Thanks to some innovative thinking by consultant, Keith Handy, hygiene-conscious manufacturers can now make substantial cost-savings on the labour-intensive process of conveyor belt cleaning. Primarily aimed at the food-processing sector, the company’s mobile Jet System not only automates the task but also enables mesh belt conveyors of different sizes and dimensions to be served by a single unit.
Providing both structural support for the machine and linear movement of the steam generation head is a HepcoMotion PDU2 Profile Driven Unit. This robust product combines proven belt technology with Hepco’s aluminium profile system and comprises a slotted profile into which fits a drive belt and carriage. The arrangement effectively seals the unit and creates a clean profile.
“I expected to design the linear system myself but PDU2 fits the bill perfectly and is available off-the-shelf,” Keith Handy explains. “It’s neat, lightweight, compact and allows the span of movement to be adjusted within a smooth profile. The hard anodised profile of the PDU2 and its corrosion resistant internal components were important factors for these relatively hostile conditions. And with increasing demand for power wash versions of Jet System for the US market, the corrosion resistance of the PDU2 is especially important.”
The PDU2’s low friction characteristic was another important factor, as it is driven by a small, relatively low-powered stepper motor. The Herculane wheels that are central to the design run virtually friction free on the inside surface of the profile and also provide stable support for the carriage plate.
The first UK installation of the Jet System at Allied Bakeries in Stoke has proved a resounding success and further installations of the system are being commissioned for this major food group.