The ambient environment surrounding a jetty conveyor is abundant in harsh aggregators that can place long-term strain on industrial components. Not only must they content with airborne pollutants such as dust and other course particle matter, but the ocean salt promotes rust and the build-up of grime at an accelerated rate.
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Cover all your bases with Rocol
When it comes to sourcing the myriad of components necessary for food manufacturing plants, allocating fewer products to a broader range of applications saves on both downtime and costs for the business. Rocol’s comprehensive range of food-grade lubricants simplifies broad audit compliance and reduces the potential risk of on-site contamination.
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Walterscheid’s new clutch testing service offers peace of mind
Every business wants to get the most life and wear out of their equipment. Higher production rates and reliability lead to a sound return on investment, meaning less expense in the long term thanks to fewer breakdowns or replacements. This is where preventative maintenance comes in – a scheduled program to assess and fix any potential issues before they cause irreversible damage.
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The essentials of power transmission for the food processing sector
With nearly 40 years of experience working with customers in the food processing industry, BSC Product Manager Troy Markland has become a Power Transmission connoisseur — managing a substantial portfolio of chain, pulleys, taper locks, sprockets, and ironware that will see a product from harvest, to processing, to the shelf of a local supermarket.
Troy’s role requires him to understand the processes that turn produce into product. “I oversee a lot of post-harvest food processing applications, which includes micromanaging every aspect of processes, thorough measurements of equipment, and taking care to follow up quickly on customer orders,” says Troy. “Whether it’s a pie or a loaf of bread, it all starts with the raw ingredients that are sourced from a farm.”
Australian agriculture is in unprecedented times, according to Troy. A robust harvest season has seen an increase in demand for power transmission products, impaired by the overseas logistical challenges and shortages of shipping containers which have placed a strain on product lead times.
In response to this, BSC has been working with partners like Fenner® who have good stock coverage to fulfill customer orders. “Our partnership with Fenner® positions us well to get ahead of potential ordering issues because they are one of the most versatile suppliers we work with,” says Troy. “Fenner’s practical drive solutions are ideal for a range of applications found in food processing facilities.”
Coming out of the field, fresh produce gets cold washed on conveyors before being moved to peeling, slicing, and packaging. Fruits and vegetables may go through preparation processes such as preserving, cutting, canning, and cooking.
“The Fenner v-belt, pulley, and taper lock products are suitable for applications that can be found on food processing plant operations such as conveyor drives, coolers, washers, pumps, compressors, fans, blowers, and heat extraction units,” highlights Troy. “This is due to anti-static, temperature and moisture resistant materials that can withstand variable processes.”
Specifically, there are three core products in the Fenner range that Troy suggests as staples for the food production industry: The Fenner® Classic V Friction Belt, the Fenner® Friction Pulley, and the Fenner Taper Lock® bush system.
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Power in the process – Modular conveyors for food production
Post-harvest food processing requires power transmission every step of the way, according to CBC’s Troy Markland. As the Product Manager for CBC’s Power Transmission (PT), Chain and Ironware portfolios, Troy understands that it’s the power behind the processes that turn produce into product.
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Taking guess work out of belt drive maintenance
The optimum performance of any power transmission system relies on getting the belt drive installation right, followed by maintenance best practices. As industry expert Steve Hittmann points out, optimum belt drive performance cannot be achieved with guess work.
“You need the right tools for the job,” says Steve, CBC’s National Product Manager for Mechanical Drive Systems and Belt Drives.
Gates is globally recognised as a leader in providing safe and accurate maintenance tools for belts and pulleys. The Gates Power Transmission Maintenance Kits, available in different configurations, combine the tools every technician needs for safe and accurate installation of belts drives.
Tools such as the Gates 508C Sonic Tension Meter and the Gates EZ Align® help technicians with accurate belt drive installation, while a tool such as the Gates Belt Installation and Rotation Device (BIRD™) improves safety in belt installation.
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