Over the past five decades, Apache Stainless has grown from a small local business into a renowned industry leader, known for its expertise in design and manufacturing of stainless commercial equipment. The company’s recently expanded facility in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin, includes updated technology in laser machining, product testing, and chemical finishing. This allows Apache Stainless … Apache Stainless – Celebrating 50 Years!
Since 1932, Mepaco has been a renowned name in the meat processing industry. In the pet food sector, Mepaco has collaborated with some of the fastest-growing brands both nationally and internationally, providing equipment and systems for producing wet foods, canned food, kibble, and treats. PET FOOD PROCESSING EXPERTISE Thermal Processing Mepaco’s Mixer-Cooker is a popular … Mepaco: A Legacy in Meat Processing and Pet Food Production
At Apache Stainless, we excel in project management for custom stainless vessels, including process-based solutions and contract-manufactured additions that support wide-scope projects. Recently, we undertook a critical project for a chemical manufacturer that required a small vessel integrated mobile skid with a stringent ship date. The project began with the customer providing a 2-D drawing … SKID Project Showcases Excellence in Engineering
Ethanol producers have company-mandated maintenance schedules for all their production and storage vessels. When following the best prescribed maintenance processes, downtime related to repair is minimal, and the vessel’s longevity increases. When repair is needed, it is essential to ensure high-quality and efficient repair to get production back online as soon as possible. Josh Schladweiler, … Repair and Alteration of Ethanol Vessels
Highlighting a typical test in this video, Mepaco technicians are working with the customer, Glier’s Goetta Sausage, to test a multi-process application, including: Grinding EffectivenessScale TestingRecipe Controls ValidationBatch TestingBroth Extraction ProcessCooking AccuracyMixing AccuracyProduct Integrity Representatives from Glier’s Sausage worked with Mepaco technicians on adjustments needed, and verification of cook and cycle times in our 100 … A Typical Testing Day in our Validation Lab
It is our 50th year in business! A lot has happened in our first 50; here are the milestones! September 4th, 1975Duane Foulkes incorporated Apache Stainless Equipment Corporation on September 4th, 1975. Duane had worked for Oscar Meyer in Madison, Wisconsin, which had a need for stainless food processing equipment. March 1976With four employees, the … Apache Milestones over 50 Years!
For Immediate Release – Apache Stainless, a leading manufacturer of highly critical stainless OEM equipment, is proud to announce the expansion of its manufacturing space by an additional 40,000 square feet, bringing the total production facility to over 200,000 square feet. This expansion is designed to optimize material flow, from incoming materials through fabrication, welding, … Apache Stainless Expands Manufacturing Facility to Enhance Production Capabilities
Apache Stainless has a long-standing reputation for manufacturing distillation columns for various industries, including pharmaceutical, chemical, food, environmental, and biofuels. In the biofuels segment, Apache has produced storage and distillation columns for ethanol and alcohol byproducts, including spirits, personal care products, medical applications, food and flavoring. As a full service custom manufacturer, Apache also provides … Apache Columns Tour (video) and Other Highlights at FEW
Mepaco® continues to see a steady demand with CIP (clean in place) options on their cookers, mixers, stuffers, screw, and belt conveyor systems. CIP technology employs a series of rinses along with high-temperature caustic washes through high-pressure spray devices. Food processors who opt for CIP on new Mepaco® equipment and systems typically opt for electropolished … Food Safety and Sanitation Equipment Trends at Mepaco
Mepaco, a leader in food processing solutions, continues to revolutionize the pet food industry with its advanced equipment and systems designed to enhance efficiency, safety, and product quality. The latest lineup includes the pallet breaker, electric tote dumper, surge loader, mixer, mixer-cooker, and pump feeder, each offering unique benefits to streamline pet food production. Pallet … Innovative Solutions for the Pet Food Industry, from Mepaco
Mepaco Field Services are dedicated to supporting the longevity and efficiency of your food processing equipment. Our team comprises experienced technicians, fabricators, and controls experts. InstallationMepaco’s installation services ensure efficient start-up, precise placement, and proper handling of equipment, including drainage requirements. Our team collaborates regularly with engineering firms and tradespeople, and we offer supervision for … Service in the Life of Mepaco Food Processing Equipment
Mepaco, known for grinding, blending, cooking and formulation systems, is proud to announce the launch of its latest Pallet Breaker equipment (PB3000). The robust machine (15 1/2 ft W x 10 1/2 ft D x 21 1/2 ft H) is designed to automate the frozen pallet-breaking process, offering numerous benefits to food manufacturers across North … Revolutionary Frozen Pallet Breaker Equipment Enhances Automation and Safety
When designing and manufacturing pressure vessels, it’s crucial to comply with ASME or other global standards to ensure their safety, quality, and performance. Here are 7 important safety considerations driven by ASME: 1-Material selectionIn Apache’s background, 304 stainless, 316 stainless, Duplex, Hastelloy, Monel 300, AL6XN, and Alloy 20 are the most common materials used in … 7 Safety Considerations for ASME Stainless Pressure Vessels
Mepaco, a leader in innovative food processing solutions, is excited to re-release the meat processing guide, “Reduce Lean Give-away for Processed Meats: 3 Formulation Methods.” This comprehensive guide explores three key formulation methods—testing, pre-blend, and in-line—using lean point examples. Compare 3 Formulation Methods:– Type of equipment used in each method, including application customization used in … Re-Release: Reduce Lean Giveaway for Meat Processing eBook
Mepaco, part of Apache Stainless, is excited to announce the opening of its cutting-edge research and test facility, designed to support the food processing industry. The Validation Lab is equipped with the latest technology and staffed by a dual engineering and processing team dedicated to advancing food science and innovation. Key Features and Capabilities Advanced … Introducing Mepaco’s Food Processing Facility, the Validation Lab
Apache Stainless is a leading manufacturer of high purity equipment for various commercial industries including pharmaceutical, medical, water filtration and food processing. Leveraging our extensive expertise in stainless knowledge and best practices, we help our customers maintain the highest quality of product contact surfaces available. Our team has republished the ebook, “Compare Stainless Finishes” as … Introduction to Stainless Food Contact Surfaces (ebook)
Screw conveyors can be customized to improve efficiency and automation in food processing systems. The role of screw conveyors can help drive primary processing equipment to reach the highest throughput possible. Here are the top 10 efficiency highlights of screw conveyor solutions: 1 – Pivoting InfeedPivoting screw conveyors are designed with a track and/or caster … Video: 10 Screw Conveyor Solutions that Solve for Automation
Each vessel in this sanitary series for a pharmaceutical manufacturer involved multiple processes to meet the hygienic requirements, ASME Code and CRN registration. The video showcases a behind-the-scenes look at the different stages of manufacturing this vessel series, from parts fabrication through final testing and documentation. METAL FINISHINGParts are fabricated from ASME-approved stainless material for … Manufacturing a Sanitary Vessel Series
The ThermaBlend Cooker is designed to cook large batches of food evenly and efficiently, with superior heat distribution and cycle times. The guide, “Cooking Efficiencies” is a deep dive into the components of ThermaBlend Cookers and Mixer-Cookers that generate heat transfer and thermal processing, including: ASME Engineering and ConstructionThe ThermaBlend Cooker’s pressurized jacket is engineered … eBook: Heat Transfer Capabilities for Batch Cooking Operations
Explore the latest e-book from Mepaco, “Processing Automation Trends,” which delves into a variety of cutting-edge solutions aimed at enhancing food processing efficiency and automation. The book showcases mechanical equipment add-ons, system layout and controls solutions, and focuses on the following key areas: 1 Mechanical options engineered to optimize efficiency, including seals with quick-release, air-purge … New ebook: Processing Automation Trends
Mepaco, part of Apache Stainless, a leader in grinding, cooking and blending food processing solutions, is excited to announce the launch of its latest product, the ETD3000 Electric Tote Dumper. Responding to the industry, this robust electric dumper solves for efficiency, reliability, sustainability and ease of maintenance. Electric Tote Dumper ETD3000: A Game Changer in … Mepaco Answers Food Processing Need with New Electric Dumper
Apache’s Field Service and Quality Assurance team gets frequent inquiries about ASME R-Stamp repairs and alterations. The ASME R-Stamp requirement for a repair is often determined by a consultation and investigation into the pressure zones of the vessel. When assessing a possible ASME R-Stamp repair, here are the Do’s and Don’ts according to Apache’s experts. … ASME R-STAMP REPAIR DO’S and DONT’S
Mepaco leverages food processing system experience to provide solutions that best meet the demands of the application for optimal performance. Versatile screw conveyors solve many bulk food handling objectives from reduced sanitation costs to enabling 24/7 continuous operation. Articulating / Pivoting Screw ConveyorsScrew Conveyors can be designed with pivoting capabilities with casters or track systems … Guide to Screw Conveyor Customization
The Mixer Cooker is an important equipment solution for achieving homogeneous batch consistency and efficient large-scale cooking. In the video example, the Thermal Screw Mixer Cooker demonstrates indirect cooking technology using hot water. Heat JacketHot water circulates in the jacket and transfers heat to the product in the Mixer Cooker. The jacket is designed to … Video: Thermal Screw Mixer-Cooker
An important part of being an ASME certified pressure vessel fabricator is the compliance and quality insurance protocols for every project. Apache Stainless has a dedicated quality assurance department that focuses on full verification, testing and documentation of compliance requirements. Our welders and inspectors are ASME certified and as a company, Apache has been ASME … Quick Reference Guide to Factory Acceptance Tests
Mepaco’s pumping systems convert traditional batching methods to continuous batching systems by providing low-profile surge with the ability to continuously meter product to downstream processes. As part of a system, the Pump Feeder offers an alternative to other conveying or manual product handling. The low-profile surge allows cookers and mixers to discharge quickly while gently and … Comparing Pump Feeder Applications
In a roundtable with field services, application engineers, and technical sales managers, these top 5 efficiency challenges are developed from experience with cooking, blending, and formulation projects in various food processing industries and installations. 1. Undersized equipment Large conglomerate customers with continuous demand for their products often work with Mepaco on scale solutions with automated … Top 5 Challenges that Impact Production Efficiency
Proper agitator design and selection will provide the best performance of the mixing and blending equipment. Considerations for specifying the agitator and overall mixing solution include: Ingredient Considerations• Size of ingredients• Condition or fragility of ingredients• Ability to dissolve• Weight of ingredients and mix• Viscosity Process Considerations• Product recipes used in the equipment solution• Mixing, … Best Practices for Agitators in Mixing Applications
ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) manage a national standard for pressure vessel construction. ASME standards for pressure vessels are applicable to design, fabrication, inspection, testing and certification. Apache followed some high-compliance vessel projects coming through our ASME facility and created a video to showcase many of the construction, finishing, assembly, and quality processes throughout … (Video) ASME Custom Vessel Manufacturing
Apache partnered with a pharmaceutical processor with an active ingredient application, to provide a series of 24 vessels for fraction collection. Fraction is the process of capturing the eluting fluid in vessels and involves isolation of extremely purified product. The video highlights the engineering and compliance processes, vessel animation and completed vessels. The highly sanitary … The Making of a Fraction Vessel Series
Here’s a top ten list from the Apache Large Tank team on the types of repairs that usually can be accomplished at the customer plant. 1. Repair Heat JacketsOne of the main causes for heat jacket repair is the quality of the water used in the steam process. If the water has heavy minerals or … Top 10 Causes for On-Site Tank Repair
Mepaco provides an application approach to system solutions. Our team listens to your team to understand existing challenges and production goals for a new solution. We also appreciate that operations, engineering, and maintenance personnel have their own set of goals for a new system. We work to exceed your expectations in production, quality, workmanship, design, … Guide to Mepaco Application Engineered Systems
ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) defines a code of standards for the operational safety of pressure vessels. The ASME pressure vessel construction rules are very extensive including fabrication methods, construction materials, design temperature, design pressure, loading, stress values, corrosion allowances, lining, thickness, and approval of every ferrell, port and valve attached to the vessel. … Side-by-Side Comparison of an ASME U and ASME UM Vessel
Thermal heat exchange surfaces control the temperature of pressure vessels and are engineered for the application and use of the vessel. While there are several methods used in engineering design of ASME vessels, the dimple jacket design supports flexibility and versatility required in some applications. Dimple jackets utilize a thin gauge stainless steel layer that … Dimple Jacket Applications for ASME Tanks and Vessels
Maintenance and Sanitation Benefits of the Mepaco® Pump Feeder Attendees appreciate seeing equipment at trade shows and talking to application engineers to research solutions. Mepaco® had a DP3000 Dumper, and a 3000 K Pump Feeder set up at a past show, and recent inquiries have warranted a video repost of Pump Feeder maintenance features. The … Maintenance and Sanitation Benefits of the Mepaco Pump Feeder
Mepaco’s food processing equipment solutions are engineered for the application, and with application challenges comes budget, compliance, and operational considerations. When it comes to specifying food contact surfaces, some processors require a spec to be followed and some processors are looking to fulfill sanitation and food safety goals, which might result in redefining a specification.One … Comparing Food Contact Surfaces: 2B and EP
Depending on the application, processes requiring automation often include a Pump Feeder. In limited floor space, a low-profile surge capacity Pump Feeder, that can also be gentle on the product while maintaining metered flow, is vital to the success of any process. Here are some of the application criteria that go into making the correct … How to Select a Pump Feeder
In one versatile solution, the ThermaBlend® Industrial Cooker provides excellent cooking, searing, caramelizing, chilling, sautéing, and blending. CookingThe ThermaBlend® Cooker is designed with a steam or hot water (ASME) jacket with gentle agitation that evenly heats the product through forced convection. In some applications, culinary steam is directly injected into the product to accelerate the … Video: ThermaBlend Cooker Capabilities Tour
Apache is known for helping processors with custom engineered and fabricated tanks and vessels that require expertise in compliance. We commonly produce ASME vessels, API-650 tanks, evaporators, agitated vessels, clad/insulated vessels, heat exchangers and mixing tanks to customer specifications and compliance standards. In the mixing vessel shown in the video, our project engineer worked … Pharmaceutical Mixing Vessel Video Tour
Mepaco engineers cooking equipment for specific production and processing applications. While some food processing customers know the size, type, and required performance of the cooker equipment, other customers come to Mepaco for directional discussions comparing cooker production scenarios and system capabilities. Considerations for choosing one (1) cooker or (2) two cookers for your application, depend … 1 Cooker Vs 2 Cookers: What is Best for my Application?
There are several reasons why a vessel may need service, however, the need for ASME R-Stamp Repair is very specific. The R-Stamp is a certification required by the National Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessels for repair of an ASME tank or vessel. Any repairs to the pressures zones on tanks require an R-Stamp. A … How to Troubleshoot an R-Stamp Repair
In the interest of food safety and personnel safety goals across food processing customers, Mepaco has innovated options to solve these goals. Dumpers are a part of nearly every system and can be the first process in an automated solution. With automation comes food safety and personnel safety issues that these options and features on … Video: Top 10 Dumper Safety Innovations
Thermal heat exchange surfaces control the temperature in the vessel and the quality of the contents. Jacketed vessels are used in many industries and can be used to remove the elevated heat of reaction (heat reactor vessel) or reduce the viscosity of high viscous fluids. In an updated eBook, the Apache team has fine-tuned a … Guide: Heat Transfer Surfaces EXPLAINED
Our equipment provides and services best fit customers who need customization for their application. In this ebook, “7 Steps to a Application Engineered Cooking Solution,” our application and technical engineers outline our process from concept to delivery, focusing on the ThermaBlend Cooker with customization resource charts. 1. Scope Definition Technical, experienced Mepaco® sales managers visit … 7 Steps to an Application Engineered Cooking Solution
ASTM (American Society for Materials and Testing) was developed to set standards for chemical, mechanical, physical, and electrical properties of material, as well as testing standards for materials. ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) includes ASTM standards, AWS (American Welding Society) standards and other nationally and internationally recognized standards as part of a widely adapted … Guide to ASTM Stainless Finishes
Processors upgrading production and processing equipment have a significant investment including machines, shipping, installation, and commissioning. To consider an upgrade of controls may also mean a change of procedures and processes. Food manufacturers must weigh their concerns, such as payback, capex budget, downtime, and life cycle costs. Mepaco® has helped customers with manual, entry-level, and … When is it Time to Invest in Integrated Controls?
Mepaco® cookers are designed with ASME thermal jackets. The jackets are pressurized and therefore regulated by ASME standards. The ThermaBlend® Cooker features an ASME stay bolt (also called stay-rod) constructed jacket. Mixer-cooker equipment may also have stay-bolt or dimple jacket construction. Specifically, ASME engineering and construction requirements include approved calculations, ASME-certified techniques and fabricators, testing, … ASME Heat Jackets for Cookers – Explained
Over time, processors might see changes in product integrity and timing that does not reflect the quality and production times intended when the equipment was commissioned. Why is this happening? When a decrease in cooker production occurs, it points to a change in the operation, process, procedure, equipment, or even operator error. Controls Monitoring and … 7 Upgrades That Increase Cooker Production Right Now
In the last few years, Apache’s essential manufacturing customers have faced familiar developments in supply chain and resources. In a round table query of Apache’s sales and engineering team, here are the top 3 post-pandemic equipment trends and resource challenges experienced by our customers. 1. Solutions to Support Manufacturing Flexibility The need for flexible equipment … Trends in Custom Vessel Manufacturing
Whether an accident, environmental damage, or refurbish needs, vessel repair may be necessary at the customer site. It is important that whoever works on ASME pressure vessels is qualified, certified, and experienced. The National Board, the regulatory commission for ASME, requires an ASME R-Stamp for the repair or alteration of pressure vessels. Repair areas and … Requirements for the Repair or Alteration of ASME Stainless Pressure Vessels
This animation demonstrates the modifiable Batching Bin System. Pre-broken frozen food products (red meat, fish, chicken, vegetables) are delivered to a designated surge loader on a traversing belt which locates the exact drop position. Once the recipe is established and the demand is made, the applicable surge loader(s) deliver product. Load cells are used to … Batching Bin System Animation
The Pet food processing industry has witnessed significant growth in the last few years, according to FPSA, Pet Food Processing Equipment Market Forecast to 2026. The study states that the growth is due to an increase in pet ownership and adoption rate and a rise in urbanization across developing countries. The changing consumer trends such as demand … Infographic – Pet Food Bin System Solves Around-the-Clock Formulation
Mepaco Mixer Blenders are common equipment in food processing lines. Are the replacement parts organized properly to get the most out of your maintenance program for optimum performance? In the infographic, DARK RED signifies a part that will cause an emergency break down which will include lost product. TAN indicates parts that require a long lead time either because of custom … How to Plan for Mixer Blender Parts – Infographic
This automated dough trough dumper was designed for a baking industry manufacturer that needed a solution for safe and efficient sanitation of their dough troughs as well as a safe way to make repairs to them. This dumper was designed to have a full rotation of 135° for normal sanitation requirements. In addition to this … Automated Dough Trough Tilter / Dumper Helps Solve for Safe and Efficient Cleaning Challenges
The main reasons that Mepaco Mixers have a legacy in Meat Processing is the Total Cost of Ownership, created by blend accuracy, sanitation efficiencies and proven safety features. The overlapping paddle blender will guarantee a homogeneous blend that reaches ½% deviation in less than 90 seconds of blending, resulting in: More blender turns, which increase … Infographic – Why Mepaco Mixer-Blenders are still in operation after 40 years
Apache’s background in pharmaceutical, medical, water purification, and chemical industries has driven expertise in high-alloy material used in vessel construction. The process application of a vessel or tank will determine the stainless or high alloy material specified for the construction of the vessel. Apache’s experience with stainless and high alloy material includes 304, 316, Duplex, Hastelloy, … Application Comparison of Stainless and High Alloy Materials
A recent article, “It’s About Labor”, published in Food Engineering magazine, processors were interviewed about the ongoing difficulties finding and retaining workers, even beyond the post pandemic labor levels. Mepaco®’s customers, too, have been driving automation conversations, so we are developing resources to share our application expertise with solutions that are semi- or fully automated. … Are Labor Shortages Driving Your Automation Needs?
Even with digitized maintenance programs, taking an inventory of the food processing equipment in your plant is essential. To start, the inventory list will give you a clear understanding of the possible maintenance and parts needs throughout all processing equipment and provide scale and efficiency opportunities in your maintenance program. It is not uncommon for stainless processing … Guide to Planning for Just-in-Case Parts
As a manufacturer of custom vessels for essential industries, including pharmaceutical, life science, and healthcare, Apache provides processors with high-quality vessels with up-front technical collaboration, engineering support, and a solid compliance direction. We bring these 10 tools to Sanitary Vessel customers: Technical Sales & Engineering Experts Apache’s experts are proficient in ASME and other compliance … 10 Tools for a Successful Sanitary Vessel Partnership
Mepaco offers equipment products that are engineered specifically for the application required for processing, material handling, or an integrated system. Due to the food safety and personnel safety goals across food processors, Mepaco has innovated options to solve these goals. Here are 10 modifications to Dumper designs that can impact safety goals starting at the beginning of … 10 Ways Dumpers Can Impact Safety
Depending on the application, processors serving food or other hygienic industries have varying degrees of compliance requirements for custom vessels. When working with your custom vessel manufacturing partner, it is important to identify the level of sanitary compliance in the pre-engineering discovery phase. Apache defines three categories of sanitary design to help customers with the … 3 Levels of Sanitary Vessels
With the complex demandsin food processing and production, safety, and quality, performance of every component within food equipment is critical. The bearing type and style for your Mepaco equipment has been determined by application and plant preference. Many food processing facilities utilize stainless bearings which provide corrosion resistance in wet environments. Here are some tips … 5 Ways to Increase the Life of Bearings
The type and viscosity of food product, thermal processing technology, desired texture, and cooking/processing cycle times are considerations for the applied cooking/blending solution. When selecting an agitator or changing an application, review the thermal processing and blending goals. The proper agitator selection, blending action and recipe controls provide the highest level of batch productivity and … 3 Ways Agitators Impact Thermal Processing Solutions
ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) and NB (National Board) certification is an extensive procedure. An R-Stamp repair is required by the NB when the pressure vessel’s barrier is broken. These repairs include, but are not limited to, weld repairs, installation or replacement of nozzles, and attachment of components related to pressure parts. Here are … Top 3 Indications You Need an R-Stamp Repair
Our service techs, engineers, and application experts have pinpointed the five most congested production areas in food manufacturing plants. Here are their tips for mitigating these delays, starting with the loading of a system: #1 Bottleneck: Inefficient and Ineffective Loaders A common bottleneck is slow loading times preventing the start of batch mixing or … Overcoming the 5 Most Common Processing System Bottlenecks
Apache Stainless Equipment Corporation, a manufacturer of ASME pressure vessels, was contracted to provide four (4) large columns for a renewable energy company. Apache’s “Large Vessel” fabricators/ welders manufactured four stainless columns that measured up to 167’ in length, 11’ in width, and 112,000 lbs. in dry weight. Government and public opinion will drive growth … VIDEO: Large Tank Team Delivers BIG for Biofuel Industry
1. Specialized Expertise The number one reason for partnering with Apache for your ethanol vessel is our expertise of over 40 years supplying tanks for ethanol and biofuel production. We specialize in heat exchange surfaces, pressure vessels, custom mix tanks, evaporators, and extraction equipment made from stainless and other high alloys. 2. Custom Capacity Apache … 10 Reasons Why Ethanol Producers Choose Apache Stainless as Their Tank Manufacturer
There are two main causes why a vessel may need service. There is a performance-related issue, or there has been an accident. In the case of an accident, such as a tool falling into the tank and causing damage; surface scratches and dents can typically be repaired on-site, provided they do not go beyond minimum … Sometimes Tank Damage Isn’t as Bad as You Think
According to Deloitte Institute, production has significantly increased all manufacturing sectors in the United States and continues to grow at a rate of 4% in 2022. This uptick in the manufacturing economy coupled with labor shortages across the globe continue to make material sourcing and parts management unpredictable. For planning purposes, parts that rely on … 7 Parts to Consider for a Planned Shutdown
In the e-book, “Road Map to ASME Submission“, we highlighted project engineering steps to ASME compliance for custom vessels, starting with the crucial first step of the customer consultation. The technical sales team learns information about the vessel, the industry, and the process that the vessel will serve. Answers to our inquiries will allow us … Deep Dive into Custom Vessel Components and Compliance
The Mepaco® brand has been around for a long time. The company began in 1932 and operated out of Oakland, California. The name Mepaco® stands for Meat Packers Equipment Company. For the first 40 years, Mepaco® was a significant equipment supplier to deli meat, sausage, and smoked meat processors. Mepaco® offered loaf molds and slicers, … Mepaco – 90 Years in the Making
Equipment customized to a specific process has its benefits to solve a particular need. With standard equipment, you may need to adjust your scope. It’s understandable that standard stock vessel solutions only solve for a few common applications. However, custom vessel solutions that solve a specific process may take significantly longer to spec out, design … 5 Insider Tips to Get Faster Delivery on Custom Small Vessels
Each province or territory in Canada issues the Canadian Registration Number (CRN) by an authorized safety authority for pressure vessels and fittings that operate at a pressure rating greater than 15 psig. The CRN identifies that the design has been accepted and is registered for use in that province or territory. 1. The first step … Project Engineering Steps to Supply a CRN Vessel
The Mepaco®’s Field Services and Engineering Team have been on hundreds of calls for all types of food processing equipment service. Seal issues are one of the common requests for service. Here’s the top 3 trouble signs for split seal types and how to troubleshoot repair. The Trouble Signs: Product escapes or purges out of … 3 Seal Tips to Prevent Downtime
The process for sanitary stainless steel equipment fabrication starts with the selection of the metal and special handling of the material to prevent contamination. For many food and chemical producers, the level of finishing on processing equipment is determined by federal, state, and local regulatory agencies. In sanitary applications, the finish, as well as the … What is the Difference Between Bead Blasting and Electropolishing?
DESIGN TO COMPLIANCE Designing custom vessels to compliance, such as ASME or CRN, is a highly engineered approach. Certainly, manufacturers of the custom vessel must have required accreditation, but the engineering expertise goes beyond certification. The pressure vessel manufacturer must have experience and a reputation with inspectors, agencies, and governing officials to manage the compliance … Custom Vessel Design to Compliance – Steps to Success
Metering Screw Conveyors provide surge delivery to downstream equipment, allowing continuous production. Load cells can be integrated into the metering screw to use the loss-in-weight method for measuring product displacement. Metering Screws deliver and surge the correct quantity of product to the mixers, cookers, or blenders downstream as required by the recipe. CLEAN SWEEP The Metering … Metering Screws Drive Surge Production and Eliminate Waste
This featured system doubled cooking batches within a minimal footprint used well-planned equipment selection, floor layout, and controls customization. Mepaco®’s cooking system featured side-by-side ThermaBlend® cookers, with a shared maintenance and sanitation platform. SYSTEM FLEXIBILITY The multi-recipe prepared foods processor benefited from flexibility in production scenarios. The system can run two batches at once, staggered, … Doubling Cook Batches without Doubling Footprint
Many of Apache’s customers, come to us with a full specification outline to custom manufacture their tank or vessel. For pharmaceutical, life sciences and health industries, Apache often works with integrators who add their process technology to sanitary equipment supplied by Apache. We also provide vessel solutions to end-users who have process technology support or … New E-Book: Design to Submission Road Map
Mepaco has a new test cooker for processors who have new products or recipes that require cooking and blending. The test cooker is a 75-gallon ThermaBlend® unit with steam injection, vacuum, pneumatic covers and doors, and dual ribbon agitators. The ThermaBlend® is designed specifically for large scale batch operations. All of the components from the … New ThermaBlend® Test Cooker
Versatility of Dimple Jacket Heat Transfer Thermal Processing Apache’s engineers and fabrication experts are entrusted by many national and international processors to provide complex vessels with a host of compliant-driven specifications and required quality protocols. With nearly 45 years of experience providing custom vessels, Apache has significant experience in thermal heat exchange surfaces. Heat exchange … Versatility of Dimple Heat Transfer Jackets
Mepaco’s Food Processing customers often opt for custom and modifiable dumping equipment features that provide the highest level of personnel and food safety, highlighted in this animation. Locking Mechanism: Pallet Retention cylinders secure the pallet on both sides to retain its position during the dump cycle. The locking mechanism is part of the PRS (Pallet Retention System). … Animation Highlights Dumper Features that Solve for Food Safety
Categorizing levels of sanitary design is helpful to professionals new to compliance-regulated industries requiring custom vessels because it bridges communications regarding standards and design requirements. In hygienic applications, stainless equipment requires a sanitary finish which generally refers to a smooth, scratch-free, non-corrosive finish. The fineness of the finish, which determines its performance, is measured in RA … Comparing Base, Mid, and High-level Sanitary Finishes (Infographic)
When evaluating a custom vessel manufacturing partner for a new project, consider the manufacturing capabilities and experience that support the vessel’s application and sanitary requirements. All custom design stainless vessels for the food, life sciences, pharmaceutical and health industries require sanitary construction. It is the application and automation that drives the level of sanitary componentry. In … Anatomy of a Sanitary Design Vessel
Many processors make their own repairs to equipment, but in the case of agitators, the repair must be sound to avoid problems in the future. Mepaco Service technicians are trained and experienced to troubleshoot shaft wear and are specialists in the repair of stainless steel. Here is a list of what not to do when … What NOT to do When an Agitator is Failing
Stainless Finishes for Hygienic Vessels are measured by an RA (Roughness Average) meter. Manufacturers of custom vessels for life science, health and pharmaceutical industries adhere to strict design parameters to maintain compliance in these industries. The RA is a standard for an average of peaks and valleys on the metal’s surface, measured in microinches. Here is the … Navigating Stainless Material and Finishes for Hygienic Vessels
There are multiple reasons to use a portable dumper equipment solution. Processors with quick turn batches and reoccurring recipe changes benefit from a portable dumper to use in multiple production areas. Some processors prefer to move equipment to designated sanitation areas. Also, the column dumper must be portable and move out of the way for … Portable Column Dumper Solves for Flexible Production
If you have a transport, incline or metering screw, these conditions are symptoms of a failing auger / screw. The screw is rubbing on the wall of the tub There is a bow or wobble when running The hanger bearings are wearing out prematurely The wear pads are ground down beyond normal wear. The gear … How to Determine if your Auger / Screw Conveyor is Failing
In some cases, there is a particular event that causes agitator damage such as a shovel or fork falling into a piece of processing equipment. However, there are several other signs that determine when an agitator is failing: The agitator starts developing cracks in the pipe or welds. The agitator starts rubbing the tub side wall. … How to Know When an Agitator is Failing
Vacuum or Pressure Closures for Small/Portable ASME Vessels Many processors come to Apache for a vessel solution in the incubation stage of their business. In some cases, they are looking for help to choose the right kind of vessel that will suit their needs and fit their budget. While Apache provides custom ASME vessels for … What’s Right for my Operation: Pressure v. Vacuum Closures
ASME is a leading developer of codes and standards in the mechanical engineering community. These standards enhance public safety and health as well as promote innovation. The ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) mark is a single certification marketing to signify the international mark of safety and quality. Recognized worldwide, manufacturers that provide ASME have … Round Up on ASME Marks
There are various methods to heat and cool food product in cooking equipment. The application will dictate the best combination of methods and configurations ranging from stay-bolt or dimple jacket designs, to injected steam and thermal screw heating options. On equipment solutions that use a heating jacket, a dual zone design may add versatility to … When to Leverage Dual Zones in Thermal Jackets for Food Processing
Case Story: What can happen when an agitator problem is ignored? A high-volume pet food processor utilized a Mixer/Cooker in their operations which produced 45-minute batches. The application called for 28 RPM and mixing cold product at 35 – 45 degrees. During the process of loading different ingredients into the Mixer-Cooker, a Vmag buggy fell … Case Story: What Can Happen When an Agitator Problem is Ignored?
Mepaco’s Service Team is often called out on critical downtime situations. The goal for any food processor is to prevent these situations and if they are unavoidable, mitigate the time and cost associated with the breakdown. To start with, here are the top four calls that Mepaco Services receive for emergency support: Broken Shafts Agitators are failing when … 4 Tips to Address Emergency Downtime
Custom vessel manufacturing to industries requiring compliance is what we do. There is a process for customer service and engineering that is required to get the custom vessel you require for your application. Numerous specifications will be required based on your process or level of compliance. Apache will work with you to explain and provide … 12 Engineering Steps to Ensure ASME Compliance for Custom Vessels
The particular RA (Roughness Average) value is a requirement for stainless vessel manufacturing for federal, state or local compliance agencies across many critical industries. It is a crucial standard in these industries to maintain a clean system. The instrument used in the measurement is called a profilometer, which provides an average in microinches. The smaller … VIDEO: The Affect of Manufacturing Processes on Stainless Surface Smoothness
Processors serving food or hygienic industries have varying degrees of compliance requirements for custom vessels solutions. The designation of “sanitary” has a wide range of definitions depending on the customer, the industry or the standard. This video is a brief overview how Apache defines a base, mid, and high-level sanitary vessels. Apache Stainless Equipment Corporation … Video: 3 Levels of Sanitary Construction
ASME (American Society of Mechanical Engineers) is a leading developer of codes and standards in the mechanical engineering community. ASME code section VIII details mandatory rules regarding vessel design, including engineering, manufacturing, and testing of pressure vessels. These standards enhance public safety and health as well as promote quality and innovation. Here are the … ASME Hygienic Vessel Construction Parameters
As the Cannabis Processing industry continues to evolve, increasing regulations are following. With continuous new products and additive combinations entering the market, the sale and distribution of the products will have more regulations. The processing and production of CBD and cannabidiol components are already seeing increasing standards. When searching for a new Cannabis Processing or … 5 Key Questions When Searching for New Cannabis Processing and Extraction Vessels
The Mepaco team engineers equipment and systems specific to the processing application in each thermal processing project. In mixing and blending operations, application engineering is especially important because product quality and efficiencies are at stake. The food product, viscosity, texture, cycle times, and thermal processing technology including agitator designs are considered in the best cooking … Challenges Solved by Application Engineered Solutions and Agitator Design
