Mepaco Blog

10 Food Processing Equipment Designs that Drive Safety

Mon, 28 Sep 2020 21:27:00 GMT

Safety guarding is recommended on equipment like the dumper shown in the animation. Relays control the e-stop position and if personnel trips the switch, the equipment will cease operation.
This PRS (Pallet Retention System) shown on a DP3000 Dumper, and allows the combo to complete the dump cycle by separating from the pallet, limiting the potential for contamination.
A liner hold-down prevents the liner from separating from the combo and falling into the hopper.
A drop-tier conveyor can be included in system layouts to provide visual inspection of the food product.
The articulating screw conveyor is designed to pivot to allow for versatile production and lower for maintenance.
Custom stainless and passivated platforms provide personnel safety and easy access for sanitation.
Electropolished food contact surfaces guard against bacterial attachment and create sanitation efficiencies.
Tool-less quick-release seals provide quick access for maintenance and sanitation.
Durable food safe coating on equipment components resists corrosion in harsh environments.
Type 304 or 316 stainless construction is a best practice for equipment designs using either open-frame construction with exposed threads or tube frame designs with non-exposed threads.

That's our top 10 safety best practice call-outs for this system, learn more at www.mepaco.net.

What is Your Stainless Finishes IQ?

Tue, 28 Jul 2020 16:10:00 GMT

RMS (Root Mean Square) is a standard used to diagnose machining operations and surface finish. The fineness of the finish and ultimate success of sanitation effectiveness is called RA, the roughness average, measured by height in millionths of an inch or microinches.

A profilometer device determines RA values of small surface variations and calculates their average to determine roughness.

In terms of material used in food processing and commercial equipment, here is the list of stainless materials from smoothest to the roughest RA range.

Electropolished surfaces range from 6 RA – 14RA microinches. Electropolishing can change RA values up to 50% smoother, depending on the material being treated.

2B Mill Finish – This is a widely used stainless steel finish, common in industrial, chemical and food applications. It is corrosion resistance and has a typical range from 15RA (16 gauge) – to 40 RA (7 gauge) microinches.

No. 4/Dairy Finish – For processing industries, the Dairy finish is required to meet the basic 3-A standards. It uses a 180 grit and has an RA range of 18-31 microinches.

No. 4 Finish – This finish uses a 150-grit abrasive creating a polished brushed surface. The RA range is 29-40 microinches.

No. 3 Finish – The No. 3 finish uses a 120 grit abrasive. It has a semi-polished finish with an RA range of 36 – 58 microinches.

Bead Blasted surfaces have a soft satin appearance and low reflection. The process of bead blasting utilizes bead material such as glass or ceramic beads to produce a non-directional, textured surface. The finer the blasting media, the more corrosion resistance the surface performance. The RA values are typically higher than 45RA microinches, but are dependent on the blasting process and the stainless material.

Improve your Stainless Finishes IQ; read our complimentary e-book.

A Quick Read on Mepaco's Products and Industries we Serve

Tue, 14 Jul 2020 20:30:00 GMT

Here is a quick read on our products and industries that Mepaco serves.

Equipment Products: Cookers, Blenders, Dumpers, Metering Screw Conveyors, Mixers, Pump Feeders, Sanitary Belt Conveyors, Sanitary Design Lifts, Vacuum Stuffers and systems.

Food Manufacturing Industries: Dairy, Meat and Poultry, Pet Food, Plant-Based Foods and Proteins, Processed Foods and RTE, Fruits and Vegetables.

Download Line Card

Apache Stainless Explained!

Tue, 05 May 2020 20:11:00 GMT

For graduates near and far, we express accolades for this achievement, especially in these uncertain times! Highschool, technical college and college graduates have done an incredible job navigating through all these challenges.

We share this video about what we do here at Apache and we look forward to meeting new graduates in the community or even working at our company one day.

Good luck and congratulations to all 2020 graduates!

Visit CAREER PAGES!

Mepaco Parts Status Update

Thu, 26 Mar 2020 14:11:43 GMT

Updated 3-26-20

There are no major disruptions in our supply chain, but here is a status update with a breakdown of lead times and also recommendations for inventory.

RECOMMENDED SPARE PARTS IN-STOCK*

Disharge Seals
Door Gaskets
Seal Housing
Air Seal Kits
Cover Gaskets
Discharge Bearings
Safety Switches

*Most common spare parts are in-stock, but uncommon parts have a lead time of 2 - 3 weeks.

LONG LEAD TIME PARTS

Agitators	8 - 10 weeks
Part	Factory Paint / Unpainted	Washdown Paint
Cylinders	4-5 weeks	7-9 weeks
Motors	1-3 weeks	5-8 weeks
Gear Motors	2-3 weeks	5-8 weeks
Gearboxes	2-3 weeks	5-8 weeks

We are working with required distancing and sanitation to help our customers maintain their production schedule. Our parts and service specialists are on stand-by to support you.

Contact parts@apachestainless.com or call 920-356-7347.

Announcement: On-Line Manuals and Parts Information

Tue, 18 Feb 2020 19:55:00 GMT

Starting 2020 , Mepaco's manuals and parts information are now on-line. Since Mepaco's equipment is highly customized by application, we are developing manuals to include standard options.

As projects near completion, customers will be invited to sign-in to create a folder and password. Manual access is also available at www.mepaco.net/library or simply by clicking on MANUAL ACCESS at the top of every web page. Once signed up, customers will need to follow the email prompts to set up a password. Manuals, parts lists, parts drawings, controls information and any other custom addendums will be available in the customer folder.

The Mepaco Manual Library:

Password access is given by company name (on your PO) and (ship to ) city with a password reset every six months
Maintenance and purchasing team members can also be granted password access
All your new equipment parts lists are available at any time in your secure customer/city folder
Access all Mepaco's product line manuals
Access to revised manuals when technology updates are available
Receive email notifications when new documents are added

For more information, download our flyer.

Process Expo Sept 19 - 22; Free Pass!

Thu, 01 Jun 2017 14:58:21 GMT

The Process Expo is the nation's largest trade show dedicated to bringing the latest technology and integrated solutions to all segments of the food and beverage processing industry.

Don't miss the networking benefits, demonstrations, educational sessions, new equipment and technology that is showcased at Process Expo.

Come visit the trade show on us! Here is your FREE PASS CODE 42589.

https://registration.experientevent.com/ShowFPS171/Default.aspx

Mepaco, Booth #1637

Process Expo, September 19 - 22

McCormick Place, Chicago, IL

You Have Arrived at Mepaco's New Website and Blog

Wed, 24 Aug 2016 15:13:56 GMT

The Mepaco group has just released a new website design that provides users with intuitive access to products and industries. Simplified site navigation and enhanced search capability will make it easier for visitors to find information about our food processing systems and industry experience, including:

Blenders
Cookers
Grinders
Surge Feeders
Dumpers
Lifts
Conveyors
Integrated systems

Many videos and animations have been added to the website, as well as easy access to brochures and FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions). The new website will also perform very well on mobile devices.

Type in your email on the right, to sign up for this blog!

A Video Walk-Through of the Auger Cart

Thu, 17 Sep 2015 16:06:00 GMT

At a recent trade show, here is a video walk-around tour of the Auger Cart on display.

Features:

3000 lb. dual screw auger cart with pump discharge
Available with single or double screws with optional leveling ribbons
Sanitation steps
Safety guarding with hinged grating for accessibility
Electropolished finish on product contact surfaces
Positive displacement pump for a metered flow
Ergonomic HD hinge design for ease of pump maintenance

Mepaco’s booth is at 3202 – Lakeside at McCormick Place.

For more information on Auger Carts, call Mepaco’s sales team.

Video Walk Through of the Articulating Conveyor at Process Expo

Wed, 16 Sep 2015 16:18:00 GMT

Here is a video walk-through, given by Roy Howe of Mepaco, of the Articulating Conveyor that made it’s way to the Process Expo this year.

Highlights:

Lowering / Elevating capabilities for safe and efficient sanitation and maintenance
Pivoting capabilities to promote versatile production possibilities
Electropolished screw and food contact surfaces for sanitation effectiveness
Magnetic safety grate

Download brochure for more information.

Sanitation Features Demo on Mepaco’s New Sanitary Conveyor at the IPPE show

Tue, 27 Jan 2015 16:37:00 GMT

The IPPE show (International Production and Processors Expo) is underway in Atlanta, Georgia at the Georgia World Congress Center.

In the video, Joe Abitz demonstrates the moving and removable components to allow access for sanitation on Mepaco’s newest display, a modular Sanitary Conveyor.

Stop by to talk with Joe Abitz, Roy Howe, Tom Hoffmann and Dennis Buehring at Mepaco’s Booth N7065.