Common Faults and Solutions for Screw Feeders

Screw feeders are new equipment designed for continuous conveying, metering, and controlled feeding of powder materials. They are suitable for material metering and feeding in various industrial settings and production line blending. With reliable operation and high efficiency, they are widely used in numerous industries such as chemicals, environmental protection, food, building materials, and cement. The operational stability of screw feeders impacts production efficiency. Therefore, it is essential to have a certain understanding of them during daily use, particularly in recognizing fault information, identifying causes, and providing solutions to maintain the normal and stable operation of the feeders. Based on user field experience, equipment characteristics, and related materials, Guonuo Technology has summarized common issues and troubleshooting methods for screw feeders.

1. Clogging in Screw Feeders

   · Reasonably select technical parameters for screw feeders, such as avoiding excessively high speeds for slow screw conveyors.

   · Strictly follow operating procedures, ensuring no·load startup and empty·load shutdown, and maintaining a continuous and uniform feed rate.

   · Increase the discharge outlet or extend the end of the chute to address issues of poor discharge or insufficient time for discharge. Additionally, install a short section of reverse·direction blades at the end of the chute to prevent clogging.

   · Properly sort materials entering the screw feeder to prevent large debris or fibrous impurities from entering and causing blockages.

   · Minimize the transverse dimension of the central suspension bearing to reduce the likelihood of clogging when materials pass through.

   · Install material level indicators and blockage sensors for automatic control and alarms.

   · Create an anti-clogging valve on the discharge end cover. In case of clogging, the accumulated material will push open the valve, triggering a travel switch to cut off the power.

2. Burnout of Screw Feeder Drive Motor

   · Hard blocks or small iron pieces mixed in the conveyed material can jam the auger, causing a sudden increase in current and motor burnout. The solution is to prevent small iron pieces from entering and maintain a certain gap between the auger and the casing.

   · Excessive incoming material can overload the motor, leading to overheating and burnout. The solution is to balance the feed rate and ensure all material is conveyed before shutdown.

3. Shaking of Screw Feeder Casing

   · Possible Cause: The centerlines of each spiral section are not aligned during installation, causing eccentric rotation and casing contact, resulting in shaking.

   · Solution: Reinstall and align the centerlines.

4. Excessive Temperature Rise of Suspension Bearing

   · Improper installation position. The solution is to adjust the position of the suspension bearing.

   · Solid large objects mixed into the machine cause abnormal friction. The solution is to remove the foreign objects and test run until normal operation.

5. Material Overflow in Screw Feeders

   · High moisture content in the material accumulates on the spiral suspension bearing and thickens, making it difficult for material to pass. The solution is to enhance material drying.

   · Impurities in the material block the spiral suspension bearing. The solution is to shut down and clear the machine of debris.

   · Malfunction of the transmission device, not promptly detected. The solution is to shut down and repair the transmission device.

6. Loosening, Falling Off, or Breaking of Screw Shaft Coupling Bolts

   · Intermittent uneven forces during operation cause bolt loosening, falling off, or impact fracture. The solution is to enhance the strength of bolt connections.

7. Tearing of Screw Feeder Blades

   · Foreign objects in the material can damage the spiral blades, and in severe cases, cause the weld between the blade and the spiral shaft to break, resulting in blade tearing. To prevent blade damage, improve the quality and strength of spare parts. Ensure consistency in spare part manufacturing, with dense and reliable welds, avoiding defects such as slag inclusion and pores. Simultaneously, enhance the strength of the spiral shaft and transmission shaft.

8. Twisted Welds on Screw Feeder Flanges

   · Possible Cause: Abnormal torque leads to failure of the flange weld joint.

   · Solution: Ensure installation accuracy of the equipment. Whether it is a flange connection or a spline joint, ensure the installation positional accuracy of the spiral body. After installation, connect wires for testing to determine the rotation direction of the screw and check for any abnormal sounds. After the test run, check the temperature rise of the motor, reducer, and bearings. Once everything is normal, manually open the screw feeder gate and gradually add material. Through debugging, ensure stable operation of the screw.

9. Cracks in the Screw Shaft

   · Possible Cause: Long·term operation leads to wear and reduced torsional strength, resulting in cracks.

   · Solution: Strengthen equipment maintenance to prevent screw shaft wear and fracture. Strictly control material quality to prevent foreign objects from entering the conveyor. Regularly lubricate moving parts. Enhance inspection and maintenance of the drive equipment. Regularly inspect the quality of spiral blades. When abnormal wear of spiral blades, deformation of the screw shaft, or reduced strength is observed, promptly replace them and analyze the causes to prevent future issues. Tighten loose joints promptly. If abnormal phenomena such as heat or noise occur during operation, inspect promptly, remove foreign objects, and repair the spiral or chute.

10. Fracture of the Screw Shaft Input Section

    · Possible Cause: During installation of the screw feeder, poor alignment of the screw shaft or a low safety factor in shaft selection can cause issues. Equipment modification and maintenance are required based on production needs. When process changes exceed the equipment's functional capacity, continued operation can lead to rapid equipment damage and failure to meet production process requirements, affecting normal production.

    · Solution: Based on actual situations and site conditions, overhaul and replace components, such as modifying the drive system, changing the transmission ratio, improving spare part material functionality or dimensions, or even replacing the equipment entirely.

The above are common faults and troubleshooting methods for screw feeders, helping operators better understand the equipment and maintain its stable operation. Guonuo Technology provides comprehensive after-sales service. When customers encounter unsolvable issues, the company promptly arranges for technical engineers to assist, either through remote guidance or onsite support, until the problem is resolved.