FDA-compliant TH3 energy chain in the mushroom harvesting system

Profile

• What was needed: TH3 energy chain and cables (CF211.038 and CF210.UL.15.15.02)
• Requirements: For the food sector and high-humidity environments. Speeds of 30-40mm per second and a travel distance of 3m for hanging applications. Extended maintenance intervals are also very important
• Industry: Food/mushroom industry
• Success for the customer: FDA-compliant, resistant to aggressive cleaning agents and chemicals. The TH3 also operates very reliably, even when humidity is high

FDA-compliant TH3 energy chain used in Axis Technology and Development's mushroom harvesting system.

Problem

Axis Technology and Developement Ltd. was founded in 2013. It develops automatic and semi-automatic harvesting systems, specifically for use in the worldwide mushroom industry. This is how it works: Employees only need to remove the mushrooms from the growing bed and place them on a conveyor belt. that transports them to a processing unit where they are shortened, sorted by size, and packaged in bags. The harvesting systems make this process three to four times as fast as conventional harvesting. The harvester achieves an average of 60-75kg per hour. 

The typical ambient temperatures where the mushrooms are grown are around 18-20 degrees. The system is sterilized twice a month. The room and equipment are steamed at 80 degrees. At this time, the environment generally has high humidity, so Axis engineers expect an energy supply system that not only can handle these conditions, but is also FDA-compliant. The energy supply system must also operate reliably at a speed of 30-40mm per second with constant acceleration and a travel of 3m in a hanging application. Extended maintenance intervals are also very important.

Solution

Axis Technology and Developement Ltd. uses the TH3 energy chain, a blue chain developed specifically for the food industry. If there is damage, all fragments can be quickly identified and removed before they contaminate the food. Rounded energy chain edges mean that there are no dead spaces and no resulting germ formation. The blue material (consisting of igumid TH NB for the side panels and igumid TH G for frames and mounting elements) is not only FDA-compliant, but also highly resistant to chemicals and aggressive cleaning agents. A total of 96 metres of TH3 are used in 32 systems. CSA-compliant igus® chainflex® cables (CF211.38 and CF210.UL.15.15.02) are also used.

Axis engineers are very satisfied with the igus® services before and after purchase. The desired products were delivered on a very tight schedule – just six weeks after the order was confirmed.