Custom Stainless Steel Screw Conveyor | Case Study
The Challenge
A food processor needed a custom screw conveyor to move food material from a storage bin and portion it into individual food trays. The application required a stepper motor capable of starting and stopping the conveyor up to 80 times per minute, creating significantly more repetitive loading than a typical continuous-running conveyor.
The conveyor therefore needed to withstand frequent acceleration and deceleration while maintaining reliable shaft alignment, bearing access, and sanitary stainless-steel construction.
The Fabrication Approach
Astro Metal Craft designed and fabricated the screw conveyor around the demands of the high-cycle application. The assembly incorporated 304 stainless steel construction, TIG welding, a stainless-steel auger shaft, bearings, and a gear reducer, and coupling between the drive system and conveyor shaft.
The coupling provided an important mechanical function. It helped absorb some of the inertia generated during the frequent starting and stopping while accommodating minor shaft misalignment between the gear reducer and auger shaft. This reduced the amount of shock transferred through the drive system during operation.
Fabricating for Maintenance and Inspection
Access to the drive components was another consideration in the fabrication.
Astro laser cut an access window into the motor housing to provide direct access to the end-plate bearing for lubrication. The opening also functions as an inspection port, allowing operators and maintenance personnel to visually inspect the bearing and stainless-steel coupling without disassembling the housing.
Because the conveyor operates in a food-processing environment, the access point was designed with a removable safety screen that covers the opening while the equipment is operating.
Stainless Steel TIG Welding and Finish
The conveyor components were fabricated from 304 stainless steel, selected for its corrosion resistance and suitability for food-processing equipment.
Astro used TIG welding to produce the stainless-steel assemblies and then removed weld discoloration from the fabricated components. This attention to the weld finish was important for both the appearance and serviceability of the finished equipment.
The Result: A Custom Stainless Steel Screw Conveyor
The finished screw conveyor provided the food processor with a material-handling system designed around its specific operating cycle rather than a standard conveyor configuration.
Astro Metal Craft designs and fabricates custom screw conveyors and auger systems in-house, combining engineering considerations with precision metal fabrication, machining, forming, and welding capabilities to build equipment around your application needs.
Connect with our team to discuss your next fabrication project.
