Stainless Steel Screw Conveyor

Stainless Steel Screw Conveyor for Maize Processing

Voson Stainless Steel Screw Conveyors provide enclosed transfer of maize flour, corn meal, corn grits, bran, maize germ, starch and other processed powders or small granules. Tubular and U-trough designs are available for horizontal or inclined installation in maize milling, grain processing and food production plants.

Each conveyor is configured around the actual material, required capacity and equipment layout. Screw diameter, pitch, speed, conveying length, installation angle, inlet and outlet positions, motor power and supporting structure can be adapted to connect bins, milling machines, mixers, weighing equipment and packing systems.

Item	Available Configuration
Materials	Maize flour, corn meal, corn grits, bran, maize germ, starch and similar products
Reference capacity	2–75 t/h, subject to material and installation conditions
Casing	Tubular or covered U-trough
Installation	Horizontal or inclined
Product-contact construction	Stainless steel; grade and scope confirmed for each project
Drive and control	Fixed speed or variable-speed control
Customization	Diameter, length, inlet, outlet, support frame and connection dimensions

The enclosed casing helps control dust, reduce product loss and protect the conveyed material from the surrounding production environment. Material bulk density, particle size, moisture, flowability and abrasiveness must be evaluated before the screw diameter and operating speed are selected.

Available Screw Conveyor Designs

1. Tubular Screw Conveyor

A tubular screw conveyor uses a fully enclosed round casing. Its compact structure is suitable for dust-controlled transfer between bins and processing equipment, particularly where the conveying route does not require frequent internal access or multiple discharge points.

Typical materials include maize flour, starch, premixed powder and other free-flowing processed products.

2. U-Trough Screw Conveyor

A U-trough conveyor uses a U-shaped casing with a removable cover. The cover provides access to the screw and conveying chamber for inspection, cleaning and maintenance. Multiple feeding or discharge points can be arranged when required by the plant process.

This design is commonly selected for corn grits, bran, maize germ and applications where regular internal access is important.

3. Horizontal and Inclined Installation

Horizontal installation transfers material between machines or bins at similar elevations and generally provides more predictable capacity. Inclined installation lifts material to a higher bin, mixer or packing system.

Effective capacity normally decreases as the installation angle increases. Lifting height, total length, material flowability and filling ratio must therefore be evaluated together. For long-distance or complex conveying routes, Voson can also assess whether a pneumatic conveying system is more suitable.

Main Features

• Enclosed material transfer: The casing helps contain dust and reduce product loss during conveying.
• Stainless steel contact surfaces: The casing, screw and other product-contact parts can be stainless steel according to hygiene and corrosion-resistance requirements.
• Flexible configurations: Tubular, U-trough, horizontal and inclined arrangements are available.
• Customized connections: Inlet and outlet dimensions can match bins, milling equipment, mixers and packing machines.
• Accessible maintenance: Removable covers, inspection openings and cleanout arrangements can be added where regular access is required.
• Adjustable feeding: A variable-frequency drive can provide controlled or adjustable material flow.
• Plant integration: Level sensors and electrical interlocks can coordinate the conveyor with upstream and downstream equipment.

The required stainless steel grade, surface finish and scope of stainless steel construction should be confirmed before manufacturing. Product-contact parts and the supporting frame do not have to use the same material unless the complete stainless steel structure is specified.

Applications in Maize and Grain Processing

In a maize milling plant, the conveyor can transfer corn grits between grading stages, move maize flour to a collection bin, discharge bran or germ from a buffer hopper, or feed finished products to weighing and packing equipment.

Typical installation positions include:

1. Beneath maize flour and corn grits collection hoppers.
2. Between grading, storage and blending equipment.
3. After a corn degermination machine for germ or by-product transfer.
4. Beneath grain bins, silos and buffer hoppers for controlled discharge.
5. Before a flour packing machine or packing-system buffer bin.
6. In bran, maize germ and starch handling sections.

The conveyor capacity should match both upstream and downstream equipment. Insufficient capacity can cause material accumulation at the inlet, while uncontrolled feeding can overload the receiving machine.

Reference Technical Parameters

Model	Reference Capacity (t/h)	Motor Power (kW)
TLSS160	2–6	0.75–1.5
TLSS200	4–12	1.5–3
TLSS250	7.5–23	1.5–4
TLSS300	13–37	3–4
TLSS400	20–53	3–5.5
TLSS500	25–75	5.5–11

The listed values are reference ranges rather than guaranteed performance for every material. Actual capacity and motor power depend on bulk density, particle size, moisture, conveyor length, installation angle, screw pitch, rotational speed, filling ratio and inlet loading condition.

For maize flour and corn grits applications, Voson confirms the final screw diameter, speed and drive power using the actual material data and plant layout.

Selection and Customization

To configure a suitable stainless steel screw conveyor, provide:

1. Material name and whether it is a powder, granule or mixed product.
2. Bulk density, particle size and moisture content, if available.
3. Required conveying capacity.
4. Horizontal distance and vertical lifting height.
5. Installation angle and available space.
6. Number and position of feeding and discharge points.
7. Upstream feeding condition and downstream equipment capacity.
8. Cleaning frequency and product-change requirements.
9. Required stainless steel scope and local power supply.

Voson can then configure the casing, screw diameter, pitch, speed, drive power, supporting frame and inlet and outlet arrangement. This engineering approach is suitable for new maize milling projects, production-line expansions and replacement of existing conveying equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What materials can the conveyor handle?

It can handle maize flour, corn meal, corn grits, bran, maize germ, wheat flour, rice flour, starch, premixed powders and other small granular materials. Selection depends on density, particle size, moisture and flow characteristics.

2. Is a tubular or U-trough conveyor better?

A tubular conveyor provides a compact, enclosed path for dust-controlled transfer. A U-trough conveyor provides easier internal access and can accommodate multiple inlets or outlets. The better design depends on the material, cleaning procedure and plant layout.

3. Can the conveyor operate on an incline?

Yes. A screw conveyor can be installed at an incline, but effective capacity normally decreases as the angle increases. Lifting height and angle must be considered when selecting the screw diameter, speed and motor power.

4. Is the complete conveyor made from stainless steel?

The stainless steel scope is project-specific. Material-contact parts such as the casing and screw can be stainless steel, while the frame and other non-contact components can be specified separately. Confirm the grade and construction scope before ordering.

5. Can the conveyor feed material at an adjustable rate?

Yes. A variable-frequency drive can adjust screw speed for controlled feeding. The conveyor can also be connected to level sensors and electrical interlocks in the production line.

6. What information is required for a quotation?

Provide the material, capacity, conveying distance, lifting height, installation angle, inlet and outlet positions, stainless steel requirements and local power supply. A layout drawing or site dimensions will help confirm the configuration.

Contact Voson with your material, required capacity, conveying distance and lifting height to receive a suitable configuration and quotation.