Automated, Semi-Automated or Manual Modular Belt Cleaning: Which Approach Is Right for Your Factory?

At a Glance

• All three approaches can deliver the same cleaning performance.
• The difference is how the cleaning power is applied.
• All three systems are portable.
• All three systems are adjustable.
• Most applications operate from an 18 kW portable steam generator.
• The choice is usually driven by labour availability, belt width and belt length rather than cleaning capability.

The Important Thing Most People Get Wrong

When comparing modular belt cleaning systems, many people assume that more automation means better cleaning performance.

In reality, this is usually not true.

Assuming the same steam power is being used, all three approaches are capable of achieving the same cleaning result.

The difference is not the cleaning power.

The difference is how that cleaning power is applied and how much operator involvement is required.

Fully Automated Modular Belt Cleaning

Jet System

The Jet System is our most popular modular belt cleaning system worldwide.

The principle is simple.

The operator creates a cleaning program, typically in less than 30 seconds, and the system automatically cleans conveyor belts of virtually any width and any length.

The belt is divided into strips known as sectors. The cleaning head then automatically traverses across the belt, cleaning one sector at a time until the entire belt has been cleaned.

Unlike a human operator, the system:

• Does not get tired
• Does not miss areas
• Delivers the same cleaning pattern every time
• Can operate continuously for hours

This makes it particularly well suited to:

• Spiral coolers
• Long transport conveyors
• Oven discharge conveyors
• Large modular belt systems

The system can store up to 20 cleaning programs, allowing the same unit to be moved between multiple conveyors throughout the factory.

In practice, the operator’s involvement is often limited to:

• Moving the cleaning head to the next conveyor
• Refilling the steam generator if continuous water supply is not connected

For factories with long modular belts, it is difficult to find a more labour-efficient solution.

Semi-Automated Modular Belt Cleaning

Static Spinner

The Static Spinner sits between manual and fully automated cleaning.

A rotating steam manifold remains fixed in position and continuously cleans a strip of conveyor belt equal to the diameter of the spinner.

Common spinner sizes include:

• 110 mm
• 180 mm
• 240 mm

Multiple spinners can also be installed to clean multiple strips simultaneously.

As a rough guide, each spinner requires approximately 18 kW of steam power.

Once the conveyor has completed a full revolution through the cleaning zone, the operator manually repositions the spinner to the next location.

The repositioning process typically takes only a few seconds.

For example, a 500 mm wide conveyor that takes 30 minutes to complete a full circuit may only require two manual movements during the entire cleaning process.

For narrow and medium-width conveyors, this can provide an excellent balance between labour reduction and simplicity.

As belt widths increase, however, the number of manual repositioning operations also increases.

This is where the Jet System begins to offer a significant advantage.

Because the Jet System automatically traverses across the conveyor and uses an oscillating cleaning manifold, it can cover larger areas in fewer passes and often reduce total cleaning time.

Manual Modular Belt Cleaning

Handheld Spinner

The Handheld Spinner places the rotating steam manifold directly in the hands of the operator.

While it is the least automated solution, it remains one of the most useful tools available for modular belt cleaning.

It is particularly effective for:

• Very narrow conveyors
• Short modular belt sections
• Transfer conveyors
• Packing line conveyors
• General factory cleaning

Many food factories contain dozens of short conveyor sections where setting up automated equipment simply does not make economic sense.

In these situations, operators can move rapidly from conveyor to conveyor, often cleaning each belt in as little as one to three minutes.

This is where the Handheld Spinner excels. In many factories, operators can clean multiple short conveyors in the time it would take to set up an automated cleaning system.

It is also useful for cleaning:

• Checker plate
• Ladder belts
• Difficult-to-access areas
• General production equipment

For many factories, the Handheld Spinner becomes the tool that fills the gaps left by more automated systems.

Typical Industry Configurations

Over time, certain patterns emerge.

Bakeries

Typical solution:

• Jet System
• Handheld Spinner

Bakeries often contain:

• Spiral coolers
• Long oven belts
• Long modular conveyors

These applications suit the Jet System perfectly.

However, bakeries also contain numerous shorter conveyors feeding packaging lines and secondary processes.

These are often cleaned most efficiently using a Handheld Spinner.

Beverage and Drinks Factories

Typical solution:

• Static Spinner
• Handheld Spinner

Unlike bakeries, beverage facilities often have large numbers of narrow and medium-width modular conveyors.

Wide modular belts are relatively uncommon.

As a result, many beverage facilities favour a combination of Static Spinners for routine cleaning and Handheld Spinners for flexibility and detailed cleaning.

Which Cleans Best?

The honest answer is:

All three.

Assuming the same steam power and appropriate cleaning speeds, the cleaning result is often remarkably similar.

The real differences are:

• Labour requirement
• Cleaning time
• Repeatability
• Operator involvement
• Convenience

The best system is therefore not necessarily the most automated.

It is the system that matches the conveyor layout and operational requirements of the factory.

Conclusion

There is no universal solution for modular belt cleaning.

The Jet System is ideal for long conveyors where labour reduction and automation are priorities.

The Static Spinner provides an excellent middle ground for medium-width belts requiring only occasional operator intervention.

The Handheld Spinner remains unmatched for short conveyors, narrow belts and general factory cleaning.

In practice, the most successful installations often combine one level of automation with a Handheld Spinner to cover the remaining cleaning tasks throughout the factory.