Spiral Cage Conveyor Belt Selection and Installation Made Easy
Spiral cage systems are a key application of any modern food processing facility due to their space-saving footprint and continuous production capabilities. Used for proofing, cooling, freezing, and more, spiral cages have a great deal of value throughout many steps of the baking production process. But when you unravel a spiral conveyor system, the length of belting is considerable. With their size and criticality, problems that arise within a spiral cage system can cost thousands of dollars in lost revenue and maintenance repairs. Selecting and properly installing the right conveyor belt for your application needs can mitigate these potential problems before they arise.
Belt Performance Starts with Proper Selection
When selecting the right belt for your spiral application, there are several factors you need to consider. The first of which is knowing your specific application needs and operational goals. To achieve maximum throughput and minimal product waste, you must identify your current limitations such as height or overall footprint restrictions , recent issues you may have experienced, the operations that come before and after the spiral section of your line, and the orientation, volume, and weight of your product. Each of these factors can impact the success of your spiral application and belt selection. Understanding where you are now is critical to planning where you would like to be.
Another consideration during selection is safety. Understanding temperature ratings when choosing belt materials, how easily the belt can be repaired, and the cleanability of the belt can help determine the best fit for your system. A belt’s ability to withstand harsh cleaning and sanitation processes is critical to meeting the strict hygiene requirements of food processing.
Most importantly, remember that a proper belt is the difference between a spiral system that runs efficiently versus one that needs constant attention. Working closely with Regal Rexnord application experts who have deep knowledge of these belts makes a big difference. An expert can help you identify your application needs and provide tools and resources for belt calculations, material selection, and additional component recommendations. These experts can also provide installation assistance and training to make sure you are set up for continuous success.
What Spiral Cage Belt Options Are Leading
The Market
Based on the needs you identify, there are many options available today. Regal Rexnord offers both actively driven and low-tension configurations in metal or plastic belting. Each material type comes with its own set of benefits and downsides.
Some of the benefits of metal belting are better airflow, chemical resistance, and the ability to withstand extreme temperatures. Metal does not expand or contract when going from different temperature extremes along a processing line to the extent that plastic belting would. Some downsides to metal belting are their heavier weight, the welding and grinding needed to splice the belt, and increased wear and tear over the belt’s lifetime.
Plastic belting has its own benefits and downsides to consider. Some of the benefits of plastic belts are easier splicing and maintenance due to the lighter belt weight, less wear and tear compared to metal belting, and better product release. The downsides of plastic are airflow due to less open area, increased fire risk, and thermal expansion during extreme temperature shifts.
Regal Rexnord has worked to combat the downsides of both metal and plastic belting through continuous innovation. The Rexnord™ 6400 Series Kleantop™ Active Drive Plastic Spiral Cage Belttakes the challenges of load and speed limitations, tension issues, maintenance time, and fire hazard risk and works to counter them. The 6400 Series Active Drive Belt is stronger, increasing throughput with patented Powerkey™ technology and stainless-steel rods. Its actively driven system self-manages tension with no overdrive adjustments needed. With the Powerkey, the belt requires no grinding or welding. Finally, its Blue Self-extinguishing (BSE) material reduces the risk of fire.
The NEW Cambridge™ Cam-Grid™ Pro-Form Turn & Spiral Belts are a weldless upgrade to the standard, welded Cam-Grid metal belt. This belt has been redesigned to eliminate the need for welding in both the manufacturing of the belt and when splicing the belt out in the field. In place of welded splice rods, the Cam-Grid Pro-Form used D-shaped rods that are headed and grooved during production. These rods then lock into place with a retainer that prevents them from shifting. Welds can become a fracture point on the belt, shortening its lifecycle. Removing these weld points allows for more load cycles to run over the belt’s life and maximizes your production capabilities. This also enables the belt to be repaired much faster and safer, with no welding or grinding needed.The Value of Proper Selection and Installation
After going through the selection work to choose the right belt for your system, a poorly installed conveyor or belt can negate it all. Taking the time to ensure your spiral belt is properly installed maximizes the benefits of the belt and can help to reduce recall and safety concerns. Belt selection and proper installation go hand in hand to help you be successful.
Some benefits you can see from proper belt selection and installation are improved safety quicker uptime, and greater ease in meeting your plant’s operation goals. Proper installation by experienced Regal Rexnord installers means your belt will be installed correctly with the correct splicing and proper tension. The installers will also ensure the overdrive setting is correct, and the proper run-in time is conducted. During the installation, the spiral and conveyor belt will be tested to confirm that the spiral belt and conveyor are running as predicted. The facility personnel will be given proper adjustments, splicing, repair, and cleaning training.
Regal Rexnord offers complete spiral system solutions with a broad portfolio of conveyor belts, chain, and components, motors, bearings, and more. Our solutions are engineered to work together to maximize reliability and productivity. Regal Rexnord partners with you every step of the way, from recommending a custom solution to fit your specific needs to installation and troubleshooting support. Whether you’re an OEM designing new equipment or an end user upgrading an existing line, Regal Rexnord is your ONE partner for delivering optimized spiral solutions.