February 19, 2009
Key
Technology introduces upgrades for its popular Farmco Sliver Sizer Remover and
Farmco Rotary Size Grader. Featuring a food-friendly drive system and lube-free
adjusting system made of corrosion-resistant, long-life polymer components, the
upgrade eliminates rust and the need for constant oiling. Food processors
upgrading their Farmco Sliver Sizer Removers and Farmco Rotary Size Graders
improve sanitation and equipment reliability while reducing maintenance.
The upgraded drive system includes durable polymer sprockets, a
corrosion-resistant chain, precision polymer bearing blocks, and a raised
chain roller wear strip. The new drive system is virtually “run dry,”
requiring only an occasional touch of silicon spray lubricant. The oiler
system is completely eliminated. The polymer bearing blocks are manufactured
to extremely tight tolerances to assure precise and repeatable roller
spacing adjustment. When a bearing is worn, simply replace the bearing
insert and re-use the polymer pillow block.
The
new lube-free adjusting system features polymer components that eliminate
the need for internal lubrication. Unlike systems that require grease, which
can harden with age and cause difficult and imprecise roller adjustment as
well as maintenance problems, Key’s new adjusting system enhances
sanitation, reduces maintenance, and provides precise roller adjustment over
a longer life.
The upgrade includes a new adjustment handle that folds flat to create a
more open work environment and improve worker safety.
Farmco Sliver Sizer Removers and Farmco Rotary Size Graders can be upgraded
in the field by Key service technicians or by the food processors’
maintenance personnel being guided by Key’s field installation manual.
Farmco Sliver Sizer Remover
The Sliver Sizer Remover removes targeted material using a series of
stainless steel rollers. The size for separation, selected by the customer,
is determined by the gap between rollers – targeted product falls through
the rollers and exits beneath the machine, while remaining material moves on
to downstream equipment over the tops of the rollers. The Sliver Sizer
Remover is widely used for removing slivers, fines, and chips; precision
sizing and grading; de-juicing and deseeding; and removing debris on
processing lines handling apples, beets, carrots, celery, garlic, onions,
peaches, pears, potatoes, tomatoes, zucchini, rehydrated dry beans, and
other food products. It operates efficiently for small whole products and
pieces such as cubes, dices, slices, wedges, fries, spears, sticks, and
julienne strips.
Farmco Rotary Size Grader
The Rotary Size Grader removes short pieces, nubbins, loose seeds, and
snipped ends of vegetables while conveying good product to downstream
equipment. The rotary bed consists of a series of pocket rollers, each with
a stainless steel shaft and specific combinations of patented rubber rollers
and plastic disks that create the pockets. As the pocket rollers rotate,
target-size product settles in the pockets and passes through the bed to be
discharged under the machine. Ideal for small to medium size products to be
classified by length or volume, common applications include french fry
strips, cut and whole green beans, julienne vegetables, onion and bell
pepper strips, and other products.
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Reader Inquiries:
Anita Funk, Corporate Communications Manager
Key Technology, Inc.
150 Avery Street
Walla Walla, WA 99362 USA
Tel: 509 529 2161
Fax: 509 527 1331
Email: afunk@key.net
URL: www.key.net
Editor Inquiries:
Sandra McBride
Kinetic Communication
5 Arastradero Road
Menlo Park, CA 94028 USA
Tel: 650 926 9852
Fax: 650 926 9853
Email: info@kineticcommunication.com
URL: www.kineticcommunication.com