Pneumatic conveyor devices typically offer a lower purchase cost and often do not require a special skill set to operate and maintain. In comparison, servo technology provides solutions that can’t be met with other technologies. When used most effectively, servo controlled solutions can lower overall unit costs through increased line efficiencies, less maintenance and reduced product and package waste. The conveyor engineering challenge is to determine when servo technology is beneficial to the application and when it is unnecessary additional cost.
Clamps and stops almost never require servo technology in a conveyor line. Pusher devices usually only require servo control when stroke lengths are significant and pushes exceed more than thirty-five pushes per minute. A smart pusher design may include pushing multiple products in order to keep the pusher speed within pneumatic device limits.
Common pneumatic devices are lane dividers and divert gates. Typical servo controlled devices are merges, flying knives and retractable noser-conveyors. For more information about conveyor controls and devices, take Nercon’s recent webinar “Planning for Conveyor Controls and Integration.”
Nercon Engineering has unveiled a set of universal standards that are used in assessing the conveying needs of specific areas within a food manufacturing facility, defining them with six distinct classifications and price points.
- Dry Level
- Wipe Down
- Wash Down
- Sanitary Level I
- Sanitary Level II
- Sanitary Level III
In establishing and communicating these classifications, Nercon hopes to help food manufacturers with government (FDA, BISSC, USDA and 3A) compliance, equipment planning and cleaning efficiencies.
In the white paper, discover how to leverage these conveyor construction levels in your food manufacturing plant. Also learn about the benefits of CIP (clean-in-place) and COP (clean out-of place) conveyor features.
A turning disc is often specified in tight turning radius applications. The main benefit in using this non-powered turning disc is reduced friction through the turn. These free-spinning discs guide the chain through the turns, relieving tension in the chain.
A non-powered disc turn is also an economical alternative to tabletop chain conveyors with tight radius turns. The use of disc turns allow for longer chain pulls, which result in conveying longer distances with the option of elevation changes. Chain pull is the capacity under the conveyor load and speed of the application that is a measurement (in lbs. of force) provided in percentage of chain strength.
For more information about conveyor chain applications and a discussion on conveyor speed, load considerations and chain pull, download our white paper, “Up the Speed on Chain.”
Now available, a webinar kit: “Mistakes to Avoid When Planning Accumulation.” In this kit, you’ll receive:
- Instant access to the on-demand webinar
- White paper download, “Accumulation Conversation”
- Instant viewing of the video, “Accumulation Solutions”
Faster changeover, more automation and greater line speeds are persistent issues that Operations and Manufacturing Managers face in production line and conveyor equipment planning. But even the fastest machines and quickest changeover processes may not optimize production line volume. TRUE EFFICIENCY is the output at the end of the line.
Take the webinar to learn:
- Why production lines with close coupled machines have bottlenecks
- How to lay out accumulation equipment properly
- Why downstream equipment needs to be buffered before the next cycle
- How to identify all production constraints
- Best use practices for accumulation equipment
For more information, access the Accumulation Webinar Kit below:
Nercon has designed continuous belt conveyor systems for a wide range of applications, from light duty contact lens containers to heavy-duty industrial bulk handling. Belt conveyors can also be designed to meet clean room, FDA and USDA requirements.
Available in mild or stainless steel construction, belt conveyors can utilize many types of belting including smooth, rough or cleated. Highlighted in the video, are several design styles that are selected depending on the application:
- Belt on Roller Design
- Cleated Belt Conveyor
- Scoop Incline Belt Conveyor
- Roller Trough Conveyor Design
- Retractable Noser
- M – Trough Design
- 90 Degree Transfer Belt
- V – Guide Belt System
Applications for belt conveyors include transporting, inspecting, elevating, lowering, cooling, rinsing, freezing, accumulating, sorting, diverting, assembling, sealing and inverting.
Visit www.nercon.com for more videos and information on all types of conveyor systems!
The dual chain product turner is one of the most versatile carton or case turning units. The dual chain case turner uses variable speed drives to set the differential speeds of the conveying chains. Based on the chain speed differential, the product can be rotated 0 – 360 degrees. Simply adjusting the chain differential can rotate the product clockwise or counter-clockwise. If a product doesn’t need to be rotated, the chains can be set with the same speed so the product travels straight through the conveyor. The dual speed product turner can use tabletop chain, plastic mat style belts or belting as the conveyor surface, depending on the product to be handled.
In the video, the dual chain turner is integrated with a turn. This system handles several types and sizes of cases through the turn and presents them at 180 degrees to downstream applications.
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With ever increasing government regulations on sanitation and the need to increase cleaning efficiencies, companies are looking for solutions to solve these challenges. From a conveyor equipment standpoint, CIP (clean-in-place) and COP (clean out-of place) components can help food processors meet their food safety goals and significantly speed-up sanitation time.
In the photo is an example of a conveyor design that aids in COP or clean-out-of-place procedures. This conveyor has a C-style (cantilever) frame design and a quick belt release that allows for easy belt removal.
Other CIP and COP options for sanitary conveyor designs include:
For more information on CIP and COP conveyor features, view our recent webinar on “Leveraging Sanitary Conveyor Construction Levels for Food Plant Operations.”
Our newest slide-cast highlights six levels of conveyor construction: Dry Environment Conveyors, Wipe-Down Conveyors, Base Wash-Down Conveyors, Sanitary Levels One, Two and Three.
There are two significant trends affecting sanitary conveyor construction: One, governmental compliance regulations continue to be more stringent and two, companies are looking to cut cost on capital purchases as well as maintenance and cleaning. Nercon’s engineering and fabrication team have worked together to enhance manufacturing processes; innovate on conveyor design and converge on universal components to create engineering efficiencies.
Defining and positioning six levels of conveyor construction allows Nercon to streamline engineering processes and to create better price points for universal components. In addition to a company-wide directive on creating engineering efficiencies and improving specifications on Nercon’s six conveyor construction levels, Nercon has developed white papers and webinars for food plant engineers and equipment purchasers and how to leverage these designs that meet USDA, FDA, BISSC, 3A and DAIRY compliance, in their food plant operations.
For more information, view our slide-cast below!
Depending on the product and type of application, scoop elevators can be more economical than bucket systems. Scoop flight conveyors are normally lower in maintenance than bucket systems, thus ensuring more up-time for your line.
The scoop elevator, shown in the photo, was used to elevate wrapped candy from a wrapping area to a weigh scale bagging area. A stainless steel system, the elevator was designed for wipe-down sanitation. The Lexan guards, which prevent product dropping, are removable for cleaning with no tools required.
Indexing conveyors and scoop elevating conveyors are engineered for the application. Several units have been built for candy manufacturers ranging from 10 feet to 18 feet tall, at speeds of 60 – 80 feet per minute.
For more information, visit Nercon’s website at www.nercon.com.
Star-wheels are planned into systems where in-line product re-orientation is required. Nercon has engineered and manufactured star-wheel devices to reorient many types and sizes of packages.
Over the years, Nercon has manufactured both non-powered and powered star-wheel devices. Non-powered star-wheels, like in the video, utilize product back-pressure to turn the device and reorient the package.
Depending on the product, special engineering may be needed to transport product entering and exiting the star-wheel device to make sure the package is handled carefully and maintains its integrity throughout the reorientation.
Having designed many of these star-wheel devices, Nercon’s engineers can recommend the best suited specifications, conveyors and speeds for your star-wheel application. For more information and videos on shop floor highlights, sign up for this blog!
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