Hi all, first post here and looking for some help,

In a manufacturing plant I support we are transferring powder materials to a packaging line using screw augers. Over the last 2 years we have seen a massive increase in screw wear, going from changing the screw twice a year to 20 times in 2024. Nothing in the materials composition has changed and we are told by the screw manufacturer that nothing has changed in the metallurgy or design of the screw.

This product is a niche product to us, so we don't have a huge amount of experience within the team on dealing with powders and are therefore reliant on the machine suppliers support. So i was wondering if anyone independent from a equipment manufacturer who deals with powders (flour mills, pharmaceutical industry etc.) can give me some pointers on the common issues linked with screw wear? or pointers towards technical advise or trade support? From research it seems practical size is one, but we have checked all the component materials and nothing has changed in the particle size distribution.

Thanks in advance to any help.

Regards

Luke