Electronic depositor

Continuous depositing and moulding of a wide range of confectionery has been well accepted for many years.  Experience gained from a substantial reference base and a high level of technical support has enabled confectionery manufacturers to produce products, from the hardest candy to the softest fondant, efficiently and profitably.  The application of the latest electronics technology now further reduces the cost of ownership of a depositing line.

In a typical Starchless Depositing line, hard candy, fondant/creme, gums, jellies, including centrefilled candy (a liquid centre with a solid outer casing) is deposited from a hopper into a continuously moving series of specially designed moulds.  The depositing head comprises one, two or three rows of flooded suction pumps using a variety of valve options, facilitating the depositing of high viscosity products, at final solids, with high levels of accuracy.  The moulds then pass around a continuous circuit where the product is cooled, either in an ambient or refrigerated cooler depending upon the specific product, before being automatically demoulded.  Discharge from the cooler can be either in a random or regimented pattern depending upon particular secondary processing or packaging requirements.

Manufacturing flexibility is a key requirement for profitable production.  A change from rigid to silicon rubber moulds will facilitate the production of a wide range of products, from toffees to jellies, cremes and fondants.

Existing depositor designs rely on a system of mechanical cams and levers to create and control the basic motions of depositing.  While this is a well established and proven design solution, it imposes some limitations as far as flexibility and fine tuning are concerned and is perhaps best suited for dedicated production lines.

However, even more flexibility and simplicity of operation is now available, with the confectionery manufacturer having a choice between electronic or mechanical depositing heads.  The application of electronics technology to the design of a new depositing head brings a higher level of operator friendly control and efficiency.

The key differences between the mechanical and electronic systems are in the drive mechanisms for pump stroke and head traverse.  The mechanical system uses cams and chains, whilst the electronic version utilises servo drives and operates via movement profiles and maps using a PLC.

The new electronic depositing head offers:

Increased flexibility and ease of operation allowing rapid product change.
Electronic synchronisation with the rest of the plant, such as a second head or feeder.  This allows a multihead deposit plant with a wide product range.
On the run fine tuning of the deposit profile, such as the centrefill ratio or the positioning of the centre within the candy.
A depositing speed independent of the mould circuit speed.  This allows optimum depositing conditions irrespective of throughput.
An overhead drive option which allows the unit to be mounted over existing plant and conveyors.
Improved hygiene as the hopper can be easily removed for cleaning or quick product change.
Additional cutoff valve permutations for high viscosity products, aerated products, inclusions, etc.
Rapid commissioning as operating profiles can be pre established during trials.
This development comes against a background of installing over 400 depositing plants of various sizes.  Customer trials can be carried out, in total confidence, in Baker Perkins Innovation Centre at Peterborough.