The following equipment products were selected by our editors for the July 2018 issue of Food Processing magazine. Download your copy of the digital version of the magazine here
Just lift, dump and seal
The model 8772 Food Grade Lift & Seal Container Dumper discharges containers of food product into an existing hopper at 72 in. above floor level. Unit features heavy wall, tubular carbon steel construction with continuous welds. Unit includes a 304-2B stainless steel pour hood with continuous TIG welds, polished smooth. Pour hood discharge outlet includes an air actuated butterfly valve with a nylon 11 coated disc and a food grade EPDM seat. The system is driven by a 5 GPM premium hydraulic pump for a smooth, reliable operation. Hydraulic system filled with FDA/USDA approved food grade hydraulic oil and lubricants. Material Transfer; Allegan, Mich.; 800-836-7068; www.materialtransfer.com
Digital floor scale
Traditionally known for their reliability issues, analog load cells, cables and junction boxes are prone to issues that can lead to weighing errors and disruptions in the production schedule. The PowerDeck digital scale helps avoid uneven filling, spills, inaccurate weighments and bad batches by detecting and alerting operators when product is improperly loaded, guiding users to optimal load placement. In addition, the system is fully waterproof since no junction boxes are needed. Real-time alerts for environmental hazards such as debris, shock-loading and temperature ensure accurate and reliable weighing. Mettler Toledo; Columbus, Ohio; 800-638-8537; www.mt.com
High-lift box/container dumper
The sanitary Tip-Tite High-Lift Box/Container Dumper discharges dust-free into vessels 6-10 ft (1830-3050mm) above the plant floor. Boxes and other containers are loaded at floor level and hydraulically seated against a discharge hood. The assembly is then hydraulically elevated and tipped, causing the discharge hood spout to seat against a gasketed receiving ring installed on any receiving vessel or process equipment. Opening of a pneumatically actuated slide gate valve at the spout outlet allows controlled, dust-free discharge, while closing it allows partially empty boxes and containers to be returned to the plant floor. The unit accommodates Gaylords and other boxes 36-48 in. (915-1220mm) on a side and 39-44 in. (990-1117mm) overall height. It's constructed of stainless steel finished to food, pharmaceutical or industrial standards. Flexicon Corp.; Bethlehem, Pa.; 888-353-9426; www.flexicon.com
High-speed servo filling machines
Deposit materials and maintain clean fills with HB high-speed servo pump fillers that are efficient yet small in size. The fillers are suitable for a wide range of flowable products, including sauces, dressings, jellies and condiments and products with particulates like macaroni and cheese. It is also ideal for fettuccini alfredo, fruit desserts with particulates like whole pitted cherries or apple pieces, and lasagna sauce with meat fillings. The servo drive technology provides high-speed depositing with custom tuning of filling parameters to control the appearance of the fill as well as the velocity. Speeds are enhanced through the use of a servo-driven traveling spout bridge, which moves the spouts with the continuously moving containers. Hinds-Bock; Bothell, Wash.; 877-292-5715; www.hinds-bock.com
Digital potato strip sorter
The Veryx digital sorter targets all foreign material for both wet and frozen potato strips with patented sort-to-grade software. It will recognize and categorize every surface defect and the dimensional characteristics of every individual strip and makes each accept/reject decision based on how it will impact the aggregate "in the bag" grade as defined by the processor. By controlling the output for defect types that must be managed to a particular specification, the system maintains the most complex final product specifications without operator intervention while increasing yields. Sort recipes include the definitions and acceptable volumes of specific surface defects and the desired distribution of strip lengths for every customer grade specification. Key Technology; Walla Walla, Wash.; 509-529-2161; www.key.net
Variable speed drive
Machine builders can reduce both delivery time and cost with the Altivar Machine ATV340 variable speed drive. The drive is suited for applications such as packaging, material handling and hoisting that require rapid dynamic control. It provides the flexibility to handle practically all motor types in open or closed loop. A combination of fast application reaction time with a minimum one millisecond task cycle and Ethernet connectivity maximizes throughput. One button auto-tuning for motor identification allows project replication, while a library of tested, validated and documented architectures boosts the speed of design. The ATV340 is suitable for environments with high levels of dust and vibration and operating temperatures. Schneider Electric, Raleigh, N.C.; 877-342-5173; www.schneider-electric.us
Mobile vacuum conveyor
Mobile Vacuum Conveying Systems offer ease-of-mobility for applications requiring access to tanks or other hard-to-reach processing areas. System incorporates an adjustable suction wand where operator introduces product to the vacuum system. Mobile frame incorporates the vacuum producer, conveying product up to 5,000 lbs. (2,268 kg) per hour and beyond. Vacuum receiver is manually hoisted for easy up-and-down mobility to a height of at least 91 in. (231 cm) at the discharge point, or down to operator level for easy disassembly, cleaning and transport. Vacuum receiver includes replaceable inlet assemblies, easy access to filters, pulse filter cleaning, and full opening discharge valves. Vac-U-Max; Belleville, N.J.; 973-388-2423; www.vac-u-max.com
Steam boiler
Save on fuel and increase efficiency with the Steam Master boiler. Available in three sizes, 40, 30 and 15 boiler horsepower, the boiler can be equipped with five option packages. The steam quality package ensures good, dry, high-quality steam is delivered to the system while a water treatment package is available to pretreat incoming water and handle returning condensate. An automatic start package is available as well as full Ethernet communication capabilities, including monitoring and operating the boiler via a mobile phone. Clayton Industries; City of Industry, Calif.; 800-423-4584; www.claytonindustries.com
Permanent magnet gearmotors
The IPMax, a line of lightweight, compact interior permanent magnet (IPM) gearmotors, incorporates magnets embedded within the rotor, as opposed to on the surface, eliminating copper losses in the rotor and less copper losses in the stator winding. The gearmotors can operate fanless up to 1hp, and do not require encoders for sensor control. When stopped, a servo lock feature holds the motor in position. The gearmotors are 23 percent smaller than comparable ie3 motors and run 24 percent cooler for longer lifespan. Brother Gearmotors; Bridgewater, N.J.; 973-227-8080; www.brothergearmotors.com
Bump cap
The company’s bump cap provides all-day comfort, durability and protection against minor bumps, bruises and lacerations. A vented model provides wearers with added cooling while a non-vented model provides a traditional look. In addition, the new bump cap offers users an easy-to-install slide lock suspension to accommodate a wide array of head sizes and a replaceable absorbent poly or easy-to-clean vinyl brow pad that securely keeps the cap comfortably on the wearer’s head. The cap is said to be ideal for use in a variety of environments, including food & beverage processing, maintenance distribution centers and transportation and agriculture. It's available in 20 colors and can be customized with logos. Bullard; Cynthiana, Ky.; 877-285-5273; www.bullard.com
High-containment dust collector
Improve air quality and achieve high-volume air movement with the VSHC unit. Available in three sizes, 10-, 14- and 18-inch diameters, the units feature a filter cleaning system that back pulses the filter at the simple turning of the on/off pump switch, resulting in longer use without the need to clean filters. The units also incorporate a 0.3 micron quick exchange filter as standard with optional HEPA filtration and a variety of hose size options and custom designed hoods or pickup tools, to suit specific applications, whether they are for dust suppression, spillage cleanup or reclaiming excess product. Volkmann; Bristol, Pa.; 609-265-0101; www.volkmannusa.com
Chemical bottle sanitizer
Give bottles longer contact time with sanitizing product before reaching the rinser/filler with the Rotary Microb-Blaster chemical bottle sanitizer. Available in two different sizes, jets distribute a controlled, turbulent spray into bottles to create a foam to cover more surface area. The Microb-Blaster includes a neck rinse for the exterior. Sanitizers can be coupled directly with the rinser or placed further away for even greater contact time. Fogg Filler; Holland, Mich.; 616-786-3644; www.foggfiller.com
Energy-efficient separators
The company says it has reduced the energy use of its separators by 40 percent by incorporating a pressure management technology, Encapt, into the systems’ design. This lowers the atmospheric pressure around the spinning bowl using a low-pressure pump, and the system is supervised by sensors that keep air friction minimal. Less friction means less energy required. An air-tight design inside the bowl, where the whole system is hermetically sealed, ensures no air enters. With the inlet at the bottom, and the outlet at the top, it saves the center for outlet flow, and requires less energy. Tetra Pak; Lausanne, Switzerland; +39 059 89 8954; www.tetrapak.com
Automatic coating system
Achieve consistent breading compared to hand breading while reducing ingredient and labor costs with the company’s automatic coating system. It continuously mixes ingredients while individually applying batter and breading to each food item. The recirculating coating ingredients are continually mixed and sifted to achieve the correct flavor profile balance while eliminating clumping, and any excess coating is gently shaken off the food items and returned to the machine. The machine accommodates a range of liquids from water to egg-washes, buttermilk, juices, slurries and other flavor blends in its 6-quart capacity compartment. Dry coatings can also be handled, including corn flakes, breadcrumbs, panko, flour or specially formulated seasoned coating blends. The breading tank capacity is 6-18 lbs. depending on the coating density. Bettcher Industries Inc.; Birmingham, Ohio; 440-965-4422; www.bettcher.com
Infrared pyrometer
The Thermalert 4.0 is an infrared spot pyrometer for automatic, noncontact temperature measurement in harsh industrial environments. Intended for use with temperatures of -40°F to 4,082°F, the pyrometer series comprises 13 models with varied spectral responses, including dedicated sensors for metals, glass, plastics, paper and food products. The device offers a choice of optics for long and short focal distances. The device is rated IP65/NEMA4 and supports remote configuration, monitoring, field calibration and firmware updates. These functions are said to lower service costs and time spent on setup and troubleshooting. Plug and play operation further facilitates installation and maintenance. Fluke Corp.; Everett, Wash.; 800-443-5853; www.fluke.com
Hygienic drain equipment
Prevent bacteria in facility areas below the surface such as listeria in drains with hygienic drainage products. The company’s stainless steel pipes, fittings, floor drains, slot channels and trench drains are made of 304 and 316L austenitic stainless steel, and can be customized to meet specific hygienic drainage needs. Josam Co.; Michigan City, Ind.; 219-872-5531; www.josam.com
Rotary lobe pump
Achieve low shear and gentle product handling for syrups and sauces for both high and low viscosity products with the TopLobe Plus Series hygienic rotary lobe pump. It provides reliable performance with low-noise, robust, consistent, smooth displacement of product using sizable fluid cavities that can accommodate large solids in the product flow. A rotor-shaft attachment ensures accurate rotor positioning and backlash-free connection, while the gear case design ensures no cross-contamination of lubricating oils into the product zone. The TLP pump is suitable for horizontal or vertical mounting, capable of bi-directional flow and has a four-way mounting gear case. SPX Flow Inc.; Charlotte, N.C.; 704-752-4400; www.spxflow.com
Rotary level indicators
Detect high and low levels while protecting valuable inventory with the company’s rotary level indicators. Rotaries are a simple, cost-effective point level measurement system that can be customized to meet the needs of your operation. A new line of rotary options recently was introduced, including the Maxima, BMRX and mini-rotary products. All come with custom extensions, paddles and mounting options. BinMaster; Lincoln, Neb.; 800-278-4241; www.binmaster.com
