A tubular drag conveyor transports dry bulk materials through an enclosed pipe using a chain or cable with circular loading discs. It can be configured in various ways and materials can vary depending on the application. Chain conveyors are more reliable than cables.
A tubular drag conveyor is a system used to transport dry bulk materials from one point to another within a space. Bulk materials are loaded into a hopper which feeds the bulk material into an enclosed pipe or tube. A chain or cable is threaded inside this tube; the circular loading discs are attached to the chain or cable, and as the chain or cable moves, the discs will push the dry bulk materials in one direction or another. The tubular drag conveyor eliminates the need for compressed air to transport materials.
One of the advantages of a tubular conveyor is the infinite configuration possibilities. Chains and flex cables can be routed around corners, uphill, downhill or in circles. This is especially useful in confined machining environments. The tubular drag conveyor can essentially be run anywhere tubing will fit, and many different tube diameter sizes are available to suit different applications. The discs within the tube will vary in size based on the size of the tube and the size of the chain will also vary accordingly, although the chain and cable will also vary in size based on the expected weight capacity of the tubular drag conveyor system.
The discs inside the tubular drag conveyor can be made from a variety of materials. Steel, iron, and even aluminum are common materials because they are resistant to heat damage, but some systems use synthetic materials such as plastics due to the light weight and cheap purchase price of such discs. The type of discs used will depend on the intended applications of the machine; the materials conveyed can influence the materials chosen, as well as the dimensions and layout of the entire tubular drag system. Generally, plastic discs are only suitable for lighter duty applications, while steel or other metals are better suited for heavy use.
While tubular drag conveyor designs that feature cables are generally less expensive, chain conveyors are becoming more popular for increased reliability. Cables can become frayed or otherwise damaged over time, which means your system can fail more frequently. Using a chain instead of a cable helps reduce or eliminate this problem. Chains can also allow a user to stop or start the system under load, which is sometimes not advisable with cable systems because excessive force on the cable can cause it to snap or fray.
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