KWS Manufacturing

Storage Hopper and Mass Flow Screw Feeder for Shredded Polypropylene and Fiberglass

Application Notes & Case Studies /

Utilizing 3D parametric modeling, KWS provided a layout of their new production facility as the large hopper towered at a height of just over 21-feet. KWS designed the new hopper in small sections for easy installation in field, which would allow Hanwha Azdel to utilize cranes existing in the new facility by not exceeding load limits.KWS has extensive knowledge and experience with light density bulk materials such as polypropylene and fiberglass. Light density bulk materials can be difficult to store and meter due to bridging and ratholing. KWS designed the hopper and screw feeder using proven mass flow technologies.

Storage Hopper and Mass Flow Screw Feeder for Shredded Polypropylene and Fiberglass Read More »

Conveying Grape Waste at Winery with Screw Conveyor

Application Notes & Case Studies /

Stainless steel construction was used to prevent corrosion, and continuous welds were provided to prevent debris from building up between the pipe and flight connection. Flush out ports were added to the side of the troughs to allow residual grape juice and cleaning fluids to drain freely. Hip roof covers were used on the conveyor section located outside the building to prevent rain from collecting on the housing. To work within the required space constraints, a shafted horizontal conveyor was custom designed to feed directly into an inclined shaftless conveyor in place of using a CEMA standard inlet and discharge connection. The shaftless conveyor utilized a dual spiral shaftless screw to ensure that the grape pomace conveyed easily up the incline.

Conveying Grape Waste at Winery with Screw Conveyor Read More »

Metering and Conveying Spent Brewer’s Grain Using Screw Conveyor

Application Notes & Case Studies /

The conveying system previously in place, progressive cavity pumps, proved to be a significant and consistent maintenance problem resulting in brewing downtime. KWS replaced the problematic pumps with four inclined screw feeders to meter the spent grain out of the collection bins below the filter presses. These four inclined screw feeders meter the spent grain to a single collection screw conveyor that transports the grain to another system of screw conveyors that conveys the grain to its final destination.

Metering and Conveying Spent Brewer’s Grain Using Screw Conveyor Read More »

Metering Dextrose from Super-Sacks with Screw Conveyor

Application Notes & Case Studies /

KWS replaced the existing screw feeder with a 6-inch diameter variable pitch screw feeder. The variable pitch design provides a controlled feed of dextrose to the slurry. The flights of the screw were continuously welded on both sides of the center pipe for extra strength and durability. The inclined screw feeder utilized a split tubular housing to contain the free-flowing dextrose and provide the most efficient design. A purgeable shaft seal was used on the tail end to prevent leakage of dextrose. KWS selected an integral-motor Dodge Quantis drive due to space constraints and to provide lower energy consumption.
The screw feeder design included a KWS torque arm trough end to permit the drive unit to “float” on the drive shaft, eliminating any overhung load and stress on the rigidly welded screw. A pillow block roller bearing is located on the drive end to support the screw and function as a thrust bearing.

Metering Dextrose from Super-Sacks with Screw Conveyor Read More »

Food-Grade Screw Feeder for Metering Oat Flour

Application Notes & Case Studies /

KWS engineered and manufactured a 304 stainless steel screw feeder free of pits and crevices. All internal bolted connections were eliminated, and internal surfaces and welds were cleaned, ground flush, and polished to a 150-grit finish bolstering the sanitary design requirements.

The screw feeder design included a KWS torque arm trough end to permit the drive unit to “float” on the drive shaft, eliminating any overhung load and stress on the rigidly welded screw. A pillow block roller bearing is located on the drive end to support the screw and function as a thrust bearing.

Food-Grade Screw Feeder for Metering Oat Flour Read More »

Hopper with Inclined Screw Feeder for Metering Bakery Mix

Application Notes & Case Studies /

KWS fabricated a 50-cubic foot surge hopper to act as a buffer between the mixer and bagging fill hopper. The stainless-steel surge hopper featured a fully TIG welded interior without pits or crevices and a bolted cover for ease of access during cleaning. The cover included a hinged inspection port with mesh safety screen for visual in-process inspections. The sidewall of the hopper is fitted with a heavy-duty vibrator mounting pad to aid in the flow of the bakery mix to the bagging system.

Hopper with Inclined Screw Feeder for Metering Bakery Mix Read More »

Inclined Screw Feeder for Metering Sprouted Grain at Bakery

Application Notes & Case Studies /

A bakery received sprouted wheat grain in bulk bags and needed to precisely meter it to a hopper to begin the bread making process. KWS provided a unique, food grade solution for the application. KWS provided a special inlet to match the incline of the screw feeder and the discharge of the bulk bag unloader. The inlet was round and tapered down to match the tubular housing for the screw feeder. KWS added a sock bead on the inlet to attach a flexible connection to the bulk bag unloader. The discharge of the inclined screw feeder also had a sock bead for attachment of a flexible connection to downstream equipment. To provide accurate metering, the screw conveyor had variable pitch flighting under the inlet area to accurately meter the sprouted wheat grain up the incline.

Inclined Screw Feeder for Metering Sprouted Grain at Bakery Read More »