In industry, efficiency does not always depend on large machines. Very often, it is auxiliary equipment — those compact, supporting solutions — that truly make the difference in productivity, safety and line stability.
In sectors such as food processing and structural ceramics, where continuous flow and correct product handling are essential, having well-designed complementary systems can lead to efficiency improvements of over 15–25%, according to production process optimisation studies.
From accumulators to turning stars, each element provides specific value by reducing downtime, improving operator ergonomics and ensuring a more stable workflow. At IFAMAC, we integrate these solutions as part of a global engineering approach, ensuring that every stage of the process operates as a unified system.
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Toggle1. Accumulators: Ensuring Smooth Product Flow
Accumulators are essential when production requires a temporary buffer to prevent stoppages caused by mismatches between machines. They fulfil three critical functions:
- Maintaining continuous flow during micro-stoppages in downstream processes.
- Preventing saturation in inspection, labelling or packaging stages.
- Increasing flexibility in lines with different operating speeds.
In the food industry, they can improve operational availability by up to 18%, while in structural ceramics they help stabilise fragile products such as bricks or slabs during machinery transitions.
2. Rotary Accumulation Tables: Intelligent Organisation in Limited Spaces
When space is limited or controlled accumulation is required before a manual or automatic process, rotary accumulation tables provide a simple, robust and effective solution.
Their main advantages include:
- Uniform product distribution.
- Reduced handling time for operators.
- Easy integration into existing lines, even in hard-to-access areas.
They are particularly effective in packaging lines where buffer points are required before final packing. In many cases, they reduce operator waiting times by 10–15%.
3. Conveyor Covers: Hygiene, Safety and Durability
In environments where hygiene is critical — especially in the food industry — conveyor covers serve a dual purpose:
- Protecting the product from external contamination.
- Protecting operators from entrapment or projections.
Typically manufactured from polycarbonate, stainless steel or technical PVC, these systems help maintain working environments that comply with food safety regulations (such as EC Regulation 852/2004).
They also reduce incidents caused by product falls and facilitate cleaning and visual inspection tasks — key factors for meeting quality and safety audit requirements.
4. Turning Stars: Precision in Motion
Turning stars are among the most important auxiliary systems when the process requires specific product orientation. Their role is critical in food and ceramic lines where positioning directly affects the final outcome (labelling, optical inspection, glazing, packaging, etc.).
- They allow controlled rotations of 90°, 180° or even 360°.
- They ensure uniform turning without damaging the product.
- They optimise product entry into subsequent automated systems.
Thanks to the use of high-resistance composite materials and format-specific designs, they achieve precision rates above 98% — a crucial figure in high-speed production lines.
Auxiliary Solutions That Multiply Performance
All these systems — accumulators, rotary tables, conveyor covers and turning stars — perform different functions, yet share a key characteristic: they transform overall line efficiency without requiring major investments.
Key benefits include:
- Reduced handling times
- Improved operator safety
- Greater precision in turning, accumulation and product reorganisation
- Optimised, uninterrupted flow
- Extended service life of main machinery thanks to more stable loading
In an increasingly competitive industrial environment, optimising processes does not always mean adding large machines or completely redesigning a plant. Very often, it is auxiliary equipment that enables:
- Stabilisation of production rhythm
- Risk reduction
- Improved ergonomics
- A structured and predictable flow
At IFAMAC, we understand that operational excellence is built by paying attention to every detail of the process. That is why, in addition to main machinery, we design customised auxiliary solutions that integrate seamlessly into existing lines and enhance every stage of production.
Because true innovation is not always large-scale: often, it lies in the discreet systems that make everything work better.