Plan
Identify outgoing and incoming products, tools, PPE, waste route and acceptance checks.
Cleaning guide
Auger filler cleaning and changeover.
A practical framework for product-contact access, line clearance, tooling control, reassembly and verified restart after a powder change.
Line clearanceTooling controlDry or wet cleanFirst-off checks
Define the clean
Start from the product risk and the site procedure.
The correct method depends on the powder, hygiene regime, allergen or cross-contamination risk, equipment construction and whether moisture can be introduced safely. A dry clean, controlled wipe-down and wet strip are different validated processes.
- Identify every product-contact and product-trap area
- Agree isolation and stored-energy controls
- Define dry or wet cleaning and drying requirements
- Identify inspection and release responsibility
- Retain tooling and recipe traceability
Safety boundary
Use the machine instructions and the site’s competent risk assessment. Do not improvise access, remove guards or introduce liquids where the equipment or powder is not approved for that method.
Changeover sequence
Control removal, cleaning, reassembly and restart.
Clear
Stop feed, empty the hopper and recover or dispose of residual product under the site procedure.
Isolate
Apply the approved electrical, pneumatic and mechanical isolation before access.
Strip
Remove the agreed auger, tube, spout, accessible hopper parts, agitator components and seals.
Clean and inspect
Clean by the approved method; inspect wear, damage, residue, seals and difficult product traps.
Reassemble
Fit the identified tooling set, restore guards and services and complete the pre-start check.
Verify
Run controlled first-off packs and release only after dose, presentation and contamination checks pass.
Change-part control
Keep each auger, tube and outlet tied to its recipe.
| Record field | Why it matters | Evidence to retain |
|---|---|---|
| Outgoing product and batch | Defines the residue and cross-contamination risk. | Batch, line-clearance status and product disposal/recovery record. |
| Parts removed | Prevents inaccessible or overlooked contact areas. | Checklist for auger, tube, spout, hopper, agitator, seals and pack-contact parts. |
| Cleaning method | Links the clean to the approved SOP. | Materials, concentration where relevant, contact time, rinse/dry and visual inspection. |
| Tooling identity | Prevents a wrong auger or nozzle being fitted to the next recipe. | Part ID, condition and storage location. |
| Reassembly checks | Confirms secure, complete and safe restoration. | Fasteners, seals, clearances, guards, sensors and manual rotation/jog where approved. |
| First-off result | Confirms the new setup before production release. | Recipe, tare, weight sequence, pack condition and release signature. |
Design cleaning into machine selection.
Frequent small batches can make access and tooling storage more important than maximum output. Ask to see how the proposed hopper, auger, tube, outlet and support are removed. Include enough time in FAT to perform the agreed strip and reassembly rather than only a fill demonstration.
Review dust and extraction before opening the system.
Residual fine powder can become airborne during emptying and strip-down. Coordinate extraction, waste handling and PPE with the dust-control guide and the product safety information.
Changeover review
Discuss cleaning requirementsSend the product-change matrix with the machine enquiry.
List allergens, colours, flavours, hazardous properties and campaign frequency so contact-part access and tooling control can be reviewed before quotation.