Challenge
A leading producer and distributor of meat patties relied on modular belts to elevate 25kg frozen blocks into a grinder at an approximately 85 degree incline. Because loading was performed manually, operators had to precisely coordinate the placement of each block onto the moving belt. Any misalignment risked trapping a block against a cleat, resulting in cleat breakage.
Risk and Impact
When a cleat broke, plastic fragments could enter the grinder, creating a serious food safety risk and triggering product recalls. In addition, damaged cleats reduced belt efficiency and, in some cases, rendered the belt unusable until it was repaired or replaced, causing downtime and lost production.
Solution
Volta’s cleat material is seamlessly high-frequency welded to the base belt and absorbs much of the shock that causes modular material to break. By way of extra structural support, Volta Belting’s workshop reinforced each cleat by welding on four gussets.
Result
The reinforced cleats withstood the demanding loading conditions, eliminating breakage and plastic contamination risks. The solution restored reliable operation, improved belt durability, and delivered a robust, long-term performance under manual loading conditions.
