Enhancing production methods forms core focus for Sollich at Interpack
Optimisation of production methods will form a notable focus for Sollich chocolate and confectionery processing equipment at this year’s Interpack event in Dusseldorf, writes Neill Barston.
The company will be joining a wealth of leading machinery businesses for the sector at the major showcase between 4-10 May, which will return after a record-absence of six years owing to the global Covid 19 pandemic.
As Sollich noted, its display will focus on efficient, easy cleaning of its systems, with its latest approaches to hygiene and safety being fully demonstrated at the event, taking place at Messe Dusseldorf expo site.
Among breakthroughs for the company is its Thermo-Flow cooling tunnel segment is the wheel-out heat exchanger. This function allows the operator an easy and thorough cleaning of the heat exchanger. The mobile belt washing unit with integrated hygiene washing drum guarantees a practical handling when cleaning the conveyor belt and additionally ensures that no foreign particles can get onto the products during the cleaning process.
Meanwhile, for the Turbotemper, a machine for chocolate pre-crystallisation, the company offers a complementary cleaning device in order to allow an easy and quick mass changeover. The mobile cleaning device can be flexibly applied within the production site for different tempering machines with a throughput of up to 3600 kg/h. For the segment of the Enromat enrobing machines Sollich KG provides efficient cleaning by the „Clean in Place“ system. Besides a mobile washing station and additional accessories all machines are constructed in such a way that they comply with the increasing hygiene requirements.
Further improvements in research and development have been made in the scope of digitalisation regarding the information exchange between machine operator and the Sollich KG. Together with other leading suppliers of confectionery machines, Sollich KG has founded the company SweetConnect.
On this recently-created platform, users can manage all their integrated production machines at a glance. Documents such as operating instructions, spare parts catalogs and cross-manufacturer maintenance managers are just some of the basic functions made possible with the help of the new online collective.
In conjunction with the “Fast Lane” remote maintenance system, data from the application process are transmitted to optimize services and increase machine availability. Referring to the subject „articifial intelligence“ Sollich will introduce for the first time an approach to self-analysis of their tempering machines. In the future the self-analysis of the machine shall be combined with an automatic adjustment of the temperature values in order to reduce human working capacities and to increase the quality of the tempered chocolate at the same time.
A further solution to improve the quality of chocolate during the handling process is represented by the Sollich Tempergraph. This device reportedly allows automatic measuring of the degree of temper in the chocolate. It can also be installed within the enrobing machine. In this constellation an adequate determination of the tempering degree can be achieved – namely directly before enrobing.
The variety of the equipment features at each machine has been increased and contributes to an improved quality. This also includes, for example, the dew point display within the cooling tunnel. This instrument helps to prevent errors when cooling down products and, thus, ensures perfect product quality after the cooling process. In addition, the company is also demonstrating its Miniconbar system for bar production.