In today’s pet food processing landscape, the reliance on tubular drag cable conveyors is paramount. These conveyors delicately handle sensitive materials and powders, necessitating meticulous design, installation, and proactive maintenance to minimize production interruptions and maximize equipment longevity.
Often, the prevailing practice in the fast-paced environment of pet food processing involves running conveyors until a breakdown occurs, leading to unwarranted downtime. Fernando Mejia, Director of Product Life Cycle Management & Aftermarket at Automated Handling Solutions (AHS), underscores this concern. He emphasizes that relying solely on third-party maintenance services, lacking access to technical specifications, can result in prolonged downtime, costly repairs, and premature system replacements.
AHS, a collaboration between Cablevey Conveyors and Spiroflow, aims to address these challenges by providing specialized handling and automation solutions tailored to critical applications like pet food processing. Rather than reactive measures, Mejia advocates for Total Preventative Maintenance (TPM) as a proactive approach to minimize downtime and operational costs.
“Our focus is on assisting customers in reducing overall operations and maintenance costs,” Mejia explains. “By partnering with clients to devise comprehensive maintenance plans, we aim to preemptively address potential issues and avoid unnecessary downtime.”
The core objective of TPM is to optimize conveyor output and extend equipment lifespan. With the intricate design of tubular drag cable conveyors, proactive, preventative, and predictive maintenance emerges as a viable strategy. Unlike relying solely on third-party services, involving an Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) supervisor offers unparalleled expertise and insight into the system.
“Many recurring problems stem from improper installation, resulting in friction, noise, and premature wear,” notes Mejia. “Engaging with an OEM ensures adherence to system specifications and the deployment of preventative measures.”
Annual comprehensive inspections by the OEM are strongly recommended to detect and rectify potential issues before they escalate. These inspections encompass thorough assessments of various components, from tubing integrity to cable tension and disc wear. Recommendations for spare parts and retrofit kits further enhance conveyor efficiency and longevity.
While the frequency of service visits varies based on system complexity and usage, collaborating with a knowledgeable OEM is crucial for devising a tailored preventative maintenance plan. Mejia highlights a case where a pet food processor, facing capacity expansion, sought to transition from a reactive to a proactive maintenance culture.
Thrilled by the alignment of goals, Mejia underscores AHS’s commitment to expanding service capacity, including establishing a service hub and parts depot on the West Coast. Long-term service agreements are now offered to provide comprehensive maintenance coverage, allowing pet food processors to focus on core operations with confidence in conveyor performance.
In essence, prioritizing proper maintenance for tubular drag cable conveyors not only minimizes downtime but also ensures sustained efficiency and longevity in pet food processing operations.
