Food & Drink
The right move Keith Perks of Habasit Rossi, explains how the latest
conveying solutions technology can deliver significant improvements in the food processing industry
Conveyor belts are frequently taken for granted in food processing, yet they are a critical element from preparation, right through to portioning and packaging.
The performance of conveyors can make a real difference to the overall efficiency and safety of a plant. As such, the sector as a whole stands to benefit from some measureable improvements by re-assessing its conveyor and belting set up. Fundamental questions should be asked such as whether they perform well enough when it comes to minimising product waste, safeguarding product quality and minimising maintenance and downtime? And importantly, do they stand up to the strict hygiene standards demanded? To fully maximise the potential output of a
facility, food processors must ensure that they select the right conveyor belt for the right application. Whole life costs, maintenance and downtime, as well as whether a belt is really suited to the application that it is intended for, are all key areas to consider.
Efficient solutions
Actual belt cost is always going to be an issue for the industry - now more so than ever. However, increasingly the value of reducing whole life costs through reduced maintenance is being recognised as well.
Belt costs are often only a small proportion of total overhead spend, but belt related problems such as unnecessary downtime, product waste
and hygiene costs have a disproportionate cost and risk compared to initial belt spend. High performance, well specified belts, supported by experienced and knowledgeable technical service support will result in far more efficient production lines, reduce the amount of unplanned production stoppages and minimise losses in productivity and processing wastage. Using industry specific know-how, leading belt providers have experts in many functions that will ensure optimisation of a customer’s plant. They offer a complete range of conveyor and process belts that offer excellent release properties, even for very sticky goods, as well as reliable positioning of products on the belt. As well as conveying solutions for cooling tunnels, power-turns, metal detecting, general conveying, spiral applications, packaging and check-weighing.
A good match
Choosing the right technology will ensure that a processing plant is working to its maximum capabilities. Whether fabric, plastic modular or power transmission, belts must be able to offer reliability, an increase in system speed, hygiene compliancy and system flexibility.
A popular choice for the food industry is plastic modular belts, which can be used in a wide range of belting applications. They are made from injection moulded thermoplastic modules and are connected with solid plastic rods.
The all plastic design promotes long life and superior performance in many applications. Multiple widths are achieved by using a ‘bricklayed’ pattern, this also promotes high lateral and diagonal belt strength and stiffness. These belts are durable, reliable and built to withstand the demands of modern processing facilities, where belts are often required to run for long periods of time.
Plastic modular belts have also been designed to increase efficiency of production lines through their positive drive system. This innovative feature helps reduce the traditional problems of mis-tracking and the consequent damage to belts and potential product contamination, reducing stoppages and waste as a result.
22 Solids & Bulk Handling • March 2011
www.solidsandbulk.co.uk
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