Food & Drink Processing & Packaging Issue 49 2023 | Page 6

Equipment schemes and automated material handling give manufacturers new ways to offset rising energy costs , while boosting production and ROI .
This determines how much product can be transported . Third is bucket speed , or the rate at which the buckets are travelling .
These factors combined give us the total volumetric capacity moving through a specific conveying design . This allows the product to be transported correctly and carefully to suit the required distance of travel , while also integrating the process into the overall feed , distribution and production line requirements .
In some cases , a belt and bucket elevator , where buckets are fixed to a belt running at high speeds , might be the best choice . These systems allow high throughput rates of cubic metres per hour . However , they also involve a lot of kinetic energy due to the centrifugal forces created , which can lead to product degradation and damage .
As an alternative , a pendulum bucket elevator system , mounted between two parallel chains , might be more suitable . As the name suggests , the buckets hang like in a pendulum , travelling in all elevator positions in a horizontal position , and are eventually tipped using a cam to discharge the product at the desired location . While this system can be slower than other solutions , it offers gentler product handling with less spillage than high-speed alternatives . A pendulum bucket elevator can convey buckets in many shape configurations , with multiple inlets ( feeds ) and controlled discharge positions . Reducing waste
Let ’ s imagine an instance where 25 kg bags are emptied
6 FDPP - www . fdpp . co . uk into the necessary production processes . In this scenario , waste can accumulate in terms of lost produce during de-bagging , as well as packaging materials . Not only is this process wasteful , but the manual approach also creates safety concerns for human workers . There ’ s the repetitiveness of the material handling task itself , and the need to perform multiple operations in order to move pallets of product bags around for de-bagging — these factors can cause bottlenecks in the flow of production .
As a solution , Gough Engineering recommends the customer install FIBC Big Bag Dischargers . This technology provides lifting support to make emptying large bags easy and efficient . FIBC Big
Bag Dischargers can eliminate product loss , capture any dust and prevent contamination thanks to their enclosed design . By automating the debagging process , the customer increases throughout and minimises waste .
Equipment schemes and automated material handling give manufacturers new ways to offset rising energy costs , while boosting production and ROI . Moreover , these systems can also empower manufacturers to tackle the rising prices head-on .
To learn more about Gough Engineering ’ s material handling solutions , including custom bucket elevators and FIBC Big Bag Dischargers , visit its website : www . goughengineering . com