Screw conveyors are the backbone of many internal transport systems. Yet no two products are the same. Powders, granules, dusty, wet or dry, light or heavy, sticky or abrasive products – they all have unique characteristics that influence how they move through a screw conveyor. To eliminate uncertainty, Van Beek conducts preliminary tests using your product. This enables us to observe exactly how the product behaves.
A well-executed test procedure will eliminate any surprises. During the test, we analyse the flow properties of your product inside the screw conveyor: we observe how much residual product remains and whether bridging occurs, including factors such as temperature, moisture, the angle of repose/surcharge, and the effect of the screw conveyor on the product. This allows us to understand both the product’s behaviour during transport, how the screw conveyor affects the product, and vice versa.
Whenever possible, we store a sample of each material tested in our physical product database. This gives us a reliable reference for future inquiries or new applications of how the product will behave in real-world conditions. Over time, this builds valuable knowledge that remains available to you.
A test begins as soon as you, the customer, submits your request. After an initial analysis of your product’s properties, we jointly define the testing objectives and configure the most suitable test setup. Just one litre of your product can reveal a lot of information. Testing takes place at Van Beek in The Blue Zone, or—if preferred—at your location. Our testing machines can also be rented for in-house trials within your own production process. We record and evaluate all results, and provide a clear feedback report, often accompanied by images, and give tailored advice.
Our experience covers a wide range of products: from frozen doughnuts and rye bread to plastic granules, lime powder, salts, and metal chips. Each product shows specific behaviour and challenges. Sometimes a product behaves differently from what we or the customer had expected. Whatever the outcome, a test can always be seen as a success, as there is always something we can learn from testing.
Testing helps you determine whether your product can be transported reliably using a screw conveyor. You will learn whether the product breaks, has caking tendencies, or can be dispensed accurately. You will also discover how the product responds to different speeds, temperatures, and conveyor inclinations. The process helps identify whether the screw conveyor is the best way forward, or whether a different solution would be more appropriate.
The process helps identify potential risks such as build-up, wear, or overheating, and shows how the machine should be adjusted accordingly. Testing not only ensures optimal technical performance—it also supports a safe, sustainable, and well-founded investment decision.
