Dual-function ServoForm confectionery depositors
Date: 19 June 2006
Creating the ability to diversify a product range
Baker Perkins has extended its range of ServoForm confectionery depositing plant with two dual-function systems giving producers the ability to diversify their product range.
The Baker Perkins name has returned to confectionery processing equipment because of the re-naming of APV Baker, following the recent acquisition of that company by private investors.
The new depositors are the Duo to produce hard candies and lollipops on a single line; and the Universal which can be used for hard candy and toffee, plus other soft confectionery.
The Duo cooking and depositing system utilises a single Microfilm cooker to feed a depositor supplied with appropriate mould sets for candy and lollipops. Rapid interchangeability maximises output potential, whilst separate ejection systems for each product and a patented, automated stick feeding unit for lollipops ensure that there is no compromise in either process.
High quality products can be made in a range of outputs, up to 3,124 pieces per minute of hard candy, and 1,125 lollipops per minute. Fruit, high milk or cream, and butterscotch hard candies and lollipops are all possible in both sugar and sugar-free variants.
The capability extends to one, two, three and four coloured/component products with centre-fillings, stripes and layers for both hard candies and lollipops.
Two ejection stations are provided: hard candy travels via a cooling tunnel to the ejection point, lollipops through a patented, automated stick feeding, placing and detecting unit prior to cooling and ejection.
Baker Perkins was the first company to develop lollipop depositing technology to give higher quality and greater production flexibility than traditional die forming. The ServoForm Duo concept retains all the features of these systems, designed specifically for the lollipop market, and now in use in Europe, India and Asia.
The Universal depositor provides a hard candy and toffee flexibility that is particularly useful for new entrants to these markets, or manufacturers looking to diversify their product portfolio. The Universal will also be welcomed in those parts of the world with a distinct season for these two product types.
Two sets of moulds are supplied: aluminium moulds with pin ejection for hard candy, flexible rubber moulds with ejection by deformation of the mould for toffee.
The same head is used for both hard candy and toffee, with two to four colours or components. Fruit, and high milk or cream hard candy in stripes, layers and centre-fill can be made in sugar and sugar-free versions. Solid, centre-filled or striped toffee can also be made, as well as fondant and fudge products.
Quick release mould fixings ensure operators can achieve simple changeover between aluminium and rubber mould sets.
The line incorporates a multi-functional Microfilm cooking system. For hard candy, the cooked syrup passes directly to the depositor. For toffee applications, the cooked syrup passes through a 'Carablend' unit for caramelisation before depositing. Additional ingredients such as butter, fondant, nuts and flavourings can be blended into the syrup in the Carablend unit.
Refrigerated cooling is provided for toffees.
Baker Perkins Microfilm cooker and ServoForm depositor systems are the recognised market leader throughout the world, with over 500 plants at work.
The ServoForm platform provides depositing capability offering greater quality and flexibility than alternative methods. The nature of the process creates complete control throughout the system, leading to extremely high dimensional shape and weight accuracy; negligible scrap rates and efficient wrapping; plus low maintenance and maximum hygiene.
Greater flexibility and process control are created by the adoption of servomotors as standard to control ServoForm depositor movements. Three axis control is standard, enabling deposit weights and fillings to be changed at the touch of a button, giving the operator complete mastery of the process, including 'on-the-run' fine tuning of operation
Servos are under the control of a PLC, and a touch-sensitive screen that gives full process visualisation, recipe management, alarm handling and data logging. The system can be integrated with upstream and downstream equipment, or into a SCADA plant supervisory system.
Higher output is another key benefit, achieved by mounting drive components on the machine frame rather than the depositing head. This unique 'underband' design reduces the inertia of the head, allowing a higher depositor running speed. It also contributes to improved hygiene and easier maintenance.
The introduction of a totally self-draining hopper ensures an improved product flow, with reduced hopper retention time.
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