Conveyors have made it feasible for companies to transport goods intended for human or animal consumption. However, they often need to adhere to specific design and cleanability standards for order product safety and to lower the possibility of bacterial contamination. There are various options and designs available in the market when selecting a conveyor but when compared to stainless steel conveyors. 

The product being transported, the procedure being carried out (food manufacturing as opposed to inspection or packaging), and even local or sector-specific health and safety regulations determine the actual requirements for the conveyor’s design and its capacity to withstand cleaning. In most cases, a stainless steel conveyor belt is used to handle the packaged product once the primary processing is finished.

In either scenario, this means that the conveyor should be constructed chiefly, or even solely, of materials extremely resistant to rust and other types of corrosion, such as plastic and stainless steel. Most hygienic and washdown-compatible designs, in addition to plastic and stainless steel, continuously weld rather than utilize mechanical fasteners whenever feasible to prevent gaps where chemicals or water can collect. Additionally, they must have open corners to avoid “blow-back” when doing washdown procedures. In addition to minimizing horizontal surfaces (slightly slope surfaces are desirable), sound design practices for sanitary washdown conveyors also include reducing or eliminating areas where water can collect, leading to waste accumulation and bacteria growth.

When You Need a Stainless Steel Conveyor

Washdown is necessary

The environment where a conveyor will be used should be one of the primary factors considered when selecting. The food business is where washdown requirements are most frequently seen, although they are also commonly seen in chemical manufacturing, pharmaceutical, and nutraceutical production.

You package pharmaceuticals or food items.

For initial processing, flat wire conveyor belt designs are frequently needed for foods, medications, nutraceuticals, and other consumable or medicinal products. They need designs suitable for washdowns to inspect, pack, and handle packaged goods.

Contamination by bacteria is a complete no-go

Bacterial contamination of items can be a concern even if you’re not producing food goods. It is advisable to select a stainless steel pallet conveyor that can tolerate washdown conditions to remove bacteria from the line if there is even the remotest chance that contamination could harm the goods.

The surroundings are corrosive, humid, or wet

Occasionally, high-pressure water, steam, and chemicals may need to be used to wash down manufacturing equipment to maintain a clean atmosphere and reduce contamination within the plant. However, these damp, muggy, and corrosive conditions could be better for ordinary industrial-duty conveyors. Conveyors of stainless steel work best in these circumstances since they resist moisture and possibly corrosive cleansers.

Stainless steel and plastic components are commonly used in conveyors for washdown applications to reduce corrosion and the possible contamination it may create. However, whether a conveyor is washdown-compatible also depends on the conveying material. We advise you to consider a conveyor partner’s inventiveness and initiative in implementing best practices and embracing new technology. Choose a team that takes seriously the most recent regulatory advice as well as the most cutting-edge sanitary and washdown-compatible design technologies.

Harness the power of precision engineering with Wire Belt‘s advanced stainless steel pallet technologies for unparalleled performance and reliability.

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