Are You Using the Right Chip Conveyor?

Chip removal may seem like a secondary concern, but in CNC machining, an efficient chip conveyor can make or break your production flow. Among the many options available, chain-type and scraper-type conveyors are the two most widely used. But which one should you choose? Let's break down their differences in a simple and practical way.

Chain-Type Chip Conveyor

This type of conveyor uses a chain mechanism with metal plates to carry away chips like steel, aluminum, or brass. It's great for handling long, stringy, or curled chips typically produced in lathes, milling machines, and machining centers.

Pros:

• Handles a wide variety of chip shapes

• Durable and well-suited for heavy-duty operations

• Low maintenance and long service life

Cons:

• Not ideal for fine or powder-like chips

• Takes up more space and usually costs more

Scraper-Type Chip Conveyor

This system uses scraper blades at the bottom of the conveyor to slowly push chips (especially small, fine, or short ones) toward the discharge point. It's commonly used in grinding machines or machines producing a lot of fine particles.

Pros:

• Perfect for fine or short chips

• Compact structure – great for machines with limited space

• More affordable

Cons:

• Not suitable for long or stringy chips

• Can jam if large or hard objects get in

How to Choose?

In short: it depends on your chip type.

If your operations produce long, curly metal chips, go for the chain-type. But if you're mainly dealing with powder or short chips and want a compact solution, the scraper-type is likely your best bet.