Skip to content

European Green Manufacturing Model: High-Efficiency Tubular Drag Chain Conveyor Promotes Sustainable Development Of Pet Food Industry

Despite their many benefits compared to traditional options, tubular drag conveyors have been overlooked in the industry in favor of higher volume or larger-sized systems. However, the recent availability of eight-inch diameter tubular drag conveyors has closed this gap, providing similar volumes and costs as conventional industrial systems.

These innovative conveyors allow for the transportation of even larger product sizes than ever before while minimizing power usage, product loss, damage, and downtime. By utilizing a sealed tube and a flexible stainless-steel drag cable with circular discs (flights), these conveyors can gently transport delicate and precise blends without the need for air, making them ideal for a variety of food types and layouts.

Reduced power consumption bills
As energy prices rise, petfood processors are increasingly focused on reducing the power used to convey materials. Motors needed for large volumes of food materials can vary greatly in power consumption within plants.

Pneumatic conveyors, which use air to move product through an enclosed line, require the largest, most power-hungry motors (up to 20-50hp), while belt conveyors and bucket elevators fall in the mid-range.

For low power consumption, eight-inch tubular drag cable conveyors are a great option, using only a 7.5hp motor to move a comparable amount of material. These conveyors use circular discs attached to a cable to pull material at low speed through a loop, requiring less energy than traditional methods.

Despite using less energy, the ample size and number of discs on eight-inch units allow for similar material conveying as belt, bucket, or pneumatic units.

Improved standard of safety
When it comes to systems used in the petfood industry, open systems such as bucket elevators and belt conveyors are common. However, they come with significant drawbacks, especially in terms of contamination. Any product that is left uncovered in these systems is at risk of being exposed to contaminants and moisture from the surrounding environment.

Additionally, product spillage onto the plant floor is a major concern and could lead to slip and fall hazards if not promptly addressed.

In contrast, enclosed systems such as tubular drag cable conveyors and pneumatic units effectively seal off the product from the outside environment, ensuring minimal contamination risk. Furthermore, these closed systems prevent dust from escaping, leading to a cleaner and safer work environment, and reducing the risk of dust explosions in cases of powdered products.

The enclosed design also eliminates the risk of slip and fall incidents caused by product discharge onto the processing area floor.

Improved product quality
For products that are delicate or have a higher value in their undamaged form, maintaining product integrity is crucial. The act of scooping or dumping products from buckets can lead to incidental damage, decreasing their value. Pneumatic systems that convey products through vertical or horizontal tubing, turns, and sweeps at high speeds can also cause damage to the products. In contrast, tubular cable conveyors provide a gentler solution.

These systems use a coated, flexible stainless-steel drag cable that moves products at a low speed through a sealed tube. Solid circular discs attached to the cable push the product, minimizing waste and preserving its integrity without the use of air.

Improved product quality
Conveyor systems must now be designed for easy cleaning and maintenance to reduce production downtime, according to the latest instructions from the petfood processing industry. While belt conveyors are typically cleaned with scrapers, this method may not be thorough enough and could result in product residue remaining. This can lead to discarded food and lost profits, or even worse, harm to consumers.

Closed conveyors may seem like a better option, but even pneumatic systems can be time-consuming to clean manually. In comparison, tubular drag cable conveyor systems offer a variety of cleaning options such as brush boxes, urethane wipers, and automated wet cleaning methods.

However, many petfood processors are more familiar with traditional systems like belt and bucket conveyors, leading them to select these options even when higher capacity is required.

× WhatsApp Chat