Choosing the right accumulation system for your production line

Choosing the right accumulation system for your application

SwitchBack by Heat and Control

July 25, 2017

Source

Heat and Control

Accumulation systems let your processing line run without interruption, while delivering the steady flow of product your packaging equipment needs for peak efficiency. Like a traffic cop at a busy intersection, accumulation systems keep your product moving without delay or damage.

But with a range of different accumulation systems available, which is the right one?

Heat and Control build a variety of accumulators for different foods and storage requirements. Each design prevents product damage, simplifies sanitation and maintenance, and works in harmony with existing equipment.

For dry, delicate products, fresh, frozen, and coated foods, Heat and Control accumulation systems reduce waste and downtime.

Below you can find the different types of systems available. We have highlighted some of the criteria that can help you choose which system is the right one for your application.

SwitchBack™ Accumulation Conveyor

SwitchBack™ Accumulation Conveyor: Compact, gentle and easy to clean

Heat and Control's SwitchBack conveyor provides in-line accumulation of delicate snacks, baked products, frozen meats and other foods.

Gentle horizontal motion conveying and unique sloped pan configurations prevent product damage by eliminating abrupt drops and stops.

Composed of two independent FastBack® conveyors, SwitchBack automatically stores product in the lower unit while conveying product in the opposite direction in the upper feed conveyor. Available for capacities of 0.85 or 1.25 cu. metres (30 or 45 cubic feet) the system requires less floor space than comparable accumulation conveyors.

(Click picture to watch video)

Video showing the SwitchBack™ Accumulation Conveyor

This patented design requires no photoeyes, product detection devices, gates or trolleys, making it ideal for reliable operation in wet wash down environments. Gentle FastBack horizontal motion conveying prevents the loss and build-up of product coatings in the conveyor pans and eliminates the need for mid-shift cleaning downtime.

SwitchBack can handle everything from frozen breaded meat patties to delicate potato chips. Built for heavy loads of up to 1.25 cubic metres, SwitchBack features a sanitary U-shaped pan and gentle horizontal conveying motion to prevent abrupt product drops and damage.

Key Properties

Capacity: 0.85 or 1.25 cubic metres
Product applications: Snacks, baked foods, breaded and frozen product

Cascading Conveyors

Heat and Control Cascading Conveyors

Satisfy the fast-changing high-volume product demands of multiple packaging stations.

(Click picture to watch video)

Video showing Cascading Conveyors

Accumulate large quantities in a series of inline horizontal motion conveyors that can cover long distances using minimal floor space.

Then meter a steady flow of product, or quickly move large volumes to your distribution system.

Key Properties

Capacity: 0.25 to 4.5 cubic metres
Product applications: Snacks, baked foods, breaded and frozen product

MinuteMan

Heat and Control MinuteMan

Always ready for short-term storage of delicate snacks, candy, baked foods, and more, MinuteMan minimises drop distances to significantly reduce product breakage.

(Click picture to watch video)

Video showing the MinuteMan Accumulator

Choose models from 2.5 or 5 cubic metres of storage. Fill and discharge rates are synchronised for on-demand product delivery.

Reliable live bottom belt and retracting overhead feed conveyors have no drive components located over the product zone.

Key Properties

Capacity: 2.5 and 5 cubic metres
Product applications: Snacks, cookies, crackers, candy

Automatic Belt Conveyor

This high-capacity version of the MinuteMan stores and transfers up to 45 cubic metres of snacks, cereal, baked goods, candy, any many other dry goods.

Synchronised variable fill and discharge rates combined with gentle product handling make this an efficient buffer between processing and packaging line.

Key Properties

Capacity: 45 cubic metres
Product applications: Snacks, cereal, baked foods, candy

Comprehensive FastBack production-ready test systems are available to test-run a new product, or to evaluate speed, accuracy and product quality. Visit one of the heat and Control production ready test facilities in either Dallas, Texas or Birmingham, United Kingdom (in partnership with Ishida Europe).

Alternatively stay up to date via our social media networks Twitter (@HeatnControl), LinkedIn, Facebook or YouTube (search Heat and Control), or visit www.heatandcontrol.com