Wider use of easily cleanable steel belts avoids potential breeding of micro-organisms and the spreading of pathogenic micro-organisms by machinery says a conveyor belt manufacturer.
The big dangers to be considered when designing any conveyor system used in the food, beverage, packaging and pharmaceutical industries are the potential breeding of micro-organisms in the machinery and the spreading of pathogenic micro-organisms by the machinery. Pre-requisites, therefore, are non-corrosive materials which are easy to clean and are free from crevices which are potential dirt traps. Traditional conveyor types employing chains, plastic and PU belts are, however, still employed despite the potential risk to contaminants.

In Germany, a number of food products had to be recalled as they had become contaminated by the chain lubricant in the manufacturer's machinery.

Germs and potentially harmful bacteria are attracted to the dust gathered by the lubricant grease which can be transported and fall in the food during the manufacturing process.

To overcome this problem, the use of steel belts in such applications is ever increasing.

Their benefits and features can overcome the variety of cleanliness problems faced by users of conventional belts in the food industry.

Steel belts are easy to clean and can be made from a number of stainless steel grades - such as 304 FH and 316 FH - which possess very high anti-corrosion properties.

The wash-down with corrosive fluids is common place in applications such as the transportation of dairy products and similar conveying lines for instance, as the prevention of harmful bacterial infection is critical.

Steel belts do not need lubrication in order to transmit power and, unlike other types of belting, are totally free from particulate.

Due to their high temperature resistance and good heat transfer properties, steel belts can even be cooked on, thus saving processing time during food manufacture.

There are many systems on the market which are claimed to be totally stainless but this is rarely the case as the system frames may be but the belts are often plastic or PU which results in the problems described above.

Steel belts are not just available as flat conveyors but can also be customised in many ways to offer novel and exciting solutions to a myriad of complicated conveying problems.

Belts can be designed with complex perforation patterns for timing, vacuum and dosing applications.

Such belts are custom made to order.

The belts can be made with custom designed attachments which are used as timing elements, location devices or product carriers.

Attachments can be riveted, screwed, welded or glued to the steel belts to match customers' exact requirements.

Belts can be furnished with a variety of coatings to alter their surface properties, such as FDA approved Teflon for non-stick effects or silicone for additional friction.

In conclusion, the versatility of steel belts makes them an important tool in the prevention of hygiene problems in food conveying lines and other areas.

Stainless steel systems which incorporate stainless steel frames, supports, pulleys and steel belts are the most obvious way to achieve the highest degree of cleanliness.