{"id":502,"date":"2026-06-18T01:23:47","date_gmt":"2026-06-18T01:23:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/seiwag-us.com\/blog\/?p=502"},"modified":"2026-06-18T01:49:18","modified_gmt":"2026-06-18T01:49:18","slug":"screw-type","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/seiwag-us.com\/blog\/screw-type\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Does a Screw Feeder Suddenly Stop After Hours of Operation?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Introduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A screw feeder may operate normally at the beginning of a process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The motor rotates smoothly.<br>The powder flows as expected.<br>The feed rate is stable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, after several hours of operation, the output gradually decreases and may eventually stop completely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At first, operators often suspect the motor, controller, or drive system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But in some cases, the real problem is the powder itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Powder Can Build Up Around the Screw Shaft<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Certain powders have strong adhesive or cohesive properties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Examples include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Fine chemicals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Moist powders<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Resins<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Food ingredients<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pigments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Powders that tend to absorb moisture<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When these materials are fed continuously, a small amount of powder may gradually enter the gap between the screw shaft and the surrounding parts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Initially, this is hardly noticeable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, as operation continues, the powder becomes compacted and starts to accumulate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Eventually, the material may form a hard, rod-like deposit around the shaft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the deposit grows, several problems can occur:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Increased torque<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reduced feeding capacity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unstable feed rates<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Complete blockage<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The feeder itself may still be running normally, but powder can no longer move smoothly through the system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Does This Problem Develop Slowly?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the challenges is that the problem does not appear immediately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The feeder may operate without issues for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Several hours<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An entire production batch<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Multiple cycles<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As powder gradually accumulates, the flow characteristics change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Operators may first notice:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Feed rate fluctuations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increased motor load<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Irregular discharge<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Unexpected stoppages<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because the symptoms appear gradually, identifying the root cause can be difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why Standard Screw Designs Are Not Always Ideal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A conventional screw feeder typically has a central shaft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For many powders, this design works perfectly well.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"587\" height=\"72\" src=\"https:\/\/seiwag-us.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/3.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-511\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, when handling adhesive or cohesive materials, the shaft area can become a place where powder accumulates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The gap around the shaft may act as a dead space where material is compressed during operation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over time, this can lead to solid deposits and feeding problems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The more adhesive the powder, the greater the risk of buildup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"568\" height=\"147\" src=\"https:\/\/seiwag-us.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/2.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-512\" style=\"width:580px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">One Possible Solution: Shaftless Screws<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For powders that tend to stick or accumulate, a shaftless screw may be an effective alternative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the name suggests, a shaftless screw does not have a central shaft.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This design offers several advantages:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Less space for powder accumulation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reduced risk of buildup around the center<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Easier handling of sticky or cohesive materials<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Improved long-term feeding stability<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because there is no shaft in the center, powder has fewer locations where it can become trapped and compressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"567\" height=\"135\" src=\"https:\/\/seiwag-us.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/4.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-513\" style=\"width:587px;height:auto\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In some applications, changing the screw design alone can significantly improve feeding performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Best Screw Depends on the Powder<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There is no universal screw design that works for every material.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The optimal screw depends on factors such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Powder flowability<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Adhesion tendency<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Moisture sensitivity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Particle size<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Feed rate requirements<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Operating duration<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A screw that performs well with free-flowing powders may not be suitable for sticky or cohesive materials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For this reason, selecting the screw type based on powder characteristics is often just as important as selecting the feeder itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If a screw feeder suddenly stops after several hours of operation, the motor may not be the problem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In some cases, adhesive powders gradually accumulate around the screw shaft and eventually block material flow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Understanding how the powder behaves during long-term operation is essential for stable feeding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For difficult materials, a shaftless screw can sometimes provide a practical solution by reducing powder buildup and improving feeding reliability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related Articles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Why Does a Powder Feeder Stop Feeding Even When the Motor Is Running?<br><a href=\"https:\/\/seiwag-us.com\/blog\/motor\/\">https:\/\/seiwag-us.com\/blog\/motor\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Why Ultra-Low Powder Feed Rates Are More Difficult Than You Think?<br><a href=\"https:\/\/seiwag-us.com\/blog\/low-feed-rates\/\">https:\/\/seiwag-us.com\/blog\/low-feed-rates\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Vibrator vs. Agitator: Which Is Better for Preventing Bridging?<br><a href=\"https:\/\/seiwag-us.com\/blog\/v-a\/\">https:\/\/seiwag-us.com\/blog\/v-a\/<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Why Add a Mesh Screen at the Feeder Discharge?<br><a href=\"https:\/\/seiwag-us.com\/blog\/lumps\/\">https:\/\/seiwag-us.com\/blog\/lumps\/<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/seiwag-us.com\/\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"330\" src=\"https:\/\/seiwag-us.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Powder-and-liquid-equipments-8000-\u00d7-1600-px\u306e\u30b3\u30d4\u30fc-2-1024x330.png\" alt=\"Screw feeder\" class=\"wp-image-28\" srcset=\"https:\/\/seiwag-us.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Powder-and-liquid-equipments-8000-\u00d7-1600-px\u306e\u30b3\u30d4\u30fc-2-1024x330.png 1024w, https:\/\/seiwag-us.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Powder-and-liquid-equipments-8000-\u00d7-1600-px\u306e\u30b3\u30d4\u30fc-2-300x97.png 300w, https:\/\/seiwag-us.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Powder-and-liquid-equipments-8000-\u00d7-1600-px\u306e\u30b3\u30d4\u30fc-2-768x247.png 768w, https:\/\/seiwag-us.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Powder-and-liquid-equipments-8000-\u00d7-1600-px\u306e\u30b3\u30d4\u30fc-2-1536x494.png 1536w, https:\/\/seiwag-us.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Powder-and-liquid-equipments-8000-\u00d7-1600-px\u306e\u30b3\u30d4\u30fc-2.png 1600w, https:\/\/seiwag-us.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Powder-and-liquid-equipments-8000-\u00d7-1600-px\u306e\u30b3\u30d4\u30fc-2-1024x330.png 856w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introduction A screw feeder may operate normally at the beginning of a process. The motor rotates smoothly.The<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":507,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jin_ogp_image_url":"","_jin_last_featured_id":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-502","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-trouble-shooting"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/seiwag-us.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/502","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/seiwag-us.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/seiwag-us.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seiwag-us.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seiwag-us.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=502"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/seiwag-us.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/502\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":514,"href":"https:\/\/seiwag-us.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/502\/revisions\/514"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seiwag-us.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/507"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/seiwag-us.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=502"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seiwag-us.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=502"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/seiwag-us.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=502"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}