Interroll: Energy-efficient and hygienic conveying for the food industry

Swiss material-handling equipment supplier Interroll offers a Special Hygienic Conveyor (SHC), a conveyor platform consistently designed in accordance with hygienic product design guidelines. The modular SHC platform, manufactured on the basis of a stainless steel construction, enables zero-pressure accumulation and particularly energy-efficient transport of E2 standard crates in the food sector.

With the Special Hygienic Conveyor, Interroll is taking on the responsibility as a technological leader in the material-handling sector. In doing so, it is pushing ahead to advance the Group-wide platform strategy. The platform’s modularity means that it can be flexibly put together from proven products and expanded as a plug-and-play solution based on the LEGO principle. System integrators can use it to handle both simple and highly demanding tasks in the automatic conveying of packaged food or other hygiene-sensitive products. The SHC platform includes both roller and belt conveyors that transport all kinds of packed food.

Automated flow of goods can be controlled flexibly

Automation is crucial for further improving productivity in the food industry. With the IP 55 MultiControl, a multiprotocol control system from Interroll, the flow of goods on conveyors can be controlled flexibly and as required. A further advantage is that sensors and the drives, such as the proven RollerDrive, can be integrated directly into the field bus level, without need for an additional sensor/actuator level with extra gateways. In addition, the solution enables precise positioning of transported goods on the conveyor. This important feature enables the easy integration of labeling machines, for example, into the automatic flow of goods after packing without complex sensor installations.

Energy savings of up to 50 percent

The drive concept of the SHC is a decisive factor in achieving the highest possible energy efficiency. Today, a central drive concept for zero-pressure accumulation with 400V drives operating continuously with additional pneumatics technology for zone control is not the most energy-efficient solution available. Interroll's compact low-voltage drives - the 24/48V RollerDrive - offer energy savings of up to 50 percent. The reason for this savings is that the decentralized drives only activate the conveyor zones in which goods need to be moved.

Cleanability is key

Cleanability is one key criterion for hygienic applications. You need to ensure that everything that can have an influence on safety and quality of food can be cleaned effectively and efficiently to prevent microbiological contamination. That’s why the SHC platform for the food industry was developed from the beginning according to the principles of hygienic product design. Therefore, one of its distinguishing features is that the SHC has been structurally designed for unobstructed drainage of cleaning liquids. All available components of this plug-and-play conveyor, which include electrical products such as RollerDrive, i.e. motorized rollers, and corresponding controls (IP 55 MultiControl), are certified to at least IP 55 and protected against splashing water. This allows simple cleaning procedures with low water pressure to be carried out. In addition, liquid residues—which can compromise function and hygiene—are prevented from remaining in the conveyor afterward.

Easy connection to existing conveyors

Thanks to a special transition module (transfer), which is characterized by an extremely small deflection radius, the SHC can also be connected to existing conveyor systems without any major technical adaptation effort. With the Interroll Layouter, system integrators are able to design, plan and virtually commission complete system concepts on the computer. Presentations and decision-making processes for end users will become more meaningful and significantly easier. At the same time, preparation for smooth installation and commissioning of the solution is improved. Depending on customer requirements, conveyors based on this platform are driven by stainless steel drum motors or RollerDrive.. At the same time, the SHC improves the working environment by generating less noise and reduces wear when conveying E2 standard crates or any other plastic crates.