Maximizing Efficiency And Minimizing Downtime In Food Processing With Thermal Spray Coatings
Food processing in the modern world requires various types of machinery. Insomuch that the right ingredients help to determine the quality of every cereal bar, biscuit, and loaf of bread; so does the equipment used with which to make processed food. Molds, mixing vessels, chutes, and hoppers should, ideally, all be treated with the appropriate protective coating to assure optimum quality and maximum manufacturing efficiency.
Achieving Maximum Quality and Efficiency
What potential coating systems are there for a specific food processing manufacturer? The answer to this question must be evaluated by a professional surface treatment service. A service representative should have a complete understanding of the ingredient consistency, production cycle stage, and equipment involved in processing to make an accurate evaluation.
Questions Asked in an Evaluation
Your surface treatment representative will likely need the answers to the following questions:
- Once processed, what form will the food take?
- Will abrasion from grains or seeds be a factor?
- Is the substance being processed going to be sticky?
- What will the food temperature be, and more?
Challenges that are unique to the food processing industry and require attention where protective coatings are concerned can include the following:
- Plungers
- Conical Molds
- Chutes
- Rollers and more
The Most Appropriate Solution
The appropriate coating solution can begin to take shape once the challenges of a specific processing situation are evaluated. There are numerous certified food safe protective surface treatments available today including dry film lubricants, fluoropolymer, and PTFE. Not only should the coating be certified food safe but the applicator of such should be approved as well.
As mentioned earlier, grains and seeds pose a unique challenge where protective coatings are concerned. Coatings used here should have abrasion resistant, non-stick characteristics. Bakeries that use dough containing grains and seeds have benefited by a reinforced PTFE coating. Their equipment has experienced increased efficiency and a longer service life.
The Most Appropriate Service Provider
Again, the right service provider is going to understand the exacting needs of the food processing industry. They must be flexible enough to do the required work around the demanding schedule of a food processing plant (as mush as possible). They must understand that maintenance downtime is disruptive and costly. But by treating their equipment today, food processing plants can avoid much of the costly downtime of maintenance and repair that would have occurred in the future.
A&A Coatings offers the perfect blend of experience, technical know-how, and a variety of coating systems needed to service the food industry. We have been doing so, in fact, for decades. With our capacity to meet your maintenance schedule, the service levels of our experts, our various coatings and application systems, and years of experience, we provide the perfect recipe for excellent service in the food industry.
Contact us today to find out how we can be of service to you, whether you are in the food processing industry or some other business. We provide protective coatings for almost every industry imaginable.
