Vibrating Conveyors and food production sanitation
Food producers have a wide range of concerns about food products traveling along the production line. Keeping every aspect of a food production line clean and sanitary can be a challenge, but using the right equipment for the job can help make that challenge easier to manage.
The biggest bottleneck in the food production process when it comes to sterilization and cleanliness is anytime food is being transported from one area to another simply because the food is moving across different surfaces and environments. This movement increases the risk of coming in contact with a source of contamination or creating a quality control issue.
Vibratory conveying equipment can efficiently handle a broad range of bakery and other food products, such as fine powders, tacky materials, granular materials, and bulk products. This equipment is utilized to assist in adding ingredients to mixers and blenders, metering to downstream process equipment, screening oversized or fine debris from final products, sprinkling salt, sugar, or various seasonings, and on-demand supply to the packaging process.
Special Design of Vibrating Conveyor for Food
With a sanitary design, vibrating conveyors are widely used in food production, simply due to having fewer moving parts and a bed design that is easy to clean. There are no nooks and crannies and moving areas for food to become trapped in, and the smooth surfaces clean quickly and easily.
Vibrating conveyors also follow a plug flow model, which means that the first product on the conveyor is the first off, and the product is not carried back through the production line or left on the conveyor for longer than intended. Additionally, vibratory conveyors transport more gently than other methods, while also evenly spreading and mixing the food product, leading to less product damage and a better final result.
The exterior of the conveyor can be painted in food-grade enamel paint, the exposed welds can be caulked, and the actual bed can be designed for easy removal to speed up the cleaning process. The springs can be shrouded coil, leaf springs, or rubber, which allows for the entire machine to be hosed down and cleaned without concern, and prevents food or debris from building up on any exterior surfaces.
This sanitary design while being constructed means there are no cracks, ledges, or voids where food can become trapped or built up, and corners can be rounded to make sure everything flows and does not get caught or stuck while conveying.
Additionally, the vibrating conveyors can include the ability to dewater or screen, and if the product needs to be sprayed or coated the vibrating motion ensures this is done evenly.
Works Cited: “Food Production Sanitation Issues Solved By Vibrating Conveyors”, Carrier® Vibrating Equipment, Inc, Visited 14 Aug, https://www.carriervibrating.com/resources/blog/food-production-sanitation-issues-solved-vibrating-conveyors/