turned on
either before or at the same time as the unit that is regulating the
flow.

Maintenance

The bearings should be checked periodically for wear. Increase in
amperage draw or excessive noise is a good indication of bearing
wear. The seal should also be checked for leakage. If leakage occurs,
repack the seal with greased cotton waste.

To remove the screw or drive end bearing on units of one (1) piece
assembly, the forward bearing plate should be removed with the
bearing in place.

Caution: All set screws should be loosened on bearing set

collars.

The screw may then be moved forward for complete removal or moved
forward partially for removal of rear bearing.

Intermediate bearings are of two (2) piece construction and can be
removed without disassembly of the screw assembly.

Coupling inserts and belts should also be checked for wear on a
regular basis. It is suggested that bearing, belts or coupling inserts
and a screw section be kept as spare parts.

Note: Before maintenance is performed, motor should be

electrically locked out.