Stainless Steel Screw Conveyor
- Capacity: 2-75 t/h (reference)
- Production:
Enclosed stainless steel screw conveyor for maize flour, corn grits, grain, bran, starch and powder handling.
Stainless Steel Screw Conveyor Application
Voson Stainless Steel Screw Conveyors provide enclosed, continuous transfer of maize flour, corn meal, corn grits, bran, grain products, starch, food ingredients and other powders or small granules. Tubular and U-trough designs are available for horizontal or inclined conveying in maize milling, grain processing and food production plants.
Each conveyor is configured for the actual material, required capacity and plant layout. Screw diameter, pitch, speed, conveying length, installation angle, inlet and outlet positions, motor power and supporting structure can be adapted to connect with bins, milling machines, mixers, weighing equipment and packing systems.
What Is a Stainless Steel Screw Conveyor?
A stainless steel screw conveyor moves bulk material through an enclosed casing by means of a rotating helical screw. As the screw rotates, material advances from the inlet toward one or more discharge points.
The enclosed construction helps limit dust, product loss and exposure to the surrounding environment. It is particularly useful where the available installation space is limited or where equipment must be connected over a short horizontal or inclined distance.
For grain milling applications, material-contact components can be manufactured from stainless steel to support clean handling and resist corrosion. The required stainless steel grade, surface finish and scope of stainless steel construction should be confirmed according to the conveyed material and sanitation requirements.
Materials the Conveyor Can Handle
The conveyor can be configured for a range of processed grain and food materials, including:
- Maize flour, corn meal and fine corn products
- Corn grits and broken maize
- Bran, maize germ and other milling by-products
- Wheat flour, rice flour and multigrain flour
- Starch and food ingredients
- Premixed powders and feed ingredients
- Seeds and small granular materials
Material characteristics directly affect conveyor selection. Bulk density, particle size, moisture, flowability, abrasiveness and the tendency to compact or adhere must be considered 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 suited to dust-controlled transfer between bins and processing equipment, particularly when the material path does not require frequent internal access or multiple discharge points.
Typical materials include maize flour, starch, fine powders and other free-flowing processed products.
2. U-Trough Screw Conveyor
A U-trough screw 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 inlets or outlets can be arranged along the trough when required by the production process.
This design is suitable for corn grits, bran, milled grain products and applications where regular internal access is important.
3. Horizontal Screw Conveyor
Horizontal installation is used to transfer material between machines, bins or processing sections at similar elevations. It generally provides more predictable capacity than inclined conveying because the material is not being lifted against gravity.
4. Inclined Screw Conveyor
An inclined screw conveyor transfers material from a lower feeding point to a higher bin, mixer, mill or packing machine. Conveying capacity normally decreases as the installation angle increases, so lifting height, total length, material flowability and filling ratio must be evaluated together.
For steep lifting or fragile products, Voson will assess whether a screw conveyor or another conveying method is more appropriate for the application.
Main Features
- Enclosed material transfer: The casing helps contain dust and reduce product loss during conveying.
- Stainless steel contact surfaces: Stainless steel can be used for the casing, screw and other material-contact components according to hygiene and corrosion-resistance requirements.
- Flexible configurations: Tubular, U-trough, horizontal and inclined arrangements are available.
- Customized connections: Inlet and outlet dimensions and positions can be adapted to bins, milling equipment, mixers and packing machines.
- Accessible maintenance: Removable covers, inspection openings and cleanout arrangements can be added where the process requires regular access.
- Adjustable feeding: A variable-frequency drive can be used when controlled or adjustable material flow is needed.
- Plant integration: Sensors, level controls and electrical interlocks can coordinate the conveyor with upstream and downstream equipment.
Applications in Maize and Grain Processing
In a maize milling plant, a stainless steel screw conveyor can be used to 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.
In wheat, rice and multigrain processing plants, it can connect flour collection hoppers, storage bins, blending equipment and by-product handling sections. The final arrangement depends on the plant flow diagram, equipment elevations and required cleaning access.
Screw conveyors can also be installed beneath a silo or buffer bin for controlled discharge. When accurate feeding is required, conveyor speed can be adjusted and coordinated with level sensors or the plant control system.
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 operating conditions.
How to Select the Right Screw Conveyor
To configure a suitable conveyor, provide the following project information:
- Material name and whether it is a powder, granule or mixed product
- Bulk density, particle size and moisture content
- Required conveying capacity in kilograms or tonnes per hour
- Horizontal distance and vertical lifting height
- Required installation angle
- Inlet and discharge locations
- Available installation space
- Required stainless steel grade and material-contact scope
- Cleaning frequency and product-change requirements
- Local voltage, frequency and control requirements
This information allows the screw diameter, pitch, speed, drive power and casing design to be selected around the actual duty rather than nominal capacity alone.
Connection with Other Equipment
The screw conveyor can be customized to connect with:
- Maize flour and corn grits collection hoppers
- Grain bins, silos and buffer hoppers
- Maize degermination and grading equipment
- Flour milling and sifting equipment
- Bran and maize germ handling systems
- Mixing and batching equipment
- Weighing and automatic packing machines
The conveyor capacity should match both upstream and downstream equipment. Insufficient conveying capacity can cause material accumulation at the inlet, while uncontrolled feeding can overload the receiving machine.
Customized Grain Conveying Equipment from Voson
Voson supplies individual stainless steel screw conveyors and complete conveying arrangements for maize milling, grain processing and food production projects. Equipment is configured according to the conveyed material, process flow, production capacity and installation layout.
Whether the project requires a tubular conveyor between two machines, a covered U-trough conveyor beneath a bin or an inclined conveyor feeding a packing system, Voson can adapt the length, casing, screw, inlet, outlet, drive and supporting frame to the application.
Contact Voson with your material, required capacity, conveying distance and lifting height to receive a suitable configuration and quotation.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What materials can a stainless steel screw conveyor handle?
It can handle maize flour, corn meal, corn grits, bran, maize germ, wheat flour, rice flour, starch, premixed powders, seeds and other small granular materials. The conveyor must be selected according to the material's density, particle size, moisture and flow characteristics.
2. Is a tubular or U-trough screw conveyor better?
A tubular conveyor offers a compact, fully 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 requirements and plant layout.
3. Can a screw conveyor operate on an incline?
Yes. A screw conveyor can be installed at an incline, but effective capacity normally decreases as the angle increases. The required 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 can be configured according to the project. Material-contact parts such as the casing and screw can be manufactured from stainless steel, while the frame and non-contact components can also be specified in stainless steel when required. Confirm the required 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 needed for a quotation?
Provide the material, required capacity, conveying length, 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.
