Shaftless screw auger for heavy duty

Shaftless screw auger for heavy duty

A shaftless screw auger is often the most reliable choice when bulk materials become too sticky, viscous, abrasive, or irregular for traditional screw conveyors.

For demanding industrial environments, BEMA engineered a heavy‑duty shaftless screw auger designed to deliver stable transport, reduced maintenance, and long service life.

The auger is manufactured in EN 1.0570 carbon steel with a diameter of Ø450 mm, a length of 3508 mm, and a screw flight thickness of 20–25 mm, making it suitable for continuous operation under heavy loads.

Operating conditions and material challenges

Many production facilities struggle with materials that tend to clog or wrap around the central shaft of conventional screw conveyors. Substances such as sludge, food waste, screenings, powders, and mixed industrial residues often contain high moisture levels, variable particle sizes, and fibrous components. These characteristics create blockages, uneven flow, and frequent downtime.

The customer needed a conveying solution capable of handling these difficult materials without interruption. The auger also had to operate in both directions—either pushing or pulling—depending on the configuration of the transmission station and gearmotor.

This flexibility was essential for integration into an existing process line.

BEMA’s heavy‑duty shaftless screw solution

To meet these requirements, BEMA designed a shaftless screw auger that eliminates the internal shaft entirely.

This design allows the spiral to move freely inside the trough or pipe, significantly reducing the risk of clogging and enabling efficient handling of sticky or tangled materials. The auger rests on a durable liner, allowing for longer conveying distances and smoother operation.

Key design features include:

• Robust carbon steel construction for high structural strength and long service life.
• 20–25 mm thick screw flights to withstand abrasion and mechanical wear.
• Bidirectional operation, enabling both push and pull conveying.
• No intermediate bearings, reducing maintenance and eliminating common failure points.
• Flexible layout options, making it easy to integrate into existing production setups.

These features make the auger suitable for industries such as wastewater treatment, food processing, chemical production, and solid waste management—sectors where shaftless screw technology is widely used.

Documented benefits for the customer

The heavy‑duty shaftless screw auger provided several measurable advantages:

• Non‑clogging performance, even with sticky, fibrous, or irregular materials.
• Reduced maintenance, thanks to fewer moving parts and the absence of a central shaft.
• High efficiency, as the auger handles varying particle sizes and moisture levels without interruption.
• Improved operational stability, ensuring predictable flow and reduced downtime.
• Extended service intervals, supported by the robust construction and wear‑resistant design.

These benefits resulted in a more reliable production process, lower total cost of ownership, and improved material handling performance across the customer’s facility.

Experience and support from BEMA

BEMA manufactures a wide range of shaftless screw rotors and augers in multiple sizes and configurations, including single and double spirals. With extensive experience in screw conveying, BEMA helps customers identify the optimal solution for their specific material characteristics and operational requirements.

Learn more about screw rotors from BEMA