Spiral conveyor saves space, money, manufacturer claims
conveyor belt in its KVP range, which it claims will allow food
manufacturers to save space and money.
The new machine will be unveiled in April at the Foodex Meatex show in Birmingham, where it will be exhibited for the first time to a UK audience. Andrew Randall, marketing communications manager at the company explained that the upward trajectory of the belt on the conveyor saves floor space. Products being processed are moved quickly to the next processing stage, without having to travel the length of the factory to reach the next level. In addition, traditional spiral belts tend to be metal-based because of the difficulties of curving, he said. However, the plastic now being used has a longer shelf life, which means the belts do not need to be replaced as frequently. Also, it is non-stick so products are safely delivered to the next processing stage, said Randall. The company also said that there is increased product throughput due to the greater loading capacity of the "lighter, but stronger" belts. The spiral conveyor belt is already being used in the US. It was developed by the US company KVP, which is now part of Habasit Rossi. The company has also bought out a new gearmotor which is a standard fit and is comparable to other products on the market. Randall explained that the gearmotors drive the conveyor belt mechanism. The company said that it "surpasses its competition by being able to promise a short delivery time of 24 hours, as well as offering a three year guarantee for all its Standardfit gearmotors." "Many of our target customers will be attending the (Foodex Meatex) show and as part of the marketing strategy for 2008, it is all about strengthening the Habasit Rossi brand in the UK to match its global recognition," Randall said. "Habasit Rossi's ongoing success is attributed to its ability to innovate. This, along with the purchase of KVP, has made it possible to develop an extensive range of solutions." Together, Habasit and KVP offer a broad range of plastic modular belts. Habasit Rossi claims to be a market leader in the belting industry, with more than 30 fully owned affiliated companies around the world and 20 production facilities.
