Pennine Industrial Equipment, a West Yorkshire based niche producer of industrial components, is to target the food, beverage, automotive and packaging industries with an extensive range of high quality plastic chain and belt guides. Traditionally, chain and belt guides were manufactured in steel or other hardwearing metallic substances, however in keeping with Pennine's innovative approach, it is now offering a complete range of wear guides, all produced in plastic. Manufactured in grades of UHMWPE, the guide rails are wear resistant, self-lubricating and also water repellent, making them ideal for a wide range of industries.

Typical guide applications include the support and guidance of roller chains, belts and steel chains used in the production of automotive assembly, robotic process machinery, high speed product handling.

These guides are also used on food and beverage processing and packing lines.

Key features include reduced chain vibration, less chain drag and better support, all leading to an extended life of the chain or belt which in turn increase bearing and motor life.

Spin-off-benefits include reduced factory noise and higher hygiene standards, thereby creating a 'win-win' situation, for everyone involved.

The embedding of lubrication during manufacture and the option of the incorporation of anti-static properties makes them especially suitable for high-speed type applications or use in sensitive environments.

A further Pennine option is the ability of some of the guides to withstand temperatures in excess of 260deg enabling them to be used on high temperature applications.

Environmentally conscious Pennine offers the majority of its belt and chain guides in regenerated green UHMW-PE to keep costs to a minimum.

But, for those involved in the food industry, the company also offers a virgin, food grade, in a choice of colours including food coded blue.

A standard range of guides are now available ex-stock from Pennine and for specialist applications the company can supply in a range of up to 40 different colours all available in a multitude of different properties and finishes.

Complementary to Pennine's guides is a range of rollers used for the conveying of different items.

Manufactured in tough PVC, they are offered in a choice of nine different sizes ranging from 21.3mm to 73.2mm in external diameter.

Ideal for use in highly demanding applications including corrosive and wet environments, the rollers are offered with a selection of different bearings making them ideal for a wide range of installations.

In addition to a standard PVC range, Pennine can design and produce rollers in specialist material to suit a customer's specific application.

Summarising, Pennine's sales manager, Graham Womersley said: 'Our decision to target general manufacturing along with the food, beverage and packaging industries with a range of plastic guides for conveyors and belts along with rollers arises from our earlier success in the glass industry.

The plastic products offered by Pennine Industrial Equipment are all premium items and should provide years of successful service thereby avoiding costly production down time.' Pennine Industrial Equipment was established in 1983 and employs 45 people.

The company specializes in the design, manufacture and distribution of conveyor components and machined plastic parts.

The majority of products are designed on-site using either the customer's own design or the company's CAD system.

Equipment for machining allows a high level finish, suitable for numerous industries including food, baking, beverage, textiles and cosmetics.

One of the main materials used at the factory is UHMWPE, a high-grade plastic for the food industry, which is FDA and USDA approved.

A key specialist area of activity is the glass industry, where the company is one of the World's top suppliers of specialist conveyor chains, used in the production of molten glass.