Hygienic Conveyor Systems Compact Steel Conveyor Systems for Hygienic Processes

Stainless steel is one of the favourite materials for hygienic processes. Sandvik now wants to utilize the hygienic qualities and cleanliness of its stainless steel conveyor belts for applications that require special hygiene.

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Endless belts made from stainless steels are already used in all kinds of applications because of their flat, smooth and even surface and their easiness to clean. Steel is also virtually impervious for bacteria and odours. Research by Finnish food laboratory VTT Expert Services has shown that stainless steel belts are more cleanable than plastic conveyor belts, and that this benefit is even more marked as belts become worn or damaged.

Sandvik now launches a new series of compact, self-contained conveyor systems that are especially suited for all kinds of hygienic operations, for example in the food industry. "The smooth, hard surface of the steel belt has two key benefits," explains Håkan Eriksson, manager of application technology at Sandvik Process Systems. "Firstly, there are no holes, textures or fibres in which bacteria can hide and grow. Secondly, the belt is easy to clean by whatever method is most appropriate: heat, pressure, brushes, detergents, chemicals or a combination of these."

Compact, Modular and Hygienic: Stainless Steel Conveyor Systems

The new conveyors offer lengths from 2.5 up to 15 metres with widths ranging from 600 millimetres to 1.5 metres. Open on one side, the unit allows quick installation of endless belts, eliminating welding and ensuring good hygienic properties. Other key features include easy adjustment of tension and parallelism, efficient drum motors and a framework that delivers high strength and stability from a lightweight design.

The benefits of steel belt-based conveying are well established and widely recognised" explains Eriksson. "What this unit brings to the market is the ability to apply these benefits to applications where steel belts might not previously have been considered. Its compactness is a major breakthrough, as is the flexibility of configuration made possible by its modular design."

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