CASE STUDY

Challenge

A large bakery approached Slideways with a significant equipment upgrade issue. The bakery's conveyor belt system needed new UHMW belt supports, as the original supports were worn out and required replacement. The existing belt supports, installed by the OEM, were in 10-foot sections, which complicated the replacement process. The bakery's maintenance manager preferred that the new UHMW belt support wear strips be in coils, but this wasn't a standard product for Slideways or other suppliers they contacted. The maintenance manager also favored continuous 250-foot coils over the traditional 10-foot sections, as these would mitigate the risk of strips coming up off the machine and eliminate gaps that could harbor bacteria or lead to food contamination after washdown.

Solution

Slideways designed and manufactured a custom UHMW belt support extrusion specifically tailored to the bakery's needs. To meet the bakery's preference for continuous strips, Slideways created a 250-foot coil extrusion, a unique solution that wasn't available in the standard product lineup. This custom extrusion addressed the following key concerns: 

  • Continuous Strips: By using continuous 250-foot coils, the new belt supports eliminated any gaps between sections, reducing the risk of bacteria buildup and food contamination after washdown.
  • Easier Installation: The longer coils meant easier and quicker installation, reducing downtime for the bakery's conveyor system. 
  • Reduced Maintenance Risks: Continuous wear strips mitigated the risk of individual strips coming up or causing machine malfunctions, thereby improving the reliability of the conveyor system.

Slideways also recognized the broader industry need for this solution. As a result, they not only created a custom product for the bakery but also decided to stock this new 250-foot coil extrusion, allowing other food and beverage OEMs and end users to benefit from it. This standard profile can be installed on other bakery conveyors, providing maintenance teams with easier replacement parts, and reducing machine downtime during upgrades or repairs.

With Slideways' customized solution, the bakery could quickly get their machines back up and running without extensive downtime, ensuring their production schedules were minimally disrupted. The continuous 250-foot coils enhanced the efficiency and hygiene of their conveyor system, providing a reliable, easy-to-maintain solution.

Call us today to talk about your next custom project!

Elevate your package handling efficiency with Slideways' custom UHMW chute liners. Say goodbye to daily lubrication costs and frequent maintenance. Our innovative proprietary solution not only prevents stickers from sticking but also extends the life of your chutes. Call our team today to discuss how we can help find your next solution.  

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Slideways is a valuable partner even for those with in-house machining capabilities. We work from your prints or reverse engineer parts from provided samples.

Efficiency - Our specialty is designing and machining complex, custom plastic parts. Our engineers and machinists are experts in the niche “machined plastics” industry enabling you to concentrate on your core competencies of design and metal fabrication. We work from your specs with a vast understanding of conveyor belts and chains, state-of-the-art technical machines, and knowledge of various plastic materials.

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