Food processing, packaging and weighing equipment manufacturer Heat and Control has released a new slicer infeed conveyor which helps potato processors save space.
Some potato processors are unable to use slicer infeed conveyors due to factory space and cost limitations, so Heat and Control created the space-saving FastLane.
The latest member of the company's FastBack family, the FastLane reduces plugging risk and amounts of slicing scrap while improving slice quality.
It combines the gentle horizontal motion of the FastBack Model 260E-G3 with a multi-lane pan that singulates product for delivery into multiple rotary slicers. This ensures that only available slicers receive successive product while unavailable slicers remain unfed.
The FastLane eliminates hazardous pinch-points by using basal-mounted, air-actuated paddles which use upward motion to dam lanes and which descend without a mechanically applied force.
With the innovative FastLane control interface, an operator can push a button to select an air-actuated paddle which rises to impede product stream within the lane, and it eliminates overhead sources of contamination which can fall into the product stream.
The FastLane is built for washdown environments and simple sanitation. The stainless steel fan-cooled motor package is IP65-rated, and the electrical cabinet and sensors are IP66-rated and designed to NEMA 4X standards. The drive and the electrical cabinet and sensors are protected against dust, corrosion, and strong jets of water from all directions.
