ZEO-SA screw conveyor: a modern approach to transportation - operation, connection, control

The ZEO-SA cleaning screw conveyor is a high-tech solution for cleaning silos from grain residues. Thanks to their sophisticated design and automated control system, screw conveyors are an effective tool in the operation of modern grain storage facilities.

The principle of operation of the ZEO-SA screw conveyor

The screw conveyor contains the following electrical equipment:

•  grain auger drive motor with gearbox;
• power and control cables with connectors for connection;
• power and control cabinet with degree of protection IP 66, IR 10;
• remote control for remote control of the equipment.

Depending on customer requirements, operating conditions, and the type of container, the screw conveyor can be configured in the following ways:

• Placement of the auger drive both in the middle of the silo and in the silo gallery;
• the number of driving tractors can be 1 or 2 depending on the size of the tank and, accordingly, the length;
• motor-drive of the driving tractors;
• tractors can be driven by their own engines or by the main drive;
• electrical equipment of the screw conveyor according to the ATEX 22, 21 explosion protection standard.
• equipping the screw conveyor with a current collector.

The technical solutions provide for power supply and control of the elevator equipment using a complete electrical cabinet and a remote control panel installed on the outside of the silo at a convenient height for maintenance.

All power units and the control panel are connected using IP 67 connectors that are already installed at both ends of the cables. The grain conveyor movement can be controlled in 2 modes: manual and automatic.  A switch is provided to select the mode.

The length of the cable (20 m) of the control panel allows you to freely observe the cleaning process and quickly respond to possible malfunctions of the grain transportation equipment. Also, as a remote control, it is possible to install a radio remote control with a receiver installed in a power cabinet or a place convenient for the customer.

For visual control and direct control of the equipment, the cabinet has buttons and light indication, as well as a load switch and an emergency stop button with protection against accidental switching on, which fully duplicate the functions of the remote control and can replace it in case of loss or failure.

The automation equipment provides protection against overload, short circuit, adjustment of the rated current and time interval for switching driving modes.

Control and automation system

The control cabinet of the ZEO-SA stripping screw conveyor is equipped with a modern automation system. The operator can choose between manual mode for full control of the process or automatic mode to minimize the human factor.

Control in manual mode

After the power is supplied to the mechanisms, the operator, using the remote control or directly from the cabinet, controls the movement of the screw conveyor and tractors at his own discretion, depending on the operating conditions of the transport equipment. The control functions include:

• Starting and stopping the main drive;
• start and stop the tractors;
• reversing tractors in case of jamming or blockage to allow for manual deployment of the crop accumulation.

Control in automatic mode

To start work, the operator needs to press the start button, after which the silo cleaning work is performed automatically, namely:

• tractors and cleaning a ugers move in the forward direction;
• stopping and reversing tractors when the equipment gets stuck in the crop: the equipment reacts to the excess of the rated motor current and, for a short time set by the appropriate device, starts the tractors in the opposite direction. After clearing the blockage and rolling back a certain distance, the tractors resume driving in the forward direction.

The automatic reverse steering mode is only possible with tractors that are equipped with their own engines. If the tractor is driven by the main engine of the screw conveyor, reverse and automatic mode are not available.

In addition, the operator can stop the equipment in any operating mode using the remote control, the emergency stop button or the load switch located directly on the cabinet.

Conclusion

The ZEO-SA screw conveyor is a reliable and highly efficient solution for the final discharge of grain residues from silos. Its sophisticated design, automation system with reverse mode, and intuitive controls ensure high productivity and minimal product losses. The equipment meets modern standards of operation at elevators, increasing the overall efficiency of logistics processes.