published on 17/07/08
Conveying is not simply about getting the belt right – its position in the production process often plays a huge part
Automation has become a major part of the food production line – jobs that were previously only carried out by hand are now done faster and to an even higher standard thanks to the use of robots and sophisticated machinery. Yet these can usually only work to their optimum ability if the product is brought to them quickly and efficiently.
Recent experiments by such bodies as the Food Processing Faraday Partnership have attempted to find ways to stop what appears to be the inherent problem of conveying. In some cases the problems have been easily fixed for simply a few pounds. In other circumstances though it may require a complete overhaul of the conveying system.
It is not just the speed of the conveyor that requires discussion, though. Many companies are now looking away from aluminium and steel conveyors, as they can sometimes prove to be tough to clean.
That’s why many companies are looking at plastic as a suitable material for conveyors; this can often prove to be easier to clean, especially as the components can often be removed without the need for special tools or lengthy downtime.
However steel, remains for many, the most obvious tool to manufacture conveyors from, thanks to its heavy duty nature and durability. Many companies are demanding, and many manufacturers are supplying, blue belts to make for a contrast with the products and hence making it easier to spot both imperfections on the product and leftover residues after cleaning.
It’s clear that the conveyors available now are now almost all of an exceptional standard and should be able to do their job effectively. Many manufacturers now plump for tiered conveyors on the production line, where acceptable products pass through on the top level and rejected goods are then removed and placed on a lower level. Conveying can often prove to be a particularly fraught process on the production line, with often wildly varying, requirements.
While conveyor manufacturers cannot always address such issues, the various changes to the belts themselves and the layouts and environments they are within should ensure the production process flows more smoothly than ever.

Read the full article at Food and Drink International