Future Proofed Conveyor Systems

One of New Zealand’s largest fresh fruit and vegetable producers came to EQM for design advice. The company needed to bridge the gaps in its planned production lines without compromising hygiene.

We worked with them and their key equipment suppliers to design a Hygienic Conveyor System layout. All components came from the EQM Hygiene range. Our solution provided a fully operational system for their current needs, but also allowed for changing processes in the future.

CHALLENGE:

The Hygienic Conveyor System fit-out was to take place in stages, as equipment arrived and production demands grew. Capacity was to be built in for more automated functions later.

The conveyor system needed to fit between washing, peeling, cutting, trimming, dicing and de-contamination machines. It also had to cope with rigorous washdowns. Reliable operation was essential, to create a continuous flow between each process within the processing line. Various feed and discharge heights would dictate the final layout.

A key goal was elimination of manual labour transferring products throughout the processing lines. Basic 3D and 2D layout drawings were supplied by equipment manufacturers. From these, our team analysed requirements and produced a solution to bridge the gaps between each machine.

Our design also needed to accommodate the highest standards in food hygiene. We had to incorporate segregated processing, while also considering red and yellow zones for high and medium care rooms.

Our proposal was accepted for Stage 1. The design and build of five EQM Hygiene conveyors began.

SOLUTION:

In order to meet stringent food safety guidelines, we used our exclusive supply of imported stainless steel components throughout the design. These included Cleangeartech IP69K electric motors and gearboxes, Dertec bearings and closed housing, stand-offs, bolts, nuts, handles and knobs.

Since the stainless-steel framework and plastic wear parts are manufactured in New Zealand, this meant the conveyors were delivered within days of the processing equipment arriving from Germany and the USA. It enabled our client to begin the immediate installation, running and testing of the equipment. Therefore the final processed vegetable products met all food production stipulations from the start.

We will continue working with this business as the facility expands and as more equipment and processing lines are added or relocated. The work will be ongoing, to cater for their leading and ever-expanding product range.

BENEFITS

Prevents microbial contamination during production – hygienic components
Fewer washdown failures – more effective & efficient cleaning processes
Lower replacement costs – durable stainless steel
Pass more Food Safety Audits – hygienic blue seals
Easy detection of vegetable matter – non-metallic parts coloured blue
Future proofed – conveyor variable speed drive (VSD) allows touch screen automated line controls to be fitted retrospectively
Quick-release belt cleaning mechanisms, detachable hoppers, chutes & sides – Volta Superdrive belting