PROJECT PROFILE
High Speed Slicer Installation
Description
Problem: A customer’s prior process resulted in large downtimes between batches. Potatoes required lattice cutting; the lattice cutting die often clogged, necessitating long cleaning times. To complicate matters, the prefabricated potato cutting unit had a large footprint, restricting access for forklifts and maintenance. As a result, a custom design was required.
Solution: Project Technologies & Services’ (PTS) approach was to provide the customer with support by means of process design, structural analysis, electrical design, scope development, bid specifications, bid evaluations, material procurement, scheduling and construction management. This approach allowed the project to proceed without impacting the customers other snack food production lines.
The construction project consisted of a removing the existing potato lattice cutting equipment, building the custom designed platform, installing the new lattice cutting equipment and electrical installation and testing. The new lattice cutting equipment was upgraded from a single slicer head unit to a double slicer head unit, reducing the required cleaning time per pound of product. The cutting unit also included a hopper system and a feeder.
PTS’s group of professional engineers provided analysis and design of the new lattice cutting unit, as well as a custom design for the platform. The new design was created to better suit the customer’s spatial requirements than the existing prefabricated cutting unit.
The customer was unable to find a reputable, local construction contractor, so PTS coordinated efforts with a trusted contractor. Travel arrangements were made between the contractor and PTS to install the equipment during the customer’s downtime, eliminating the need for a production stoppage.
PTS’s construction management successfully scheduled and coordinated the removal of the existing process equipment and the installation of the new process equipment. The new process equipment was successfully placed by crane and installed by contractors in less than two days. This coordination between the plant, PTS, and the construction contractor ensured the customer’s schedule would be met and there wouldn’t be any adverse effects to the other production lines in the adjoining areas.
PTS’s Project Manager and design team analyzed the existing electrical control system to determine necessary requirements for the new process line. PTS provided design and drawings allowing the electrical contractor to perform the majority of the electrical scope prior to the shutdown of the process line.
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