What could be simpler than a snail-shaped shaft invented by Archimedes in the 3rd century BC? Thanks to its simplicity, reliability and adjustable feed, this “snail” — the auger, or screw — is used intensively in many fields, from all-terrain vehicle wheels and meat grinders to ultra-sterile conveyor lines in pharmaceutical plants.
Augers used in pharmaceutical production differ significantly in design from other screw conveyor change parts. Their high strength, chemical inertness and resistance to abrasives and wear come from being made of stainless steel or engineering polymers. Dead zones during product transport are avoided thanks to the highest possible precision in manufacturing every part of the screw conveyor, and maximum tightness is the top priority during assembly. In pharmaceuticals, augers are widely used on product dosing lines, washing lines, marking lines and inspection conveyor lines.
Guaranteeing auger quality requires modern high-tech equipment. Augers and auger pairs are made in one-piece or assembled versions and, depending on function and application, come in many types (for example, inclined, horizontal and vertical).
Key parameters that characterise an auger’s performance:
- length (L) and diameter (D), and the length-to-diameter ratio (L/D);
- flight depth at the start and end of the auger (h1, h2);
- length of sections with different flight depths (L1, L2, L3);
- flight land width (e);
- pitch (t);
- helix angle (f).
AT Engineering manufactures change parts — augers and auger pairs — from the customer’s drawings (sketches) or from a supplied sample. Each auger is designed around the customer’s requirements, the material being processed and the operating conditions, with all necessary calculations carried out to ensure reliability, durability and wear resistance.