Live screw feeder bottom for potatoes

Live screw feeder bottom for potatoes manufactured for a starch factotry. 100 m3 silo equipped with a live screw feeder bottom. The silo is used for dosing the potatoes to the potato raspers at the beginning of the starch processing line. The live screw feeder bottom is able to deliver a constant flow rate to the potato rasper. This ensures a correct feeding through the hole starch manufacturing process.

Function of the screw feeder bottom

• The potatos is filled in the top and drawn out in the bottom
• The bottom has 4 screw conveyors – each 500 mm. in diameter
• The bottom screws deliver the potatos to 4 transportation screws that moves the potatos to the potato raspers

Information of the application

• The silo is supported by a HEB-450 support beam that is put onto a system of load cells
• The bottom screw feeders are designed specially to sit in a heavy loaded bin – the bottom is re-inforced with steel plates
• BEMA has solved all tasks including design, static calculations, manufacturing, transportation and assistance during installation and test run

Designing and manufacturing of a live screw bottom requires experienced mechanical engineering. BEMA has these skills, and we have over the years manufactured various live screw feeder bottom. Below is three examples of live screw feeder bottoms manufactured by BEMA: Screw feeder bottom for flake ice Screw feeder bottom for wood chips Screw feeder bottom for oil cuttings You can alway contact BEMA during your planning process for a live screw bottom. We will be able to assist in the design and manufacturing.

FAQ: Live Screw Feeder Bottom for Potatoes

1. What is a live screw feeder bottom for potatoes used for?

A live screw feeder bottom is designed to ensure a continuous, controlled, and reliable flow of potatoes from a large storage silo into the processing line. In this application, the system feeds potatoes into a starch factory, where they are dosed to the potato raspers at the start of the production process. Maintaining a constant flow rate is essential because it stabilizes the entire starch manufacturing line. When the raspers receive an even and predictable supply of potatoes, the downstream processes—separation, washing, and starch extraction—operate more efficiently and with fewer interruptions.

2. How does the live screw feeder bottom function inside the silo?

The potatoes are loaded from the top of the 100 m³ silo and extracted from the bottom. The bottom section contains four screw conveyors, each with a diameter of 500 mm. These screws work together to draw potatoes evenly across the entire bottom surface, preventing bridging and ensuring uniform discharge. The extracted potatoes are then transferred to four transportation screws, which move them directly to the potato raspers. This multi‑screw configuration ensures stable dosing and avoids bottlenecks, even when handling large volumes or variable potato sizes.

3. How is the silo and screw feeder system structurally supported?

The silo is mounted on a robust HEB‑450 support beam structure, which is placed on a system of load cells. This setup allows precise monitoring of the silo’s weight, ensuring accurate dosing and safe operation. Because the bottom screws operate in a heavily loaded bin, the entire bottom section is reinforced with steel plates. This reinforcement prevents deformation, increases durability, and ensures long‑term reliability under continuous industrial use. The combination of structural strength and load‑cell monitoring makes the system suitable for demanding, high‑capacity environments.

4. What engineering tasks does BEMA handle in such a project?

BEMA manages the complete project lifecycle—from initial design to final commissioning. This includes mechanical design, static calculations, manufacturing of the screw feeder bottom and silo components, transportation to the installation site, and on‑site assistance during installation and test runs. Designing a live screw bottom requires extensive mechanical engineering expertise, especially when dealing with large silos, heavy loads, and continuous dosing requirements. BEMA’s experience ensures that the system is optimized for performance, durability, and operational stability.

5. Can BEMA support other types of live screw feeder bottoms?

Yes. BEMA has manufactured a wide range of live screw feeder bottoms for different materials and industries. Examples include systems for flake ice, wood chips, and oil cuttings—each requiring unique design considerations due to differences in material behavior, density, and flow characteristics. Customers are encouraged to involve BEMA early in the planning process to ensure the best technical solution. Early collaboration helps define capacity, structural requirements, reinforcement needs, and screw geometry, resulting in a more efficient and cost‑effective final installation.