Avoid These Five Mistakes When Choosing Food-grade Conveyors, Says Ultimation Industries

Choosing the right conveyor system is a critical step in maintaining a safe food supply

ROSEVILLE, Mich. (June 28, 2022)— Choosing the right material handling equipment for food manufacturing, processing and packaging is critical for maintaining safety, according to Ultimation Industries, the leading direct-to-consumer conveyor manufacturer for the food processing, vertical farming, warehousing, delivery and other industries. The World Health Organization estimates 600,000 people become ill after eating contaminated food and puts primary responsibility on producers for keeping food from becoming contaminated during the production and distribution process.

 

“Food-grade conveyors are one of the most important parts of the food and beverage industry because they transport raw ingredients, organic materials and other consumable goods within the facility and ultimately out to the consumer,” said Richard Canny, president of Ultimation Industries

 

Choosing the right conveyor system is a critical step in maintaining a safe food supply. Unlike regular industrial conveyors, food and washdown material handling solutions must be constructed of sanitary and hygienic materials to meet rigorous safety standards and must be easy to clean, maintain and inspect.

 

Ultimation Food Grade Conveyor Dog Treats

 

Here are five mistakes to avoid when choosing conveyors for food-handling applications:

 

Mistake #1: Assuming all stainless steel is food-grade. Just because a conveyor is made from stainless steel doesn’t mean it meets food-grade requirements. SAE 304 stainless steel is the most common type of stainless steel used in the industry because it resists oxidization and corrosion, is easy to wipe clean and does not easily breed bacteria.

 

Mistake #2: Using food-grade stainless steel for everything. While stainless steel is the standard bearer for food-safe systems, different materials can be used safely depending upon the amount of contact the food has with a conveyor’s surface. For example, food moving along a belt conveyor is always in contact with the belt so the belt material needs to meet or exceed requirements for contact with the food. Frame and guarding materials, however, can often have different requirements if they are not in direct contact with food materials. The choices between stainless steel or lower grade materials can have a large impact on the cost of a conveyor system.

 

Mistake #3: Selecting the wrong type of conveyor for the job. There are a variety of conveyor types for food-related applications, but the most common is the belt conveyor. Belt conveyors are used throughout processing and packaging because they offer a smooth, continuous surface and are easy to clean. But based on the application, wire mesh, troughed and roller conveyors could also be good options. Food-grade wire mesh conveyors can withstand high and low temperatures and products are less likely stick to them. Troughed conveyors keep bulk materials from spilling when conveying across long distances. Roller conveyors come in a variety of types and can be customized based on wash-down environment, specific temperatures and other variables.

 

Mistake #4: Choosing the wrong lubricants. Conveyors are always designed to ensure that any lubricants don’t get in direct contact with your product. But motors and bearings need lubricants or they will fail. Look for lubricants that meet the appropriate National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) grade. The ISO Standard 21469 is a voluntary standard that also provides more guidance in selecting lubricants.

 

Mistake #5: Not considering how the conveyor system will be cleaned. Cleanability is one of the most important factors for food-grade conveyor systems. To adhere to rigorous hygienic requirements, the conveyor should be designed to reduce the number of build-up points where residue can accumulate. When choosing a system, keep in mind whether the application requires dry, wet or sanitary cleanup. This will determine the type of rollers, frames, lubricants and electrical controls that should be used for optimal safety.

 

“Well-designed food and sanitary conveyors are a good investment and can provide many years of reliable service,” said Canny. “At Ultimation, we can help configure systems that meet safety requirements while creating lasting value.”

 

For more information about food-safe conveyors and conveyor systems, visit https://www.ultimationinc.com/.

 

About Ultimation:

Ultimation Industries, LLC is the leading direct-to-consumer conveyor manufacturer serving the automotive, food processing, vertical farming, heavy equipment, warehousing, fulfillment and delivery industries. The company offers a line of proprietary automation systems and is also the largest integrator of Jervis Webb Conveyor Systems. Ultimation’s e-commerce channel sells Ultimation, Interroll, Itoh Denki, Jervis Webb, and a wide range of other conveyor equipment. Ultimation was named a 2022 Michigan 50 Companies to Watch by Michigan Celebrates Small Business. In 2020, Ultimation was recognized as one of Inc. 5000’s fastest growing private companies in America. Visit https://www.ultimationinc.com/ for the latest product information and news about Ultimation.

 

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For further information please contact:

Nancy Sarpolis for Ultimation Industries at nancy@scgmich.com.

Ultimation Industries Joins the Qimarox System Partner Network

Maximizing vertical space helps manufacturers add capacity without costly facility expansions

ROSEVILLE, Mich. June 8, 2022 — A new partnership between Ultimation Industries, LLC and Netherlands-based Qimarox will help manufacturers and distributors move totes, cartons and pallets from one level to another while maximizing the vertical space in their facilities. Ultimation is the leading direct-to-consumer conveyor manufacturer serving the automotive, food processing, vertical farming, heavy equipment, warehousing, fulfillment and delivery industries. Qimarox is a leading manufacturer of components for material handling systems specializing in vertical sorters and conveyors.

“Manufacturers and distributors who are growing need cost-effective ways to get more productivity out of their existing facilities,” said Richard Canny, president of Ultimation Industries. “Better utilization of vertical space through lifters and overhead conveyor systems is an affordable, effective solution that can be deployed relatively quickly.”

Qimarox MK9 Vertical Pallet Conveyor

Ultimation is now part of the Qimarox System Partner network for the Americas and can design, build and install lifting solutions that integrate with existing material handling systems. Qimarox specializes in material handling systems that combine high performance with low costs. Their modular designs offer quick and easy installation and modification, with multifunctionality to complete a variety of different tasks. Qimarox solutions are also durable, requiring little maintenance and a high degree of operational availability.
Ultimation offers Qimarox lifters with a variety of carrier capabilities to handle multiple load weights and sizes:

  • ProRunner MK1 is a “discontinuous” vertical lifter because it moves from one level to another, stops, unloads and then returns. It can move cartons, tote boxes, trays, crates, boxes or bags weighing up to 160 pounds. The floor-mounted, self-supporting system requires no additional civil or integration engineering. The MK1 can achieve up to 360 cycles per hour to support high-volume distribution center conveyor process speeds. It has a small footprint that will fit into even the tightest layout.
  • ProRunner MK5 is a continuous vertical conveyor which can handle the needs of high-volume distribution centers. Due to its standardized modular design, the ProRunner MK5 is affordable and can achieve faster lead times than many custom engineering vertical conveyor solutions. Each carrier can handle 200 products per hour with the option to add up to 9 additional carriers to achieve 2,000 products per hour capacity. This unit is suitable for ascending and descending product flows at full load and has carriage sizes from 10″ x 10″ up to approximately 24″x 24″. The ProRunner MK5 can be paired with an optional gravity or MDR roller conveyor for infeed and outfeed.
  • Pallet Lift Prorunner MK9 is a very compact, space-efficient pallet or vertical conveyor lifter. The carriage can be equipped with a gravity roller conveyor or motor drive roller conveyor. Its 3,300-pounds weight capacity can handle pallets, racks, large cartons for appliances, vertical farming trays and other heavy and large loads. Cycle times are 60 cycles per hour or faster, depending on load and elevation change. It can be paired with an optional CDLR or powered MDR roller conveyor for infeed and outfeed.
  • Pallet Lift Prorunner MK10 moves pallets and other large and heavy loads that would otherwise require the design and build of a custom automation solution. This heavy-duty vertical conveyor lifter can handle loads of up to 4,400 pounds and can be used for pallets, racks, large cartons for appliances, vertical farming trays and other heavy and large loads. Cycle times are 60 cycles per hour or faster depending on load and elevation change. It can be paired with an optional CDLR or powered MDR roller conveyor for infeed and outfeed.

Watch a simulation of Qimarox lift conveyors in action in this video.

Qimarox recently introduced two new modules to the ProRunner family, both of which are available through Ultimation:

  • ProRunner 12 is a new high-speed, precision vertical reciprocating conveyor (VRC) that can move automated guided vehicles (AGV) to different levels. It can lift 440-660 lbs. at vertical speeds of nearly 4 to 6.5 feet per second, depending on load size.
  • ProRunner 15 combines the best of the PR1 and PR5 modules. While the PR1 can be used as a movable PR5 infeed conveyor for emptying of all buffering levels with the same conveyor, it needs a PR sorter for high-speed sorting in a vertical buffering system. The PR15 is simpler option for emptying buffer lanes in batch mode and reduces component costs more than 50% compared to PR MK5 Sorter for a typical five-level buffer system.

“With the incorporation of Ultimation to the Qimarox System Partner network, we are strengthening our presence in the American markets. Ultimation’s capability to deliver turnkey solutions with both standardized as well customized components, results in extremely added value to end users ensuring always the best automation solution for their process challenges,” said Pieter Hannessen, owner of Qimarox.

 

Qimarox and Ultimation are members of Rolling On Interroll® (ROI), a network of strategic partners through global material handling leader Interroll®.

“Partnering with Qimarox was a natural fit because we were already using their lifters as part of a custom conveyor and materials handling system for the world’s largest indoor vertical farming facility,” said Canny.

About Ultimation:

Ultimation Industries, LLC is the leading direct-to-consumer conveyor manufacturer serving the automotive, food processing, vertical farming, heavy equipment, warehousing, fulfillment and delivery industries. The company offers a line of proprietary automation systems and is also the largest integrator of Jervis Webb Conveyor Systems. Ultimation’s e-commerce channel sells Ultimation, Interroll, Itoh Denki, Jervis Webb, and a wide range of other conveyor equipment. Ultimation was named a 2022 Michigan 50 Companies to Watch by Michigan Celebrates Small Business. In 2020, Ultimation was recognized as one of Inc. 5000’s fastest growing private companies in America. Visit https://www.ultimationinc.com/ for the latest product information and news about Ultimation.

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For further information please contact:

Nancy Sarpolis for Ultimation Industries at nancy@scgmich.com.

New 3D Printer Expands Ultimation’s Design Capabilities

Ultimation Industries will soon have additional new 3D printing capabilities that will reduce the turnaround time for developing, testing and implementing prototypes of plastic parts. Ultimation won a new Photocentric LC Magna 3D Printer in a pitch contest hosted by Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Southfield-based CoreTechnologie provided the printer and related CAD software package.

Going for the prize

To win the printer, manufacturers had to submit an application as to how the industrial 3D printer would solve a labor, capacity or process challenge and support their business overall. Selected applicants were invited to make an in-person pitch during Automation Alley’s Integr8 Conference on May 10, 2022.

Tommaso Helwig, Ultimation’s engineering manager, made the winning pitch and said it will give the company more creative freedom to design parts in-house and will allow the company to implement changes at a fraction of the time allowed by outsourcing. “Prototypes can now be completed in hours or days rather than weeks,” he said.

Tommaso Helwig 3D printing

Good news for vertical farmers

The new 3D capabilities are especially good news for indoor vertical farmers, who rely on plastics to create food-safe environments for growing leafy greens, herbs, fruits and other produce. Indoor farms allow foods to be grown locally in areas where they may otherwise have been imported.

“Plastics are a very much part of a food safe environments and are an ever-growing part of our scope of work in indoor vertical farming,” said Tommaso. He added that within the last year, Ultimation has partnered with the largest indoor vertical farm to provide miles of a plastic drainage, flow rail, and conveyors to automate their farm.

Planting the seeds for a “green hub” in Detroit and South East Michigan

“Our goal is to connect Detroit’s rich manufacturing history and manufacturing network to this emerging market,” said Tommaso. “We are getting the chance to not only support innovative farmers who are challenging how we grow things every day, but also working to help solve one of the world’s largest problems: sustainability. With enough effort, Detroit can easily become one of the green hubs of this country.”

Ultimation believes that its evolving Agtech (Agricultural Technology) capabilities to provide full farm material handling and mechanical structure is a key enabler for future growth. The global vertical farming market was estimated to be $3.6 billion in 2021 and will increase to $17.6 billion by 2028.

It’s Time to Upgrade Old Energy-Wasting Industrial Conveyor Systems

ROSEVILLE, Mich. (April 21, 2022) — Ultimation Industries says manufacturers who want to improve the overall energy efficiency of their facilities may find savings from an unexpected source: by upgrading their conveyor systems. Ultimation is the leading direct-to-consumer conveyor manufacturer and serves the automotive, food processing, vertical farming, heavy equipment, warehousing, fulfilment and delivery segments.

“Replacing legacy conveyor systems with motorized driven rollers, or MDRs, is a great choice for energy efficiency because they only use electricity when they are actively moving cargo,” said Richard Canny, president of Ultimation Industries. “They’re also quieter and can handle a multitude of products such as packages, tote bins, pallets, tires, cartons and more.”

MDRs operate with 24-volt DC power and use motorized rollers within the conveyor frames to move products from location to location. They also use zero pressure accumulation, which means loads continue moving along the MDR conveyor until they get close to (but do not touch) the product unit in front, ensuring there are no gaps in the assembly line. MDR conveyor systems have built in logic cards which automatically manage turning zones on and off so it runs on demand.

Canny estimates that a typical 5-foot ­­­­Chain Driven Live Roller (CDLR) conveyor system using approximately 0.75kWh of energy for operation could save up to 81% in energy usage by replacing it with a same-size MDR system. For a manufacturing facility with more than a dozen conveyors, the savings could add up to more than $3,500 a year. For larger manufacturing facilities or distribution centers, the energy savings can easily exceed $100,000 per year.

MDRs and overhead conveyors are often used together with warehouse robots or Autonomous Mobile Robots. Warehouse robots can pick up and drop off loads from existing conveyors and provide a flexible way to link all conveyor styles together for maximum productivity and space utilization.

Depending upon the conveying application, different controls and accessories are available. Optional control cards make the MDR versatile for different accumulation activities. Load capacity can range from a few pounds to thousands of pounds per motorized zone.

“Motorized rollers have become the dominant type of conveyor system in use today, for good reason,” said Canny. “Their energy efficiency is just another reason why manufacturers should consider them when modernizing their material handling systems.”

About Ultimation:

Ultimation Industries, LLC is a woman-owned leader in the conveyor technology and automation industry. Founded in 1989, Ultimation designs, manufactures and installs machinery and equipment, automation devices, tire and wheel processing lines and conveyor systems for customers throughout the Americas. The company offers a line of proprietary automation systems and is also a leading integrator of Jervis Webb Conveyor Systems. Ultimation’s e-commerce channel sells Ultimation, Interroll, Itoh Denki, Jervis Webb, and a wide range of other conveyor equipment. Ultimation was named a 2022 Michigan 50 Companies to Watch Award from Michigan Celebrates Small Business. In 2020, Ultimation was recognized as one of Inc. 5000’s fastest growing private companies in America and was a finalist for Amazon’s 2019 Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year. Visit https://www.ultimationinc.com/ for the latest product information and news about Ultimation.

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For further information please contact:

Nancy Sarpolis for Ultimation Industries at nancy@scgmich.com.

Ultimation Produces Tourniquet Clips for Ukrainian War Zone

ROSEVILLE, Mich. (April 12, 2022)— Ultimation Industries is part of a 3D printing network in Michigan rushing to aid Ukrainians during wartime by printing tourniquet clips. Ultimation is the leading direct-to-consumer conveyor manufacturer and designs, builds and installs material handling equipment for the automotive, food processing, vertical farming, heavy equipment, warehousing, fulfilment and delivery segments.

Ultimation Engineering Manager Tommaso Helwig checks 3D-printed parts for Ukraine medical assistance

The humanitarian effort is being led locally by Automation Alley’s Project DIAMOnD, a 3D printing network of 300 small and medium-sized manufacturers. Automation Alley is working with Makershelp, a 3D printing organization in Denmark, to fulfill a request from the Ukrainian Defense Ministry to supply tourniquets to help those in need of medical assistance during the Russian assault on Ukraine. Project DIAMOnD is activating its emergency mode to mobilize all printers in its network to print tourniquet clips before final assembly in Denmark.

 

 

“As a manufacturer, Project DIAMOnD has allowed us to aid in humanitarian efforts when called upon while experimenting with 3D printing and innovating for our own business,” said Richard Canny, president of Ultimation Industries.

According to Automation Alley, 3D printing is the ideal technology to produce needed parts in times of crisis, like wartime and pandemics, because of its flexibility and speed. The designs for parts can also be shared digitally among multiple locations and producers.

“The specific part that the Ukrainian government needed was a tourniquet clip that cannot be easily produced using conventional means quickly because of turnaround times in mold making. The 3D printers and the Onyx material we have available through Project DIAMOnD was a perfect fit for this application,” said Pavan Muzumdar, Automation Alley COO. “We are grateful to be able to help the people of Ukraine in some way.”

Ultimation Industries is producing 3D-printed tourniquet clips for Ukrainian medical assistance.

Project DIAMOnD—which stands for Distributed, Independent, Agile Manufacturing on Demand—was established in 2020 through CARES ACT funding grants given to Automation Alley to accelerate digital transformation among Michigan manufacturers and strengthen supply chains for developing PPE. To date, the initiative has distributed and connected 300 3D printers to manufacturers across Michigan.

When the printers are not being used to fulfill emergency orders, participating manufacturers use the 3D printers they received to expand their production of a variety of industrial parts and products, ultimately enhancing smart manufacturing capabilities in Michigan and throughout the United States.

 

“The Project DIAMOnD network has many printers that can be available at short notice. This means manufacturers like Ultimation and our network partners can produce a high number of parts in a very short time, with no wasted time for tooling,” said Canny. “This humanitarian effort is one great example of how additive manufacturing technologies can respond to a need quickly.”

When asked about the initiative, Dom Holmes of Oakland County, Michigan said “Since its launch in the fall of 2020, Project DIAMOnD has been a catalyst for innovation among Oakland County manufacturers. The activation of the Project DIAMOnD Command Center for the purpose of producing lifesaving Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) highlights the utilitarian role such a network can have during extraordinary times.”

About Ultimation:

Ultimation Industries, LLC is a woman-owned leader in the conveyor technology and automation industry. Founded in 1989, Ultimation designs, manufactures and installs machinery and equipment, automation devices, tire and wheel processing lines and conveyor systems for customers throughout the Americas. The company offers a line of proprietary automation systems and is also a leading integrator of Jervis Webb Conveyor Systems. Ultimation’s e-commerce channel sells Ultimation, Interroll, Itoh Denki, Jervis Webb, and a wide range of other conveyor equipment. Ultimation was named a 2022 Michigan 50 Companies to Watch Award from Michigan Celebrates Small Business. In 2020, Ultimation was recognized as one of Inc. 5000’s fastest growing private companies in America and was a finalist for Amazon’s 2019 Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year. Visit https://www.ultimationinc.com/ for the latest product information and news about Ultimation.

About Automation Alley:

Automation Alley is a World Economic Forum Advanced Manufacturing Hub (AMHUB) for North America and a nonprofit Industry 4.0 knowledge center with a global outlook and a regional focus. We facilitate public-private partnerships by connecting industry, education and government to fuel Michigan’s economy. We help businesses embrace the Fourth Industrial Revolution by equipping them with the knowledge and tools to develop a software-first mindset that leverages the intersections of advanced technologies, systems and people to jumpstart or accelerate a digital path to strategic success. Visit automationalley.com.

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For further information please contact:

Nicole Kampe for Automation Alley at kampen@automationalley.com

Nancy Sarpolis for Ultimation Industries at nancy@scgmich.com.