Custom made chain conveyors with material testing as starting point


Custom made chain conveyors with material testing as starting point *Material behavior: the key to robust and reliable design of chain conveyors, also called drag conveyors and Redlers* When handling bulk materials in demanding environments—especially those that are abrasive, corrosive, or volatile, chain conveyor (drag conveyor, Redler), is often the best solution. However, its performance and lifespan depend entirely on how well it is adapted to the specific properties of the material it will transport. And that adaptation begins with detailed material testing. Robust and reliable design Chain conveyors are commonly used where durability, sealing, and controlled flow are essential. This includes industries handling mineral products, fertilizers, or alternative fuels. For such applications, a one-size-fits-all design is not only inefficient but can result in severe equipment degradation and safety risks. To avoid these issues, it’s vital to begin with a technical study of the bulk material’s behavior. The main properties to analyze are: Bulk density Particle size and shape Flowability and angle of repose Moisture content Abrasiveness and hardness Working temperature Each of these factors influences chain wear, casing protection, material buildup, and overall performance of the conveyor system. Testing for data-driven engineering At Sinfimasa, our engineering approach is grounded in real data. Laboratory characterization and pilot plant trials are conducted to anticipate how the material will behave during transport. Tests include: Particle size distribution Cohesion and flow resistance Abrasiveness and wear potential Angle of repose and discharge patterns Moisture impact on flow and adhesion Challenging materials Chain conveyors offer fully enclosed, low-dust transport with strong resistance to wear and corrosion—when they’re properly engineered for the product. Key design components: Chain type and coating Trough geometry and sealing Self-cleaning systems and guides Damping systems for vibration and impact Custom design is critical for: Abrasive materials like minerals or clinker, requiring reinforced chains, anti-wear linings, and robust casing Corrosive materials such as chemical fertilizers, needing stainless steel structures, sealed joints, and corrosion-resistant chains Volatile or low-density products (RDF, biomass), which benefit from precise flow control, enclosure, and systems to avoid product loss or dust emissions Benefits of a custom-built chain conveyor: Extended operational life Fewer breakdowns or maintenance interventions Safer handling of hazardous or volatile materials High efficiency and low energy consumption Conclusion A standard chain conveyor may seem sufficient at first glance, but in complex industrial settings, only a custom-designed system—engineered with accurate product data—can deliver reliability and performance over the long term. At Sinfimasa, we start every project with material testing to guarantee that your chain conveyor is as robust and efficient as your process demands. Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4lOzSxACFY More information Chain conveyors by Sinfimasa, robust and reliable: https://sinfimasa.com/en/products/chain-conveyors/

When handling bulk materials in demanding environments—especially those that are abrasive, corrosive, or volatile, chain conveyor (drag conveyor, Redler), is often the best solution. However, its performance and lifespan depend entirely on how well it is adapted to the specific properties of the material it will transport. And that adaptation begins with detailed material testing.

Robust and reliable design

Chain conveyors are commonly used where durability, sealing, and controlled flow are essential. This includes industries handling mineral products, fertilizers, or alternative fuels. For such applications, a one-size-fits-all design is not only inefficient but can result in severe equipment degradation and safety risks.
To avoid these issues, it’s vital to begin with a technical study of the bulk material’s behavior. The main properties to analyze are:

Bulk density
Particle size and shape
Flowability and angle of repose
Moisture content
Abrasiveness and hardness
Working temperature

Each of these factors influences chain wear, casing protection, material buildup, and overall performance of the conveyor system.

Testing for data-driven engineering

At Sinfimasa, our engineering approach is grounded in real data. Laboratory characterization and pilot plant trials are conducted to anticipate how the material will behave during transport. Tests include:

Particle size distribution
Cohesion and flow resistance
Abrasiveness and wear potential
Angle of repose and discharge patterns
Moisture impact on flow and adhesion

Challenging materials
Chain conveyors offer fully enclosed, low-dust transport with strong resistance to wear and corrosion—when they’re properly engineered for the product. Key design components:

Chain type and coating
Trough geometry and sealing
Self-cleaning systems and guides
Damping systems for vibration and impact

Custom design is critical for:

Abrasive materials like minerals or clinker, requiring reinforced chains, anti-wear linings, and robust casing
Corrosive materials such as chemical fertilizers, needing stainless steel structures, sealed joints, and corrosion-resistant chains
Volatile or low-density products (RDF, biomass), which benefit from precise flow control, enclosure, and systems to avoid product loss or dust emissions

Benefits of a custom-built chain conveyor:

Extended operational life
Fewer breakdowns or maintenance interventions
Safer handling of hazardous or volatile materials
High efficiency and low energy consumption

Conclusion

A standard chain conveyor may seem sufficient at first glance, but in complex industrial settings, only a custom-designed system—engineered with accurate product data—can deliver reliability and performance over the long term. At Sinfimasa, we start every project with material testing to guarantee that your chain conveyor is as robust and efficient as your process demands.