Industrial Processing Equipment

How do Conveyors Work?

Conveyor belts are used across a wide range of processes and industries due to the benefits that they offer for saving labour and time. They are able to convey materials from one place to another without strenuous and expensive human labour. They can also move materials of all sizes, weights, shapes and consistency (solid, powder, liquid, semi-liquid, hazardous). Not only does this save time, but often include many safety features that would prevent accidents.

Conveyor systems can be hydraulic, mechanical or fully automated depending on what is needed. A belt conveyor consists of two or more pulleys with a continuous loop of material rotating about them. One or both of the pulleys are powered in order to move the belt and load forward. The pulley that is powered is called the drive pulley, while the other is called the idler. The belt usually consists of two or more layers of material or rubber, the under layer (carcass) providing linear strength while the over layer (cover) carries the materials and provides traction if needed. The cover is often made of cotton, plastic web or mesh, however various materials can be used depending on the particular characteristics needed. For example, silicone may be used if heat is going to be applied.

Conveyor Systems

Conveyor systems are used across a wide range of industries for manufacturing assembly from car manufacturing, computer and electronics assembly, food processing, pharmaceutical production, bottling and canning.

Process Systems Services Pty Ltd designs and engineers various conveyor systems, including pneumatic and roller conveyors, and specialise in solid steel belt conveyors. They can engineer and manufacture both lean and dense supply phase systems. Their systems can transport products such as powders, granules, grains and flakes (whether for food, agricultural, pharmaceutical or chemical industries), as well as extraction systems for removing waste products.

How Cooling Tunnels Work

Cooling tunnels are primarily used in the food production industry to cool and set the products, and but are also used in a wide range of industries such as chemical processing, confectionary and dairy products, production of rubber and plastic sheeting as well as bitumen. The product passes through the tunnel which removes the heat from it through possible combinations of convection, conduction and radiation cooling. Convection involves the transfer of heat through the circulation of currents. Conduction involves transferring heat through a substance, shifting heat from regions of higher temperature where the particles are more energetic to regions of lower temperature where they are less so. Radiation cooling happens when the temperature is lowered through resonant radiation pressure of intense laser light.

The tunnels have controls that can alter the temperature at different stages or zones depending on the needs of the process. Generally cooling tunnel capabilities range from 30 000 Btu/hr to 500 000 Btu/hr depending on its design.

Process Systems Services’ Cooling Tunnels

Process Systems Services manufactures different types of cooling tunnels that are mainly used for confectionary production but can also be utilised for other food products. These are designed with steel conveyor belts for the superior hygiene standards of the food industry, with belt widths between 600 mm to 1200 mm. It features dual-flow air recirculation systems, under-belt contact cooling, integrated refrigeration units (with a local or remote condensing unit), and access hoods supported by gas struts along the complete length of the belt (to check on the production as well to ensure access for cleaning in an easy and safe manner). The benefits of PSS cooling tunnels include modern European styling that feature smooth lines and an aesthetic finish, a modular construction that means that the tunnel can be extended as requirements grow, and a guaranteed uniform and efficient cooling of products.