Netherlands based conveyor belt manufacturer, Twentebelt, claims that its new TwenteFlex, which is being released at Anuga FoodTec next month, will increase production efficiency due to its innovative design.
Mark Wigger, marketing manger with the company, told FoodProductionDaily.com that the stainless steel belt was developed to meet the industry trend for the spiral type of conveyor systems.
“Our general product had been straight running belts up to this, but we recognized that there was a growing demand in the food processing sector for this type of technology, and we decided to produce a belt for the spiral market that would make us stand out from the competition,” he said.
Wigger said that the TwenteFlex is purposed designed for demanding food processing applications that include processes involving freezing, cooling and cooking, adding that it is particularly suited to baked goods manufacturing in that it can sustain temperatures up to 180° C.
He explained that the 180° bending of the cross rod and its lock to the connection link of the TwenteFlex means that costly downtime events such as weld breakage, cross rod breakage, sharp welds and tented inside links are no longer a threat for production line supervisors.
“By bending instead of welding, the stainless steel retains its characteristic qualities, leading to less maintenance and an extended life span, which ultimately improves process efficiency,” continued Wigger.
The belt, he said, also forms a good drive surface due to its smooth side finishing in respect to cage bar and wear strips.
In eliminating welded joints, the spiral belt has no dead-end cavities, thereby significantly reducing the risk of bacterial contamination and hygiene threats, while the open structure of the TwenteFlex makes it easy to clean, added Wigger.