What is a conveyor hopper?
A conveyor hopper is a funnel-shaped inlet attached to a screw conveyor that receives bulk materials and feeds them consistently into the conveyor's auger mechanism. Hoppers control feed rates, prevent bridging or blockages, and ensure a steady, controlled flow of dry powders, granules, sticky solids, or irregular bulk materials into the conveying system.
What are the different types of screw conveyors?
The main types of screw conveyors include horizontal, inclined, vertical, flexible, portable, and sanitary configurations. Jersey Crusher offers all of these in 6-inch to 12-inch diameters. Each type suits different plant layouts and materials — for example, inclined conveyors save floor space while sanitary stainless steel models serve food and pharmaceutical applications requiring strict hygiene standards.
What materials can screw conveyors with hoppers handle?
Jersey Crusher screw conveyors handle a broad range of bulk solids including dry powders, grains, spices, sugar, chemical intermediates, mineral concentrates, animal feed ingredients, wood chips, and wet or sticky materials. The enclosed auger design manages materials that would clog or contaminate belt or bucket conveyors, making it suitable for challenging bulk handling scenarios.
What diameter options are available for Jersey Crusher screw conveyors?
Standard configurations are available from 6-inch to 12-inch diameter to accommodate varying throughput requirements. Custom diameters beyond 12 inches are also available for higher-capacity applications. Diameter selection depends on material characteristics, required flow rate, and integration geometry within your existing production system.
What construction materials are available for Jersey Crusher screw conveyors?
Jersey Crusher screw conveyors are available in three material grades: carbon steel, 304 stainless steel, and 316 sanitary stainless steel. Carbon steel suits heavy-duty industrial and mining applications, while 304 and 316 stainless steel options meet hygiene, durability, and regulatory requirements for food, pharmaceutical, and chemical processing industries.
Are Jersey Crusher screw conveyors suitable for food and pharmaceutical applications?
Yes. Screw conveyors are available in 304 and 316 sanitary stainless steel construction, meeting food-grade and FDA-adjacent design standards. The enclosed tube design prevents contamination, and material traceability documentation is available for regulated industries. Sanitary models are deployed in food processing, pharmaceutical API transport, and cosmetic ingredient handling applications.
Can screw conveyors be integrated with other processing equipment?
Yes. Jersey Crusher screw conveyors are specifically designed to integrate with lump breakers (Lump Busters®), particle-izers, volumetric feeders, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and robotic finished-goods handlers. This enables complete end-to-end material handling solutions that bridge upstream processing equipment with downstream automated systems seamlessly.
How do I determine the right screw conveyor configuration for my application?
Jersey Crusher offers a free test and evaluation service — send a pre-paid freight sample of your material, and engineers will assess its characteristics to recommend the optimal diameter, configuration, material grade, and speed control setup. You can also contact the engineering team directly at 973-686-5999 or email sales@jerseycrusher.com for a consultation.