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Clean transport by Habasit

Photo by Habasit GmbH

Belt scrapers are important in food processing conveyor systems to remove product residues from belt surfaces and to support hygienic manufacturing conditions. Often the wipers are made of metal or hard plastics and damage the belt surface on contact. This can cause cracks and scratches – an ideal breeding ground for bacteria and thus a violation of food safety standards. Damaged surfaces also reduce the life of the belt. Habasit has developed a convincing alternative for this problem: belt friendly TPU wiping strips for fabric and monolithic belts. The TPU wiping strips ensure efficient removal of product residues, ensure better hygiene, protect belt surfaces and are easier to clean.

Conveyor belts play a central role in food production. Therefore, strict hygiene requirements apply to them. Habasit conveyor belts now meet these even better with new TPU wiping strips. The main function of the scraper is to remove waste and debris from the belt surface. The benefits of the scraper process range from improved operating efficiency to better hygiene and food safety.
In conveyor belts without scrapers, material deposits often cause loss of tooth mesh or tracking problems due to residue that settles on the rollers, causing damage to the belt edges and increased motor wear and energy consumption. Inadequate scraping, which leaves product residue on the belt, can lead to spillage and material accumulation on the return roller, posing a potential risk for bacterial growth and cross-contamination.
Since belt scrapers help solve many problems, the food processing industry has for years accepted a major drawback of rigid scrapers made of metal and hard plastics: the risk of damaging the belt surface. However, a cracked and scratched belt is more difficult to clean. Moreover, cracks can become breeding grounds for bacteria. Furthermore, such damage reduces the self-cleaning effect of surfaces with an otherwise excellent detachment. The service life also suffers because the belts usually have to be replaced more often. This results in additional costs for new belts and causes equipment downtime.

Advantages of the flexible TPU wiping strips

While classic belt scrapers made of metal or hard plastics are usually completely immovable, the Habasit TPU scraper with a flexible tip offers several advantages: Due to the reduced pressure exerted between the scraper and the belt, it does not pose any risk of damage to the belt surface. It allows more efficient and uniform cleaning, as the TPU wiper lip always conforms to the belt surface. What’s more, the cleaning process is faster and easier because liquids such as oil, water and detergents are better wiped off by a flexible TPU wiper strip that maintains constant contact with the belt surface.

Numerous options available

Habasit’s new belt scrapers are available in TPU polyester and TPU polyether with a choice of tip hardness grades from 85 to 95 ShA. The TPU-polyether wipers are particularly suitable for applications with higher temperatures and humidity levels that require hydrolysis resistance. The TPU wiping strips are supplied in a standard length of 2.4 m and can be adapted to customer requirements. X-ray and metal detectable versions are available for additional food safety requirements. The TPU wiping strips are food compliant and meet both EU and FDA requirements.

For more information, please visit: http://www.habasit.com/en/news.htm