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How to extend the life of screw conveyors? Lubrication, cleaning and routine maintenance guide

Screw conveyors are commonly used in industrial production, and their lifespan directly impacts production efficiency and maintenance costs. Proper lubrication, cleaning, and routine maintenance can extend equipment life by 30%-50% and reduce unexpected failures.

 

1. Lubrication Management (Core Maintenance Item)

Lubrication Locations and Frequency

Lubrication Points

Lubrication Intervals

Precautions

Bearings

Every 500 Hours

Grease 60%-70% of the bearing cavity.

Gear Reducer

First 500 hours, then 2000 hours thereafter.

Maintain the oil level at 1/2 to 2/3 of the sight glass.

Screw Shaft Joints

Every 300 Hours

Avoid mixing different brands of grease.

Common lubrication mistakes:

Overlubrication → causes bearing heating and seal damage

Mixing lubricants → Different brands may react chemically, reducing lubrication effectiveness

Ignoring high-temperature environments → Synthetic grease (temperature resistance > 150°C) is recommended for high-temperature applications

2. Cleanliness management (preventing blockage and wear)

Cleaning methods for different materials

Material Type

Cleaning Method

Cleaning Frequency

Powdered Materials

Compressed Air Purging

End of Each Shift

Viscous Materials

Warm Water + Neutral Detergent Rinse

Weekly

Corrosive Materials

Wash with Special Preservatives and Dry

Every 3 Days

Cleaning Precautions

Do not use a high-pressure water gun directly on the bearing housing → This can cause water damage. Material accumulation at the base of the spiral blades → Use a soft-bristled brush to avoid scratches.

Clean immediately after shutting down → Prevent material from hardening and clumping.

3. Daily Inspection and Maintenance (Preventive Maintenance)

Daily Inspection Checklist

Abnormal Noise Detection: Listen for unusual noise from bearings and chains during operation.

Vibration Monitoring: Manually check the motor and reducer for vibrations <4.5 mm/s.

Seal Inspection: Observe the shaft ends for oil or powder leakage.

Belt/Chain Tightness: Press down to ensure sag <10 mm (chain) or <5 mm (belt).

 

Monthly Deep Maintenance

Inspect the propeller blades for wear: Replace if wear >30%.

Tighten bolts: Use a torque wrench (refer to the equipment manual for standard values).

Leveling: Use a spirit level to check for deviation <2 mm/m.

4.Common Faults and Solutions

Symptom

Possible Cause

Solution

Bearing overheating

Insufficient lubrication or contamination

Clean bearings and replace grease

Decreased conveying efficiency

Worn blades or material adhesion

Clean or replace blades

Abnormal vibration

Bent screw shaft or bearing damage

Align shaft or replace bearings

 

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