FOCUS ON SURFACE FINISHING
The Timesavers 32RB series machine at GEA Food Solutions .
A ‘ DIRECTIONLESS ’ FINISH
Directionless finishing of the metal sheet used for its packaging machines has become increasingly important for GEA Food Solutions at its factory in the Netherlands .
“ GEA Food Solutions chose the Timesavers ‘ 32 RB series ’ compact dry wide belt grinder for surface finishing sheet metal for its packaging machines .”
The manufacturing of packaging machines is high-tech ; just ask Allard van Haaften from GEA Food Solutions . The multinational ’ s machine factory is at Weert , the Netherlands , and specialises in machines for packaging food and lollipops ( for production and packaging ). A directionless finish is required for these packaging machines .
GEA Group is one of the world ’ s leading suppliers of machinery and systems for food processing technology and related industries . The company employs over 18,000 people and is represented in 62 countries . At its Technology Centre in Weert , high-speed packaging is no mean feat whether it is packaging chicken ; nuts ; lettuce ; sweets ; chips or lollipops etc .
So , how do they make the machines in Weert ? The basis of the machine is partly stainless-steel sheet metal . After the sheets go through the laser cutting machines , they are then processed in a Timesavers 32 RB series compact dry wide belt grinder for deburring , edge rounding , finishing and / or laser oxide removal .
“ The machines we make are largely made of stainless steel and anodised aluminium , because they have to be easy to clean . You don ’ t want to find any residue from a machine in a food product . Parts must be perfectly flat and completely deburred ,” explained Allard van Haaften , who is responsible for supply chain and operations at GEA Food Solutions .
Above : A GEA Food Solutions ’ packaging machine .
Left : Allard van Haaften is responsible for supply chain and operations at GEA Food Solutions .
36 | ismr . net | ISMR June 2023