Customized bucket elevator design: Why material testing is essential

Experience and Commitment The main business of Sinfines y Maquinaria S.A. (Sinfimasa) is to understand the customer and design and manufacture conveyors according to project requirements and the specifications of the solid material to be handled. At our facilities in Guissona (Spain), we have our own engineering department with over 35 years’ experience, where we design machines that meet our customers’ technical specifications and make our commitment to their engineering project. We offer solutions for conveying and lifting bulk solids with uncompromising quality and precision, and we ensure equipment reliability in every situation in the processing plant. Safe, Robust, Reliable In our production plant we manufacture products with all types of finishes as required: pickled and passivated, electro-polished, lacquered, sandblasted and food-grade, etc. We work with different materials such as carbon steel, stainless steel and anti-wear steel. We use high quality and universally available components such as SEW gearmotors or SKF bearings. Our suppliers are also key to our success and we make a commitment to them. We have a test bench where, based on product samples from our customers, we research the best solution for the requirements of each project. We are committed to our customers and engineering companies to offer machines with guaranteed reliability. Sinfimasa has welding procedures and welders approved according to ASME Section IX (QW-484). We use an automated welding system to ensure that the entire length of the conveyors are welded evenly and are free from voids. At Sinfimasa we are rigorous and demanding, with numerous references in several countries on all five continents as our guarantee. Please ask us for more information as you require. Consult us about your project on no obligation. We will make you a reliable technical proposal that is 100% adapted to your requirements.

Discover how bulk material analysis and flow testing are key to designing bulk solids conveyors fully tailored to the production line. Bulk Solids Conveyor Design An efficient conveyor system for handling bulk solids requires one crucial step before selecting the type of conveyor. The most critical—and often most underestimated—step is the thorough analysis of the material to be conveyed. Deep knowledge of the product’s characteristics ensures not only a technically accurate solution but also greater durability, lower maintenance costs, and optimized industrial productivity. Understanding the material to be conveyed Each bulk material has unique physical properties that directly impact conveyor performance. A generic or modular design for a screw conveyor, bucket elevator, or chain conveyor may lead to operational failures, blockages, premature wear, or even unexpected production line shutdowns. The design must begin with a data-driven approach based on the product these conveyors will handle. Below are the key properties to study and the methodology: Technical characterization of the

Proper maintenance of a screw conveyor is essential to ensure its efficient operation, prolong its lifespan, and avoid costly repairs or replacements. How to check and maintain effectively. A screw conveyor, also known as an auger conveyor, is a machine that uses a helical screw to move bulk products from one point to another. Proper maintenance of a screw conveyor is essential to ensure its efficient operation, prolong its lifespan, and avoid costly repairs or replacements. Sensitive points in a screw conveyor # Bearings: These parts allow the screw to rotate without friction. It’s crucial to check them regularly for signs of wear or damage. # Helical Screw: This is the main part of the conveyor. It should be inspected for deformations or excessive wear. # Tube or Trough: This is the container where the screw is located. It should be free of obstructions and damage. # Seals: They prevent material from escaping and protect against the entry of contaminants. They should be checked and replaced if necessary. Parts to replace periodically # Drive Shaft Bearings - Inspection and greasing; Frequency: Every 1000 hours or every three months. Regular

To prevent abrasive wear, it is necessary to use abrasion-resistant industrial coatings with good resistance to the (hardest and sharpest) particles in the bulk material being transported. The simplest solution is to apply a hard coating or lining to the surface of the parts of the conveyor in contact with the product. This protective coating should have a greater hardness than the particles causing the wear. A second possibility is to apply reinforced coatings with a better chemical composition, giving phases greater functionality and more protection. A third possibility is to treat the base metal, making it more resistant. Wear protection for bucket elevators For a bucket elevator, the buckets should be reinforced at the edges with an anti-wear steel plate, as this is the area most affected by wear. Wear protection for screw conveyors In screw conveyors, on the other hand, the entire spiral and shaft should be made of anti-wear steel. For this purpose

Chain and screw conveyors versus belt conveyors. Sinfimasa manufactures chain and screw conveyors specifically for each customer and project. Which bulk material conveyor for which situation? Chain and screw conveyors versus belt conveyors There are several alternatives for conveying bulk materials. The most important of these are screw conveyors, belt conveyors and chain conveyors. Conveyors for bulk material should always be tailored to the situation: the movement path and the characteristics of the specific bulk material. Which type of conveyor is best for each situation? At Sinfimasa, we always say that the most important factor determining the choice of conveyor type is the product to be transported. Before the engineer defines the system, the properties of the product and conditions must be characterised. To mention are: the bulk density, grain size, abrasiveness, corrosivity, the temperature at which it will be transported, the power required, the degree of clumping, hygroscopicity, etc... Depending on the product and the configuration of the process or plant, one device will be better than

The handling of bulk solids, especially aggregates and other hard minerals requires highly robust and reliable conveyor equipment. Sinfimasa designs equipment based on product properties. Robust equipment The handling of bulk solids, especially aggregates and other hard minerals requires highly robust and reliable conveyor equipment. Its 100% tailor-made manufacturing is the most recommended in this sector to offer to the engineering companies the most suitable components and features for the user’s working conditions and ensure maximum performance and return on investment. Maximum reliability Total adaptation to customer needs means, not only maximum reliability conveyors to reduce facilities downtime, but also the maintenance costs by assembling top quality brands preferred by the user which are freely accessible in the market, as is the case of motor-reducers, bearings, or instrumentation (motion, temperature, deviations sensors). Proven technology Having proven experience and references, as well as a test bench for testing the behavior of the client’s material, will help the success in the design of the conveyor to be manufactured. At