Apron Feeder

An apron feeder is a continuous feeder widely used in mines, metallurgy, building materials, ports, coal, and chemical industry, and mining enterprises.

What is an apron feeder?

An apron feeder is a type of mechanical material handling equipment used in bulk material handling systems. It consists of a series of horizontally mounted overlapping metal plates or pans that are typically connected to heavy-duty chains or cables. The pans move along the feed bed and carry materials such as ore, coal, rock, and aggregates from a hopper or bin to a processing or transport system.

Apron feeders are used in mining, quarrying, and industrial operations, where a large quantity of heavy or abrasive materials needs to be moved. They are particularly effective for feeding and controlling the flow of bulky, wet, or sticky materials, which can cause blockages and other disruptions in other types of feeders.

Apron feeders come in different sizes, capacities, and configurations, depending on the specific application requirements. They can be designed for a range of operating conditions, including extreme temperatures, high-impact loads, and corrosive environments. Some apron feeders may also come with hydraulic or electrical control systems to optimize material flow and reduce wear and tear on the feeder and downstream equipment.

An apron feeder is mainly used to continuously and evenly supply and transfer various large heavy objects and abrasive bulk materials from storage bins or transfer funnels to crushers, batching devices, or transportation equipment. It is one of the important pieces of equipment in ore and raw material processing and continuous production process. Various types of apron feeders are divided into right-type transmission and left-type transmission according to the transmission mode. Along the material running direction, the transmission system on the right side of the machine is the right-type transmission, otherwise, it is a left-type transmission. Read More: Conveyor System Wikipedia

Capacity

• Maximum feed particle size range (mm): 300-1400
• Processing capacity range (t/h): 50-900
• Weight range (kg): 3980-85000

What are the classifications of apron feeders?

According to the continuity of feeding, apron feeders (apron feeders) are generally divided into three types: heavy duty, medium duty and light duty. The main function is also the same.

• Light-duty apron feeder: continuous feeding machine, suitable for short-distance conveying of bulk materials with a particle size of less than 160mm.
• Medium-duty apron feeder: It is a uniform intermittent feeding equipment, and it is an apron feeder for larger pieces and medium-density materials.
• Heavy-duty apron feeder: It is suitable for continuous and uniform feeding from storage bins to crushers, conveyors, etc., and short-distance conveyance of materials with high density and large lumps.

Installation method of apron feeder

• The light-duty apron feeder can be installed horizontally or inclined, and its maximum upward inclination angle is 25 degrees. It is generally suitable for materials with a bulk density less than 1200kg/m3, a block weight less than 140kg, and a temperature below 350°C.
• The medium-duty apron feeder can be installed horizontally or inclined, and its maximum upward inclination angle is 25 degrees.
• The heavy-duty apron feeder can be installed horizontally or inclined, with a maximum inclination angle of 23 degrees.

The main application range of apron feeder?

• Light-duty apron feeder: Widely used in mines, dressing plants, the chemical industry, cement, building materials, and other departments, it is widely used for uniform and continuous feeding from storage bins to crushing, transportation, and other machinery. Conveying bulk materials with particle size below 160mm.
• Medium-duty apron feeder: It is suitable for medium and short-distance conveying of bulk materials with a particle size of less than 600mm in various departments. This equipment is generally suitable for materials with a bulk density of less than 1.6t/m3, a block weight of less than 500kg, and a temperature below 400°C.
• Heavy-duty apron feeder: It is the auxiliary equipment for transportation machinery. This machine is suitable for crushing and grading workshops of large mineral processing plants and departments of cement and building materials. It is used as a silo for continuous and uniform feeding of primary crushers, and it can also be used for short-distance transportation of materials with large particle sizes and specific gravity.

Five service advantages of apron feeder in cement plant

As an interface between trucks or plant stockpiles and the processing system, Apron Feeders provide steady, controlled feed for downstream processing in cement applications: improving production and allowing for more predictable maintenance of processing equipment.

• Heavy-duty design and components with hydraulic take-up system
• The Apron Feeder for cement processing features a heavy-duty roller
• Raw material blending system for your cement needs
• Delivery tailored to your requirements and mining site conditions
• Mining application offers tractor-type chain

5 major components of the apron feeder

The structure of the apron feeder is composed of five major components, including the driving device, the head device, the frame, the running mechanism, and the tail tensioning device.

• Driving device: An electric motor and a gear reducer are used.
• Head device: The head sprocket of the apron feeder adopts the integral alveolar block structure, and the surface is heat-treated, which not only improves the working efficiency but also prolongs the service life.
• Frame: The frame of the apron feeder is simple in structure, and has good strength and rigidity.
• Running parts: Running parts adopt newer technology in design and manufacturing technology. The traction chain is separated from the load-carrying component, and the appropriate pitch is adopted to ensure smooth meshing and operation.
• Tail tensioning device: using a spiral tensioning device, the tensioning stroke is large, the structure is compact, and the tail adopts a disassembly structure, which is convenient for the installation of the bearing seat.