Inclined Screw Conveyor for Teknor Apex

General Description

Teknor Apex is a family-owned, global plastics material science company with more than 100 years of experience in polymer innovation. Headquartered in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, the company develops custom material solutions for a wide range of industries. Its product portfolio includes PVC compounds, thermoplastic elastomers (TPE/TPV), engineered thermoplastics, polymer colorants, and specialty esters designed to meet demanding performance and processing requirements.

Teknor Apex and KWS developed a reliable conveying solution for transferring a bulk material from beneath an existing bulk bag unloader to downstream process equipment at a discharge height of approximately 9 feet. The application required the bulk material to be conveyed at a steep incline while maintaining consistent and efficient material flow. KWS evaluated the available space, required elevation change, and bulk material characteristics to develop a screw conveyor specifically suited for the application.

New KWS Screw Conveyor Transfers Bulk Materials from a Bulk Bag Unloader to Downstream Process Equipment

Design Parameters

Product Type: PVC Resin
Material Density: 28 Lbs. per Cubic Foot
Capacity: 129 Cubic Feet per Hour
Design Temperature: Ambient
Duty: Intermittent

KWS Advantages

KWS worked closely with Teknor Apex Company to ensure proper fit and alignment with the upstream and downstream equipment. As part of the design review process, KWS provided a detailed 3D model of the conveyor system, allowing Teknor Apex to incorporate the equipment into the facility layout and verify critical dimensions, connection points, and clearances prior to fabrication. This collaboration helped identify potential interferences in advance, resulting in a seamless installation with minimal field modifications and downtime.

KWS Special Features

All interior welds of the inclined screw conveyor were continuously welded to provide a smooth, fully sealed surface throughout the system. No pits, gaps, crevices, or other surface imperfections were permissible to eliminate areas where conveyed material, moisture, or contaminants could collect.

KWS utilized a split tubular housing and reduced-pitch screw configuration specifically to accommodate the steep incline of the conveyor. The reduced-pitch screw provides improved control of the bulk material as it is conveyed upward, helping to minimize material fallback and maintain consistent conveying efficiency at the elevated angle. The tubular housing keeps the bulk material contained around the screw and provides the close clearances necessary for efficient inclined conveying.

Shrink-fit shafts improve the sanitary design of the screw conveyor by eliminating coupling bolts typically found in a standard CEMA bolted connection. Traditional coupling bolts can create pits, crevices, and recessed areas where conveyed material, moisture, or contaminants can collect, making the equipment more difficult to thoroughly clean.