The Wrights Dowson group builds on a long-established history of high-quality manufacturer in the UK. We provide a range of industries with bulk-handling equipment and related accessories. For example, our range of screw conveyors can be outfitted with various troughs to suit your applications.

Screw conveyors are some of the most versatile machines for conveying material from one part of your plant to another. They can be installed horizontally or at an angle and come with various specifications that make them suitable for nearly any type of material.

The material you want to convey will also determine the type of trough you should use. There are several different types, though U-trough conveyors are the most common.

U-Trough Conveyors

A U-trough is the most common type of trough for a screw conveyor due to its simple, economical design. They also provide easy access for maintenance. U trough screw conveyors come in several potential configurations.

  • Flared troughs come with formed top flanges, making the opening more expansive than the bottom. This allows sticky or vicious bulk materials to enter more easily and suits mixing screw conveyors.
  • Jacketed troughs come with an outer jacket. This is seal-welded to the inner trough. Jackets allow bulk materials to be cooled, heated, or kept at a consistent temperature.
  • Double-formed flanges provide dust-tight seals when used with a flanged cover.
  • Formed channels offer two side channels to provide extra rigidity over long conveyance distances.
  • Drop bottom troughs have a removable lower curve trough section. This allows access to the screw for cleaning and maintenance.

Tubular Housings

Another type of trough for a screw conveyor is tubular, which means the screw is fully enclosed in a cylinder. This is commonly used when the material moves at an angle such as 15 degrees. A tubular housing can improve the flow of bulk materials and efficiency because everything is contained, and there is less fallback. They are also better suited to operate in less optimal weather.

Rectangular Troughs

Finally, rectangular troughs are used for abrasive materials. A space between the screw and bulk material in the trough forms a statistic layer. Rectangular troughs may also come into use when abrasion-resistant steels are used. However, these are less formable and can’t always be turned into a u-trough conveyor.

Contact the Wrights Dowson Group to Learn More

Get in touch with our engineers to discuss which type of trough makes the most sense for your plant and material. Our friendly engineers will then design the screw conveyor to your specifications, finding the best materials and designs to work for your application.