The Slicing division of Treif Maschinenbau GmbH in Oberlahr produces systems such as the 'Divider 880' high-performance slicer for the food industry.
One of its technical features is a high-speed discharge system whose task is to remove the sliced product from the cutting area and feed it to the packaging machine. In order not to interrupt the product flow, a kind of fork is shot into the product flow, causing enormous accelerations of 25 G. At the same time, the cuts must be clean at all times. At the same time, the cuts must be clean and absolutely even at all times. The toothed belts used to accelerate the fork to 25G are driven and deflected synchronously. The roller bearings initially installed in the deflection had to be sealed. As the seal generated friction, which had a negative effect on the drives, a better solution was sought.
There were also challenges for the cutting system itself. For example, empty cuts (blade revolutions where no product is cut) had to be avoided. These cause high dynamic loads in the product. The blade capacity and a chamber size of 450 x 130 mm for inserting the products to be sliced result in physical requirements whose performance data the machine elements must fulfil.
Due to the complex requirement profile of the continuous fast movements, the plain bearings in question were tested by Treif itself over a period of months, with wear results and service life calculations also taking centre stage.
The food industry also has strict hygiene regulations that must be observed, e.g. lubrication-free strokes and cutting systems are required to ensure that no product contamination can occur at any point during cleaning with water and the various cleaning media. Chemical resistance and low moisture absorption are also important. And as the cutting machines can be in use up to six days a week, sometimes in three shifts, their service life must be just right. Unscheduled maintenance should be ruled out.
