For the last 14 years Excelso Coffee & Tea, based in Norcross, Georgia, USA has been using a ‘Spiroflow’ Aero-Mechanical Conveyor in its flavoured coffee production operation without replacement of any parts. Excelso is a custom provider of coffee and condiments to offices, vending machine outlets and for private label sales

The Model PC3 Aero-Mechanical Conveyor (AMC) was manufactured and installed by Spiroflow’s US subsidiary, Spiroflow Systems Inc, at Excelso’s production facility in 1994.  Operating intermittently eight hours a day, five days a week, the AMC is used to convey flavoured coffee from a Vee-Ribbon blender to a storage hopper ready for packaging into coffee pouches or bags.

“When Excelso called and said they needed a replacement wire rope for their Aero-Mechanical System, it was the first time in 14 years. We were amazed at the life of the rope,” comments Mathias J. Lee, Southern States Regional Sales Manager for Spiroflow Systems Inc. “Normally, we expect these ropes to be replaced every five to seven years depending on the application. What’s equally phenomenal is the fact that no other replacement part has been required for the machine. This is as much a tribute to Excelso’s operation and care of their equipment as it is a testament to the robust construction of our Aero-Mechanical Conveyors.” Lee concludes.

Allan Shaw, Vice President of Excelso Coffee and Tea Company, recalls that Excelso initially selected the ‘Spiroflow’ AMC after a thorough analysis of the various suppliers and types of conveying systems. “We mainly selected Spiroflow because of their years of experience and record for excellent after sales support. We also needed a totally enclosed system that is dust free and wouldn’t alter the integrity of the flavoured coffee. The Aero-Mechanical Conveyor seemed to be the perfect fit.”

The ‘Spiroflow’ Model PC3 Aero-Mechanical Conveyor plays a critical role at Excelso in conveying flavoured coffee from the Vee blender to a hopper for storage and eventual packaging. The AMC has 80 mm diameter conveying tubes. It is one of the most efficient methods of conveying materials such as coffee because of its gentle, dust-free and clean handling properties. Constructed of stainless steel to reduce flavour cross-contamination from the previous batch, the AMC can be washed with water or other cleaning solution through a valve sited at the top and a drain on the bottom. At Excelso, according to Shaw, the AMC is virtually self-cleaning. The Model PC3 AMC was specifically designed to meet Excelso’s exacting hygiene requirements.

One of the most significant features of the aero-mechanical conveying system is its ability to transfer total batches of material. They can operate at any angle between 0o and 90o without loss of capacity. At Excelso, the AMC is 9 metres long and operates at an angle of 45 degrees.

Spiroflow is a worldwide supplier of a wide range of both standard and custom powder handling equipment and systems. Besides Aero-Mechanical Conveyors, the company offers Flexible Screw, Vacuum and Pneumatic Conveyors, Bulk Bag Dischargers and Fillers, plus a range of Sack Packing and Sack Emptying equipment.  

For more information about bulk handling equipment, contact;

Spiroflow Ltd, Clitheroe, Lancs.
Tel: +44 (0) 1200 422525 Fax: +44 (0) 1200 429165
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it Web: www.spiroflow.com

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