Made-To-Order Hanger Provides Longer Conveyor Life

General Description

United States Gypsum Corporation (USG) manufactures construction materials and are most notably known for their drywall products. USG is the largest distributor of wallboard or drywall in the United States and the largest manufacturer of gypsum products in North America. Screw conveyors are used throughout the manufacturing processes for conveying stucco, gypsum, and other bulk materials. These bulk materials are very tough on equipment due to their density and abrasiveness.

KWS Advantage

A screw conveyor hanger experienced failures and caused downtime. USG contacted KWS and supplied pictures of the existing hanger and the area of repeated failure. KWS determined the failure mode and discovered that excess temperature was a key factor in the failures. The hot stucco material caused the screw conveyor to heat up and expand axially. The hanger was in a fixed location and not allowed to expand with increased temperature. Therefore, the screw contacted the hanger causing it to flex and fatigue, and eventually failing.

KWS Special Features

KWS designed and manufactured a very robust hanger made especially for the application along with a special coupling shaft that allowed more clearance to account for thermal expansion of screw. The new design eliminated the chance of the screw contacting the hanger and causing flex and fatigue. The new hanger has been in operation for over a year now with no downtime.