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As the accompanying photos show, the number of plants installing Natural Flow gates is growing. Here, six more gates are being crated for shipment. The gates were introduced as an upgrade to Series 2700 and Series 2800 peeler/washers late last year. (PHOTO - nf gates @ shipping)

The Natural Flow gate enhances the tumbling and flow of product inside the peeler chamber and eliminates transient “dead spots” at the discharge. Careful studies by plant managers and technical staff in several plants have confirmed Vanmark’s findings that the new gate significantly improves peeler efficiency. 

Efficiency gains of 1% or more have been documented. When lines are processing 10,000 to 30,000 pounds per hour or more, a 1% gain in efficiency achieves ROI very quickly.

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Most plant operators have found they can also reduce roll speed - in some cases dramatically, thus improving bearing and belt life for additional savings. Lower roll speed uses less power and further reduces operating costs.

For more information or a quote, call your Vanmark representative, or one of our Vanmark peeler specialists at 641-782-6575. Customers in the USA can call our specialists toll free at 800-523-6261.

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Automation of peeler operation is a goal of many plant Managers. The goal: to enter the desired percent peel removal into the peeler control and get consistently peeled product out, regardless of the infeed product variations. In simple terms, to “set it, and forget it!” as a famous line from a TV commercial promises. Can you imagine what consistent peel line output, with little operator intervention, would mean to your operations?

Eventual peeler automation was a critical part of the design criteria in the development of Vanmark’s new Natural Flow gate. The design had to be easily adapted to allow powered adjustment and integration with a closed loop vision control system. Recently Vanmark engineers succeeded in producing an operational prototype. The system uses proprietary control algorithms. The company is working closely with several customers to run production testing.

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Automated peeler control is not a new concept to Vanmark. Several years ago, the company was successful in producing a working prototype system and was granted patents covering it. Unfortunately, in business, timing is often very important. In this case the system was a bit before its time, but the concept and goal of producing a fully automated system, was only temporarily put aside. 

If you have a specific interest in this development effort and would like someone to contact you in this regard when the system is ready for release, please let us know.  Please use the link below and be sure to include your company name and your title with your contact information.

Information Request - Peeler Automation

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Recent design changes make our peeler/washers easier to install or reinstall in a new location. Depending on your plant layout, you may need the discharge gate to open to the left or right. In the past, changing the gate swing direction was somewhat of a hassle. 

Today, our new Series 2700 machines equipped with a Natural Flow gate come standard with our “dual-swing” design. This design allows changing the swing direction in only a few minutes and requires nothing more complicated than a pair of pliers and an allen (hex head) wrench.

As the photos above show, to convert from one swing direction to another involves simply exchanging locations of the hinge pins, gate handle, and gate handle stop from one side to the other. 

After the gate handle stop is removed with an allen wrench, the gate handle can be simply lifted out.  While the gate is held in place, the hinge pins, secured by cotter pins, are removed and replaced by the gate handle. The gate handle stop is then reinstalled using the hole provided. Now the hinge pins are inserted and secured where the gate handle used to be and the job is complete. 

The peeler shown in this example has centralized manual lubrication points for the discharge bearings. Although in most cases it is not necessary to move them, mounting brackets are located on both sides, if it is desired to do so. It will be necessary to shorten and/or replace some of the grease lines in order to move the lubrication points. Vanmark stocks the necessary material.  It is very important to pre-fill the lines with grease before installing them to prevent air pockets in the lines.