FlexLink says that its new wide belt stainless steel conveyor, WLX, addresses some of the “higher hygienic requirements” associated with primary and secondary packaging for the food industries, providing safe, clean and efficient handling.
According to the Sweden-headquartered machinery company, the WLX is available in three widths as components, modules or a complete system, and is well suited for the handling of pouches, standing pouches, liquid carton packaging, cases, bundles, trays or smaller products in mass flow.
The belt is easy to clean and available in 304mm (12 inch), 456mm (18 inch) and 608mm (24 inch) widths.
For operators, the cleaning process is said to be fast and convenient, with an ergonomic design allowing the chain to be lifted easily.
“We’ve succeeded in optimising both product safety and hygiene to a very high level, following the industry requirements and regulations,” says FlexLink innovation manager Tommy Karlsson.
“For instance, flat surfaces have been eliminated and there are no hollow bodies or crevices where bacteria will grow.”
Setting “new standards for cleaning results and cleaning process time”, the FlexLink WLX wide belt stainless steel conveyor also offers enhanced operator safety thanks to minimal openings to prevent pinch points, and an absence of sharp points and edges.
The noise level is described as “comfortably low”, to benefit the overall factory environment. Once installed, downtime is “minimal” due to the robust design, and there is minimal power, water and detergent consumption, all helping to lower the total cost of ownership.
“Feedback from the industry is genuine and customers are very pleased with our new wide belt conveyor system in stainless steel,” says Karlsson.
“As the WLX is a standardised conveyor platform, you always know what you‘ll get and how to maintain it.”
In its next development, FlexLink will meet requirements on hygienic design for direct food contact, Karlsson adds.
www.flexlink.com
