Structural Components, Installation Requirements, and Operation of Weighing Screw Feeders

At production sites in industries such as cement, chemicals, metallurgy, steel, and grain, equipment for conveying materials through pipes can often be seen. This is the screw conveyor. A comprehensive device that adds dynamic weighing and quantitative control feeding functions to the screw conveyor is the weighing screw feeder.

As an automated device for measurement and feeding, it provides quick and efficient means and production measurement data for on-site production ingredient mixing, management control, and operation.

The weighing screw feeder has become an indispensable automated device in many scenarios of modern industrial production operations. Guonuo Technology is a manufacturer of automated weighing and production control equipment. Its developed weighing screw feeders can be customized according to on-site requirements, featuring strong applicability, high cost-effectiveness, high conveying efficiency, safe and reliable operation, complete functionality, good sealing performance, simple and compact structure, and ease of installation and relocation.

Based on product development experience and relevant information, this article briefly shares the structural components, installation requirements, and operation of the weighing screw feeder to help users better select, apply, and maintain the feeder.

Structural Components of the Weighing Screw Feeder

The body of the weighing screw feeder mainly consists of a drive unit, head, inlet, screw body, conveying section, suspension bearing, tail, etc., along with a dynamic weighing device (such as a load cell) and a control device (instrument, control cabinet).

The screw body is the most crucial component of the feeder or conveyor, composed of a screw blade and screw shaft, which are connected by welding. The main shaft is a seamless sealed steel pipe, and the screw blade features characteristics such as variable diameter with equal pitch or equal diameter with variable pitch. By rotating the blade, it generates thrust to convey materials to the outlet.

The dynamic weighing device and control device utilize load cells to detect the weight of materials conveyed by the screw pipe and send signals. The instrument receives and processes these signals, comparing them with system-set parameters and the actually detected weight to achieve quantitative control. The instrument can be integrated into the control cabinet for unified operation and control.

Installation Requirements for the Weighing Screw Feeder

1. The feeder is generally suspended at the outlet of the silo, with its inlet connected to the silo outlet via flanges. Installation should ensure sufficient stability during equipment operation.

2. The assembly of the intermediate section should comply with relevant regulations, with a straightness of 1/1000 of the length and a horizontal allowance of 1/500 of the width.

3. The clearance between the inner wall of the conveying trough and the sides and bottom of the screw blade should have an allowable error of 4mm. The flange connections at each conveying trough should fit tightly without gaps, and the inner surface should have no obvious misalignment.

4. All nodes of the conveying trough should be adjusted and secured before tightening the anchor bolts or connecting flange bolts. The trough cover should be properly closed to prevent dust emission.

5. The suspension bearing should reliably support the connecting shaft and meet the straightness requirements of the rotating body by adjusting the suspension column, ensuring no blade jamming occurs.

6. The reducer of the drive unit can be directly connected as needed, ensuring the shaft and reducer shaft are on the same axis. Other models are preferably chain-driven. The reducer of the feeder can be installed on-site on the silo or the machine body itself, with both chain wheels adjusted to the same plane.

7. Conduct a no-load test run for two hours, ensuring that the temperature rise of each bearing does not exceed 20°C. During load test runs, the temperature rise of each bearing should not exceed 30°C.

Operation of the Weighing Screw Feeder

1. Operators of the feeder should undergo training to familiarize themselves with the equipment's performance, structure, and the operation methods and functions of each control point.

2. Before starting the feeder, check for loose connecting bolts at various parts and ensure they are tightened. Also, clear any debris before starting.

3. After starting, operate for 30 minutes to ensure no jamming, friction, or other abnormalities occur before putting it into formal production use.

4. When operating, start the machine empty and add materials evenly.

5. When forming a production line with other equipment, start the equipment at the back first, followed by the equipment at the front, and reverse the order for shutdown. Electrical interlocking control can also be adopted.

6. The machine must be stopped after the materials in the trough have been emptied; do not stop under load.

7. Prevent hard materials or other foreign objects from entering the conveying trough during operation to avoid damaging the equipment and causing accidents.