Rusmail Conveyors Archive News 15/06/06:
- Our News update for June covers some very interesting and challenging customised conveyor projects. With reference to two significant overhead cable conveyor projects recently completed in the UK, we have used our recent company Press Releases to give you details and pictures as follows:
*Packaged Salad Products (Chilled Environment):
Overhead Conveyor System Reduces Congestion for Florette
- A specially developed overhead conveyor system is streamlining production on the factory floor at Florette by releasing valuable storage space and keeping operators in one place. The leading producers of over 230 varieties of ready-to-eat bagged salads and vegetables had the system installed earlier this year by Birmingham(UK)-based Rusmail Conveyor Systems to help modify methods of working and create 72sqm additional floor space.
- Anthony Fremond, Project Engineer for Florette said: "The 173m loop overhead system allows us to limit the amount of people traffic crossing the floor because the conveyor brings empty cartons direct to the operators for packing at a top rate of 90 boxes per minute. Previously the operators had to move from their workstations to do this. Now there are no interruptions to the flow of work and everything is running more smoothly."
- The other advantage of an overhead installation is making use of otherwise wasted roof space which means the floor area is only used to store pallets of packed cartons ready for shipment. Meanwhile, the empty cartons take up no additional ground space as they move around at a height of 4 metres on the conveyor above. The highly reliable lightweight system has a number of built in health & safety benefits. Mr Fremond explains: "Operators can load and unload the system at working level thus reducing the need for bending and stretching and so protecting backs and preventing RSI. Additionally, the system has a very low noise level contributing to an improved working environment."
- The Rusmail system developed in partnership with French company OCA, also performs well on efficiency and maintenance. The variable speed conveyor runs on three 0.25Kw motors, which sustain it throughout the year in shifts lasting from 8 to 17 hours, making it very power efficient. Maintenance wise the system can be automatically lubricated at the touch of a button and the cable itself is robust enough to last 7 years or more before it needs replacing.
*Banana Bunches (Tropical Environment):
Mechanised Exhibit Tells 'The Story of the Banana' at Eden Project
- Bananas don't just suddenly materialise on the shelves of the supermarket; in fact they have quite a tale to tell of their journey and a new exhibit at the Eden Project, featuring a 50 metre conveyor circuit, will do just that.
- Installed by Rusmail Conveyor Systems in partnership with French company OCA, the specially constructed conveyor carries large bundles of artificial bananas as if freshly picked from the plantation, which will travel down through the various levels of the Humid Tropics Biome to be loaded into the prow of a life-sized model of a container ship. David Craddock, Exhibit Design Manager says: "Our intention with any exhibit is to connect plants with people. Here in the biome you can see bananas growing and we wanted visitors to appreciate them not just as botanical specimens but as commodity products, important to both the people and the economies where they are grown."
- The exhibit has an interactive element inviting visitors to crank the handle and activate the conveyor system while learning all about the banana's epic journey. It explores both low volume artisan producers to high volume mechanized production and their methods of picking, washing, grading and packing. For authenticity, some banana bundles will be swathed in blue sacks, sent over from Costa Rica which are used to protect the bananas from pest infestation on their journey.
- The Eden Project, which attracts over 1 million visitors a year, is showcasing the story of the banana as part of Food Week which runs from 27th May - 3rd June and features a number of events around tropical fruits and other foodstuffs.
- Unfortunately, we do not yet have final pictures of this project because of the considerable activity during the Food Week and the priority given to HM the Queen's visit. Pictures of the conveyor will follow shortly. These two projects highlight the adaptability and flexibility of our overhead cable system. It is able to change direction laterally and vertically up to approx. 60 degrees depending on the application. It operates very efficiently and quietly, requiring almost zero maintenance. Could you apply it to your next project?
*'Shoehorn' Conveyor:
- The belts were slightly troughed using edge inserts to help contain the material on the belt. Each conveyor required an inverter speed controller, start-stop control and an emergency stop. We solved the limited depth problem by using a stepped bed, with the drive motor and belt tensioners located outside the drying oven. Most of the conveyor bed length is approx. 50 mm deep.
*Immersed Conveyor:
- We first reported on this project back in 2001 and again in RCS New Update of 05/07/03. Our customer is now looking at an additional unit because he has been so impressed with how well the stainless steel conveyor has performed on a difficult application requiring minimum repair/maintenance attention compared with other methods he has tried. Most of the conveyor is immersed in a water tank from which it continuously removes specialty metal needles using a flighted belt.
- We can almost work miracles, but sometimes they take a little more time and possibly cost a bit more. If we can help solve your problem, hopefully, it's worth it! Please contact us with all your conveyor enquiries, however difficult or unusual your application.
