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Certification reflects the unique design of this food-safe belt – specially engineered to have wide openings for easy cleaning without compromising strength and durability.

Cambridge, MD - Cambridge International, Inc. announces that its DURAFLEX metal conveyor belting featuring a ½" pitch has been certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to meet 3-A Sanitary Standards. The certification means that this food-safe belt is in compliance with all applicable sanitary codes for dairy equipment construction.

The 3-A Sanitary Standard, established by a not-for-profit association representing equipment manufacturers, dairy processors, regulatory sanitarians and other public health professionals, is one of the most rigorous sanitation standards found in the food processing industry. The objective of the standard is to protect consumable products from contamination, as well as to ensure that all product surfaces can be mechanically cleaned or dismantled easily for manual cleaning. Meeting this standard affirms the superior sanitary characteristics of the DURAFLEX belt and its food safety claims.

In addition to its sanitary characteristics, DURAFLEX is the most "open" metal belt product available that does not compromise belt strength. Employing a unique, patent-pending design, DURAFLEX metal conveyor belting handles heavier loads at a much longer life than typical light-duty conveyor belts while remaining cleanable and open – hence is perfectly suited for most any food processing application. Retrofitting existing units is simple as well, because DURAFLEX belting works with virtually any existing support bed configuration.

The unique design of DURAFLEX metal conveyor belting reduces maintenance and downtime because it can be spliced in as little as 30 seconds without welding or the use of special tools. Cambridge engineers have created an easy and fast technique to splice this belt from the side of the unit – without weaving – through the use of Cambridge's Kwik-Connect Splice Rod. The rod slides into the edge of the belt from the side, the pre-clinched rod hooks over the small tab that sticks out of the sides … and it's done. The result: A splice that is as strong as the rest of the belt so there is no weak point to fail.

Another important benefit of the new design relates to the small diameter drive rolls or sprockets that are used with DURAFLEX metal conveyor belting. In addition, the belting can accommodate a nosebar as small as 3/8" diameter that allows for extremely tight transfers, thereby reducing product damage and loss of even small delicate products.

Through rigorous testing, the strength and durability of DURAFLEX metal conveyor belting have proven to be unmatched. Users are getting at least five times the life of traditional flex-style belts. In fact, comparison tests have shown that DURAFLEX lasts as much as 30 times longer without distortion or breakage, making it ideal for a wide variety of food processing applications such as washing, breading, battering, coating, frying, baking, cooling and transfers.

Since its introduction in 2007, DURAFLEX metal conveyor belting has been incorporated successfully into new as well as retrofit conveyor line systems. The belting is now available in a 3/8" pitch construction in addition to ½" pitch. A self-cleaning sprocket construction is also available, specially designed for food applications that are prone to product build-up during the conveying function.

SOURCE: Cambridge International, Inc.