Eating on the Run

Cooling Tunnel Module: The use of rigid Lexan-Polycarbonate covers that fit snugly on either the top or the bottom of a standard DynaCon conveyor module allow users to create a “cooling tunnel.” Cold air is piped into the tunnel from beneath the conveyor module through a hose attached to an in-house forced air cooling system (up to 18,000 BTU/hr). This type of cooling tunnel can quickly drop the temperature of the products from 200° F to room temperature.

Water Bath Tank: This accessory is a 14-gauge stainless steel tank with a built-in cooling element that integrates directly into the standard-size conveyor system. It provides for water bath and washdown applications.

This module has been used effectively in secondary agricultural operations, for example, cleaning onions as they come in from the field. The raw onions come in big crates and are dropped into vats of water for cleaning. The onions are drawn out of the water vats on DynaCon conveyors, are sprayed, trimmed and transported to packaging machines.

Exit Chutes: Exit Chutes are another modular piece that can be bolted onto a DynaCon module. Exit chutes are used to control product flow. They can bend the flow of product to the left or to the right, channeling product in a particular direction.

Metal detectors: The metal detection accessory is highly useful in detecting the presence of metal contaminants on the conveyor belt and meets the FDA’s HACCP parameters. The conveyor system itself is composed of high-impact plastic, and is absent of metal itself, making metal detection a more insular function. An audible and visual alarm alerts personnel to the presence of metal. The Metal Detector recognizes ferrous and non-ferrous metals, so that iron, steel, aluminum, copper and brass will all activate the device.

A diabetic cookie manufacturer uses the conveyor system to convey products from a form-fill machine onto a tabletop conveyor belt that leads into a metal detector as part of HACCP program.

Automatic Box Filling: A box filling system can reduce manual labor and error. Using a supplied electrical signal, the box filling system counts the number of pieces going into each box. When the designated count is reached, the feeder conveyor is automatically stopped, a new box is moved into position, and feeding resumes.

Indexing: Indexing is an option that stops and starts the belt automatically in response to an electronic signal. It can have many uses including inspection operations. The belt would stop in front of a worker automatically so he could proceed with the inspection process, and then move on. Feeding a signal to the system is the best way to index the belt. Indexing can also be controlled by a manual foot switch that the operator uses once he has finished the inspection operation.

Electronic Eye: The Electronic Eye option is used for counting and placement detection on the standard DynaCon system. It is similar to the photoelectric sensor at the end of every grocery store check out line. The primary purpose of the Electronic Eye is to prevent pieces from falling on the floor. The conveyor belt indexes off the photo eye input signal. If product flow gets out of control, the Electronic Eye will automatically shut off the conveyor until the system is reset.

E-Stop: The Emergency Stop option is an on-off switch. Pushing it immediately cuts power to the DynaCon conveyor. It’s a form of insurance, allowing workers an emergency stop on the line as protection. A system manager can place this accessory anywhere along the assembly line in the proximity of the operator.

Colling Fan Module: The Cooling Fan Module is a cooling option that is installed between the belts of the conveyor. The required conveyor belt is a honeycomb grid configuration that allows ambient air to pass through it to cool the product.