dust collection equipment Archives

March 14, 2023March 29, 2024

A Sticky Situation: Manufacturing Snacks and Confections

Manufacturing Snacks and Confections - HaF Equipment

Revenue in the Confectionery & Snacks segments is estimated to amount to US$299.50bn in 2023 and is expected to grow annually by 3.00% (CAGR 2023-2027). Most revenue is generated in the United States. (Statista) As the confectionery and snack manufacturing process continues to expand, driven by America’s love for chocolate bars, doughnuts, marshmallows, and other popular treats, the need for confectionery and candy processing equipment in the market has never been more critical. Manufacturers must adapt to this rising demand by ensuring their snacks and confectionery manufacturing machines can efficiently manage sticky, gooey ingredients without compromising on quality.

America's Sweet Tooth

The demand for sweets and snacks has never been higher, and with the growth of e-commerce and global marketplaces, manufacturers of confectioneries and snacks have had to scale up their operations. To ensure the production of high-quality confections, however, manufacturers must invest in reliable snack manufacturing machines that meet the specific needs of their product line.

The equipment essential for the snack manufacturing process is designed with strict hygiene protocols in mind, ensuring consistent output to maintain flavor and texture standards. Additionally, snack and confectionery manufacturing machinery should be easy to clean and maintain, supporting sanitary conditions and the production of high-quality products.

To maintain consistency in product quality, manufacturers in the confectionery and candy processing equipment market must choose durable machinery capable of enduring extended use. Investing in the right snacks manufacturing machine and confection processing equipment enables producers to maximize efficiency while delighting consumers with their favorite treats.

In addition, manufacturers must also consider food safety regulations when selecting the appropriate equipment. That selection must include equipment designed with food safety standards in mind so that products remain clean and safe to consume. By maintaining these standards throughout production, manufacturers can ensure their customers receive a product they can trust.

Equipment Used to Manufacture Confections and Snacks

The equipment required to manufacture confections and snacks varies depending on the specific production process and may include:

1. Mixing equipment: used to blend the ingredients, such as sugar, corn syrup, and gelatin, together.
2. Cooking equipment: used to heat and cook the mixture to a specific temperature and consistency.
3. Whipping equipment: used to aerate the mixture and create the fluffy texture of the marshmallows.
4. Depositing equipment: used to deposit the marshmallow mixture into molds or onto a conveyor belt.
5. Cutting equipment: used to cut the marshmallows into desired shapes and sizes.
6. Packaging equipment: used to package the marshmallows into bags, boxes, or other containers.

Some manufacturers may also use additional equipment for specific production processes, such as extruders or enrobing machines. Additionally, production equipment for confectioners and snacks may include:

Bulk Bag Unloaders
Bag Break Stations
Blower packages
Bin vents
Filter Receivers
Piping
Liquid skid/tote
Extrusion

HaF Equipment Does Its Part

Custom-engineered material handling equipment systems are in greater demand now, more than ever. Increasing demand for safe and hygienic processes drives growth within the snack and confection market.

By keeping our finger on the pulse of the industry, HaF Equipment is ahead of the curve. The manufacturing of our equipment focuses on operator-centric designs and our proven processes for success to support our major markets, making HaF Equipment more than just a great equipment manufacturer. We are your partner in excellence, committed to your success through service with integrity, purpose, and ingenuity. By designing innovative solutions to powder handling, bulk material handling, dust collection, and batching systems, we meet today’s manufacturing challenges head-on to break through the status quo.

HaF has the expertise and experience to accommodate a wide range of needs when it comes to material handling and equipment manufacturing. We’re Ready to Connect with you and offer a customized solution and discuss your specific project needs.

Contact a HaF account manager today to explore our customized solutions tailored to your specific snack manufacturing and confection processing needs

For Fun: The History of Marshmallow Q: When were marshmallows first enjoyed? A: 2000 BC, Ancient Egypt. They were rare and a special treat reserved for gods and royalty. Q: How was it originally made? A: It was made from the root sap of the mallow plant, which grew in marshy areas, and mixed with nuts and honey. Q: What else can you use the mallow plant for? A: Heal sore throat, anti-inflammatory. The leaves can be used as a laxative. The plant contains mucilage, which the plants use to store water. That helps with these medicinal effects. Today, you can find the mallow root in teas, tinctures, capsules, ointments, creams, sodas, and cough syrups. Q: When was the modern marshmallow created? A: 19th century France. By this point (1927), the mallow root had been replaced by gelatin and/or egg whites. By 1950, Alex Doumak created the mass production extrusion process. Top two producers today: Kraft Heinz Company, Doumak, Inc.

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Is Your Industrial Dust Collector Equipment Sufficient?

July 2, 2022July 3, 2022

Is Your Industrial Dust Collector Equipment Sufficient?

Industrial Dust Collector The Right Equipment

Is the industrial dust collector for your dust collection system efficient enough to handle the needs of your business manufacturing and material handling systems? Dust is a common byproduct of industrial processes and can present a serious health and safety hazard if not properly controlled. Dust can also be explosive! Great care in the design and supply of industrial dust collection systems needs to be taken, and the right industrial dust collector equipment is a critical part of that system. Dust particles can be breathed in, causing respiratory problems, or they can accumulate on surfaces and create slip-and-fall hazards. In addition, dust can interfere with the proper functioning of equipment, leading to production downtime.

An industrial dust collector is a device that helps to control industrial dust. It works by capturing dust particles from the air and then either storing them or disposing of them. There are many different types of industrial dust collectors available, and the best type for a particular application will depend on the nature of the dust and the industrial process. For example, cyclonic separators are often used for heavy-duty applications such as sawdust removal, while baghouses are better suited for capturing fine particles. Proper industrial dust collection is essential for maintaining a safe and productive workplace.

HaF Equipment manufactures some of the most reliable and affordable industrial dust collectors on the market. Our products are designed to meet the specific needs of your workplace, and our team is always available to help you choose the right model for your needs. HaF Equipment has the perfect solution for you whether you need a small, portable unit or a larger machine for your particular industrial dust collection needs.

Read about the different types of industrial dust collectors that HaF supplies in our article, Industrial Dust Collection: Why The Right Equipment Matters.

Typical material handling equipment that require dust collection control:

Bulk Bag Filler

A Bulk Bag Filler is a standard piece of equipment in manufacturing. It is used to package a wide range of dry powders and granulated and flaked materials into bulk bags (also known as totes, super sacks, or big bags). They are engineered for bulk material processing and packaging applications requiring high-performance operation, where reliable and repeatable duty cycles, rates, accuracy, and equipment effectiveness are crucial. They can be designed to operate as either manual or automated systems.

Using HaF Bulk Bag Fillers, the operator loads a bag into the filler station and inflates the inflatable boot, creating a seal to hold the bag in place for filling. The filler head is equipped with a vacuum port connected to a dust collection system (such as the systems that HaF supplies!) and is used to pull out the dust created while filling. Inside the filler head, an internal baffle goes below the vacuum port, causing the product to fall into the bag while forcing the air to make a 180 turn. This pulls the air out of the bag without pulling any product.

Portable Dust Collector - HaF Eqiupment — Portable Dust Collector – HaF Equipment

Truck Unload Systems

Unloading a semi-trailer of raw ingredients into a storage silo is another process that requires dust collection. The semi-trailer often comes equipped with an onboard positive displacement blower package that pressure-conveys product into the silo. Because both product and air are being blown into the silo, a lot of dust is created and needs to be pulled out of the system.

HaF has designed an operator-friendly bin vent that is used on top of the silo to create an effective filtration point where powder stays in the system and clean air exits the bin vent. The bin vent is a dust collection apparatus because it is used to cleanly release the air from within the silo back into the atmosphere. This is achieved by using filters that stop the product from leaving as the air escapes. The bin vents are sometimes equipped with a fan mount. This allows a fan to be added later for applications where air needs to escape faster. This system keeps the dust from escaping out of the top of the silo. Once an unload cycle is complete, the filter bags are back pulsed with compressed air to keep them clean and clear of dust. System Integration Unloading and Silo Systems.

Bulk Bag Unloaders

Bulk Bag Unloaders are used to unload product from super sacks (also known as big bags or totes) into the system. Untying a bulk bag can be a dusty process for operators, and like the bulk bag filler, it is important to contain the dust so that it does not enter the plant or the atmosphere. The bulk bag unloader has either a receptor tube or a discharge spout with a glovebox for operator access. Which type depends on the application and customer preference. Again, like the bulk bag filler, this is equipped with a vacuum port connected to a central dust collection system that HaF can design and supply. The HaF Dust Collection System is used to pull out the dust created when the operator has the door open. There needs to be a slight draft so that powder does not fly into the face of the operator. HaF has included a custom-designed baffle to prevent the product and the bag from being pulled in. The dust collection system is activated when the operator opens the door and disengages the safety sensor on the discharge spout. It turns off when the door is closed so that product can resume flowing. In this way, HaF has automated the dust collection process to ensure a clean environment for operators.

Bag Break Stations

To add 50-lb bags of material into the system, operators use Bag Break Stations. Bag Break Stations require effective dust collection when the operator is opening bags. HaF has designed the bag break stations to work with dust collection systems so that a slight vacuum is pulled to prevent dusting while operators empty bags into the hopper. Once the operator closes the door, the dust collection system stops, and the filter bags are pulsed to remain clean and clear of dust.

Summary:

Dust collection is a critical step in the manufacturing process. By collecting dust before it has a chance to enter the atmosphere, dust collection systems help to keep the air clean and safe to breathe. In addition, dust collection systems help prevent the spread of dust particles throughout the factory, which can lead to equipment malfunctions, production delays, and, worse, plant explosions. By investing in high-quality dust collection systems, manufacturers can help protect their workers and their bottom line

Contact a HaF account manager today to discuss your options.

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May 24, 2022February 20, 2023

Industrial Dust Collection: Why The Right Equipment Matters

by Becca Hansen and Kim Selle

Industrial dust collection in manufacturing is vital to workplace safety. In 2021, there were 51 dust-related fires worldwide, resulting in five injuries. Twenty-five (25) of these fires were in food production facilities. Much like the severity of fires, explosion mitigation is a top concern. In 2021, there were twenty-eight (28) dust-related explosions worldwide, resulting in 39 injuries and 8 fatalities, 10 of which were food product-related. In a facility, there are many elements present for a dust explosion or fire to occur: fuel, confinement, dispersion, oxygen, and a spark. An effective and properly operating industrial dust collector and dust collection system minimizes the risk of fire or explosion.

In addition to fire and explosion prevention, there are several other reasons to incorporate industrial dust collection and the right industrial dust collector into manufacturing systems. In the United States, OSHA requires dust control in indoor workplaces to comply with legal limits for each ingredient and material. Additionally, effective dust collection and control assists with eliminating cross-contamination of food or other materials; control of health hazards, including bacteria, allergens, and, yes, insect parts. It can also assist with efficiency and recycling or reuse of food scraps, food-grade material, or pet food. Having a dust collection system creates an overall cleaner work environment by keeping dust and particles from getting into the air and keeping it away from the operator.

Depending on the industry and application, the dust properties will affect which industrial dust collection equipment is best. Some of these properties include:

Particle size (small or large)
Bulk density (loose or compact)
Composition (acidic or basic)
Temperature (room temperature or elevated)
Moisture level (low or high)

Selecting the correct equipment to handle the dust is critical and will depend on the product and its handling in the system.

Dust Collection Methodologies

HaF Equipment offers custom design dust collection systems in any of our three general methodologies:

Dry Dust Collection
Wet Dust Collection
Portable Dust Collection

Dry Dust Collection

HaF utilizes envelope-style filter bags to provide maximum filter area in a small space, This accommodates the custom-sized airflow for the application, and the dry dust collector captures dust particles on the filter bags.

With HaF’s reverse jet pulse cleaning system, the filter bags drop dust into a hopper that can be manually or automatically removed.

Wet Dust Collection

Our wet dust collector utilizes a turbulent zone of water to capture dust particles. This method is a great way to eliminate explosion mitigation equipment, and it is easily cleaned with an optional Clean In Place (CIP) design. The dusty water discharges with either a manual process or automated valving. Wet dust collection also removes the requirement of filter bags altogether.

Portable Dust Collection

A portable dust collector allows the operator flexibility to move the dry dust collector to the point of use. Our portable dust collector comes with many customizable features including dust removal systems.

Pick-up points can be designed for each method including custom hood designs. We then size the ductwork and corresponding exhaust fan for an exact fit.

Dust Hoods are used in applications where a customer might want to squish the air out of a bag before entering the bag sealing process. There is an overhanging open duct in this application where a vacuum is being pulled. Dust hoods can also be used over conveyors to prevent dust from being spread throughout the plant.

Summary:
Dust collection is a critical step in the manufacturing process. By collecting dust before it has a chance to enter the atmosphere, dust collection systems help to keep the air clean and safe to breathe. In addition, dust collection systems help to prevent the spread of dust particles throughout the factory, which can lead to equipment malfunctions, production delays, and worse, plant explosions. By investing in high-quality dust collection systems, manufacturers can help to protect both their workers and their bottom line.

HaF Equipment is here to assist you with which dust collection application and equipment would benefit your business.

Contact a HaF account manager today to discuss your options.

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America's Sweet Tooth

Equipment Used to Manufacture Confections and Snacks

HaF Equipment Does Its Part

Typical material handling equipment that require dust collection control:

Bulk Bag Filler

Truck Unload Systems

Bulk Bag Unloaders

Bag Break Stations

Dust Collection Methodologies

Dry Dust Collection

Wet Dust Collection

Portable Dust Collection

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RESOURCES

SUBSCRIBE

System Integration

Pneumatic Conveying

Mechanical Conveying

Bulk Bag Unloaders

Ready To Go Equipment

Feeders

Air Pollution Control

Dust Collection

Liquid Handling

All Equipments

System Integration

Pneumatic Conveying

Mechanical Conveying

Bulk Bag Unloaders

Ready To Go Equipment

Feeders

Air Pollution Control

Dust Collection

Liquid Handling