Baking & Snack - June 2021 - 80

CONVEYORS
actively predict when components may begin to fail, "
said Bryan Hobbs, Ashworth's facility service director.
Using a wireless app that avoids plugging into a
plant's IT network, he added, the system provides
immediate alarms should a component fall out of
specification or begin to fail, allowing the bakery
to plan for repairs rather than be forced into unplanned
downtime.
It also eliminates unnecessary maintenance, such
as replacing components that are nowhere near their
failure rates and even monitors performance inside
enclosed freezers with harsh cold conditions or in ovens
with high-temperature environments.
" We have algorithms developed where we can actuWith
conveyors,
product losses and
other production
issues may indicate
that conveyors need
maintenance.
Quantum Technical Services
nance will be different than a faster production line with
heavier products.
" The two identical conveyor belts will act much differently, "
he said. " Regardless of the plant, they need to
make time to perform a complete maintenance inspection
of the equipment. So running 24/7 may sound like
a good solution, but without a good maintenance plan,
they are doomed for failure. "
Ashworth Bros. developed its Smart Spiral
Conveyors come in
all shapes and sizes
and often operate in
extreme conditions
such as in freezers
or ovens.
Mecatherm
Monitoring System technology to provide predictive
maintenance with continuous monitoring of spiral
temperature, belt tension, cage power and bottombearing
wear sensors.
" It's similar to the industrial Internet of Things
where we're monitoring certain critical parameters to
ally send to your iPad, phone or desktop a chart where
you can monitor changes over time, which helps you
in that predictive mode to see when things are changing, "
Mr. Lasecki said.
A DROP IN YIELD OR SURGING
WASTE PROVIDES A CLEAR
INDICATION OF TROUBLE.
Mecatherm relies on its M-CARE suite of applications
to provide predictive maintenance on equipment
that operates in extreme temperatures or on systems
that are difficult to access. Benoît Sinet, services
product manager, noted that M-CARE provides training,
supplies notices of impending failures and offers
advice on how to repair and maintain the equipment.
He added that M-CARE services come on the
MaMaTa or Make Machine Talk internet processing
platform that offers a user-friendly interface and uses
sensors to continuously gather information on critical
functions. Data from sensors are sent to the system,
which relies on algorithms that detect drifts in critical
parameters and spot malfunctions prior to equipment
failure. After alerting operators of a pending problem,
the system offers step-by-step processes for repairs.
Mr. Lavalle noted that Intralox Intelligence reduces
the total cost of ownership and improves overall
equipment effectiveness in spiral cooler and freezer
applications. It provides continuous access to live
data, statistical analysis and trend reports through
a secure portal. In addition to automatic alerts via
email or text for items needing maintenance, the system
offers quarterly reviews on diagnostics and recommendations
from the company's spiral technicians.
By relying on the latest technology as well as their
own eyes and ears, maintenance engineers can give
their belting and conveyors a clean bill of health.
80 Baking & Snack June 2021 / www.bakingbusiness.com
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