GRAPHALLOY® Challenged by Pizza Specialist.
GRAPHALLOY® was presented with a challenge from one of the largest food
manufacturers in the country. Their frozen food division, specializing in frozen
pizza, was experiencing difficulties with the operation of their bakery ovens.
The conventional oil-lubricated bearings being used in the ovens were lasting
only one week. The customer was replacing 16 to 20 burned-out bearings every
seven days for over one year.
As a prime supplier to the school lunch program, this food manufacturer was
producing pizza in high volume. They were baking two shifts per day plus a third
shift for cleaning, seven days a week. To maintain this level of production, the
bakery was using two continuous belt-type ovens with an operating temperature of
273ºC.
The bakery had problems keeping the belt tracking straight as it rolled through
the long ovens. On several occasions, the belts and entire sections of the oven
were damaged when the belts veered off the track. The customer devised a system
of cam follower roller guides to keep the belts on track. The cam followers were
mounted on an adjustable bracket with slotted holes to keep the rollers in
contact with the belt.
Despite these efforts, the bearings continued to fail. This customer eventually
contacted us through our website with an email that began, "If your bearings are
as good as you say they are...". Sensing their frustration we met with the
customer to evaluate their problem and recommend a solution. Within a few weeks,
GRAPHALLOY 1217-24-120.3 cam followers were installed. Four months later, these
cam followers are not showing any signs of wear.
Once again, GRAPHALLOY exceeds expectations.
In addition to bakery ovens, GRAPHALLOY bearings may be used in dryers, grills,
bottling plants and packaging equipment - anywhere grease and oil might fail.
GRAPHALLOY bearings also withstand steam cleaning operations without any loss of
performance.
Further Information
For further information please contact Tony Snowdon at FTL Technology on 0113
252 1061 or e-mail tonys@ftltech.co.uk
|