Conveyors for Washdown & Sanitary Applications
Selecting corrosion-resistant and washdown conveyors
Convey products through wet operations and regularly cleaned areas. Conveyor Technologies offers low-profile configurations with materials, conveying surfaces and cleaning access selected around the product and operating environment.
On this page
01 / The application
Frame construction and access
Materials for wet environments
Frame options include stainless steel and powder-coated aluminum. Cleaning chemicals, temperature and the type of water exposure determine the appropriate material and finish for a particular installation. Exposure at the belt surface can differ from exposure beneath the conveyor or around its drive. Conveyor Technologies helps select construction for each exposed part of the installation.
Access for cleaning
Open frame arrangements provide access beneath the conveying surface for cleaning and visual inspection. Smooth surfaces and drainage matter alongside physical access: the layout needs to account for the underside of the belt and the areas around brackets, supports and accessories.
Belt removal
Removable belts and accessible tensioning arrangements allow the belt and underlying surfaces to be reached for cleaning. Access must include the path used to remove the belt, as well as the space around the conveyor in operation. The removal method and available access depend on the conveyor and how it is mounted.
Choose a starting point
Conveyor options to explore
Conveyor Technologies can help select the materials, drive protection and cleaning access for your process. The conveyor and its components must suit the actual exposure; a product name or belt material alone does not establish washdown or sanitary suitability.
Open conveying surface
Wire Mesh Belt Conveyor
An open belt for heating, cooling, washdown and drainage applications.
Useful when: Air or liquid needs to pass through the conveying surface for cooling, drying or drainage.
Modular belt construction
Modular Plastic Belt Conveyor
Modular belting for food processing, packaging and pharmaceutical handling contexts.
Useful when: The conveying belt needs replaceable sections for maintenance.
Drive placement and maintenance access
End-drive and center-drive arrangements offer different drive locations around the conveyor ends. Their product pages describe the configuration-specific construction and access features.
End-Drive Conveyors
The drive is positioned at one end of the conveyor.
Useful when: The conveyor needs to run between machines, with drive access at one end.
Center Drive Conveyor
The drive is positioned between the conveyor ends.
Useful when: Products need to enter or leave close to adjoining equipment.
02 / The application
Conveying surfaces
| Belt construction | Relevant characteristic |
|---|---|
| Solid urethane or polyester | A continuous conveying surface, with the material selected for the product and cleaning process. |
| Wire mesh | An open surface that allows air and liquid to pass through the belt for cooling, drying or drainage. |
| Modular plastic | An assembled belt with replaceable sections and product-specific material options. |
The surface that supports the product also determines how liquid and debris move through or across the belt. The choice therefore connects the handling task with the cleaning process.
Food-contact suitability and resistance to a particular cleaning chemical require the applicable material documentation. A material name alone does not establish those properties for every belt.
03 / The application
Bearings and drive components
Sealed bearings
Sealed-for-life bearings contain their lubricant and do not require routine relubrication.
That maintenance feature applies to the bearings. The full assembly, including the drive and electrical connections, is selected for the cleaning exposure.
Drive protection
Washdown drive configurations and protected electrical connections are selected for the exposure. Motor and gearbox placement can also put these components outside direct spray where the installation allows.
Enclosure protection is matched to the actual cleaning process and component rating. Conveyor Technologies considers the drive, connections and other exposed components together; protection of one component does not establish the suitability of the whole assembly.
04 / The application
Industry context
-
Packaging, inspection, cooling and wet operation.
Pharmaceutical Packaging & Inspection
Package handling, inspection and cleaning conditions.
Washdown construction and sanitary suitability are separate considerations. Suitability for direct product contact, a cleanroom or a facility standard depends on the selected components and their documentation.
Discuss your operating environment
Tell us what the conveyor will carry and how the area is cleaned. Conveyor Technologies can help select the conveyor materials and configuration.