U-Trough Screw Conveyor

What is a U-trough screw conveyor?

A U-trough screw conveyor is a rigid conveyor that moves powder and granular material with a flight turning on a shaft inside a U-shaped trough. The trough is closed with a cover to keep material and dust under control.

The U-shaped casing lets material advance evenly under the screw and makes the inside easy to reach when the cover is opened. That is why U-trough screws are chosen especially for horizontal conveying, collecting material from several points and distributing it to several points.

Where is it used?

• Horizontal conveying: transfer between hoppers, silos and equipment.
• Collecting: gathering material from several discharge points into one line.
• Distributing: sending material from one source to several hoppers or machines.
• Other industries: conveying powder and granular materials beyond plastics and PVC lines.

Design

• U-trough and cover: the U-shaped casing that carries the material and its cover.
• Flight and shaft: the flight that moves the material and the shaft that carries it; the flight form is chosen for the material.
• Hanger and end bearings: hanger bearings supporting the screw in long troughs, and end bearings.
• Inlets and outlets: several inlets and outlets where needed, with gates or flaps to direct the flow.
• Drive: motor and gearbox, with speed control where needed.

What to consider

• Material: bulk density, flow behaviour, particle size, abrasiveness and moisture condition.
• Throughput and fill level: U-trough screws are usually sized to run with the trough partly full. Diameter, pitch, speed and fill level determine throughput; find an approximate figure with the calculator on our screw conveyor capacity calculation page.
• Route: U-trough screws are mainly used for horizontal and slightly inclined conveying. On steep inclines a tubular screw conveyor may suit better.
• Dust and sealing: cover, gasket and connection details are planned for the material to keep dust under control.
• Maintenance: the cover layout and hanger bearing positions determine how easy inspection and cleaning are.

U-trough, tubular or flexible?

U-trough screws are strong for horizontal collecting and distributing and where easy access matters. For closed and inclined conveying the tubular screw conveyor leads, and on curved routes and for extruder hopper feeding the flexible screw conveyor. All types are compared in types of screw conveyor.

Line integration and after-sales

The U-trough screw conveyor is designed in the same layout as silos, hoppers, the screw feeder and other conveying equipment. Our screw conveyors are built at our factory in Ergene, Tekirdağ; installation, commissioning, operator training, remote support and spare parts are provided.

For a quotation, send us the material, your hourly demand, the line length and the number and positions of inlets and outlets.