A new series of vacuum conveyors manufactured in accordance with the USDA standard has been developed by the vacuum technology company PIAB. This series is designed to meet the stricter demands on processing equipment set by the food products and pharmaceutical industries.

Rules issued by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) are used to assess and approve all equipment that is intended to handle dairy and food grain products.
"Their rules are probably the strictest in the world. The requirements apply both to product handling and to the operation of the entire system," says Product Manager Markus Tell of PIAB.
The products are assessed from the hygienic viewpoint, the materials used, and whether the surfaces are smooth enough. The overall design of the equipment also plays a large part. The Department regulations go much further than those of the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
"Our new vacuum conveyor series can be adapted to meet client needs, since it is modular and flexible," continues Markus Tell. "Among other things we use a steel quality (316L), that is specified for the pharmaceutical and food products industries, in line with the Department's requirements."
The filter design can trap particles down to 0.0003 mm, and can be equipped with a HEPA-filter, High Efficiency Particle Arrestment. The design of the new conveyor is said to improve the vacuum-assisted flow by 25% without affecting energy consumption.

Manufacturers often use their own guidelines to check the quality of their products, usually called Good Manufacturing Practice, GMP. "These guidelines are probably all right," says Markus Tell, "but they have not been drawn up by independent institutes or authorities, which means that customers can find it difficult to compare similar products."
"The USDA is well known all over the world and many other countries have adopted their standards. PIAB gains a competitive advantage in every market by being able to supply advanced and flexible products that meet the most stringent hygienic demands," concludes Markus Tell.

Caption:
PIAB's new series of vacuum conveyors designed in accordance with the USDA standard.


For further information please contact:
PIAB LTD
Ms Vourneen Doyle
P.O. Box 43
LEICESTERSHIRE LE12 8NY
England
Telephone: +44-1509 814 280
Fax: +44-1509 814 647
E-mail:piab.gb@btinternet.com
PIAB AB
Markus Tell
P.O. Box 4501
SE-183 04 Täby
Sweden
Tel: +46 8 630 25 75
Fax: +46 8 630 26 80
E-mail: markus.tell@piab.se

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