Apron Feeder

An apron feeder is a robust, reliable material handling system that is used in mining, quarry, cement, and other bulk material handling applications. Apron feeders are unlike vibrating feeders or belt conveyors in that they are used to move heavy, large, or abrasive materials over medium to short distances. They consist of overlapped metal pans, suspended by chains or rollers, that travel over a rough frame and discharge feed material to downstream machines such as crushers, conveyors, or hoppers at a controlled rate of feeding. They are designed with the ability to handle impact loading and rough handling with minimal maintenance.

Polygonmachine produces apron feeders with heavy-duty material and engineering to ensure trouble-free, continuous operation under the most severe possible conditions. Our apron feeders come in different widths, lengths, and capacities to suit any plant design or material. With adjustable speed drives, heavy-duty chains, and wear-resistant liners, Polygonmachine apron feeders are built for continuous and long-life operation. From copper ore to limestone, coal, and industrial waste, our apron feeders streamline material flow and enhance process efficiency in all kinds of bulk material handling operations.

Apron Feeder Parts

Apron feeder elements are the essential elements that enable the system to function and endure. The elements are the pans, rollers, chains, sprockets, take-up systems, frame structures, and drive units. All these components must be engineered to function in high abrasion and impact environments, with material that possesses the capacity to withstand wear and exposure to temperature, moisture, and dust. Apron feeder component design and maintenance are a key factor in equipment availability, feed consistency, and long-term operating cost.

We at Polygonmachine provide high-quality apron feeder components to international standards that can be installed directly on our custom-designed system or retrofitted to installed feeders. We provide forged alloy steel chain, machined sprocket, hardened rollers, and heavy-duty pans with bolted or welded designs. Our inventory of spare parts is in stock and ready for immediate global shipment, saving time for repair or maintenance. Polygonmachine apron feeder spare parts offer customers long-lasting, reliable parts that maximize equipment life and improve material handling performance.

Apron Feeder Pans

Apron feeder pans or flights are the steel plates utilized to construct the carrying surface of the apron feeder. These pans are built to withstand direct impact with heavy and sharp-faced materials and to impart smooth and controlled release to the downstream operation. The pans are cast manganese steel or alloy steel plates for more rigid wear life. Pans are bolted or welded on the feeder to chains and fitted in overlapping position for continuous material transport without spilling.

Polygonmachine produces apron feeder pans with wear resistance, strength, and dimensional tolerance in mind. Our pans have reinforced edges, flat or curved profiles, and thicknesses designed based on application requirements. Where there is severe abrasion, i.e., iron ore or cement clinker plants, we provide high-level features such as manganese cast pans or chromium carbide surface plating. Our modular pan design minimizes maintenance with single replacement and less downtime. Polygonmachine apron feeder pans deliver consistent, long-lasting performance in even the most severe material handling applications.

What is an Apron Feeder

An apron feeder is a mechanical feeder that transfers large volumes of bulk material through a series of metal pans connected on two parallel chains. It has its principal application in heavy-duty operations where the material is too hot, sharp, abrasive, or too large for normal conveyor systems. Apron feeders are ideally suited for direct materials handling operations from dump hoppers, storage bins, or crushers. The speed of movement is slow and controlled, with a minimum of wear on equipment and maximum control of flow.

Its heavy-duty construction, high load carrying capacity, and reliability in unfavorable conditions are the characterizing features of an apron feeder. The apron feeder is not affected by moisture in the material, shape of particles, or heavy loading, as compared to belt feeders or vibrating feeders. They find applications in mining in feeding jaw crushers, in cement plants in feeding clinker, and in port in feeding bulk ores. Polygonmachine apron feeders provide a controlled, high uptime feeding and help our customers minimize plant downtime and simplify bulk material supply chains.

Apron Feeder Parts and Definition

Apron feeder parts and definition both establish the overall structure and functional components that constitute the entire feeding system. They include the drive and tail sprockets, heavy-duty chains, drive units (electric motors or hydraulic), pans, return rollers, impact rails, and frame supports. Each component has a specific role: chains suspend the pans, sprockets impart motion, drive units regulate speed, and the frame gives the system its structural strength. Understanding of how these components work together is required for optimizing feeder performance and planning preventive maintenance.

Polygonmachine employs a systems-based design method for apron feeders, ensuring that each component is exactly integrated to ensure stable and uninterrupted performance. Our drive units are equipped with variable speed control for controlling material feed, and our chains and sprockets are constructed of heavy-duty wear-resistance alloys for extended service life. We provide complete technical documentation, assembly manuals, and field services to help customers troubleshoot and maintain their apron feeder facilities. From initial installation to ongoing inspection and replacement of components, Polygonmachine is the trusted partner for total apron feeder system solutions for bulk material handling.