Industrial manufacturing is a constantly evolving enterprise, and new technologies are developed to improve manufacturing and transportation processes. Two prominent methods for moving powders and granules in manufacturing are airslide fabric and traditional conveyor belts.
Cost-effectiveness and Low Investment
Airslide fabric provides a cost-effective and low investment option for material transport in manufacturing plants. Compared to traditional conveyor belts, airslide fabric requires minimal capital investment and has a lower maintenance cost. Conveyor belts usually have high initial costs, significant maintenance costs, and are prone to damage. Airslide fabrics, on the other hand, have a lower initial cost, less need for maintenance, and can withstand wear and tear better.
Airslide fabrics also offer lower energy consumption due to the air-activated method used to move the material, which reduces operational costs. In addition, airslide fabric is an excellent alternative for short-distance conveying, which saves energy by dispensing high powered motors and gears often used with conveyor belts.
Cleanliness and Hygiene
Airslide fabric prevents moisture build-up in powders and granules, which can cause contamination and potentially unhealthy conditions. This fabric assists in minimizing contact between materials with other surfaces during the transportation process, such as with the conveyor belts, which can lead to the potential for contamination.
Airslide fabric is easy to clean and disinfect without compromising its structural integrity, which is challenging for traditional conveyor belts. Airslide fabric is often made of light-colored, nonporous materials that are transparent, allowing for easy detection of any contamination in the material transfer process. This characteristic ensures that industry regulations and standards such as Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) and Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) are followed.
Flexible Design and Low Dust Emission
One unique quality of airslide fabrics is their flexibility in design. Due to its unique aerodynamic property, it can fit in confined spaces, making it an excellent option for plant layouts, which are often limited to space. Conveyor belts are rigid, and their design does not fit in small or confined spaces. Airslide fabric is a more effective, flexible option for material transfer in manufacturing.
Airslide fabrics effectively reduce dust emissions in the transfer of powders and granules, particularly if auxiliary devices like dust filters are installed in the material transfer system. By reducing dust, airslide fabrics can minimize the risks of inhalation during transportation, which protects the employees and environment in compliance to safety am environmental standards.
Airslide Fabric vs. Conveyor Belts
| Features | Airslide Fabric | Conveyor Belts |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Investment | Low | High |
| Maintenance Cost | Low | High |
| Flexibility | Highly Flexible | Not Flexible |
| Cleaning Efficiency | Efficient | Inefficient |
| Contamination Control | Efficient | Less Efficient |
| Dust Emission | Low | High |
7 Key Advantages of Airslide Fabric
- Lower initial investment
- High flexibility in design
- Reduced maintenance costs
- Efficient cleaning and disinfection
- Improved powder & granule integrity due to low moisture
- Enhanced food safety compliance with regulations
- Reduced dust emission, ameliorating working conditions
Conclusion
Airslide fabric has proven to have various advantages over traditional conveyor belts in transporting powders and granules in manufacturing. The cost-effectiveness of airslide fabric is relevant because it requires less initial investment, generates lower energy consumption and maintenance costs than traditional conveyor belts. In addition, its sanitation advantages are also crucial because it ensures compliance with food safety regulations while at the same time ensuring the hygiene and health of the workforce, making it the ideal solution for transportation in industrial manufacturing.