Designing a Compact, High-Performance Cheese Conveyor System
In cheese production, space and reliability are critical. At Noreside Engineering, we recently delivered a bespoke conveyor system designed specifically to maximise throughput while minimising footprint — without compromising on performance.
Maximising Space with Intelligent Conveyor Design
One of the key challenges on this project was to accumulate cheese on big conveyor with a small footprint to allow down stream equipment to experience short stoppages. To overcome this, the conveyor system was designed with multiple 90-degree and 180-degree bends, allowing a significant length of conveyor to be installed within a compact area.
This approach delivered two key advantages:
- Allows downstream equipment to experience short stoppages
- Increased production capacity
- Improved product flow through a controlled, continuous movement
By carefully engineering the layout, we ensured smooth product handling while maintaining consistent speeds and minimising transfer points.
Built for Reliability and Reduced Maintenance
The materials and components used in this system were selected with durability and longevity in mind. The result is a conveyor that requires less maintenance and spends more time in operation.
This includes:
- Corrosion-resistant materials suitable for dairy environments
- High-quality components designed for continuous use
- Motors that keep rolling
- Reduced wear points across bends and transitions
By minimising maintenance requirements, the system helps avoid unplanned downtime — one of the biggest hidden costs in food production.
Total Cost of Ownership in Focus
While initial system cost is always a consideration, this project was driven by a Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) approach.
Rather than focusing solely on upfront investment, the design prioritised:
- Reduced cleaning time
- Lower maintenance requirements
- Increased uptime
- Extended equipment lifespan
This ensures the conveyor delivers value long after installation, supporting consistent production and lowering operational costs over time.
What is a cheese accumulation conveyor?
A cheese accumulation conveyor is a buffer system installed between upstream cheese processing equipment and downstream packaging or processing lines. It temporarily holds product when the downstream line pauses, allowing critical upstream equipment to keep running without interruption.
What problem does it solve?
Without accumulation, a short stoppage anywhere downstream forces upstream equipment to halt too. These stoppages are costly — every minute of unplanned downtime impacts output, throughput, and profitability. The accumulation conveyor acts as a buffer, absorbing those brief pauses so the rest of the line keeps moving.
How does it improve line efficiency?
By decoupling upstream and downstream equipment, the conveyor increases the Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) of the entire line. OEE is a measure of how productively a manufacturing process runs relative to its full potential. Fewer stoppages means higher availability, better throughput, and greater output — all of which directly improve your OEE score.
Why is uptime of upstream equipment so important?
Upstream cheese processing equipment — such as moulding, pressing, or cutting machines — is often the most capital-intensive and time-sensitive part of the line. Stopping this equipment, even briefly, can disrupt the entire production schedule, affect product consistency, and waste valuable processing time. Keeping it running continuously is essential to maximising output.
What types of downstream stoppages does it handle?
The conveyor is designed to handle short, routine stoppages — such as packaging changeovers, minor jams, brief maintenance interventions, or operator actions downstream. It provides a controlled accumulation window that bridges these gaps without halting the upstream process.
What is the return on investment?
Downtime is costly. Even small reductions in machine stoppages translate directly into increased output and revenue. When upstream equipment runs continuously rather than stopping and starting, you gain more usable production time from the same assets — improving cost-per-unit and overall plant performance.
Is this a hygienic or wash-down conveyor?
No — this is not a hygienic or wash-down conveyor. It is an accumulation conveyor focused on maximising production uptime. If you have specific hygiene or wash-down requirements, please speak with the Noreside team to discuss the right solution for your application.
Who should consider this conveyor?
Any cheese producer running a continuous upstream process that feeds into downstream equipment subject to short stoppages. If unplanned halts to your critical processing equipment are impacting your output or OEE, a cheese accumulation conveyor is worth evaluating.
A Smarter Approach to Cheese Handling
This project highlights how thoughtful engineering can transform a constrained production environment into a high-performing, efficient operation.
At Noreside Engineering, we design systems that go beyond functionality — delivering long-term reliability, hygiene, and performance where it matters most.
If you are planning a new cheese production line or looking to optimise your existing setup, our team can help design a solution tailored to your process.
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