FOOD & BEVERAGE
tubing can be run through walls and discharge out of the building roof, which saves interior space.
MISCONCEPTION #5: CLEANING REQUIRES DISMANTLING AND EXTENDED DOWNTIME Between product changeovers, many traditional conveyor systems must be disassembled, cleaned, or soaked, and then reassembled – a labor and time- intensive process. However, this is not necessary for tubular conveyors.
MISCONCEPTION #4: CONVEYOR FOOTPRINT AND EXPANSION LIMITATIONS Some in the food industry do not consider tubular conveyors because they believe that the systems cannot fit within their facility’s available space or accommodate its layout, which may include significant inclines or elevation changes. However, this is not the case. Modular systems like tubular drag cable conveyors are an excellent option for complex layouts that could require curves or changes in direction,
according to Seidel. “Tubular conveyors do not have to be installed
at 90 degrees and can use angles so can go in between, around, above or below existing equipment or other obstacles. That is important for existing facilities that may not have the flexibility to move something out of the way,” says Seidel. In addition, tubular conveyors are quite space
efficient. Seidel notes that to conserve space, the conveyor turnaround and its inlet can stand on end, so it is only one foot across instead of three. If conveyor discharge occurs best using gravity,
With tubular conveyors dry, wet, and in-line cleaning options are available, according to Clint Hudson, Cablevey Conveyors Engineering Manager. Among dry options, brush boxes and air-knives can clean the cable. Brushes and wipers can wash the tubes. To sanitize, a sponge soaked in sanitizer can be used without getting the system fully wet. For the most thorough cleansing, the cable conveyor’s wet cleaning process internally washes the tube in several steps, starting with a water rinse followed by a foaming agent, a sanitizing rinse, and a final water rinse. Once the system is thoroughly flushed out, drying is achieved by attaching urethane wipers to the tubular conveyor’s discs, which “act like a squeegee” to remove any residual water.
MISCONCEPTION #6: CONVEYORS ARE INDOOR INSTALLATION ONLY It is a misconception that tubular conveyors are only installed indoors. In fact, it is common to see portions of equipment extending outdoors. This may occur when conveying product from outside to inside such as when unloading raw material from a truck or railcar or loading finished product into similar transport. Materials may also travel from a feed mill to a production or packaging room which may be ten feet or even one hundred feet away. According to Hudson, when some of the equipment is utilized outdoors, and when the company is moving a moist product, it can be helpful to wrap the tubes in heat tape to prevent moisture from condensing or freezing in the tubes. The conveyor manufacturer can also provide a range of accommodations to account for the effects of wind, dust, rain, insects, and direct sunlight. While first impressions of tubular drag cable and
disc conveyors can evoke images of Dr. Seuss or Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory, the equipment has been carefully designed and engineered for industrial performance, reliably conveying delicate products and blends in a variety of conditions. With an understanding of the true potential of these conveyors, food industry professionals will be well-positioned to take advantage of the systems’ abilities to decrease downtime and increase quality production.
Cablevey
www.cablevey.com FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS | DECEMBER/JANUARY 2023 27
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