Self-cleaning drum motors cut costs and improve reliability

Boasting a fully integrated self-cleaning mechanism, the drum motors are suitable for use in conveyor systems that can be operated without the need for manual cleaning of individual components. This is of particular benefit to meat processing industries as well as all other sectors of the food production industry, which are heavily dependent on conveyor technology. Alongside hygiene, cost-effectiveness plays a particularly dominant role in this area: if a mere EUR15 can be saved per day, the self-cleaning drum motor pays for itself after just over three months (EUR15 x 67 working days = EUR1000/quarter; additional cost of self-cleaning drum motor and accessories = approximately EUR1000).

Supplied with water and a cleaning agent, the next-generation drum motor with its specially positioned nozzles is capable of cleaning itself. In parallel, the unit also cleans the underside of the conveyor line within the area of the motor, as well as the joints in modular plastic conveyor belts. Designed on the basis of a 135mm drum motor, the self-cleaning drum motor has been equipped with a second jacket tube that delivers the incoming cleaning liquid to the nozzles via a special chamber system. The liquid enters the unit via the drum motor axis and is then distributed to the chamber system. Approximately 20 nozzles per 10,000mm2 surface clean the entire unit at a predefined pressure. Even congealed blood and grime are removed from the drum motor.

Cleaning test were also applied to standard conveyor chains supplied by leading manufacturers within this field. They, too, were thoroughly cleaned from the underside and within the joint area. The upper surface, which is not directly accessible to the motor drum nozzles, can be cleaned by an additional system of nozzles fitted to the equipment - to create a fully self-contained cleaning system that is capable of reaching all areas of the conveyor.

The cleaning process is performed while the drum motor is operating. First the cleaning foam is applied by the system; having been left for a specific period, it is subsequently rinsed. Due to the fact that the drum motor is moving, the modular conveyors are cleaned thoroughly as part of this procedure.