Apron Conveyors and Apron Feeders are normally used for handling abrasive, heavy materials that may have large lumps or be quite hot (several hundred degrees). The material is carried on overlapping metal plates (or “pans”) that are mounted between dual strands for heavy duty engineering class chains with either 6”, 9” or 12” pitch. The chains are usually equipped with single flanged rollers which ride on either fabricated metal tracks or train-type rails; typical options are 3”, 3 1/2” 4” or 5” diameter rollers.
There are various types and styles of pans to accommodate many variations in the material being handled, some of which can be very heavy duty and suitable for red hot materials, such as material being discharged directly from a kiln. The dual side mounted chains make this style conveyor suitable for instances that require a horizontal in-feed section and then a vertical curve to obtain some elevation change at the discharge end; it can also be applied in an “S-Path” configuration with both concave and convex curves.
In all honesty, Apron conveyors are one of the most expensive options available for moving product from point A to point B; would anybody use them if there was another viable option?
TPI Engineered Systems is based in Atlanta, Georgia; serving as the premier designer, engineer, manufacturer, and installer of custom bulk materials conveyor systems all across the United States. For more information on any of the TPI Systems, call 804-232-4580 to speak to one of our knowledgeable and highly experienced employees.
