Conveying for the process
Several aspects determine what improvements a conveying system needs – starting with the process step it serves. Luis Patricio, Intralox Baking Account Manager, lists:
+ The work environment and the product conveyed. These will define the type of chassis frame construction and belt material to be used for the right application and surrounding environment.
+ Health and safety aspects, if people are working on the surroundings to prevent possible hazards.
+ Preventative maintenance plays a key role in the costs of ownership and operation reliability. “As the industry is moving fast into a direction of minimal costs to run operations, conveyor systems (including spirals) with low cost of ownership will play a key role moving forward,” Patricio adds.
Intralox developed a new type of belt material (PK) for its modular belt series. “This material is stronger than Acetal and has very good product release characteristics,” Hans Tertoolen, Intralox Bakery Account Manager explains. The PK material for modular belts shows excellent product release characteristics, making it a choice for higher hydration doughs, for example. The company’s ThermoDrive belts also excel at handling wet, sticky doughs; they are “Flat belts made of a homogenous PU material with a patented tensionless drive system based on the same principle as our modular belts,” explains Patricio.
For more upgrades, the company’s latest solutions also include a new type of tight transfer modular belt, the S560 series, a strong belt with an upgraded sprocket engagement. Over the past months, Intralox has launched several new belt series, materials and technologies for hygienic applications, spiral technology and P2P (Packer to Palletizer).
When working to optimize new bakery lines with conveying systems, Intralox works closely with the end-users to understand their needs for specific applications. In parallel with OEMs, the company provides support to ensure the right application is in place, corresponding with the manufacturing needs. For manufacturers looking to upgrade existing equipment, Intralox has a specialized engineering department focused on improving existing applications, including complex applications such as spirals.
You can read more about maintaining conveyor systems and process optimization in the previous issue of Baking and Biscuit International.
The article is part of an extended feature, which was originally published in [BBI 5 – 2021]. Read the full article in the magazine:
