This article was published in the March/April 2025 issue of Pet Food Processing. Read it and other articles from this issue in our March/April digital edition.
Belting and conveying systems serve as the lifeblood of manufacturing facilities, facilitating the safe and efficient movement of ingredients and finished products throughout the processing environment. Transfer equipment plays a pivotal role in streamlining operations for those in the pet food industry.
As manufacturers strive to enhance productivity while adhering to stringent safety standards, the significance of these systems becomes even more pronounced, ensuring that every component of the operation runs smoothly.
Available technology
Detroit Lakes, Minn.-based Friesen’s Inc. offers a range of belting and conveying systems tailored to pet food and treat processing. Systems include stainless steel wire/mesh belts ideal for freezer, chilling and cold product applications, solid hygienic urethane belts for handling products with small particulates, and plastic modular belting for consistent product sizes and more extensive raw/packaged materials.
“Our automated engineered solutions are designed for durability, efficiency, reduced labor cost and minimized downtime to ensure long-lasting performance,” said Adam Dunnigan, director of engineering for Friesen’s. “This results in improved throughput and more reliable operations in pet food processing facilities.”
Eriez’s electromagnetic and mechanical vibratory feeders and conveyors are also well suited for pet food and treat processing.
This conveyor feeder is designed to help generate a controlled flow of material at the operator’s desired rate.
| Source: Eriez“These systems are ideal for gently handling dry ingredients, kibble and treats, with precise control overflow rates,” said Rob Yandrick, global product manager for vibratory at the Erie, Pa.-based company. “All systems are constructed from stainless steel and FDA-compliant materials, ensuring optimal hygiene and performance in pet food manufacturing. The smooth, controlled motion of our vibratory feeders and conveyors minimizes product degradation and ensures even distribution.”
Huntersville, NC-based Forbo Siegling provides conveyor and processing belts, accessories and the skills to match, according to Chris Hohmeier, food safety manager.
“We can offer the optimum belting solution in pet food processing from our Transilon (fabric-based belts), Prolink (plastic modular belts) and Fullsan (fully homogeneous belts) product lines,” he said. “With our huge portfolio of conveyor belts and innovative solutions such as Fray Free fabrics and Smartsealed belt edges, we focus on flawless hygiene and top-line productivity.”
Daniel Karpy, owner of Sparks, Nev.-based Nu-Clean LLC, noted his company offers several conveyor systems for pet processors and the focus is always on sanitary.
“It has to come apart without tools and be easily cleaned; all the surfaces have to be made visible during one point in the operation,” he said. “Typically, our customers see a reduction of 75% to 80% in labor force for sanitation.”
Drum motors
Drum motors are an important part of conveyor technology, especially when it comes to sanitation and safety.
Alex Kanaris, president of Van der Graaf, Shelby Township, Mich., noted his company’s compact, space-saving drum motor design, which integrates the motor and drive into a single unit within the drum, reducing the conveyor system’s footprint and facilitating easier installation and maintenance.
“This enclosed design promotes hygiene by preventing contamination while also minimizing the risk of accidents through the protection of moving parts,” he said.
Maumelle, Ark.-based Conveyor Technology deals in electric and hydraulic drum motors and handles distribution and repairs, according to Justin Carmody, president.
The Tech-Roll™ Hydraulic Profiled Shell (800 Series) features an all-stainless steel shell, which increases team member safety by reducing the risk of injury because everything fits inside the conveyor frame.
| Source: Conveyor Technology“Drum motors make it safer for operators and are more food safe,” he said. “They also reduce maintenance because they don’t break down as often since everything is enclosed.”
Moreover, drum motors contribute to energy efficiency, significantly lowering operating costs and environmental impact. They operate quietly and reliably, making them ideal for high-volume production environments. Plus, because they integrate seamlessly with automated systems, drum motors support improved control over production processes, ultimately enhancing the overall efficiency and safety of pet food processing operations.
“All drive components of the drum motor, including the premium-efficiency electric motor, gear reducer and bearings are securely enclosed within the drive drum,” Kanaris said. “Operating in a sealed oil bath, the electric motor and gears ensure proper lubrication. With a mechanical connection in-line to the gear reducer, the electric motor achieves 96% mechanical efficiency, significantly reducing energy consumption and costs.”
Improving operational efficiency
When it comes to operational efficiency, pet food manufacturers are turning to advanced transfer equipment, recognizing that optimizing belting and conveying systems is essential to achieving seamless workflow and maintaining high standards of quality and safety.
For instance, Forbo Siegling offers blue belts for optical processes that don’t strain eyes; belts with different structures for inclined conveying without extra profiles; special HACCP belts with exceptional release characteristics and resistance to hydrolysis; and incision-proof belts that are easy to clean.
“We also offer high-grip belts for incline transport of frozen slaughterhouse waste, which first passes through crusher/shredder and is roughly chopped up, so no slippage,” Hohmeier said.
Yandrick noted feeding and conveying systems from Eriez enhance efficiency by optimizing material flow, reducing manual handling and minimizing downtime.
“Electromagnetic vibratory feeders and conveyors provide consistent, controlled feeding of ingredients, eliminating bottlenecks and ensuring precise portioning,” he said. “This ensures a uniform flow of materials, boosting production throughput while reducing jams and slowdowns. The result is increased production efficiency, reduced mechanical wear and tear, and minimized operational disruptions.”
Ensuring safety
In order to comply with food safety regulations and support HACCP programs effectively, Forbo Siegling offers an array of special product characteristics and designs, such as hydrolysis-resistant plastics, edge sealings, fray free fabrics, detectable materials, cut-resistant materials, an easy-to-clean design and UV-C resistant material.
This Friesen’s incline conveyor features a chevron-cleated urethane belt and integrated hopper with a product break-up system for improved flow and product metering.
| Source: Friesen'sAdditionally, Friesen’s systems feature no flat surfaces for water shedding, no hollow construction and avoid overlapping flat edges.
“Stand-offs are used in all joints, mounting panels and connections to ensure easy cleaning,” Dunnigan said. “Belt lifts are incorporated wherever possible, allowing easy inspection and cleaning of the underside and internal points. We use spray bars to clean sprockets and the underside of the belts during processing, mid-shift cleanup and sanitation, ensuring compliance with food safety standards and minimizing contamination risks.”
Effective transfer equipment not only enhances productivity but also plays a crucial role in ensuring employee safety within the manufacturing environment.
For instance, Eriez’ feeding and conveying systems include low-profile, enclosed designs to prevent accidental contact with moving parts. In addition, its electromagnetic vibratory conveyors are constructed with minimal moving components in order to eliminate pinch points. Other employee safety features include reduced manual material handling to minimize strain and fatigue; and safety enhancements such as guarding, interlocks and emergency stop features to comply with OSHA safety standards.
Hohmeier noted Forbo Siegling’s Prolink plastic modular belts are designed to have finger protection in mind, to maximize opening percentage without compromising safety. Additionally, its blue contrasting color belts reduce light reflection and also ensure better and safer working conditions.
Meeting customer needs
Customization is a valuable benefit of today’s conveying systems, starting with the flexibility to handle a variety of ingredients and products at all stages of production.
Whether handling dry kibble, powdered additives, wet food or freeze-dried treats, Eriez provides adjustable speed controls, specialized tray coatings to prevent sticking and multi-lane configurations for simultaneous handling of different product streams.
“For example, a low-frequency, high-amplitude vibratory conveyor is an ideal choice for a pet treat manufacturer handling delicate freeze-dried products,” Yandrick said. “A custom solution such as this will gently transport delicate freeze-dried products, preventing breakage while ensuring efficient material handling. Our systems can also be seamlessly integrated with weighing, packaging and quality control systems.”
Nick Cervenka, vice president of sales for Friesen’s, noted his company’s conveying systems are fully customizable to meet the specific needs of pet food processors, including the handling of various ingredients and products.
This cooling conveyor from Friesen’s is ideal for kibble and other extruded products. The cooling fans are mounted over the conveyor so they can pivot to allow accessibility and sanitation.
| Source: Friesen's“Our custom systems feature transfer conveyors, cooling conveyors, augers, and incline/hopper conveyors for raw products, packaged material handling with merging and innovative conveyance systems for grouping, registration and gap control,” he said. “We’ve successfully implemented systems for handling a wide range of ingredients, from raw materials to finished products, with specific features like adjustable speeds, gentle handling and contamination control.”
There is a growing demand in pet food manufacturing for automation and smart technology, including IoT-enabled condition monitoring; enhanced sanitation, such as self-cleaning conveyors and antimicrobial surfaces; and increased flexibility, such as modular conveying solutions.
“One notable trend is the continued advancement in motor technology, which is expected to drive improvements in both energy efficiency and conveyor performance,” Cervenka said. “We anticipate the rise of ‘smart conveyance’ systems, which integrate advanced motor technologies for better control and more precise handling.”
By staying ahead of trends, companies will be poised to continue delivering innovative belting and conveying solutions that improve operational efficiency, food safety and long-term sustainability for the pet food industry.
Find more articles about the latest pet food processing technologies on our Equipment page.
