Worm Conveyors
In addition to transporting materials down a linear plane, worm conveyors also aide in the mixing, agitation or breakdown of some substances due to their rotating motion with the screw's paddles. While they are used mostly in bulk handling applications, worm conveyors are popular in agriculture as components of farm machinery like threshers or balers. They also transport animal feed and seeds to different locations. The food processing industry also uses worm conveyors to transport dry ingredients like salt, flour, nuts and any other raw material used to produce food products. These conveyors are always made from food grade stainless steel, which exhibits a smooth surface and is non-contaminating. They are also popular within the construction industry when mixing dry and wet materials to form cement or plaster.
Worm conveyors have three different orientations: horizontal, vertical and inclined. Horizontal screw conveyors transport the material in a linear direction and only require a trough. Vertical conveyors carry material straight up and down and require a tubular casing to hold all the material inside. They are needed when material must be transported from a receptacle low to the ground to one that is very tall. Compared to bucket elevators, vertical screw conveyors are lower maintenance and provide continuous conveying. Finally, many applications require the use of inclined conveyors, which are set at an angle. They require ample space and an increased amount of power to lift the material, but their slant economically transports bulk material between facility floors. Some are portable and mounted on stands, carts or vehicles and may be moved around a facility. These conveyors transport loose, dry materials to and from vats, silos, rail cars, barrels, trucks and pits. They are usually powered by an electric motor, although some harness the energy from nearby machinery, like a trailer's power take-off shaft. Standard worm conveyors are made of metal. However, some that are used in the food industry are made out of injection molded plastic and can withstand high impact and temperature without contaminating the food substances.
