KWS Provides Heavy Duty Solution for Fiberglass Insulation Facility

Introduction

A leading manufacturer of fiberglass insulation systems, and commercial roofing uses screw conveyors throughout their facilities for conveying glass spheres, cullet, and fibers. Fiberglass insulation is made using waste glass that would normally go into landfills.

Challenge

Glass spheres, cullet, and fibers are extremely abrasive. Screw conveyors made of carbon steel will typically wear out in less than 3 weeks causing failures, downtime, and loss of profitability. The specific screw conveyor application involved conveying glass spheres, about 1-inch in diameter. The existing screw conveyor had failed, and a new unit was required immediately.

KWS Advantage

The KWS team quickly produced a solution to eliminate downtime. Technical Field Specialists from KWS visited the plant and reviewed the application. A new screw conveyor was designed and manufactured using heavy schedule 120 pipe with a wall thickness of ¾-inch to ensure that there would be no premature failures. Additionally, the carrying faces of the screw flights, OD, and outer surfaces of the center pipe were hardsurfaced with a special chromium carbide alloy. As an added bonus, KWS manufactured and delivered the new screw conveyor in 7 days, saving the plant significant downtime.

The project was completed well before local harvest time, allowing for plant personnel to be trained in operation as well as maintenance. KWS provided training and start up assistance as a value added service.