A customer in Colombia placed an order for 20,000 BF plastic conveyor flights for use in a scraper chain conveyor system. The order included both standard HDPE flights made with our existing molds and custom UHMWPE flights produced to the required dimensions.
The BF flight is a flat-type plastic scraper flight designed to be mounted on the metal attachments of a conveyor chain. During operation, it moves together with the chain to push bulk materials through the conveyor trough. For detailed product information, please see our BF Flat Drag Conveyor Flight.
Project Details
The customer ordered five BF flight specifications:
- HDPE BF194 × 49 × 14 mm with standard mounting holes — 5,000 pcs
- HDPE BF240 × 49 × 14 mm with standard mounting holes — 2,000 pcs
- HDPE BF305 × 50 mm with standard mounting holes — 10,000 pcs
- UHMWPE BF410 × 75 × 20 mm without mounting holes — 2,000 pcs
- UHMWPE BF460 × 75 × 20 mm with mounting holes — 1,000 pcs
The total quantity was 20,000 pieces.
HDPE Standard Flights and Custom UHMWPE Flights
For commonly used BF flight sizes, HDPE is a practical and economical option. We have existing molds for standard HDPE models, allowing efficient production and consistent dimensions.
For non-standard dimensions or more demanding working conditions, UHMWPE can be used. UHMWPE has significantly higher wear resistance than HDPE and is suitable for applications where the flight is subject to increased abrasion. Its material cost is substantially higher than HDPE, so UHMWPE flights are normally more expensive even before considering any custom dimensions, hole machining or additional processing.
In this order, the customer selected both material options: standard HDPE flights for commonly used sizes and custom UHMWPE flights for larger dimensions and specific installation requirements.
Matching with Chains and Sprockets
BF plastic flights are normally used together with GLF scraper conveyor chains and matching sprockets. The flight is mounted on the metal scraper attachment of the chain, while the sprocket drives the chain through the conveyor system.
Although this project covered plastic flights only, the customer normally orders the flights together with matching chains and sprockets for complete system compatibility. The chain pitch, metal attachment dimensions, flight mounting holes and sprocket configuration should be checked together before production.
For curved or U-type scraper conveyor systems, we also supply BR arc drag conveyor flights, which are commonly used with GLR scraper conveyor chains. Both BF and BR flights must be selected according to the chain structure and conveyor design.
Mounting Hole Confirmation
The mounting holes of a plastic flight must match the metal scraper attachment on the conveyor chain. For standard HDPE BF flights, standard hole positions are available according to the existing mold design.
For custom UHMWPE flights, the overall dimensions, thickness, hole diameter, hole spacing and hole position can be made according to the customer’s drawing or sample. Flights can also be supplied without pre-drilled holes when the customer prefers to complete the drilling during installation.
Before production, we can prepare a drawing for confirmation to ensure that the flight fits the chain attachment correctly.
Related Projects and Technical Information
For another project involving custom UHMWPE BF flights for a scraper chain conveyor, please see our UHMWPE Plastic Conveyor Flight project.
You can also refer to our chain conveyor components project for South America, which included GLF and GLR chains, BF flights, sprockets and nylon rollers as matching conveyor components.
To understand how chains, flights, sprockets and support components work together in a scraper conveyor, read How Does a Scraper Chain Conveyor Work?.
Need BF Plastic Conveyor Flights?
Please send us your flight drawing, sample, chain model, mounting hole dimensions and required quantity. We can check whether a standard HDPE BF flight is suitable or recommend a custom UHMWPE flight for your conveyor system.
