At first glance, it may seem like a small detail, just a component connecting one machine to another, nothing more.

In reality, the conveyor is the heart of the line: efficiency, hygiene, safety, and ultimately the quality of the product reaching the consumer all depend on it.

Yet too often, its selection is underestimated, as if one belt were as good as another. But that’s not the case.

Each application is different, every product has its own characteristics, and each plant has its own criticalities.

Treating the conveyor as a “standard” element means opening the door to unexpected downtimes, contamination, waste, safety issues, and hidden costs that grow over time.

A significant share of line stops doesn’t stem from mechanical failures but from synchronization and accumulation problems, a clear sign that conveyors impact production continuity much more than people think.

When the product is “naked” fresh or dry is not enough

Talking about “naked” products means addressing very different worlds. A dry croissant is not the same as a honey-covered bar, just as a filled cake slice cannot be compared to a cracker.

In the fresh sector, hygiene is paramount. Belts must be washable, cavity-free and easy to sanitize. Belts with internal fabric layers are not suitable: if the fabric emerges, it becomes impossible to clean properly.

That’s why monolithic belts are used, more rigid and less flexible, but capable of ensuring the highest hygienic standards.

In the dry sector, the range is broader: brittle products such as biscuits or crackers fit well on modular chain conveyors, which allow easy removal of crumbs.

But when coatings, creams, or jams come into play, PU belts are required, surfaces that can be scraped clean without damaging the belt.

Each product type therefore requires a targeted evaluation.

Packaged products, but where in the line?

Even a packaged product raises specific questions: is it located in a white zone or a grey zone? Does it require washdown capability or not?

Are high speeds, tight transfers, or low noise levels needed?

In general:

• The tabletop chain conveyor is ideal for heavy loads, high speeds, and complex layouts.
• The modular chain conveyor offers greater flexibility and smaller wrap diameters, but it’s less robust, has wider curve radii, and requires more maintenance attention.

If we’re in a washdown area, the structure matters too: at least the legs must be in stainless steel, if not the entire frame.

The choice, therefore, concerns not only the belt, but the whole operational context.

The invisible factors that make the difference

Beyond product features and packaging type, there are less visible but decisive variables:

Belt position

On the floor or overhead?

Overhead systems prioritize robustness, since maintenance interventions are more complex.

On-floor conveyors, instead, prioritize operator safety, requiring reduced-pitch chains to minimize risk.

Maintenance

How often will the belt need to be serviced? High frequency calls for easily removable and sanitizable designs.

Format variety

If the line handles multiple product types, flexible and adaptable systems are essential.

Finally, one basic principle must not be forgotten: machines never work in perfect synchronization. That’s why accumulation systems (buffers) are necessary to guarantee continuity and prevent line stops.

At M.H. Material Handling, we know these complexities well. For nearly forty years, we have been designing tailor-made conveyors for every type of line, product, and requirement – from fresh to packaged good.

Our solutions always start from listening: we don’t begin with a standard catalog, but with a real customer problem.

Whether it’s about handling a delicate product, freeing up floor space for operators, or optimizing flows in limited spaces, every project is co-designed together with the customer.

From the washdown SaniFlex line to the BAT system with USC chain, up to the ModulFlex conveyors with modular chains ,each technological choice follows a clear logic: transforming daily challenges into efficient, safe, and long-lasting solutions.

For us, automation doesn’t mean selling a machine, it means designing together the right answer to a real need.

Want to understand which solution best fits your line?

Contact us for a personalized consultation and discover how to make your system smoother, safer, and more efficient.

In the food industry, hygiene isn’t just good practice—it’s an essential requirement for ensuring safety, quality, and regulatory compliance.

But is designing machines that are “easy to clean” really enough?

The answer is no.

Preventing contamination and protecting the end consumer requires a much more advanced, structured, and systematic approach.

That’s why today we’re talking about Hygienic Design: a set of construction criteria, design choices, and specific materials developed to eliminate risk areas, simplify sanitation, and guarantee the highest standards in food safety.

Hygienic Design in the Spotlight: Why It’s Transforming Food Production

In recent years, tighter regulations and a growing focus on food safety have brought Hygienic Design to center stage.

Food manufacturers are dealing with increasingly automated processes—and maintaining high hygiene standards throughout the entire line, including the most complex phases like internal transport and handling, is now a top priority.

Key challenges include:

• Preventing cross-contamination, both microbiological and chemical.
• Ensuring fast and effective cleaning of every product-contact surface.
• Reducing water and detergent consumption to meet both sustainability goals and cost control.
• Complying with EHEDG (European Hygienic Engineering and Design Group) guidelines, now a benchmark across the European industry.

Hygienic Design Is More Than Just Stainless Steel

Many think Hygienic Design simply means using stainless steel—but that’s only part of the story.

A proper approach starts with material selection but extends to surface geometry, accessibility for cleaning, the absence of gaps and stagnation areas, and tool-free disassembly of washable components.

Among the most common materials, AISI 304 stainless steel with bead-blasted or 2B finishes is standard for frames and load-bearing structures.

But plastic materials also play a key role. For instance, M.H.’s Saniflex system uses polypropylene chains with polyketone pins—highly resistant to the chemical agents used during sanitation.

Saniflex: Designing Hygiene with No Compromise

M.H. Material Handling developed the Saniflex system specifically to meet the toughest requirements of the food industry, particularly in dairy production.

In these environments—where processing fresh and packaged cheese demands absolute cleanliness—standard solutions simply aren’t enough.

Saniflex stands out thanks to:

• Fully open frame design that prevents build-up and supports efficient drainage.
• Tool-free removable components for fast and easy daily or deep cleaning.
• Chains resistant to aggressive detergents but fully compliant with food-grade regulations.
• Reduction in water and detergent use compared to traditional systems.

The result?

A solution that enhances productivity, guarantees hygienic safety, and supports environmental sustainability targets.

Invisible Contamination: The “Forever Chemicals” Risk

Hygienic Design isn’t just about bacteria and mold.

Today, manufacturers must also consider chemical contamination from persistent substances like PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), often called “forever chemicals.” These may come from the environment, industrial coatings, or even the detergents used on production lines.

Designing equipment that’s easy to clean also means reducing surface exposure to these chemicals.

With Saniflex, manufacturers can:

• Reduce washing cycles.
• Use gentler, less aggressive detergents.
• Minimize the risk of transferring harmful substances onto the product.

When Hygienic Design Becomes a Competitive Advantage

Hygienic Design is a strategic investment that brings measurable benefits:

• shorter downtimes,
• longer equipment lifespan,
• lower cleaning costs,
• stronger food safety,
• regulatory compliance.

At M.H. Material Handling, these principles are a cornerstone of our engineering.

With solutions like Saniflex, we combine technological innovation, operational efficiency, and full adherence to the strictest international guidelines.

Wondering if your production line meets today’s hygiene standards?

Book a free consultation with our experts via our MH Scan Solution service: we’ll assess your system’s critical points and show you how to optimize safety, efficiency, and sustainability.

If you work in the dairy sector, you understand how challenging it is to manage conveyor solutions across the entire supply chain. With almost 500 types of cheese produced in Italy, over 50 of which have EU Protected Designation of Origin status, transportation and packaging requirements are numerous and demand tailored solutions.

In this video, we focus on a crucial aspect: the importance of technology in dairy product handling. We will cover the main challenges and the most effective solutions to ensure an efficient and safe process.

If you want more information about our products or to discover how to optimize your packaging process, do not hesitate to contact us and request our MH Scan Solution—an in-depth diagnosis to analyze and improve your packaging line.

In the world of chocolate production, efficiency and process quality are essential to meet the expectations of an increasingly demanding market. This need has become even more pressing due to the significant rise in cocoa prices in recent years, pushing companies to optimize every stage of production to remain competitive and profitable.

Among the systems that ensure smooth operations, counterplate transport lines play a crucial role. These systems, designed to support product handling across various production phases, are a prime example of how industrial engineering can enhance performance and reliability in manufacturing processes.

This method is particularly suitable for “hollow products” such as chocolate eggs, bunnies, and other molded figures, as well as pralines—especially irregularly shaped or spherical ones. Given their shape, these products can roll erratically on traditional conveyor belts, making counterplates the ideal solution to ensure proper positioning and stability throughout all production phases.

From Molding to Packaging: How Chocolate Delights Are Made

The chocolate production process is divided into several interconnected stages, all optimized by counterplate transport lines.

1. Molding and Stabilization

The process begins with molding, where raw material is poured into molds to achieve the desired shape. Once solidified, the product is transferred onto counter-molds—mirror structures that ensure product stability and integrity. These counter-molds, known as counterplates, are essential for securing and organizing products during subsequent processing phases, contributing to a smooth and efficient production flow.

2. Feeding the Packaging Machines

At this stage, the counterplates, with products securely nestled in their cavities, are transported to the packaging machines. Here, automated systems like Cartesian or anthropomorphic robots pick up the chocolate pieces for primary packaging. This phase does more than protect the product: the packaging is also designed to enhance the chocolate’s visual appeal, making it ready for distribution and sale. Counterplate transport lines play a vital role in managing flows toward multiple packaging machines, preventing bottlenecks with accumulation systems that reduce waste and ensure operational continuity even during machine downtime.

3. Recycling Counterplates

Once the product transfer is complete, the empty counterplates are reintegrated into the production cycle. Tipping and shaking systems ensure no residues remain, while the return process often takes place on separate levels to optimize space. Before demolding, buffer systems regulate product flow to maximize efficiency.

Advanced Solutions to Optimize Production

In addition to ensuring product transport, counterplate lines incorporate innovative devices that improve efficiency and versatility.

• Elevators: Lift the plates for precise positioning on the transport line.
• Buffers: Accumulate products to prevent interruptions in the production flow.
• Tippers: Flip plates for correct positioning at each phase.
• Bypass Systems: Temporarily redirect flow to maintain production continuity.
• Alignment Devices: Ensure every chocolate piece is perfectly oriented for packaging.

Why Are Counterplate Transport Lines Essential?

These systems not only guarantee the final product’s quality but also optimize resource and space management. They help maintain high hygiene standards, minimize waste, and increase overall productivity. Their ability to adapt to various production needs makes them indispensable for chocolate manufacturers.

Optimize Your Production Line: Discover MH Solution Scan

In such a complex production environment, planning and optimizing transport lines are key to maintaining a competitive edge. The MH Solution Scan is the ideal solution: an advanced diagnostic service designed to analyze every aspect of your packaging line in detail. This tool identifies critical areas, proposes customized solutions, and ensures that every production phase is optimized.

Don’t let inefficiencies compromise your production: contact MH Material Handling to learn how we can help you transform your line into a cutting-edge system, ready for the challenges of the future.

Serpentine buffer systems are among the most traditional methodologies utilized for managing the accumulation of cylindrical products, distinguished by their ability to facilitate an agile and uninterrupted production flow of vials, cans and bottles.

These systems, comprised of a choreography of conveyor belts arranged side by side and oriented in opposite directions, maximize available space and ensure a smooth transport of products.

Precise management of the conveyor speeds allows for maintaining an appropriate interval between moving items, preventing unwanted accumulations and ensuring a balanced work pace.

These systems are designed to ensure that, in the event of slowdowns, products start to accumulate on the last conveyor belt until a control photocell detects the critical point, triggering a stop. This prevents the risk of congestion and damage, preserving the fluidity of production with a controlled and manageable pause.

Once downstream operations are restored, the conveyor belts restart with renewed energy, accelerating movement to quickly clear any accumulated buildup and swiftly reestablish the usual pace of the line. Thanks to this strategy, production can resume its rhythm with the assurance of a system that minimizes downtime and protects every item in the production chain.

Beyond Savings: discover the multiple benefits of serpentine buffer systems

The benefits of spiral accumulation systems are numerous and have a direct impact on the packaging line and operational costs. These systems are notable for their disarming simplicity and innate ability to maximize efficiency without excessively burdening the budget.

> Operational costs optimization

The structural simplicity of serpentine buffer systems translates into a significant economic advantage. Their installation requires a moderate initial investment and, thanks to straightforward maintenance, operational costs remain low over time. Additionally, their durability and reliability ensure a rapid return on investment, making them a cost-effective solution in the long term.

> Smart management of interruptions

In the event of unexpected shutdowns, serpentine buffer systems demonstrate their strength: their ability to agilely manage these moments reduces the risk of prolonged and costly stoppages. There is no need for drastic measures such as completely halting the line; instead, the situation can be resolved with minimal impact on overall productivity.

> Operational Agility

One of the most valued features is the ability of serpentine buffer systems to “empty” upstream machines. This allows the machines to keep operating even when part of the line is inactive, preventing delays from accumulating and turning into additional costs for the company. Production can thus continue more smoothly, handling interruptions with great flexibility.

> Impact on production continuity

The implementation of serpentine buffer systems ensures superior production continuity. These solutions, while simple, support a consistently operational assembly line, maintaining high quality standards for the finished product.

Now that you have explored the strategic advantages of serpentine buffer systems, you may be wondering how to effectively implement them in your production environment. Choosing and optimizing an accumulation system requires a thorough and personalized analysis of your operations, a task that goes beyond simply selecting a technological solution.

At MH, we offer not only our extensive range of serpentine buffer systems but also exclusive access to the “MH Solution Scan.” Our advanced diagnostic tool evaluates your specific production needs, identifying areas for improvement and recommending the most effective implementation for your packaging line.

To discover how the MH Solution Scan can transform your production process, click below.