CONVEYOR SYSTEMS
Local service support
for bake oven belts and conveyor systems IPCO is a world-leading manufacturer of solid and perforated carbon steel bake oven belts, supplying OEMs and end users across Africa. IPCO belts bring a unique combination of qualities to the production of baked goods.
F
irstly, the outstanding thermal
result in significantly less downtime than
cool and must be heated up again, so
properties of a solid or perforated
other belt materials.
the savings are continuous. As much as
steel belt translate into extremely
IPCO’s engineers can also offer
25% of an oven’s energy consumption is
efficient baking and – on many products
maintenance support that looks beyond
needed to heat the belt, so these savings
– an appealing crisp base. A flat, smooth
the belt, as Marko Leber, Global Product
can be considerable.
surface ensures clean product release with
manager, Food, explains. “The belt acts
minimal risk of damage to fragile goods.
like a window into the performance of
There are no gaps, recesses or crevices
the entire oven. We understand how a
in which carbon deposits could collect.
belt interacts with the other components
This means that a steel belt stays cleaner
that make up the system as a whole.
for longer, lessening the risk of product
An inspection by our service team goes
burning onto the belt. When cleaning
beyond the belt – we look at the whole
is required, steel belts are inherently
line to understand how the entire system
quicker and easier to clean than mesh
is performing. It’s almost always the case
belts, resulting in less water consumption,
that belt condition is the symptom of a
reduced use of chemicals/detergents and
problem, not the cause. That’s why we
easier changeover from one product
recommend regular inspections. We offer
to another.
comprehensive Preventative Maintenance
The tough, hard-wearing surface also
Steel belts are also extremely versatile, being suitable for products as diverse as bread, biscuits, brownies, crackers, pastries, sponges, allbutter cookies and pizza bases.
Agreements that include inspections of the
means exceptional durability. A lifetime of
belt and associated components that can
20 years is not uncommon; even 50 or more
affect overall performance. Our objective
years is possible with good maintenance.
is to identify and rectify potential risks of
This compares extremely well with wire
failure before they have chance to disrupt
OVEN UPGRADES TO SOLID STEEL BELTS
mesh belts, which typically last 4 – 5 years.
production,” says Leber.
While most of IPCO’s work with the bakery
Steel belts are also extremely versatile,
IPCO has fully trained and equipped
industry is focused on the manufacture
being suitable for products as diverse
service teams on the ground in all key
and supply of steel belts, the company can
as bread, biscuits, brownies, crackers,
markets, including Africa. As well as
also support OEMs in system design and
pastries, sponges, all-butter cookies and
enabling a quick response to any service
supply a full range of conveyor equipment
pizza bases.
or repair needs, this also means that work
from sheaves and shafts to bearings and
IPCO can produce belts in widths from
is carried out by qualified people with a
breakpoints. Other ancillary equipment
800mm to 3500mm. This makes it possible
real understanding of customers’ needs
available includes active and passive belt
to achieve significant improvements in
and values.
alignment solutions such as belt edge
productivity without having to invest in
As part of a global business, IPCO’s
factory extensions or new facilities. An
local teams can also call on the support
oven with a 1500mm wide belt offers
of the company’s Special Engineering
almost twice the productivity of one with
team if required, experts who can be sent
between IPCO and OEMs, it is often
an 800mm belt without any increase in the
anywhere in the world to troubleshoot
possible for manufacturers to gain the
line length.
issues and provide specialist support.
extra production flexibility delivered by
SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE SUPPORT
ENERGY EFFICIENT OPERATION
to solid or perforated steel, without having
Solid steel belts are lighter than wire mesh
to replace their existing oven. •
In terms of maintenance, qualities such as
– perforated steel belts lighter still – so
good tension and tracking characteristics
cost up to 30% less to heat. Each time the
and resistance to stretching combine to
belt exits the baking chamber, it begins to
detectors, guide rollers and compact/ automatic tracking devices. As a result of this close cooperation
upgrading the conveyor system from mesh
16
August 2021 | FOOD RE VIEW
IPCO - www.ipco.com
