Auger Feeder Inserts for Concrete Mix Wear
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing auger feeders for concrete mix are difficult and costly to manufacture due to the hard and brittle material used for the helical segment, which requires a bearing housing and is prone to high abrasive wear, limiting manufacturing efficiency and increasing costs.
Innovation Solution
The auger feeder design incorporates softer material inserts on both the upstream and downstream ends, with an annular shape and locking grooves to prevent movement during casting, and a cast infill for secure attachment, allowing for easier and faster manufacturing while maintaining high hardness and abrasion resistance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the auger feeder's helical segment is made of hard and brittle material (white cast iron) for high abrasion resistance, then the abrasion resistance is improved, but the manufacturing difficulty and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The auger feeder is divided into two material zones: the helical segment is made of hard white cast iron for abrasion resistance, while the downstream end is made of softer, more manufacturable material. This segmentation allows each part to have optimal properties for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the auger feeder have different material properties tailored to their specific requirements. The helical segment uses hard material for abrasion resistance where it contacts concrete, while the downstream end uses softer material that is easier to manufacture and machine.
2Duration of action of stationary object
If the auger feeder is made entirely of hard material for durability, then the service life is improved, but the manufacturing time and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The auger feeder is segmented into hard-wearing helical segments and softer downstream ends, allowing the critical wear areas to be made of durable material while the non-critical areas are made of easier-to-manufacture material, thus reducing overall manufacturing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The material hardness parameter is changed for different sections of the auger feeder. The downstream end uses softer material that can be manufactured more quickly, while maintaining adequate service life for non-critical applications.
3Strength
If the downstream end is made of hard material to match the helical segment, then the overall hardness is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases due to bearing housing requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The auger feeder structure is segmented so that the downstream end is separated from the helical segment and made of different material, eliminating the need for complex bearing housings and simplifying the overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The downstream end is made of softer, cheaper material that does not require complex bearing housing structures, reducing device complexity while still serving its function adequately.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an auger feeder of concrete mix having a helical segment, which auger feeder has at least one insert (22), which is manufactured of material that is softer than that used for manufacturing the auger feeder's helical segment. One insert (22) is mounted on a downstream end of the auger feeder. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing an auger feeder, which method includes manufacture of a helical segment of the auger feeder, in which method at least one insert is manufactured from a material softer than that used for the auger feeder's helical segment. The insert (22) is to be mounted on a downstream end of the auger feeder of the casting of the auger feeder's helical segment.