Our recent investment into our Food and Beverage cell has not only improved the quality of our Food and Dairy tubing but it has also raised our health and safety standards to the next level ensuring that our staff and customers are priority throughout the production process.
As reported on earlier in the year, the new cell is equipped with the latest in silicone tubing technology and investment in a range of new machinery took place. A new extruder, laser gauge, curing line and post cure oven were installed along with advanced tooling capabilities to ensure the production process is controlled from raw material through to the delivery of the product. The new laser gauge allows for the tightest industry controls in ovality and diameter control leading to a superior product finish and consistent quality. New tooling capabilities has allowed for a smoother inner bore which in turn improves the flow of contents through the tubing.
Steve Hadlington, Technical and Innovations Director said; “The investment in a new post cure oven links in with our commitment to improving the health, safety and the wellbeing of both customers and staff. The post cure oven extracts the volatile fumes far more efficiently, taking the fumes away from staff members operating in and around the dairy cell, in turn contributing to a cleaner working environment. With fumes being extracted more proficiently, this also increases the performance of the tubing in relation to FDA and BfR standards. It gives a cleaner and safer performance when in contact with food and/or liquids.”
Not only has investment gone into the production process but also the finishing processes. A new printer has been installed which gives the capability of printing directly onto the tubing. Bespoke customer branding and identity can now be printed onto each batch of tubing. This gives the tubing brand identity out in the market place and also batch traceability. A new automatic haul off system has also been added to the cell. The haul off system ensures that each batch of tubing keeps within class E1 tolerances.
Silicone Engineering’s suraSil™ range of solid extrusions and profiles are available in a range of Shore-A hardness’, tear strengths and sizes. For more information on our silicones suitable for Food & Beverage applications, please visit our suraSil™ page by clicking on the following link below http://silicone.co.uk/materials/surasil/