Grinding, milling, and mixing, can sometimes involve several processes and your batch needs a way to get the mixer or grinder. The best way to do this is with a conveyor system, and a belt conveyor may be the most efficient method for product delivery? However, belt conveyors are not the only choice. Let’s take a look at three common methods, to help you get a better idea.
Belt Conveyor
Belt conveyors are used to deliver a wide range of materials. They are very reliable and have few moving parts. This system works off a large belt which runs continuously in a loop. Belts are an excellent choice for materials like grain, cement, and feed.
Many grinding and mixing operations use what is called a slider or slide bed belt conveyor. It is called “slide bed” because the belt slides over a smooth bed surface as opposed to passing over rollers. This type of conveyor is very versatile and can be used in a wide range of industrial applications.
Some slider belt systems have ridges or areas made into the belt, designed to carry material. In some cases, more than one slide bed belt conveyor is used to transport material. These belts can be horizontal or inclined. An example of an incline conveyor is one used to transport batch into a mixing machine.
Slide bed belt conveyor systems are very durable and long lasting. Plus, modern belt materials have built in flexibility which makes the belt track evenly with a minimal amount of adjustment or maintenance.
Screw Conveyor
Screw conveyors are sometimes called auger or worm conveyors and they work on a simple principle. An auger turns on a shaft and as the shaft turns, the material is moved along the auger. This is a very simple yet efficient way to move materials like grain, cement, feed, and fertilizer.
A screw conveyor is mostly used for powders, grains, or flakes, and it might not work well for bulky or chunky materials. Do you need to transport dense batch which is wet or clumpy? Worm conveyors may be the best solution. Also, screw conveyors are often used when material must be protected from the environment. For example, your batch may need to pass from one building to another, and it will be fully protected inside a screw conveyor system.
Troughing Idler
A troughing idler is a belt conveyor made in a configuration, so the belt forms a trough. This allows one to transport more raw materials without spillage.
No matter what kind of conveyor system you need, you’ll find the right equipment when you go with a trusted manufacturer with decades of experience.
