Candy and confectionery plants pack a wide range of shapes on one line. Gummies, hard candies, and wrapped chocolates all move at different speeds through depositing, cooling, and wrapping stations. Moreover, a circular sorting conveyor solves this timing gap directly. It holds product in a closed loop, then releases pieces to packaging at a controlled rate. This article examines the mechanical function of a circular accumulation conveyor in a candy sorting line from a pure engineering angle.

What Is a Circular Sorting Conveyor in Candy Accumulation?

A circular sorting conveyor is a closed-loop conveyor that queues candy pieces between two unsynchronized stations. The track forms an oval or a true circle. Individual carriers or a continuous belt surface travel around this loop without stopping. Meanwhile, an infeed point loads product from the cooling tunnel or the depositor line. Consequently, a discharge gate releases candy toward the wrapping or bagging machine on a separate schedule. Specifically, engineers set the loop diameter and carrier pitch to match the buffer time the line needs. Therefore, the conveyor absorbs short stops on either side of the process.

Core Function on a Candy Sorting Line

Depositors and enrobers run on fixed mechanical cycles. Wrapping machines, however, index at their own pace and pause often for film changes. Without a buffer, one pause halts the whole line. A circular sorting conveyor breaks that link directly. The loop recirculates candy continuously, so upstream equipment never stalls waiting on downstream capacity. Furthermore, the closed track keeps loose pieces separated by carrier pockets or lane guides. This separation stops soft or coated pieces from fusing together during the buffer stage. As a result, product quality remains consistent as items move through the accumulation zone.

Key Mechanical Components in Circular Sorting Conveyor                                                                                

A circular sorting conveyor for confectionery duty combines several core parts. The track structure holds either a continuous stainless belt or a chain-driven pocket system. A variable-frequency drive sets loop speed and adjusts it in real time. Photoelectric or capacitive sensors read fill level around the loop. Furthermore, a PLC coordinates infeed gates, discharge gates, and drive speed together. Food-grade guide rails, typically UHMW- PE or stainless steel, shape the candy path without scuffing coatings. Specifically, the table below lists these components next to their function on a candy accumulation line.

Component

Function on the Line

Closed-loop track Forms the continuous circular or oval buffer path Carrier pockets or belt zones Holds individual candy pieces without contact Variable-frequency drive Sets and adjusts loop rotation speed Photoelectric or capacitive sensors Reports fill level around the loop PLC controller Coordinates gates and drive speed together Food-grade guide rails Shapes the candy path without surface damage Infeed and discharge gates Controls entry and exit timing

Buffering Logic and Sensor Control                 

Most circular sorting conveyors for candy use first-in-first-out logic. This sequencing keeps batch and lot traceability intact through the buffer stage. Sensors along the loop report occupancy to the line PLC continuously. As a result, the control system slows the loop before it reaches full capacity. It also speeds up discharge once downstream demand rises again. Additionally, some lines pair this logic with weight-check sensors near the discharge gate. This addition catches clumped or fused candy pieces before they reach the wrapper. Overall, the sensor network turns a passive buffer into an active flow-control device. In particular, real-time occupancy data allows the PLC to coordinate all downstream equipment timing.

Case Study: A Shantou Confectionery with Circular Sorting Conveyor

Shantou, a major candy-manufacturing hub in Guangdong, hosts a mid-size gummy candy producer. In 2024, the plant installed a 1,800 mm diameter circular sorting conveyor between its cooling tunnel and a twin-lane flow wrapper. The line produced small gummy bears at roughly 750 pieces per minute. Wrapper film changeovers, however, paused packaging for 35 to 50 seconds several times per shift. Specifically, engineers sized the loop to hold a 60-second buffer of product at running speed. Consequently, the cooling tunnel output never backed up during a film change. The wrapper also resumed at full pace without a cold restart. Similarly, a separate Dorner field report on Country Fair Confections shows the same principle in cotton candy production . There, a shift to a food-grade accumulation conveyor removed line stoppages tied to sticky product buildup. Additionally, a Bessen field report on a rotary accumulation table reaches a matching conclusion. It notes steadier downstream flow once buffering replaced manual staging . Overall, both field examples confirm that circular buffering prevents cascading delays across multi-stage confectionery lines.

Circular vs Linear Accumulation: A Functional Comparison

Factor Circular Sorting Conveyor

Linear Accumulation Conveyor

Floor footprint Compact; fits tight production cells Longer footprint for equal buffer time Buffer capacity per m² Higher, from continuous loop path Lower, limited by straight run length Product sequencing Maintains strict FIFO order Maintains FIFO order Best fit Mixed-speed lines with frequent short stops Long, steady single-speed runs Sanitation access Open-frame washdown from all sides Washdown along one straight run Typical buffer time 30 to 90 seconds 60 to 180 seconds

Hygiene and Compliance ConsiderationsHygiene

Confectionery buffering equipment sits close to unwrapped product. Sanitary design matters as much as flow control here. Open-frame construction allows full washdown access under and around the loop. Rounded corners and closed-off dead-leg zones stop sugar residue from collecting on the track. Moreover, food-contact surfaces typically meet EN 1672-2 hygiene design requirements for food processing machinery . Plants in China also align surfaces to GB 4806.9 material rules for food-contact metal parts . In addition, lubrication points, where present, use food-grade grease under a recognized food-safety framework. Consequently, plant sanitation teams can clean a circular sorting conveyor on the same schedule as the rest of the line. Furthermore, accessible design simplifies the compliance audit process for regulatory inspections.

Conclusion