Augers and auger flighting can be customized to suit a particular application. That being the case, there is no reason not to choose the flight auger that is right for your specific situation. But what are your options? Read on to learn more about the various types that are available in the marketplace. After you've done your research, consult with a premier manufacturer to discuss your individual specifications, needs, and equipment.
- Helicoid Flight – This space age-looking auger flight is helix shaped in one continuous piece. It can be formed from a square, rectangular or round bar. It is typically manufactured from either carbon or stainless steel. Helicoid flights can serve both heavy-duty and lighter-duty applications. To convey lightweight, non-abrasive material like pellets or grain, a light-duty helicoid suffices. For abrasive and/or bulky materials like fertilizer, limestone and cement, heavy-duty helicoid flighting is called for.
- Sectional Flight – Also helix shaped, sectional auger flights differ from helicoid flights in that they are formed into a helix blanks cut from flat plate. So when would you want to use a sectional versus a helicoid? Usually size is the determining factor. Sectional flighting allows for a greater height or web of the flight. So in a nutshell, sectional flights provide a wider range of size options. Sectional auger flights have a higher price tag but they are especially amenable to highly abrasive applications and those that are extremely heavy duty. Glass cullet and alumina are two such examples.
- Ribbon Flight – Like helicoid, ribbon flighting is also formed from a continuous helix of bar. It usually has a narrow web and large ID. So how is it different from the aforementioned auger flights? The large diameter is one of the things that sets this type of flight apart from the other flighting types. Common applications include those that involve the handling of sticky materials or dry material that require blending.
- Shaftless Flight – A heavier gauge is the differentiating factor in shaftless auger flights. This type of flighting is similar to the ribbon flight in that it works well when moving sticky products. Shaftless flights also move large sized lumps with ease. They have several advantages over the other auger flight types including no intermediate bearings, no center pipe, lower maintenance costs, longer life and increased screw capacity. Construction, mining and water treatment are some of the industries that enjoy the heavy-duty benefits of shaftless auger flights.
- Complete Screws – Produced by mounting a helical or sectional flight to a shaft, pipe, flange, hub, post or other means to turn the screw, complete screw weldments or augers can vary widely. They can run the gamut from a simple pipe with the ends bushed and drilled to a long tapered solid shaft with an intricately machined drive coupling. Complete screws can be customized to specifications that include tapering ODs, tapering IDs, machined drive ends, hardsurfacing, and stitch or solid weld.
