Project Description
Wilkin & Sons of Tiptree has been making jam, marmalade and other preserves for more than 130 years, producing much of its own fruit on 850 acres of Essex farmland.
The ‘Tiptree’ brand can be found in shops and cafes nationwide, is exported to 60 countries and has held a Royal warrant since 1911, meaning the company has lofty standards to maintain.
When an electric motor on one of Wilkin & Sons’ production lines failed, long-time supplier Gibbons Engineering Group was contacted to provide a replacement. The incumbent electric motor’s design created a requirement for inefficient and complex cleaning methods, largely due to the ingress of debris among cooling fins, beneath the rating plate and in the fan cover grating.
Without dismantling the motor, thorough cleaning of these areas is extremely difficult, while using hoses to wash down the equipment is not an option due to the likelihood of water damage.
Gibbons had a solution ready off the shelf, having recently launched its range of stainless steel electric motors designed specifically for washdown applications such as food and beverage production facilities.
These IE3 efficiency stainless steel motors are totally enclosed non-ventilated (TENV) and rated at IP69K ingress protection, meaning they’re dust tight and can withstand high-pressure water jets. There is no rating plate, terminal box, fan cover or cooling fin assembly to trap debris, so the completely smooth corrosion-resistant surface can be washed down in a matter of seconds.
As well as replacing the old motor with Gibbons’ stainless steel model, Wilkin & Sons decided to include a waterproof ABB ACS355 variable-speed drive. This drive enables Wilkin & Sons to enjoy precise control over the speed of the conveyor – maximising productivity while increasing energy efficiency.
As a result of this installation and the increased efficiency of its washdown procedure, Wilkin & Sons has cut downtime between batches, improved productivity and reduced energy consumption.
