Apron feeders are a type of bulk material feeder designed to handle heavy, abrasive, and sticky materials. They are typically used in mining, quarrying, and heavy-duty industrial applications to transfer large volumes of material over short distances.
Main characteristics of apron feeders:
- Construction: Apron feeders consist of a series of overlapping metal plates or pans, attached to two parallel chains that form a conveyor belt-like structure. The metal plates are designed to withstand the high impact and abrasion of heavy materials.
- Function: The primary purpose of apron feeders is to provide a controlled and consistent feed of materials to crushers, screens, or conveyors. They can handle large boulders, heavy ores, and other dense materials that might damage or clog other types of feeders.
- Types: Apron feeders come in various designs, including:
– Standard Apron Feeders: Designed for general purpose use with a moderate capacity.
– Heavy-Duty Apron Feeders: Built to handle the heaviest and most abrasive materials, offering enhanced durability and capacity.
- Drive System: Apron feeders are usually powered by an electric motor and a gearbox, which provide the necessary torque to move the heavy materials. The speed of the feeder can be adjusted to match the requirements of the downstream processing equipment.
- Applications: These feeders are used in mining operations to transport ore from the primary crusher to the processing plant, in cement plants to feed raw materials into the kiln, and in other industries where handling of heavy, abrasive materials is required.