Page 54 - Food & Drink Business Magazine March 2019

BULK HANDLING
Smooth operator
We take a look a some of the latest new solutions to improve operations in the bulk handling of goods.
BULK BAG
MANAGEMENT
IMPROVED
A new bulk bag discharger for food and dairy applications has been introduced for situations where there is zero tolerance for contamination of product or equipment.
Flexcon’s new BFC series Bulk-Out bulk bag discharger features stainless- steel open-channel construction and is equipped with a cantilevered I-beam with electric hoist and trolley for loading and unloading of bulk bags without the use of a forklift.
Unlike hollow steel frame members, the open-channel frame is free of cavities or recesses where bacteria, mould and other contaminants can breed.
By design, the frame can quickly and efficiently be washed down with water, steam or cleaning solution, reducing the risk of cross- contamination between changeovers and providing unobstructed inspection for checking cleanliness.
Additional devices like the Flow- Flexer bag and the Spout-Lock prevent the escape of dust throughout the entire discharging process.
BFC Series dischargers are available in over 30 configurations, some with a removable bag lifting frame for loading and unloading of bulk bags using a forklift as well as BFH half-frame models that rely on a forklift to suspend the bag during discharge.
PLASTIC LINER PERFORMS UNDER HEAT
A new fast-flowing, bulk handling liner from Wefapress excels in high-temperature applications involving food and beverage production.
The low-friction, hygienic, FDA-approved Wefapress Flex 77 UHMWPE material plastic liner is being introduced to Australia by Cut to Size Plastics.
It features a cross-linked formulation to withstand temperatures of >100 deg C for long periods, while ensuring increased impact resistance and outstanding sliding properties.
The Flex 77’s low-friction qualities are said to reduce product wastage and processing times, but also enhance energy conservation and good OH&S practices by helping to prevent clogging, blockages, breakdowns and uneven flow and load.
“Flex 77 is one of Wefapress’ globally proven Flex Cover ranges of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylenes (UHMWPE) that have been chemically modified to make this tough,
light material particularly suitable for high-temperature applications,” Cut To Size
Plastics managing director Laurie Green said. The Wefapress Flex Cover range is reported to
be eight times lighter than comparable steel liners used to curtail friction, wear and material flow challenges in diverse applications requiring no moisture absorption, outstanding chemical resistance and corrosion prevention.
Cut To Size Plastics says it is trained in uses of Flex Cover ranges in bulk handling and liner applications, and the company also notes that it has been advising on a range of engineering plastic applications in the local market for more than 40 years.
SPLIT BLOCKS THAT MINIMISE DISRUPTION
CUT To Size Plastics has developed split plummer blocks for maintenance tasks where production and process staff want to minimise disruptions to production caused by bearing replacement in rotating equipment in conveyors and production lines.
Light, easily handled and self-lubricating spilt blocks can be produced from polyurethane and other engineering grade plastics for diverse materials handling applications, often involving machinery with multiple bearings and shafts inline where it would be costly to close down the entire line for removal and installation of heavier and more complex bearings.
Where the split blocks are used in particularly corrosive or aggressive environments such as bulk handling, primary production and handing of chemicals, the blocks can be engineered from other high-performance plastics particularly suited to the particular task.
Cut To Size Plastics national sales manager Bill Novak says that when food, beverage and primary processing bulk materials handling operations are in full swing, the last thing any operations manager wants is extended stoppages caused by bearing failures in rotating equipment.
Avoiding such issues is particularly important when seasonal factors are involved,
or when products have to be processed, manufactured and packaged to tight
export and local delivery deadlines, he says. “Split plummer blocks manufactured from
engineering plastics have a number of natural advantages over metal alternatives. In addition to hygienic surfaces that are easy to wash down, there are often significant cost advantages in fabrication and speed of replacement.
“Often engineering grade polyurethane bearings, with a shore hardness of 75D can be used to provide an excellent interim solution that saves time and money, while in other situations they provide a highly cost-effective long-life solution,” Novak says. ✷
54 | Food&Drink business | March 2019 | www.foodanddrinkbusiness.com.au