It is tough to pick the correct conveyor system. You could lose money, time, and efficiency if you make the wrong selection. Understanding the several conveyor types and which material handling various conveying equipments system designs are most suitable for your operations can help you find the ideal conveyor for your food processing facility.
There are many types of conveyors to choose from. Some often used conveyors in the food industry are:
- Belt conveyors
- Roller conveyors
- Bucket elevators
- Tubular conveyors
- Vacuum conveyors
- Pneumatic conveyors
- Screw conveyors
- Aero-mechanical conveyors
Each of these has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. This article will address some often asked issues about conveyor systems and also advise on how to make an informed selection for your business.
Important Considerations When Choosing A Various Conveying Equipments:
The most vital thing here is to understand the unique demands of your product and activities, as well as how they will influence your conveyor system selection. From various conveying equipments, select the best one. The following are the most important factors to consider when choosing a conveyor for your facility:
Details About The Product:
Before selecting a conveyer, consider:
- The type
- Length
- Height
- Width of your product
The weight of the product is also important because it influences the size of the conveyor motor required. Consider the following questions:
- What is the bulkiness of the material being transported?
- See, is it characterized by qualities that require special handlings, such as high moisture content or explosiveness?
- Is it combustible?
- Is it necessary to convey the material with care because it is exceedingly fragile?
- Does the substance have corrosive or abrasive properties, or does it need to maintain a certain temperature?
Certain conveyor systems don’t handle delicate items. If you are transporting fragile materials like nuts, morning cereals, or coffee, you will want to stay away from conveyors that could cause material breakage and product loss. Conveyors such as:
- Aeromechanical
- Belt
- Pneumatic
- Vacuum
- Bucket elevator conveyors
These may subject fragile items to stressful travel phases that compromise their integrity.
Bucket elevators are likewise not recommended for high-moisture materials that may adhere and dry on the bucket’s bottom and sides. Cleaning dried debris from bucket elevators becomes a headache that costs you time and money; it also makes it more difficult to maintain a sanitary atmosphere that meets food safety laws.
Screw conveyors, also known as auger conveyors, are hard on products like nuts, and they often break up fragile nuts into bits, resulting in waste.
Tubular cable and disc conveyors are softer on your goods than these alternatives, making long-term use more appealing.
Layout And Space Available For Various Conveying Equipments:
It is sometimes a question of how much space you have to install material handling devices before deciding on a conveyor. Certain conveyor types may not be accommodated because of a lack of floor space or ceiling height. For instance, tubular drag conveyors are very adjustable and can be constructed to utilize space. Depending on production flows, inclination or decline, and product transfer requirements, the conveyor system design can be built out. It can also use overhead space and incorporate corner parts.
Keep in mind that the manufacturing line’s layout should consider:
- Easy cleaning
- Easy maintenance
- Worker safety
- Operational performance.
To increase efficiency and productivity, the best system designs optimize production flows.
Efficiency In Energy:
Here are some questions to consider:
- Have you given any thought to how much energy your new system would consume?
- Is there a point at which the system becomes inefficient, either high or low?
- Which option is preferable for you if you have a choice between a 5 HP and a 50 HP motor?
Apart from energy consumption, think about how long it takes your product to reach its destination and what speed profile you require from the conveyor. Due to the high initial cost, energy efficiency becomes less relevant when the conveyor must run at maximum speed.
Environment Of The Facility For Various Conveying equipments:
Your goal should be to transfer materials in such a way that the plant’s working environment is not harmed. You must check:
- Is your substance combustible and does it offer a fire or explosion risk?
- Will dust particles fall on the processing equipment and the facility floor as a result of the material?
- Consider whether your product is vulnerable to high temperatures or vibrations when choosing the correct conveyor system?
- Is it necessary to keep the item safe, clean, and free of contamination?
Due to the open nature of slider bed conveyor belts and bucket elevators, pollutants may infiltrate the food chain. When the delivered material must be maintained as clean as possible, it is ideal to utilize an enclosed conveyor that does not expose the materials to pollutants that could compromise their quality.
Maintenance And Cleaning:
Keep in mind that your food manufacturing facility, and the conveyor you install, should be constructed to limit contamination to meet food and safety regulations.