Energetic rubber balls clean the crops
Case
Foodtech
A cluster of heavily tested rubber balls play a tireless role in separating soil and impurities from the valuable crops.
Application
Food products
Agricultural equipment
Machine
Mechanics
Process equipment
The challenge
For Cimbria, a world-renowned Danish manufacturer of food processing equipment and machinery, it's all about offering outstanding efficiency and purity in cleaning grains, seeds, kernels and legumes.
In a series of cleaning and sorting machines, Cimbria has developed a unique system to beat and separate the impurities from the valuable seeds, grains etc. The system uses a large number of rubber balls, but with food contact and high quality requirements, Cimbria sought a partner that could ensure a well-defined, consistent quality in both rubber type and manufacturing - and stable deliveries of the critical balls.
The solution
Against the underside of the perforated screen that separates impurities from the crop, the white rubber balls bounce in a completely random pattern, effectively knocking the screen clean of trapped grains of sand, soil and the like that now fall through the perforations. The larger, cleaned crops remain on the screen for further sorting, weighing etc.
By consulting with Betech, the optimal rubber compound was identified and a precise specification of the balls was developed. To ensure that the new cleaning balls meet the high requirements and contribute positively to Cimbria's overall quality brand, they were subjected to a 1,000-hour functional test - and the rubber balls passed the long-term test.
Added value for the customer
With a durable, abrasion- and oil-resistant food-grade NR rubber, Cimbria has made a safe choice for this smart yet critical use of bouncy balls.
To the layman it may seem surprising and a little strange, but the solution is really effective and complies with food authority requirements.
By passing the 1,000-hour functional test without any signs of altered properties, the rubber balls promise very high and consistent quality.
When creating a new precision molding tool, Cimbria also took the opportunity to have their logo engraved into the tool and exposed on the surface of each ball. A detail that provides great branding value, but also ensures reliable operation and best results for customers, as it is clearly identifiable that only original, verified balls are used in the ingenious machinery.
