--- title: "Feedworms / Timing Scrolls - Feedworms From SL Plastics" description: "We do not sub-contract them out, we manufacture them in-house as is the case with all our machined parts." url: https://www.slplastics.co.uk/feedworms-timing-scrolls/ site: "SL Plastics" published: 2025-07-26 modified: 2026-04-24 language: en-GB --- # Feedworms / Timing Scrolls [Skip to content](#content) Specialist UK Manufacture ## One of the Few UK Manufacturers That Actually Makes Them Timing screws and scrolls guide and feed containers through packaging and filling lines, designed to give the smoothest possible container handling at speed. They’re a specialist part, and very few UK companies are genuinely able to manufacture them, although many more will suggest that they do. **We do not sub-contract our feedworms out.** They are machined in-house on a CNC mill dedicated solely to scroll production, using bespoke software to create the 3D models required. This is how we’ve become one of the leading UK manufacturers of these parts, with lead times that are generally never more than 3 weeks and, for OEM customers, stockholding arrangements to support urgent build requirements using standard parts. Terminology ## Also Known As… The same part is referred to by different names across the packaging industry, sometimes even within a single company. Whichever terminology you use, we manufacture the same parts to the same standard from your drawings or container specifications. Timing Screws Common in labelling and capping Feed Screws OEM packaging machinery Feedworms UK engineering shorthand Scrolls / Timing Scrolls European manufacturers Worm Screws / Worms Older terminology, still common Infeed Screws Focus on the feed function Augers Sometimes used interchangeably Helices Technical engineering term Materials ## What We Manufacture Feedworms From PE1000 is our go-to material for the vast majority of feedworm and timing screw work, chosen for its wear resistance, low friction and consistent machinability. For specific applications we can manufacture in alternative engineering plastics on enquiry, and we also manufacture the steel mounting parts required to install them. ### PE1000 (Primary) High-Density Polyethylene, UHMW grade **Properties:** Excellent wear resistance, low friction, dimensional stability, good machinability, food-safe grades available **When used:** Our standard material for the majority of timing screws and scrolls. Can be colour-coded on request for easy identification across a packaging line. ### UHMW-PE Ultra-High Molecular Weight PE **Properties:** Even higher wear resistance than PE1000, excellent for abrasive containers, food-safe **When used:** Specific applications where enhanced wear resistance is required beyond standard PE1000. Available on enquiry. ### Acetal (POM) Polyoxymethylene **Properties:** Higher rigidity, tighter tolerances achievable, good dimensional stability **When used:** Applications requiring greater rigidity than PE1000 allows, particularly for smaller or higher-speed screws. ### Steel Mounting Parts Mild / stainless steel **Properties:** Full in-house metal CNC capability for complete mounting hardware **When used:** All steel parts required to install the screw: drive shafts, mounting brackets, retainers. Supply fully assembled if required. Working with a non-standard material? Send us the specification and container details, and we’ll advise on feasibility and pricing. How We Manufacture ## Dedicated Production Capability ** ### Dedicated CNC Mill A CNC mill set up solely for scroll production. No setup changeovers between jobs, no queue behind other machining work, consistent output. ** ### Bespoke 3D CAD Software Specialist software for generating the 3D helical geometry that scrolls require. We work from your drawings or container specifications directly. ** ### 3-Week Lead Time Typical lead times are within 3 weeks. For OEM customers we operate stockholding arrangements on standard parts to support urgent build requirements. ** ### Colour Coding Available Scrolls can be manufactured in colour-coded material, useful for quick identification across different lines or container sizes in a single plant. ** ### Steel Mounts In-House We also manufacture the steel mounting parts required to install the scroll. Drive shafts, mounting brackets, retainers, all from one UK supplier. ** ### Fully Assembled Delivery Supply the complete scroll with its mounting hardware fully assembled if required. [Sub-assembly](https://www.slplastics.co.uk/sub-assembly/) verified before despatch, ready to install. How to Measure Your Scroll ## Timing Screw & Scroll Measurement Guide To enable us to quote for your requirement, please provide drawings of the container you’re handling. If you need to measure an existing scroll, the guide below shows the dimensions we need to capture, labelled A to M. ### Scroll Body Dimensions | A | Overall Length | | --- | --- | | | | B | Infeed Diameter | | | | C | Outside Diameter | | | | D | Infeed Bore | | | | E | Core Diameter | | | | F | Outfeed Bore Diameter | | | | G | Taper Length | ### Pitch, Bores & Container | H | Outfeed Pitch | | --- | --- | | | | J | Infeed Bore Depth | | | | K | Outfeed Bore Depth | | | | L | Container Diameter | | | | M | Infeed Pitch | Fastest Route to Quote Send us your container drawings and a description of the production line context. We'll respond with material recommendation, lead time and price. Frequently Asked Questions ## Feedworm & Timing Screw Questions Answered ### What is a timing screw or feedworm? A timing screw (also called a feed screw, feedworm, scroll, worm or infeed screw) is a precision-machined helical component used in packaging and filling lines to guide containers through the process at controlled spacing and pitch. The geometry of the screw controls the container spacing at the outfeed, which is critical for accurate filling, capping, labelling and inspection operations. ### Do you sub-contract your feedworm manufacturing? No. All timing screws, scrolls and feedworms are manufactured in-house at our Norfolk workshop on a CNC mill dedicated solely to scroll production. We control quality end-to-end and don’t pass this specialist work out to third parties. ### What materials do you manufacture feedworms in? PE1000 is our primary material for the majority of timing screws and scrolls, chosen for its excellent wear resistance, low friction and consistent machinability. We can also manufacture in UHMW-PE, Acetal (POM) or other engineering plastics on enquiry for specific applications. Steel mounting parts are manufactured in-house alongside the plastic scroll. ### Can you colour-code scrolls for a production line? Yes. Scrolls can be manufactured in colour-coded material to help plant operators quickly identify which scroll goes with which container size or line. This is particularly useful for plants with multiple packaging lines running different products. ### What is your typical lead time? Our typical lead time for timing screws and feedworms is generally never more than 3 weeks, and often faster depending on current workshop scheduling. For OEM customers we operate stockholding arrangements on standard parts, which means we can respond immediately to urgent build requirements that use standard specifications. ### How do I measure an existing scroll for replacement? See the measurement guide in the section above for the 13 dimensions we need (labelled A to M). The most important are overall length, infeed and outfeed pitch, core and outside diameters, and the bore diameters at each end. Ideally, send drawings of the container the scroll handles rather than just the scroll itself, so we can verify the scroll geometry is correct for the container. ### Can you supply scrolls fully assembled with mounts? Yes. We manufacture the steel mounting parts alongside the plastic scroll, and can supply the complete assembly fully fitted and verified before despatch. This removes the risk of tolerance mismatches between separately-sourced components and means the scroll is ready to install on arrival. ### What containers can you design scrolls for? We design scrolls for any container geometry: round, oval, square, rectangular or bespoke-shape. The scroll pitch and pocket design are tailored to the specific container, so the key input is accurate container drawings. We work with bottling, filling, capping, labelling and inspection machinery across the UK packaging industry. ### Where are you based and do you ship UK-wide? We are based in Thetford, Norfolk and ship UK-wide. For OEM packaging machinery customers with regular requirements, we can coordinate stockholding and call-off arrangements to suit your build schedule. International shipping is available on enquiry. ## Ready to Discuss Your Feedworm Requirement? Send us your container drawings and a description of the production line. We’ll respond with material recommendation, lead time and pricing the same working day. [01842 820 400](tel:+441842820400) [Send Container Drawings](https://www.slplastics.co.uk/contact-us/) We use cookies to improve your experience. Strictly necessary cookies are always active. Analytics cookies help us understand how you use our site. 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