Metal components produced for food, beverages, packaging and pharma industries must comply with challenging surface finishing standards. Those surfaces should be ultra-smooth, precision finishing, thus avoiding areas for bacteria grow.
The main features of a perfect sanitary surface include pathogen and corrosion-resistant surfaces, cleanability and resistance to product adhesion to prevent cross-contamination.
Several trade associations and non-governmental organizations, like the American Meat Institute (AMI) and European Hygienic Engineering Design Group (EHEDG), recommend a maximum roughness rating of 0.8 micrometers for stainless steel surfaces in food processing facilities.
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers – Bioprocessing Equipment (ASME BPE) is one body that provides guidance and recommendations to the pharmaceutical industry about surfaces with a standard of 0.5 micrometers.
DLyte’s dry electropolishing delivers mirror finishing surfaces below 0.02 micrometers in the most common metal alloys in the food, beverages, packaging and pharma industries.
The technology achieves superior results than any other surface finishing method in terms of roughness values, cleanability, corrosion resistance, time of process and cost per piece.
Benefits and applications of DLyte electropolishing processes
The dry electropolishing technology is a novel electrochemical process that improves the result of current finishing technologies. It overcomes the barriers of liquid electropolishing and abrasive polishing using solid particles to remove material by ion exchange.
As it is a non-abrasive treatment it does not round off the edges and avoids a lack of effect on internal corners because of reduced movement and energy.
Some of the most important applications of our technology for food and pharma are:
- Mixers and agitators
- Pharma and beverages machinery components
- Compression mold tools
- Tablet punches
- Decorative components of home appliances
- Food service wireform
- Kitchen utensils
- Food processing equipment and storage tanks
- Drug processing equipment and storage tanks
Some applications
Mixers & agitators
Material: Stainless steel
Manufacturing: Turning and milling
Pre-processing: Grinding (sandpaper)
Application: Mirror finish
Achieved Ra: < 0.1 μm
Processing time: 184 minutes (8 parts)
DLyte equipment: DLyte PRO500
Tablet punches manufacturing & refurbish
Material: Tool steel
Manufacturing: Milling
Pre-processing: Grinding
Application: Mirror finish
Achieved Ra: 0.1 μm
Processing time: 24 minutes (48 parts)
DLyte equipment: DLyte PRO500
Common materials
01.
Carbon Steel
An alloy made of iron and carbon. Its properties are mainly defined by the amount of carbon it has, determining the hardness, ductility, and tensile strength of the steel. The strength and durability of carbon steel make it suitable for many industries, as it withstands higher levels of wear and tear.
02.
Stainless steel
An iron alloy with a minimum of 10.5 percent of chrome, which produces a passive layer that prevents corrosion. This versatile material is widely used in the industrial sector, due to its strength, biocompatibility, durability, aesthetic attractiveness, hypoallergenic properties, and profitability. It withstands high temperatures.
Technical aspects
Defect-free surfaces and homogeneous finish
Preservation of geometry without rounding edges
Improved passivation and corrosion resistance
Assured reliability and repeatability
Proven biocompatible process and cleanability
Economic and environmental aspects
Short processing time in a compact design
No devices to manage sewage and sludge
High profitability and short payback time
Environmentally friendly
Protects workers' health
DLyte success cases in the food & pharma industries
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