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Key Technology, a designer and manufacturer of automation systems, has introduced new high-capacity vibratory conveyors for advanced food handling applications.

The company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Duravant, which acquired it in March 2018 for around $175 million, has developed extra-large conveyors capable of conveying up to 100,000 lbs (45,359 kg) of product per hour, with widths exceeding 10 feet. These high-capacity conveyors can be engineered for grading, aligning, distributing and other specialised food handling functions.

Achieving new levels of versatility at high throughputs, Key Technology’s Iso-Flo, Impulse, Zephyr and Marathon vibratory conveyors offer reliability, superior sanitation and minimal maintenance requirements. The high-capacity conveyors are ideal for handling a wide range of food products including fruits, vegetables, potato strips, potato chips, nuts, meat, poultry, seafood, dairy products, confections, snacks, bakery products, cereals, grains and more.

Key Technology can customise the tune and stroke of each vibratory system to match the needs of the application, optimising conveying performance. The firm’s specialised conveyor designs support sophisticated functions even at high capacities, such as grading, removing fines, dewatering, distributing and spreading products for sorters and other downstream equipment.

The conveyor spring arms can be positioned on the sides or underneath the bed, while the drives can be located outside, inside or near the centre of the frame. The design and rigidity of the frame can also be customised depending on the application. Each conveyor can be installed in various ways – suspended overhead, supported from the floor or mounted to other machinery.

Jack Lee, Duravant Group’s president of food sorting and handling solutions, said: “As demand for processed foods continues to grow, processors are looking to maximise production capacity on existing lines and install new lines capable of higher-than-ever throughputs. Key’s high-capacity conveyors support these objectives while helping processors streamline their operations, reduce labour and maximise profits.”

Lee continued: “Our deep expertise in natural frequency, electromagnetic and horizontal-motion food conveying makes Key Technology uniquely positioned to design and build these high-capacity systems. They require a sophisticated understanding of how various foods need to be conveyed and the ability to customise each conveyor around the application requirements – not just any equipment manufacturer can do this.”

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