Bakers have more conveyor options as equipment grows more automated and efficient.

Belting options abound these days. Bakers can opt for belting made of plastic, which is lighter and offers less wear and tear on the drive system; stainless-steel, which offers superior cleanability; a hybrid plastic belt, which contains steel rods for increased sanitation; or fabric belts. Conveyor manufacturers can match the correct belt with bakers' requirements. Bakers are requesting conveyors with control panel integration, easy-to-clean models, labor reducing options and increased throughput.

Custom conveyors can help bakers pick and choose the perfect design for their bakeries. Read on for some of the latest conveyor options on the market.

Eliminate transfers

SpanTech LLC presents the Intermediate Drive conveyor and Low Profile Idler Assembly as versatile new options in its Designer System® conveyor line. The Intermediate Drive conveyor requires only a 26-in. straight section, and allows gearmotor placement to be determined by customer preference. The Low Profile Idler, with its nose diameter of only 3-1/2 in., can often eliminate the need for transfers, even for products as small as 4 in. In conjunction with an Intermediate Drive, Low Profile Idlers may be used at both ends of the conveyor.
SpanTech LLC
270-651-9166
www.spantechllc.com

Improve sanitation

Developed specifically for the food processing and packaging marketplace, Easy Clean™ from Shuttleworth offers a welded, stainless-steel frame design with a chain driven, segmented roller conveying surface. This innovative design meets both USDA and BISCC standards. Anti-microbial plastic materials also are available to inhibit bacterial growth. Easy Clean fills the need for improved cleanliness and sanitation.
Shuttleworth
260-359-7886
www.shuttleworth.com

Turnbelt Conveyors

KESS' Turnbelt conveyors are available in 45°, 90° and 180°. The stainless-steel construction and wash-duty components will accomodate Sani-Grid® (or equal) brand of belting. Turnbelts come with stainless-steel drive and tail sprockets, stainless-steel removable catch pans, wash-down duty inline-gear reducer and motor, double slave driven stainless-steel hex bar rollers at discharge end, electrical controls and motor starter in Nema 4X enclosure.
KESS Industries Inc.
800-578-5564
www.kessind.com

Increase efficiency

The Perfect Score Co. designs and manufactures innovative, high quality, custom and standard conveyor systems and control panel integration. The systems utilize the best belting products available. Designed with customers' specific bakery needs in mind, the conveyors provide solutions beyond moving product. The goal is to provide each customer with lower maintenance costs, higher efficiency in product handling, increased output, reduced labor costs, less downtime and maximized equipment life.
The Perfect Score Co. Inc.
440-439-9320
www.theperfectscore.com

Custom conveyors

Woods Fabrication Inc. offers design, production and installation of individual conveyors or complete conveyor systems. Woods assures a quick design, delivery and installation to accommodate the rapidly changing needs of the baking industry. Woods custom manufacturing includes: -90° and 180° Radius Urethane Belt conveyors; Table Top Carton conveyors; Sani-Grid Wire conveyors; Urethane Belt conveyors; Woven Wire conveyors; Special Transfer conveyors; Trough Belt conveyors; and Plastic Belt conveyors.
Woods Fabrication Inc.
770-684-5377
www.woodsfab.com

Convey pans and clean simultaneously

Benda Manufacturing (BMI) released its new Vertical Pan Cleaning system, which automates the removal of debris while conveying pans. The Vertical Pan Cleaning system is a new valuable process added to the production line. Without interrupting the flow of pans, the Vertical Pan Cleaning system automatically moves the pan into an upright or vertical position allowing for debris in the pan to fall into the debris collection hopper. For tougher debris that needs a little assistance coming off, sensors communicate with the Vertical Pan Cleaning system that a pan is ready to receive compressed air, which allows for the debris to come lose and fall into the debris collection hopper. The compressed air has been tested and quality checked to ensure the right amount of air flows into the pan without making unnecessary messes. The new system allows for a cleaner pan and prevents debris from returning to the oven.
Benda Manufacturing Inc.
708-633-4600
www.bendamanufacturing.com

Conveyor advances

The needs of the baking industry are forever changing, and with it conveyors are advancing to offer increased flexibility, sanitation and efficiency.

Conveyors are advancing in the areas of cleanability, trackability, anti-microbial build, the integrity of safety and design, durability, and the creativity of design and build,” says Ed Fraschetti, president/C.E.O, The Perfect Score Co., Bedford Heights, Ohio.

Conveyor belts are advancing as well. “The belt industry has come a long way in the past several years,” says Rickey Woods, president, Woods Fabrication Inc., Taylorsville, Ga. “We are seeing more advancement in the types of conveyor belts being used today.” Advancements include high temperature modular plastic belts being used to replace standard wire belting.

In addition, making changes to make-up and processing areas has become more complex over the years, resulting in a demand for custom-built conveyors, Woods adds. “Customers are requesting more custom-built conveyors to meet their specifications and product control.”