The discs slide within stainless-steel tubing, reportedly moving fragile food products gently, quietly and dust-free, horizontally, vertically or at any angle, through small holes in walls or ceilings. The conveyors can be set up with single or multiple inlets and outlets, and they are able to convey over short distances or hundreds of meters.
Flexible systems
David Boger, vice president of sales and marketing for UK-based Flexicon, told FoodProductionDaily.com that the FLEXI-DISC line improves upon other tubular conveyor systems for a number of reasons.
“First, the system employs automatic cable tensioners, drive systems, inlet adapters and tubular discharge valves that are significant improvements in terms of compactness, simplicity, reliability, and easy sanitizing,” he said. “Second, it is offered not only as a stand-alone system, but also as an automated system engineered and integrated with new or existing upstream and downstream equipment such as hoppers, bag dump stations, drum/box/container dumpers, bulk bag fillers, screeners, packaging machines, dryers, coolers, magnets and storage vessels.”
Range of options
David Gill, president of Flexicon, said the new conveyor line fits in with its other conveying products to give food manufacturers a complete range of options.
"The new tubular cable conveyor is a strategic addition that complements Flexicon's established line of flexible screw conveyors and pneumatic conveying systems, allowing us to now convey virtually any bulk solid material in the most efficient manner possible,” he said. “Flexicon has engineered and thoroughly tested the new conveyor over several years to significantly advance the technology and performance associated with this conveying method."
Delicate balance
The conveyor is said to be ideal for food products that are prone to breakage or degradation, such as cereals, coffees, teas, dried fruits, frozen vegetables, grains, nuts, peas, pet foods, seeds, snack foods and spices.
The modular system components in 304 or 316 stainless steel include tubing, drive wheel housings, tension wheel housings, metered and non-metered inlets, and discharges with and without valves. Operators also can choose accessories for wet or dry cleaning, including CIP sanitizing.
The company offers testing facilities with full-scale tubular cable conveyors, along with upstream and downstream equipment to simulate processes for customers. Food manufacturing can supply materials and test at the Flexicon facility, at no cost.