In the machining world, “food-grade” is a term that refers to a specific type of finish for metal products. Food-grade means that the surfaces of the metals used are safe enough and clean enough to process food on and also fairly easy to clean after using. For this reason, food-grade metals must not contain divots or grooves as those will likely allow bacteria to grow. The metals must also be able to withstand the corrosive effects from processing food as well as from cleaning with chemical solutions on the surfaces.
Most often, a food-grade finish is one with a finish at the high end of Number 4 (brushed). To achieve this finish, a high-grit abrasive ranging from 150 to 220 should be used. The surface roughness average (Ra) measured in micro-inches will dictate the success of the finish. For the majority of food-grade finishes, 60-36 Ra is acceptable. But if the surfaces will be used for dairy products (milk, etc.), the finish should be finer since these products carry more bacteria and spoil quickly.
Choosing the Right Tool
Finishers/Wraparound Pipe Belt Sanders
Flex Pipe Belt Sander LBR 1506 VRA
These are multi-tasking machines that can perform several functions. These machines can grind flat surfaces and removes weld seams. The sanding belts on these machines can also follow the specific contours of pipes.
Linear Finishers
BD-300 Linear Finisher
These types of machines are suitable for long, flat surfaces without streaking as well as finishing in corners. For brushing, deburring, and blending, these are the machines to use.
Finger Belt Sanders/Wraparound Pipe Sanders
Flex LBS 1105VE Finger Belt Sander
These machines are specifically suited to perform one task. They are perfect for tight spaces and angles because. They use narrow abrasives and are good in smaller areas.
