November F&B
Ready-to-cook packaged pasta is a modern convenience we all enjoy. To ensure this simple product of packaged pasta can last for a long time, however, it has to be lefy for about three hours in a special drying room during manufacturing, at specified temperatures between 100 to 130°C.
Closing the loop on quality
As the drying process is crucial to the quality of the pasta, ceiling fans in the drying room 6 metres in height and 20 meters in length are used to ensure an even bath of hot air. Previously, hardwired cables with non-insulated wires screwed into the terminals were used in these fans - which proved a challenge as experienced electricians may require up to several minutes to connect each fan, while those with less exeprience require a longer time and might even mix up the wires.
In a large drying system, 1 hour downtime =
5 tonnes of lost product!
LAPP engineers were approached by one of the world's leading manufacturers of paste production machines to develop a solution for reducing equipment servicing times while minimising production downtimes. The brief was to connect the fans instead of hardwiring them through a pragmatic solution that was robust enough to withstand the moist, acidic air in the drying room, yet not too expensive to implement.
Lapp Epic® Connector:
A simple yet effective solution
Robust &
cost-effective

A special copper alloy that could withstand the required temperatures, while still being relatively cost-effective to manufacture, was selected. As the connectors do not come into direct contact with pasta, they could be cleaned mechanically instead without the need to use FDA-approved materials. The customer also demanded controllable motor speeds, which ruled out chemical-resistant plastic as a shield for control cables - as most plastics do not provide the mechanical stability required to maintain the necessary seal after many years of use.

The copper alloy offered permanent chemical resistance against lactic acid, good Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) properties and mechanical stability, and cost much less than a stainless steel connecto, which was three to five times more than a standard product.

All-round compatibility of the product material

To prevent flour particles from settling, the EPIC® connector was designed with as few edges and corners as possible, in accordance with hygienic design principles. The copper alloy was ideal as it offered a smooth surface even without a coating, eliminating the possibility of flaking off and falling into the product zone; this could also be done without the intensive processing required by stainless steel.

Another design priority was ensuring the control cables was not too thin and had a suitable surface finish, to prevent the cables from moving around inside the connector's opening and becoming frayed over time. Like the connector itself, the cable had to withstand mechanical stress, lactic acid and heat. LAPP's engineering experts recommended to the customer silicon cables which could resist plant and animal-based oils and greases, as well as temperatures of up to 180°C for the job. Pre-assembled cables and connectors were recommended to the customer to minimise assembly errors, while no efforts were spared, with even the seals inside the connector made from fluorinated rubber (FKM), a premium sealing material with a wide range of uses.

Designed & tested to work
In food production, it is important to consider and test for every eventuality. Together with the customer, we developed the connector system and tested it thoroughly for a year...We see great potential in this connector design for more applications in the food industry, possibly even stainless steel variants.
Joachim Strobel
LAPP Product Manager, EPIC® connection systems
After a year of pilot trials of the new connector with patented connector geometry in one of their production systems, the new connector design proved ideal, and technical approval was granted for its implemententation on fans in the coming generation of drying systems.
HIGH-TECH CONNECTION SOLUTIONS FOR A DEMANDING SECTOR
LAPP’s familiarity with food and beverage industry requirements have made us the choice partner for wide-ranging applications from dairy to confectionery processing. Find out more about specific hygiene zones in our F&B whitepaper.
Cables – the ‘life support’ of your factory

With smart manufacturing in the era of Industry 4.0, machines connected by the Internet of Things (IoT) will be able to communicate with each other and self-identify bottlenecks or supply chain issues. Expectations on manufacturers are evolving, and customers expect goods to be delivered faster, more safely and at higher quality.

Start on the right footing with future-proof cables and accessories. LAPP’s cables that have been designed from the start to prevent the spread of bacteria and contamination on top of being sturdy enough to deliver reliable, efficient and safe performance. With a trusted solution provider, you can adopt the right infrastructure in your food production facility, and keep your customers safe and happy.

JOIN THE LAPP F&B REVOLUTION
Navigate the challenges of the food industry with LAPP, your ideal partner to take things forward. Rely on our 60 years of experience – and proven innovation processes to brew success in the competitive food & beverages market.
Check back for more updates
Brewing Possibilities,
One Cuppa at a Time
The Pasta
Connection
Zoning in On
F&B Production

Coming soon!

To find out more about our portfolio of solutions, email to lapp.apac@lapp.com