Summary:
Food Conveyor play an important role in food industry. You can learn about the characteristics, relevant classification and maintenance measures of food conveyor.
All You Need To Know About Food Conveyor System
What is food conveyor?
History Of Food Conveyor System
Benefits of food handling conveyors
How to Choose a Food Grade Conveyor
What is food conveyor?
Food Conveyor systems can be used to move a variety of products. Conveyors were originally designed to move goods onto ships at ports. They are used in many industries, including mining, agriculture, and food and beverage.
Conveyor systems are revolutionizing the food industry. They speed up the transport of materials over long distances and reduce human labor. This technology has helped increase product safety by ensuring a cleaner environment and preventing dirt from entering production areas.
Understanding the history and role of food processing conveyors is essential to appreciate their benefits fully.
This guide will briefly discuss the history and modernization of food processing. A conveyor system is a tool for food processing and handling.
History Of Food Conveyor System
Conveyor belts were first documented in 1795. The first conveyor system used a wooden platform and a leather belt. It was powered by pulleys, hand cranks, and a wooden bed. The Industrial Revolution and steam power improved the primitive design of the first conveyor system.
The British Navy began using steam-powered conveyors to load their ships in 1804.
Over the next 100 years, machine-powered conveyors would appear in many industries. Sandvik, a Swedish engineering firm, produced the first steel conveyor belts. Conveyor belt systems were initially made from leather, rubber, and canvas belts. However, belts can now be made using different fabrics or a combination thereof.
Over the years, conveyor systems have advanced and can now be powered by either gravity or manually. Mechanical conveyor systems are used extensively in the food industry today to improve food quality, operational efficiency, productivity, safety, and safety. A power mechanism controls the conveying speed and the motor controller. The structure that supports the conveyor is also important.
Benefits of food handling conveyors
Modularity
Modularity is a key feature of Food handling conveyor systems. This means you can change, adjust, reduce or increase the equipment as your company and production plants change.
Energy saving
It is best to select energy-saving conveyor systems. The higher your energy savings, the lower your power consumption.
Some areas of conveyor equipment must be capable of stopping products from being moved without creating an operational emergency. Vendors in F&B require this technology.
Ergonomics
A previous ergonomics analysis of the food conveyor system is required, especially in certain operational areas such as labeling, corrugating, and palletizing. Ensuring that an ergonomic design provides both productivity and practicality during execution is important.
Before implementing equipment into their industries, companies must consider all Mexican and international regulations.
Food quality
You must pay attention to the material used to make each conveyor system. For example, stainless steel conveyors cannot have corners contaminated with waste or residues. Depending on the industry, different safety precautions can be taken.
Ordering and institutionalization
An implementation can be described as a strategy to order (where uniformity, quality, and productivity are important) and is independent of human factors. Any company area will be significantly modified if it is professionally implemented.
Productivity and competitiveness
Automated movement strategies and process systematization can be very profitable to increase productivity and responsiveness. They provide more competitiveness, multiple benefits, quality improvement, customer service, and quality increase. These benefits will help you increase sales and your standards and exceed clients’ expectations.
Capacity
Assorted items have a greater capacity, which can result in seized opportunities. This can only be done in a safe environment for the operators and the products. It is important to avoid critical situations such as labor illness, absences, or turnover.
How to Choose a Food Grade Conveyor
After you have chosen the type of conveyor you require and determined your product capacity, it’s time to start shopping. If you are looking for a food-grade conveyor, we recommend keeping these factors in mind. You can choose the right belt conveyor by reviewing these factors and your top priorities.
Sanitation
The food industry is obeys and follow strict regulations. Therefore, you need to consider sanitation when choosing a food handling conveyor. Simpler designs have fewer moving parts and fewer horizontal surfaces. They are also easier to clean. These designs also make it easier to collect contaminants such as bacteria. A food conveyor with no liquid collection points and self-draining locations will help reduce contamination risks. Use sanitary materials like stainless steel.
Maintenance
To reduce downtime and increase production, look for conveyors that require little maintenance. It is important to choose a product with few moving parts. Moving parts that are exposed to food processing elements will need more maintenance. Consider whether you can quickly disassemble and clean the food conveyor.
Safety
You can reduce the risk of worker injuries by choosing a conveyor system that has safety features. You should look for equipment with few moving parts and no pinch points. Consider also ergonomic stands and guards.
Belting
Belting is a key component in selecting a food grade conveyor. The belt’s surface is the first place food will come in contact, so select the right material for your application. You should consider the release characteristics, the resistance to extreme temperatures, wearability, and how it will interact with the food being transported. There are many options: polyester, polyolefin, and urethane, as well as silicone, PVC (cotton), and metal mesh.
Long-Term costs
When comparing the prices of different food handling conveyors, keep in mind the cost of maintaining and operating the system. What will you spend on your conveyor’s lifetime? You will need to research the durability of your options.
Durability
Conveyors work in challenging environments and sometimes for several shifts at once. The material you choose will significantly impact the equipment’s lifespan. The material must withstand daily operations and heavy-duty cleaning, which often requires high water pressure. Although stainless steel is more durable than plastic, it will last longer in harsh industrial environments. However, it comes at a higher price.
Flexibility
What can you do to adapt the conveyor to meet your specific needs? Many conveyors allow for flexibility, such as radius turns, inclining/declining options, cleat/bucket designs, and a wide range of betting options.
Remember that you have the option to order a custom-designed conveyor if you are unable to find one that does everything you need. This will ensure your conveyor system meets and exceeds all your expectations.
CONCLUSION
When looking for a food-grade conveyor, there are many things to consider. It’s easy for most people to get overwhelmed by the endless number of options. Making mistakes is more expensive than ever. Your responsibility as a food manufacturer is to ensure that your products are of high quality and comply with regulations. Keep your eyes on the basics: cleanliness, design, construction, and durability. You can find a conveyor that is reliable, safe, and up to standard by effectively assessing each category.