Enclosed stainless steel tubular chain conveyor for horizontal, vertical and curved transfer of maize, grain products, powders and granules.
The Voson Stainless Steel Tubular Chain Conveyor provides enclosed transfer of maize, corn grits, bran, starch, flour, feed ingredients and other suitable dry bulk materials. A continuous chain fitted with conveying discs moves through a closed tube circuit, carrying material from the inlet to the selected discharge point while the chain returns through the parallel tube.
The tubular route can combine horizontal, vertical and curved sections in one conveying system. This makes the machine useful where a straight screw conveyor or vertical elevator cannot connect the required equipment. Tube diameter, route length, bend arrangement, inlet and outlet positions, chain speed and drive system are selected for the actual material and plant layout.
| Item | Available Configuration |
|---|---|
| Typical materials | Maize, corn grits, bran, starch, flour, feed ingredients and suitable powders or granules |
| Conveying capacity | Customized; confirmed from material data and conveying route |
| Conveying route | Horizontal, vertical, inclined and curved sections in a closed circuit |
| Conveying element | Endless chain fitted with regularly spaced conveying discs |
| Product-contact construction | Stainless steel; grade and construction scope confirmed before manufacture |
| Feeding and discharge | One or more inlets and outlets according to the process layout |
| Plant integration | Storage, milling, grading, mixing, weighing and packing equipment |
No universal model, capacity or motor-power value applies to every tubular chain conveyor. Final selection depends on bulk density, particle size, moisture, flowability, abrasiveness, fragility, required throughput, route length, lifting height, number of bends and operating schedule.
An endless chain travels through the conveying tube and return tube. Circular discs are fixed to the chain at regular intervals. When the drive sprocket moves the chain, the discs pull the bulk material through the enclosed pipe in the spaces between adjacent discs.
Material enters through a controlled inlet near the conveying section. It moves at the chain speed around the specified horizontal, vertical or curved route and leaves through an outlet box. After discharge, the empty discs continue through the return tube and complete the closed loop.
Stable feeding is important because the inlet must not supply more material than the moving disc spaces can accept. A feeder, slide gate or upstream conveyor can regulate the flow. Electrical interlocks can coordinate the tubular chain conveyor with upstream and downstream machines and stop feeding if an overload or blockage condition is detected.
Straight tube sections can move material across a production area and raise it between different processing levels. The horizontal distance and vertical lift are confirmed from the equipment layout.
Large-radius bends or corner assemblies change the conveying direction. The number, radius and position of bends affect chain tension, power demand and allowable route length, so the complete circuit must be selected as one system.
One or more feeding and discharge points can be arranged when the process requires material collection or distribution. Their positions, connection dimensions and flow-control devices must match the connected bins and machines.
Chain type, disc diameter, disc spacing and tube diameter are selected from the material properties and capacity requirement. Disc and tube clearances influence conveying stability, residue and wear.
The drive unit moves the loaded chain around the complete circuit, while the tensioning arrangement maintains controlled chain engagement. Optional overload protection, speed monitoring, chain monitoring and electrical interlocks can support safer operation.
The stainless steel grade, surface finish and construction scope are project-specific. Stainless steel product-contact parts do not automatically mean that the chain, sprockets, drive, support structure and every external component are also stainless steel.
In a maize processing plant, a tubular chain conveyor is useful when material must travel through both horizontal and vertical sections without being transferred between several separate conveyors. The enclosed circuit can connect storage, cleaning, milling, grading, mixing and packing stages while reducing the number of open transfer points.
Typical installation positions include:
Material suitability must be reviewed before selection. Sticky, wet, highly abrasive, easily compacted or very fragile products may require a special disc design, lower speed, wear-resistant components, cleaning devices or a different conveying method.
These conveyors can all transfer bulk materials, but their preferred routes and operating principles are different.
| Selection Point | Tubular Chain Conveyor | Screw Conveyor | Bucket Elevator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Conveying element | Chain with discs inside a closed tube | Rotating helical screw inside a casing | Buckets fixed to a belt or chain |
| Typical route | Horizontal, vertical and curved in one circuit | Mainly horizontal or inclined | Mainly vertical |
| Layout flexibility | High; can follow a three-dimensional route | Best for short, comparatively straight runs | Best for vertical lifting between levels |
| Material movement | Material is pulled in disc-separated sections | Material is pushed and mixed by the screw | Material is carried in individual buckets |
| Transfer points | One circuit can reduce intermediate transfers | Separate machines may be needed for route changes | Usually requires conveyors before and after the lift |
| Main selection factors | Material, route, bends, lift, disc and chain design | Material, length, angle, screw diameter and speed | Material, capacity, lift, bucket and belt or chain design |
A tubular chain conveyor is normally selected for an enclosed route with several direction changes. A stainless steel screw conveyor is often simpler for a short straight transfer, while a stainless steel bucket elevator is usually more compact for direct vertical lifting. A stainless steel scraper conveyor is another option for horizontal or gently inclined conveying in a rectangular casing.
Because confirmed model, capacity, tube diameter, route length and motor-power data are not available for this product, the following table is a reference selection guide rather than a fixed specification sheet.
| Parameter | Reference Selection Basis |
|---|---|
| Model | Customized according to the material and complete conveying circuit |
| Capacity | Calculated from bulk density, disc diameter, disc spacing, filling condition and chain speed |
| Motor power | Selected from route length, vertical lift, bends, material load and system resistance |
| Tube diameter | Determined from particle size, capacity, disc clearance and cleaning requirements |
| Route length | Confirmed from horizontal runs, vertical lift, return route and installation limits |
| Bend arrangement | Radius, quantity and location selected to control resistance and chain tension |
| Inlet and outlet | Quantity, direction and dimensions matched to connected equipment |
| Control options | Speed monitoring, overload protection, sensors, alarms and electrical interlocks |
All project values remain subject to confirmation after the material information and route drawing have been reviewed. Voson selects the tube, chain, discs, sprockets, bends, drive, tensioning unit and support points for the actual operating conditions.
To configure a suitable stainless steel tubular chain conveyor, provide:
Voson can use this information and a layout drawing to prepare the conveying circuit and select the chain, discs, tube diameter, bends, drive power, tensioning arrangement, inlet, outlet and supports. The conveyor can be integrated into a new maize processing line or used to connect equipment during an existing plant upgrade.
It can be configured for maize, corn grits, bran, starch, flour, feed ingredients and other suitable dry powders or granules. Bulk density, particle size, moisture, flowability and abrasiveness must be reviewed before selection.
Yes. A properly designed circuit can combine horizontal, vertical and curved sections. The vertical lift and number of bends affect chain tension, route limits and required drive power.
Controlled chain speed and disc conveying can support gentle handling, but actual product breakage depends on the feeding method, route, disc design, speed and material properties. A material test may be advisable for fragile products.
Multiple connection points can be arranged when the process requires material collection or distribution. Each inlet and outlet must be positioned and controlled to maintain stable loading and discharge.
The stainless steel scope is project-specific. Product-contact tubes and related parts can be stainless steel, while the chain, drive and support structure can be specified separately. Confirm the grade and construction scope in the quotation.
Provide the material, capacity, bulk density, particle size, feeding and discharge positions, route drawing, vertical lift, required inlets and outlets, stainless steel requirements, operating hours and local power supply.
Contact Voson with your material data and plant layout to receive a suitable stainless steel tubular chain conveyor configuration and quotation.
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