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Clearing Up Misunderstandings On Tubular Drag Conveyors: Insights From The USA

Even industry experts may have difficulty distinguishing between different types of conveyor tubes, such as screw (augur), pneumatic, vacuum, aeromechanical, tubular drag chain and disc, or tubular drag cable and disc. This is especially true for professionals like specifiers, architects, and engineers who may not have hands-on experience with these conveyors. However, not being knowledgeable about these conveyors can have serious consequences when handling delicate pet food or precise blends, resulting in costly product destruction or inaccurate blends.

Tubular drag cable conveyors offer a gentle solution, using a coated, flexible stainless-steel drag cable to move product through a sealed tube. Solid circular discs (flights) attached to the cable gently push the product without the use of air, making them ideal for transporting delicate, precise blends of various pet food types in versatile layouts and configurations.

Featuring a gentle and versatile design, tubular drag cable conveyors offer a smart solution for transporting delicate and precise blends of pet food. Whether specifiers, architects, or engineers, industry experts can trust this conveyor type to move products without costly consequences like product destruction or inaccurate blends.

Misconception #1: These Conveyors are the Same as a Screw System

Screw systems, also known as auger conveyors, use a helical blade to move granular materials in a tube. However, they can cause damage and disrupt blends, making them a less viable option for materials that require integrity, like food waste. The key difference to note is that screw systems transfer materials using a helical blade, and the transfer speed depends on the screw rotation speed.

In contrast, tubular drag cable conveyors use a sealed cable to pull materials between two discs, protecting delicate products and blends. Make informed decisions when choosing the right conveyor system for your materials. Screw systems can cause damage and disrupt blends, making them a less viable option for materials that require integrity, like food waste. In contrast, tubular drag cable conveyors use a sealed cable to pull materials between two discs, protecting delicate products and blends.

With tubular drag cable conveyors, you can rest assured that your materials will remain intact during the transfer process, ensuring the highest quality end product. Additionally, the transfer speed of tubular drag cable conveyors is controlled by the speed of the sealed cable, providing efficient and consistent conveyance of your materials. Choose tubular drag cable conveyors for a reliable, gentle, and efficient transfer of your valuable materials.

Misconception #2: Conveyors Are Not Designed to Protect Blends and Mixes

When utilizing a conveyor system to transport a blend of pet food or supplements, it is crucial to maintain a consistent mix ratio. This is particularly important for pet food industry professionals, such as nutritionists and quality control experts, who rely on tubular drag cable conveyors that are specifically designed to preserve precise blend ratios. Unlike conventional conveyor systems that may cause shifts or dispersal of product materials, these cable conveyors provide a reliable means of transportation that prevents changes to the mix ratio.

Additionally, vacuum and pneumatic systems may cause variances in particle speeds, resulting in significant blend restructuring during transport, while tubular drag cable conveyors ensure the uniform movement of all particles. Efficient, reliable, and precise. The tubular drag cable conveyor maintains a consistent mix ratio of pet food or supplements, providing unmatched accuracy for pet food industry professionals.

No more worrying about shifts or dispersal of product materials during transport. Say goodbye to variances in particle speeds and significant blend restructuring. Trust in the uniform movement of all particles is achieved by this specialized conveyor system.

Misconception #3: Conveyors Cannot Carry Moist, Hot, or Frozen Material

According to Seidel, the tubular conveyors are made of plastic and can operate at temperatures up to 180° F (82° C) with an optional high-temperature setting of 230° F (110° C). This allows for the movement of products from ovens, fryers, or dryers, including frozen items.

However, temperature control is crucial along the path to prevent melting and later freezing in the system. Efficient, versatile, and reliable – the tubular conveyors by Seidel are designed with plastic material to withstand temperatures of up to 180° and 230° F, making them perfect for moving products from ovens, fryers, or dryers, including even frozen items. With precise temperature control, you can ensure that your products are safely conveyed without any worries of melting or refreezing in the system.

Misconception #4: Conveyor Footprint and Expansion Limitations

Many pet food companies dismiss the idea of using tubular conveyors due to concerns about space constraints and layout challenges. However, this is a misconception. Tubular conveyors can be installed at angles, making them suitable for fitting into existing facilities with inclines or elevation changes. This is particularly beneficial for facilities that cannot easily move equipment. Additionally, tubular conveyors are very space-efficient.

With the ability to turn and incline, they only take up one foot of space, making them a great choice for conserving space. If gravity-assisted discharge is preferred, the tubing can be routed through walls and out the building’s roof, freeing up even more interior space. When it comes to utilizing tubular conveyors, don’t be misled by common misconceptions. These conveyors are actually incredibly space-efficient, taking up only one foot of room while still being able to turn and incline.

Plus, they can even be installed at angles to easily fit into existing facilities without the need to move equipment. If desired, the tubing can also be routed through walls and out the building’s roof, freeing up even more interior space. So if you want to optimize your facility’s layout and conserve space, tubular conveyors are the way to go.

Misconception #5: Cleaning Requires Dismantling and Extended Downtime

During product changeovers, traditional conveyor systems must be disassembled, cleaned, and then reassembled – a process that requires a significant amount of labor and time. However, tubular conveyors eliminate the need for this tedious process, as they offer dry, wet, and in-line cleaning options. For dry cleaning, cable can be cleaned with brush boxes and air-knives, while tubes can be washed with brushes and wipers. Sanitizing can be achieved by using a sponge soaked in sanitizer, without fully wetting the system.

For a thorough cleansing, the cable conveyor utilizes a wet cleaning process, which involves multiple steps such as water rinsing, foaming, sanitizing, and a final rinse. To dry the system, urethane wipers are attached to the conveyor’s discs, acting like a squeegee to remove any remaining water. Simplify your production line with our tubular conveyor systems.

Say goodbye to time-consuming changeovers and cleaning processes – our versatile conveyors offer dry, wet, and in-line cleaning options. That means you can clean your system quickly and efficiently, and be ready for the next production run in no time.

Misconception #6: Conveyors are Indoor Installation Only

Despite common misconceptions, tubular conveyors can be utilized both indoors and outdoors. In some cases, equipment may be extended outdoors to transfer products from outside to inside, such as unloading raw materials from a truck or railcar. Additionally, materials may be transferred from a feed mill to a production or packaging room, even if they are located up to one hundred feet away.

To prevent moisture from condensing or freezing in the tubes, it may be beneficial to wrap them in heat tape when working with moist products and utilizing some outdoor equipment. Conveyor manufacturers also offer various accommodations to account for potential factors like wind, dust, rain, insects, and direct sunlight. These conveyors have been expertly designed and engineered for industrial performance, successfully and reliably conveying sensitive pet food products and blends in a variety of conditions.

By understanding the true capabilities of these conveyors, industry professionals can effectively enhance production quality and reduce downtime. From loading raw materials to transferring finished products, tubular conveyors offer flexibility and reliable performance in both indoor and outdoor environments. Heat tape and other accommodations ensure optimal conditions for sensitive products, while industry professionals can trust in their expertise to enhance production quality and decrease downtime.

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