Fragile Materials – The Importance of Safe Conveying

If your production facility deals with fragile materials, one of your main considerations is safe yet efficient conveying. For fragile materials, the importance of safe conveying lies in the use of proper conveyor systems. Let’s talk a bit about which systems are considered the best and what benefits they offer in terms of safety. 

Quality Industrial Conveyor Systems Are Key to Safe Handling of Fragile Materials

Manufacturers of goods such as breakfast cereals and pecans, or those in the coffee industry, must pay attention to the value of the products from manufacturing to the point of selling. The materials that are commonly conveyed can be hygroscopic (which means they attract and hold water from the environment), breakable, or costly from the outset. On the other hand, materials like nuts become increasingly valuable by the time they are shelled, roasted, salted, blanched, sanitized, steamed, and delivered to the buyer.

All this means that manufacturers need to give a lot of thought when investing in conveyor solutions – the system that’s chosen has to be able to handle fragile and valuable materials. During the production process, material breakage is a very costly problem that can affect the bottom line in factories that rely on conveyor belt systems to transport ingredients within their production facility. 

This issue can lead to expensive equipment downtime, costly maintenance interventions, and wasted materials. So, how can you prevent these occurrences? The best way is to address the root of the problem, which means investing in quality conveyor engineering. If you want the best of the best, Cablevey Conveyors has engineered a tubular conveyor system that has proven effective in moving fragile materials.

Flexibility in Conveying Delicate Materials Is Necessary

Transporting fragile products through every process stage in the production line with minimized product damage, a high level of product safety, and high throughput are of critical importance for any production facility. 

This may all sound like it’s easier said than done, but there is a simple way you can achieve all these goals. All you need is a low-maintenance, flexible, and efficient Cablevey Conveyor system. Our conveyor solutions are perfect for meeting the requirements of factories that produce fragile and hygroscopic goods. 

Why Traditional Conveyor Technologies Don’t Work Well for Fragile Materials

Coffee manufacturers cannot rely on conveyor belts, pneumatic, bucket, or aero mechanical conveyors to transport coffee beans at their facilities due to the physical properties of coffee. Breakfast cereal manufacturers have a similar problem – they need to ensure that the end product will be undamaged before packaging. 

Keeping the flakes, loops, puffs, and clusters whole, as well as keeping them uncontaminated, can be a challenge. Aero mechanical conveyors move materials with the power of a high-speed internal air stream, which can damage fragile materials. On the other hand, conveyor belt systems and bucket elevators have an open profile, which allows foreign particles to get into the food stream and contaminate it. All this means that it’s best to turn to more modern conveyor technologies like tubular drag conveyor systems. 

Cable Drag Conveyors Are the Perfect Solution for the Gentle Conveying of Fragile Materials 

Cable drag conveyors can be started and stopped while under load and can run empty. When it comes to what should and should not be conveyed, the best materials are dry, hot (up to 82˚C), fragile, and fine particles (coffee beans, nuts, cereals, and dry granules). Before making their choice, respectable conveyor systems manufacturers suggest running a material test, as issues are easier to solve during the testing phase than after conveyor installation.

How Do Cable Drag Conveyors Work?

The conveyor technologies of Cablevey Conveyors are designed to handle materials from the first stage of the production process to the discharge. Our cable drag conveyor system is a combination of conveyance tubes with cables and discs attached at desired intervals. The materials are held between the discs in an enclosed tube and are not forced around or blown about sweeps. They are carried without friction, stress, battering, or bumping. This is done to ensure that breakage is kept to a minimum.

Contact Cablevey Conveyors to Improve Your Production Process

If you are conveying fragile materials, proper handling means the difference between profit and loss. Cablevey Conveyors has the technology to help you convey your fragile materials extremely gently and prevent the degradation of your product. We also offer conveyor installation supervision and various cleaning mechanisms for dry and wet cleaning to help your materials remain uncontaminated. Contact us to learn more about our superb conveyor systems. We would be happy to help you improve production in your facility!

FAQ

What Challenges Do Manufacturers Face When Conveying Fragile Materials?

Manufacturers dealing with fragile materials like nuts, cereals, and coffee face challenges like breakage and contamination during conveyance. Breakage affects the bottom line and leads to equipment downtime and maintenance needs. Traditional conveyor systems like belts, pneumatic, and aeromechanical conveyors can damage or contaminate products due to their operational mechanisms, underscoring the need for specialized conveying solutions.

How Does the Cablevey Conveyor System Enhance the Safe Conveyance of Fragile Materials?

The Cablevey Conveyor system is designed to minimize damage and contamination of fragile materials. It employs a tubular design with cables and discs that hold materials in an enclosed space, reducing friction, stress, and impact. This gentle conveyance ensures product integrity, making it an ideal solution for handling fragile, hygroscopic, and fine particle materials safely and efficiently.

Why Aren’t Traditional Conveyor Technologies Suitable for Handling Fragile Materials?

Traditional conveyor technologies, like belts and aeromechanical conveyors, can damage fragile materials due to their open profiles and high-speed operations. These systems can lead to product breakage and contamination from foreign particles. For delicate goods like cereals and coffee beans, more innovative and gentle conveyance methods, like cable drag conveyors, are needed to maintain product quality.

What Are the Benefits of Using Cable Drag Conveyors for Fragile Materials?

Cable drag conveyors ensure the gentle handling of fragile materials by carrying them without friction or stress in an enclosed tube. They can be started and stopped under load and handle materials up to 82˚C. These conveyors are ideal for dry, hot, fragile, and fine particles, maintaining product integrity, safety, and quality throughout the production process.

How Can I Ensure That a Conveyor System Is Suitable for My Specific Fragile Materials?

To determine the suitability of a conveyor system for specific materials, consider conducting a material test during the evaluation phase. This proactive approach helps identify and address potential issues before installation. Cablevey Conveyors, for instance, recommends testing to ensure its cable drag systems meet the unique needs of different fragile, hygroscopic, and fine particle materials.

How Do Cablevey Conveyors Address the Issue of Material Contamination During Conveyance?

Cablevey Conveyors has systems that are designed to minimize contamination risks by employing an enclosed tube system that protects materials from foreign particles. Additionally, they offer various cleaning mechanisms for both dry and wet cleaning, ensuring that the conveyed products remain uncontaminated and safe for consumption or further processing, thus enhancing overall product quality and safety.

How Can Cablevey Conveyors Improve My Production Facility’s Efficiency in Handling Fragile Materials?

Implementing Cablevey Conveyors enhances efficiency by reducing breakage and contamination of fragile products. The gentle handling, low maintenance, and flexibility of these conveyor systems ensure high throughput and product safety. They are adept at handling a range of fragile and hygroscopic goods, offering an optimal solution for manufacturers aiming to boost production quality and efficiency.