REXNORD - MARBETT - MCC
Curves and Straight Tracks
F
or steel and plastic sideflexing chains Rexnord offers the corresponding curve profiles. Without a doubt Magnetflex
is
worldwide seen as the superior curve system. The programme also includes curves and straight tracks for Bevel and TAB
chains.
Magnetflex
System
The MCC Ma
gnetflex system has become the worldwide standard in the
beverage industry. The great advantages of this system have made it the choice
of the worlds leading OEMs. It is a Combi system for both plastic and steel
chains. Magnets underneath the track hold the chain down in a
reliable way. Magnetflex is the only system where two magnets cover almost the
complete base of the curve instead of just the track. Because the magnets are
connected by a steel plate, a very broad magnetic field is being formed.
Unlike other magnetic curves this results in a force that keeps down plastic
chains with steel pins just as well as steel chains. Another advantage is that this
magnet position only has a slight reduction in hold-down force when the chain
is being lifted, in case of pollution or broken glass, without jumping from the
track. Where in other systems the chains can block and jam in the curve profile
due to pollution, in the Magnetflex system the chain simply lifts slightly and
keeps on running. The magnets are placed in the curve at fixed angles instead of
at fixed distances to make sure that no pulsation effect is being created by the
magnets, when a chain is being pulled through the curve.
The magnets make sure that all chains lie perfectly flat in the curve without
tilting. In other systems the chain tension is causing the chain to use up the play
in the chain guidance, causing chain edges to lift. Especially in multiple-strand
curves and with high-speed conveying this means product toppling.
Another big advantage of the Magnetflex
system is the easy installation of the
chains and the perfect cleanability of the system. This is due to the open and
rectangular track in the curve. The chains can easily be installed from above as
if the curve was a straight part of the conveyor. Also the chains can easily be
lifted from the track for maintenance and cleaning, without breaking the chain or
even removing it from the conveyor construction.
Magnetflex
curves can be installed in the conveyor frame in different ways. The
upper and return part can be supplied bolted together and with inserts to mount
the assembled curve into the conveyor frame. The option most often used in
multiple track curves is to deliver the upper and return part separately. They are
then mounted against a conveyor crossbar. In this case both upper part and
return part are equipped with inserts and/or holes. In both build-in options
the hole and inserts can be standard or customer specific.
Most Magnetflex
curves are equipped with a return guide shoe. This machined
shoe is meant to bring the chain at the right level to enter the return part of
the curve. The position of the return guide shoe is determined by the design of
the return part (level or staggered) and by the chain type. A staggered design
is used when the pitch between the tracks is too small to allow the chains to
run at the same level in the return. In that case two levels of tracks are made in
the return part: one level in which the uneven tracks (1, 3, 5 etc.) run and one
in which the even tracks run. The height of a staggered return part (usually 63
mm) is always higher than that of a non-staggered return (usually 55 mm).
A special execution of a Magnetflex
curve is a CIP (Cleaning in Place) curve, equipped with spraying nozzles and tubes. It is opened up as much as possible to allow
good cleaning of the steel or plastic chain and curve profile from the inside of the curve. The CIP curve can be integrated in an existing CIP system.
Return part at same level
Staggered return part
Chainbelts
Magnetflex
curve with 2 magnets for better hold-down of the chain
Usual magnetic curve with only 1 magnet
Upper and return part mounted against a cross bar
Upper and return part bolted together
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