With more than 20.000 sieves installed worldwide, Virto-Cuccolini has recently decided to reorganise their spare parts and assistance sales by creating a specific Division dedicated to After-Market support.
Based on the feedback received during decades, a sieve is more frequently than not a “forgotten” unit after installation, especially when the process is continuous.
“Unless the user is focussed on the sieve’s process for some practical reason – like the need to replace the mesh size due to handling different products or product’s cut points within a process, or a frequent cleaning of the unit for hygienic purpose in food or pharma industries – unfortunately, most of the maintenance operators are forgetting to check sieve’s conditions periodically”, says Katia Motta, Virto-Cuccolini’s CEO and Head of the newborn After-Market Division. “This may be experienced as a good sign – the sieve is not requiring much attention, needs only a few spares and is statistically less subject to failure. Therefore it may be seen as a “maintenance manager’s best friend”; on the other hand, there is a downfall when the right maintenance timing is missed, and typical wearing parts fail, as, of course, in the end, they are supposed to.”
With supply chains experiencing troubles and long overseas shipping times this year, a failing wearing component may stop a sieving process for some time if the spare part is not available on site.
“All of typical wearing spare parts within our current range are available on stock here in Reggio Emilia so that we can support our Customers even in times of trouble. However,” Miss Motta suggests, “maintenance should not be left to the case. All in all, there are just a couple of things that are required to be checked on a sieve: the conditions of the mesh, of the two main gaskets and, if installed, of cleaning system media (balls, cylinders). The mesh, of course, is the heart of the process, and at the same time, it cannot be but a wearing part due to its elasticity; it needs special care also from the point of view of sieving process feeding (always continuous, batch product falling on the mesh shall be avoided in any case!). A mesh already installed on a spare ring is always the best solution to reduce maintenance time to a very minimum.”
The frequency of maintenance checks can vary based on Customers’ processes.
“And that’s where we suggest paying attention: there is no rule valid for all cases, since maintenance frequency depends on the specific process characteristics, and ultimately, on use frequency”, explains Miss Motta. “If your sieve is working 24h/day for a safety sieving, of course, it is going to require a maintenance check as soon as there is a production stop, and typically a replacement of main spares once every 3-6 months. If working for less time than that, and the sieved product is not particularly abrasive, a 6-months check can do.”
Virto-Cuccolini’s sieves are offered with a wide range of options covering all industries’ requirements.
“A Virto-Cuccolini sieve is always “your sieve”. With the unit’s Serial No. available, we have access to the original manufacturing documentation and are always ready to support our customers with the right answers. Just drop us a line at aftermarket@virtogroup.com, and we’ll be back to you as soon as possible.”
Would you like to receive our specific maintenance suggestions for your sieving process? Contact us by using the below form, and we’ll be happy to assist you!
