Steam Cleaning of Conveyors

Industry: Food

Product: PDU2 - Compact Belt Driven Linear Actuator

Cleaning conveyors used in the food industry can be a time consuming task, so automating the process would be seen as a major innovation for users. Thanks to some creative thinking by Keith Handy Design, substantial cost savings are available to large and small food processing manufacturers with the company’s mobile jet system.

This highly versatile unit automates the cleaning task for mesh belt conveyors of various dimensions. A key requirement was to carry out the process with one linear unit with the jet cleaning head mounted to the moving carriage. The linear unit would also have to offer excellent corrosion resistant properties in the arduous environment.

Solution

Providing the structural support for the steam cleaning head and necessary guidance was a single HepcoMotion PDU2 unit that spanned the conveyor width. The units are available in various lengths to meet the demands of different conveyor sizes.

The PDU2 unit is a belt driven linear actuator with the belt running through a groove in the profile. Whilst corrosive resistant parts are built into the internal roller carriage, the belt arrangement, on it’s own, provides an extremely efficient seal. All external screws were supplied in stainless steel.

Scope of Supply

Generally the Hepco PDU2 L1300 LPC SPL plus NEMA 23 CR Conn Kit; other lengths supplied to date L700, 950, 2800.

Result

Keith Handy comments “The hard anodised profile of the PDU2 and the corrosion resistant internal parts were important factors in this application, where steam is constantly present. The special Herculane wheels, that are central to the design of the PDU2 carriage, run virtually friction free on the inside of the profile. The design also ensures a stable support for the carriage“

With the increasing demand for the US market, the corrosion resistant PDU2 is certain to be a key product in the machine design offering users unrivalled reliability and low maintenance under such demanding conditions.