Flexible screw conveyors for simple, reliable, dust-tight powder handling
Flexible screw conveyors are a cost-effective solution for moving powders, granules, and small pellets in compact plant layouts. With one moving part and enclosed conveying, they are ideal for food ingredients, chemicals, plastics, and other dry bulk solids that need low-maintenance transfer from bag dumps, bulk bags, hoppers, or feeders.
Ideal when you need economical, compact, enclosed conveying for powders and granules without the complexity of larger conveyor systems.
Why choose a flexible screw conveyor?
Flexible screw conveyors use a rotating spiral inside a flexible tube to move dry bulk solids efficiently through compact plant layouts. They are widely used because they are simple, economical, dust-tight, and well suited for many powders, granules, and pellets.
- Low-maintenance operation with a simple drive and spiral design.
- Versatile routing for horizontal, incline, and vertical paths around plant obstacles.
- Good blend integrity for many powders and mixed materials.
- Cost-effective system design for bag dump, bulk bag, hopper, and feeder integration.
Flexible screw conveyor design features
Flexible screw conveyors can be configured with industrial-duty or sanitary construction, custom hoppers, discharge transitions, sensors, and clean-out features depending on the application.
Configurations and options
Flexible screw conveyors can be used as fixed plant conveyors, sanitary easy-clean units, tilt-down cleaning systems, or integrated feed systems from bag dump and bulk bag unloading equipment.
Compact layouts with custom hoppers
Used for straightforward transfers with standard incline or horizontal routing, custom hoppers, level sensors, and safety grates.
Tool-free disassembly and hygienic design
Built for faster cleaning with smooth contact surfaces, removable parts, washdown-friendly features, and sanitary construction details.
Easy access to the tube and spiral
The conveyor can pivot down for inspection, cleaning, and maintenance, especially when paired with quick-release clamps and clean-out access.
From bag dumps and bulk bags into the process
Flexible screw conveyors commonly integrate with bag dump stations, bulk bag unloaders, feeders, mixers, weigh hoppers, and packaging equipment.
Capacities and sizes
Flexible screw conveyor throughput depends heavily on product characteristics, auger design, tube diameter, and conveying angle. The ranges below are general starting points and should be validated with the material.
| Common Tube Size | Typical Materials | Indicative Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 in (≈76 mm) | Powders and fine granules | Up to ~6 ft³/min | Often used for flour, starch, sugar, and protein powders |
| 5 in (≈127 mm) | Granules, pellets, higher-rate materials | Application dependent | Often selected for larger particles or increased capacity |
Applications for powders, granules, and pellets
Flexible screw conveyors are often used for food ingredients, chemicals, plastics, and other dry bulk solids that need compact, reliable transfer from low-level loading points into the process.
Food ingredients
Flour, sugar, spices, starch, coffee, protein powders, and other ingredients needing enclosed transfer.
Chemicals
Additives, pigments, and dry powders where simple dust-tight handling is important.
Plastics
Pellets and regrind moved from loaders, hoppers, or bulk bag unloading into downstream equipment.
Photos
Frequently asked questions
Will a flexible screw conveyor damage product or separate blends?
Many powders and granules convey gently with minimal attrition, and many blends maintain acceptable integrity. Final suitability depends on the material and should be reviewed for the specific application.
Do flexible screw conveyors need a dust collector at the discharge?
The conveyor itself is typically dust-tight when properly sealed, though the receiving vessel may still need venting depending on process conditions.
How are flexible screw conveyors cleaned between products?
Easy-clean options can include quick-release clamps, clean-out caps, removable tubes and spirals, and tilt-down access for faster product changeover and maintenance.
Can a flexible screw conveyor run at different angles?
Yes. Flexible screw conveyors can run horizontally, vertically, or on an incline, but capacity changes with the routing and the material being conveyed.
Need a compact, low-maintenance conveyor for your process?
We help plants in North Carolina and South Carolina size flexible screw conveyors for powders, granules, and pellets feeding mixers, weigh hoppers, packaging lines, and downstream process equipment.