How to find the conveyor suit for your factory
Easy To Clean!
This is one of the first things to consider as it is a food grade conveyor. Since it carries food, it also needs to be cleaned often. Simpler designs, ease of usage, less number of moving parts and the absence of collection points for liquids can be useful. Also, the conveyor needs to have locations for self-drainage. This can help to avoid contamination of the food carried through the conveyor.
Easy To Maintain!
A food grade conveyor and conveyor belt should always be easy to maintain. The maintenance downtime and uptime can affect the cycle time to a great extent. Hence, in this case, also, a conveyor with less moving parts is preferred. The moving parts will be exposed a lot to the whole food processing. So, it is better to have food conveyors which can be maintained and used easily.
The Investment
The investment you make in a food grade conveyor does not limit to the initial cost of purchase alone. It spans all over the entire lifespan of the conveyor system. Always remember to consider the maintenance and operating costs. The stainless steel and plastic conveyors may seem to be more advantageous. But, always remember to get a food conveyor system that has very less moving parts.
The Life Span
Another point to be considered is the lifespan of the conveyor system. You will have to make a decision between stainless versus plastic. In rough environmental conditions, stainless steel will last longer than the plastic varieties. But, a conveyor system which lasts longer will also cost more. If you are planning to replace the system after some time, then plastic would be ideal. But, stainless steel has more withstanding capacity against cleaning agents and potential elements.
The Flexibility
A conveyor system which is flexible enough and adapts well according to your particular needs is the right choice in the long run. Conveyors which can be inclined or declined has bucket styles/cleats, and radius turns walks away with the brownie points. If it has belting options too, then it is an added advantage.
Safety Is Crucial
Safety is always the primary concern in a food conveyor system. The safety standards can be set high if the pinch parts and moving units are lesser. Lesser the moving parts, greater the safety!
Supplier Support!
After sales support is very important for a food conveyor system. It should be easy to get spare parts; documentation process should be easy and quick and the lead times should be short. The web presence should also be strong so that you can get support any time you need.