A screw feeder's real performance comes down to matching screw diameter, speed range, and construction to your material's specific flow behaviour — treating a throughput figure as a fixed number regardless of material is where spec mismatches start.
Key Performance Metrics
- Diameter range: 150–500 mm (larger available on request)
- Throughput range: roughly 1–100 t/hr, diameter and material dependent
- Incline capability: horizontal or up to ~30° where the feeder also elevates
- Drive control: VFD-controlled gearmotor for speed and feed-rate adjustment
- Configuration: U-trough (open) or tubular (fully enclosed)
Why Feed Rate Isn't a Fixed Number
Screw feeder throughput at a given speed depends on your material's bulk density and flowability — the same screw geometry running two different powders at the same RPM can produce meaningfully different mass feed rates. This is why a screw feeder specified purely off a generic catalogue throughput number, without your actual material data, is a common source of underperformance against expectations that were never realistic for your specific product.
Construction and Wear
Standard construction is mild steel or stainless steel (SS304/316), with hardened or wear-resistant lining available for abrasive materials — coarse minerals, certain fertilizers, or filled compounds that would otherwise erode a standard screw and trough over time. Food-grade stainless steel construction is standard where hygienic feeding is required.
Drive and Control
A VFD-controlled gearmotor is what actually makes a screw feeder a *feeder* rather than just a conveyor — the ability to set and hold a specific rotational speed is what gives you a repeatable, adjustable feed rate. Confirm the control range covers both your normal operating rate and any turndown you'll need for startup, product changeover, or low-rate operation.
Optional Features
- Wear-resistant lining for abrasive materials
- Heating/cooling jacket for temperature-sensitive materials
- Dust-tight cover or fully enclosed tubular construction for fine or combustible powders
What to Send With Your Enquiry
A complete screw feeder spec starts with: material bulk density and flowability data (or a sample), required feed rate and turndown range, whether feeding is volumetric or needs to integrate with a gravimetric weighing system upstream or downstream, dust/combustibility classification, and hygiene requirements. Review the full Screw Conveyor specification range before finalising your feeding setup.
Ready to talk about your screw feeder?
ENZAC sizes and supplies screw feeders in Malaysia based on your specific material and required feed rate. Send us your material data sheet and target rate and we'll come back with a tailored specification.