KWS Provides Conveying System for Masonry Product Manufacturer

General Description

Block-Lite in Flagstaff, Arizona, specializes in manufacturing high-quality concrete masonry products including blocks, bricks, and pavers. Block-Lite serves a wide range of construction needs, providing durable and sustainable materials for residential, commercial, and industrial projects.

In an effort to improve an aging and inefficient conveying system for their concrete batching process, Block-Lite looked to KWS to design and manufacture a new and improved system. KWS designed, manufactured, and delivered a new conveying system that consisted of screw feeders and conveyors to meter and convey cement and flyash from their respective silos to a central weigh hopper. The cement and flyash mixture ratios are crucial in the construction of various masonry products that Block-Lite manufactures.

New KWS Screw Feeders Meter Cement and Flyash from Silos

Design Parameters

Product Type: Cement & Flyash
Material Density: 94 Lbs. per Cubic Foot
Capacity: 213 Cubic Feet per Hour
Duty: 24 Hours per Day, 7 Days per Week

KWS Advantages

Block-Lite personnel were concerned that the new conveying system would not fit into the existing space at the plant. The KWS engineering and sales team gathered dimensional information and provided detailed design drawings and 3D models so Block-Lite would be comfortable with the design and have confidence that their new equipment would fit properly.

KWS Special Features

With Block-Lite’s space constraint in mind, KWS engineers opted for non-split tubular troughs constructed from 10-inch schedule 40 pipe. With a wall thickness of almost 3/8-inches, the screw feeders and conveyors will last many years longer than the previous design. Non-split tubular troughs minimize overall clearance when compared to U-troughs, reduce bulk material fallback, and increase efficiency on inclines. Non-split tubular troughs also eliminate the need for feeder shrouds in screw feeder applications. The tubular cross section acts as the feeder shroud and allows for an accurate feed rate when metering from a hopper, bin, or silo.

KWS provided heavy duty screws with ¼-inch thick flights continuously welded to heavy wall pipe for added rigidity. Due to screw feeder and conveyor lengths exceeding 40-feet, hangers and hanger pockets were required. KWS hanger pockets allow for easy access to hanger bearings and coupling bolts for maintenance purposes. Since cement and flyash are abrasive bulk materials, hard iron bearings and hardened coupling shafts were selected due to their abrasion resistance. KWS also provided high torque right-angle gearmotors to save space and provide plenty of power to handle any type of upset condition.

Testimonial

“lock-Lite in Flagstaff, Arizona, specializes in manufacturing high-quality concrete masonry products including blocks, bricks, and pavers. Block-Lite serves.”

Curtis Knott, Production Officer – Block-Lite