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An auger conveyor is a device used in industrial, food production, and farming settings to move materials quickly and efficiently. The system consists of a large screw contained within a tube or cylinder; materials are transported by the teeth of the rotating screw, known as an auger. The auger conveyor system is usually used to move small materials, such as grain or corn on farms or small screws, bolts, or other materials in industrial settings. It is usually not suitable for larger materials or materials that may get caught in the conveyor system.
The food industry is another common setting for an auger conveyor. The machine in this case is made with stainless steel that will not affect the quality or safety of the food being transported within. The length of the conveyor can vary, though some can be quite long, as food is often processed in several stages that require transport. An auger conveyor in a food setting is usually easy to take apart should the system get jammed for any reason, and some designs feature panels that can be removed without the use of tools. This reduces the amount of time the system is offline and unable to be used.
Many companies choose an auger conveyor over a belt conveyor or drum conveyor because the auger system is most appropriate for smaller materials. Belt conveyors may allow small pieces of material to fall off the sides of the belt, and the materials may end up underneath the belt, potentially leading to damage to the system. Drum conveyors, too, feature cylinders that can get jammed with the materials, and plenty of the raw materials will be lost between the cylinders, leading to a loss of money for the company. The auger system is usually fully enclosed, which means materials cannot fall away and are less likely to jam the system.
The materials being transported will also be less likely to be exposed to bacteria and airborne germs that would otherwise settle onto food or other materials. This is important for sanitation and ensuring the company is up to health regulations as outlined by local laws. The system will need to be cleaned often, however, to ensure foods or other materials that may have gotten stuck in the system do not rot or otherwise remain in the auger conveyor for longer periods of time than are appropriate.
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