Servo layer cake system
The Servo layer cake system is intended for industrial bakeries looking to automate the filling of layer cakes. This system can ice a layer of buttercream onto round or square cakes with a high degree of consistency and speed at a throughput of 30 cakes/min. The system integrates with the cake stacking module as part of the automated cake icing system (ACIS). Pairing it with both can streamline cake decorating while reducing strain or injury for employees. Unifiller Systems
X-ray system also does quality control
The X34 X-ray system is specifically designed to provide detection of physical contaminants that can be found within food products. Simultaneously, it can perform a wide range of quality control checks to protect brand reputations – inspection checks for things like product quality and packaging presentation integrity. The software can store up to 500 X-ray images in its own library, providing traceability in the event of a product recall or an industry audit. The unit combines the vendor's latest ContamPlus X-ray inspection software with an Optimum Power Generator. This enhances detection sensitivity and minimizes false reject rates. This combination enables fully automated product set-up and changeover, reducing not just user errors but also increasing operation efficiencies. Mettler Toledo
Sanitary bulk bag weigh batch unloader
The Bulk-Out bulk bag weigh batch unloading system with manual dumping station and flexible screw conveyor conveys weighed batches of contamination-sensitive materials to downstream processes automatically and allows rapid sanitizing. The BFC model discharger frame is equipped with a cantilevered I-beam with electric hoist and trolley for positioning of bulk bags without the use of a forklift. A Spout-Lock clamp ring atop a Tele-Tube telescoping tube connects the clean side of the bag spout securely to the clean side of the equipment intake and maintains constant downward tension on the bag as it empties and elongates, promoting complete discharge from the bag. Flexicon Corp.
Robot solutions for food usage
This range of humid environment (HE) robots is designed for safe, hygienic processing of food products, including meats. The SCARA FAST Picker TP80 HE features up to 200 picks per minute. The TX2 90 HE six-axis robot provides waterjet and ultrasonic cutting. The TS2 60 HE four-axis robot is used for loading and unloading. Common features include a fully enclosed and pressurized structure to prevent micro-organism penetration and avoid condensation; a hygienic design that features smooth, rounded and tilted surfaces to eliminate liquid retention; protection against low-pressure jets of water (IP65) and immersion (IP67); and stainless steel crucial components. Stäubli North America
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Compact inline capper for smaller filling operations
The WC150 compact capper is designed for use by smaller filling operations or contract packagers. It can apply 27- to 110-mm regular and deep twist-off and press-on caps on glass food jars at rates of 100 to 150 per minute, depending on cap type and jar style. The system accommodates jar heights of 50 to 285 mm and jar diameters of 40 to 140 mm. It is suitable as an introductory machine or in operations in which production requirements are moderate and floor space is limited. Steam vacuum technology provides a tight hermetic cap seal, and the capper’s synchronized machine head and conveyor drive ensure a smooth capping operation. Silgan Equipment
Conveyor door
The Sure-Seal conveyor door is designed for automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) environments. Combining speeds of up to 100 in./sec. and an energy-efficient R-4 insulated panel, it helps maintain secure separation within and between storage areas and conveyor operations. Its high-speed functionality ensures minimal air infiltration while a perimeter sealing system provides secure closing. In addition, the standard I/O expansion board and System 4 programming versatility allow seamless integration capability with existing ASRS control and monitoring systems. The door is specially engineered for high-cycle applications in which reliability and energy savings are critical. Rytec Corp.
Hybrid-design food extruder for plant-based proteins
The ZSK food extruder is available as a hybrid solution for manufacturing meat substitute products. The latest design accommodates both texturized vegetable protein (TVP) and high-moisture meat analogs (HMMA) with minimal retrofitting: The discharge can be changed over quickly from the ZGF centric food pelletizer used to manufacture TVP by cutting the product directly at the nozzle plate to the specialized cooling die needed for HMMA to make a product strand exhibiting a texture closely resembling that of genuine meat. The machine’s operator personnel can perform the changeover in a few minutes; no electrician is needed. Coperion
Noncontact radar level sensors
These level sensors are available in a variety of housings. Compact 1½-in. NPT housings can be used for existing fittings and are suitable for bins up to 98 ft tall. A durable plastic housing is an option for a bin with structure when used with a precisely aimed swivel mount. Aluminum and stainless steel housing materials are suitable for food operations. Mounting options include a custom carbon steel ball-and-socket mount for aiming flexibility; 4-in. ANSI mounting flanges in 0, 10°, 15°, 30° and 45° angles for angled roofs; and a variety of mounting flanges in various sizes for flat roofs. BinMaster
Polyurea coating system for food and beverage facilities
The Sanishield 3000/5000 two-part polyurea coating system is designed for walls and ceilings in such industrial environments as food and beverage facilities. The coating system fills minor cracks in the substrate material to enhance surface integrity and durability. Combining an aromatic polyurea high-build basecoat with an aliphatic polyurea topcoat, it goes on thickly and cures quickly. It provides an ultraviolet-stable, easy-to-clean surface that withstands the harsh chemicals found in common sanitizers and disinfectants. The coating is suitable for USDA incidental food contact applications and is flame-resistant pursuant to the ASTM E-84 flame spread test. PPG
Vacuum-based soft gripper
The piSoftGrip grips sensitive and lightweight objects of odd geometries and unusual surfaces. The vacuum-based soft gripper has three gripping fingers and a sealed vacuum cavity, all made in one piece. The product is not sensitive to dust, and the gripping force is easily adjusted and controlled by the applied vacuum level. It is made in detectable silicone approved for direct contact with food (in accordance with FDA 21 CFR and EU 1935/2004 regulations). Wash-down fitting options as well as a sealed vacuum cavity make it easy to clean and keep it functioning in challenging environments. Piab USA
Ultraviolet sanitizer unit
The SplitUV thin unit fits into indoor ductless air conditioning units near the air blower. Ultraviolet light eliminates potential biohazards such as viruses, bacteria, fungus and mold, reducing respiratory problems associated with contaminated indoor air quality. It comes with two UV-C 254 nm compact tubes in IP20 aluminum casing and its electronic driver and mounting accessories. The unit is available in 120-V and 230-VAC options; mounting is simple and takes less than 10 minutes. It starts when the air conditioning unit is powered up and has an optional power on/off switch on the electronic driver casing. TechMed Corp.
Passive isolation valve
The Ventex passive explosion isolation valve’s robust design is certified to handle organic dusts, metal dusts, hybrid mixtures and gases with one- or two-way acting systems. During normal operation, air flows through the valve and passes around the poppet on the inside. During an explosion, the poppet is forced shut by the explosion pressure wave and locked into place. This creates a seal in the process line and effectively prevents the spread of flames and pressure. Signaling devices are included on all valves to indicate an explosion has occurred. Rembe, Inc
Continuous motion equipment for spouted pouch assembly, filling and sealing
The Ermetika series of high-speed, continuous motion rotary machines are designed to assemble, fill and seal spouted pouches in a variety of shapes and sizes. The series has four models with output capacities ranging from 120 to 480 pouches/min. Strict segregation of pouch-making and filling areas lends itself to high levels of hygiene, and the fill-through-the-spout system allows for complete-to-compacity pouch fills, avoiding materials waste. The versatile machines can accommodate films, spouts and caps from different suppliers, can produce a range of pouch shapes and sizes and are fitted with a patent-pending leak test system. IMA Dairy & Food USA
Hygienic cleaning equipment
Brushes and other items of cleaning equipment are designed for use in food processing facilities. They are heavily built, tough and effective and made with FDA-approved components for food contact. The resin set brushes feature filament retention technology, combining stainless steel staples and Biomaster antimicrobial resin to keep brush filaments secure. All plastics and resins in the antimicrobial products contain a Biomaster additive that, together with good housekeeping, improve facility hygiene. Total MDX brushes (including the filaments) and other MDX plastic tools are fully metal and X-ray detectable. The product line offers a multitude of colors, allowing facilities to color-code their environments. Hillbrush
Topload carton former with onboard electronics
Kliklok Ace advanced carton erectors can accommodate cartons ranging from a blank size of 122 mm wide x 190 mm long to 600 mm wide x 800 mm long. An integrated flex feeder ensures reliable and safe carton control through the entire process. The machine runs at up to 80 cycles/min. with single, double or triple heads and is suited for such food applications as bakery, snacks, cereal bars, frozen/prepared food, tea and coffee. It can form lock-style and glue-style cartons on the same machine. A version with ultrasonic technology also is available. Onboard electronics eliminate the need for a control cabinet. Syntegon Technology
Sine pump
The MasoSine Certa 800 provides flows to 255 m3/h. Designed to offer enhanced food product quality through gentle handling, the pump has shown to reduce fines and increase yield in cheese production trials. It was observed that low shear product transfer reduced the number of fines within the curds and whey of the cheese by more than 20%, while retaining the fat. The reduction in shear cuts power consumption by up to 50% with high-viscosity fluids, and an EHEDG Type EL Aseptic Class I-certified hygienic design means that CIP cycles and the amount of water and cleaning agents consumed also are reduced. Watson-Marlow Fluid Technology Group
Double planetary mixing, weighing and discharging system
Tailored to individual process needs, the double planetary mixer comes with an optional weighing system for quick and precise measurements throughout the batching procedure. The integrated turnkey system consists of a mixer, weighing scale and discharge system on mobile benches that can dock to each other and to transfer carts of the same height. This allows for convenient movement of the mix vessel along V-groove tracks and easy transport of each equipment. The vessel containing finished product is rolled from the mixer to the weighing station and then to the discharge press for direct filling into syringes, tubes or other containers. Ross Mixers
Monoflange valve assembly for process and instrument control
The V02 monoflange provides block and bleed capability for process or instrumentation control. The process variation adds an outside screw and yoke head for service as a primary isolation valve. Compatible with ½- to 3-in. standard ASME raised face and ring joint flange connections, this valve system mates to existing common flange couplings. Its 316L stainless steel wetted parts along with optional alternate materials allow the V02 to stand up to a variety of pressure media. A maximum pressure rating of 6092 psi at 428°F (420 bar at 220°C) ensures that the monoflange valve assembly is ready for most severe applications. Ashcroft Inc.
