Bühler creates latest milling equipment for global snacks and bakery markets
Swiss equipment and systems group, Bühler, has unveiled its latest advanced roller mill line, the Arrakis, targeting the global snacks and bakery manufacturer market, writes Neill Barston.
Its latest series succeeds the established Airtronic model, and has been devised with efficiency, reliability, and simplicity of operation as among its core features.
As the company noted, at the heart of its new system is its grinding unit, featuring a patented grinding gap adjustment ensures rigidity and stability over time to maximise grinding performance.
A cast stand is used as the load-bearing element. Cast stands dampen vibrations from roller mills and thereby increase the longevity of the installed components. Product detection is carried out via a load cell, a proven and widely adopted method for accurate measurement. The load cell sensor regulates the feeding gap to provide a stable product flow across the grinding rolls for maximum efficiency. In addition, foreign object protection prevents damage to the rolls, increasing longevity of the roller mill.
“Airtronic was a solid machine, and its durability is exactly what made it beloved by millers all around the world,” says Marcel Scherrer, Head of Business Unit Wheat & Rye at Bühler. “We took what we learned from the success of this icon and used it as a foundation to build upon when developing Arrakis.”
Urs Schwendener, Product Manager in Milling Solutions at Bühler Group (pictured below), added: “With the Arrakis, we are completing our grinding portfolio, addressing the different needs of customers. We can provide our customers with the right solutions to meet their daily challenges.”
Another highlight of Arrakis is its reported ease of operation. Its intuitive interface makes controlling and monitoring simple and straightforward. Thanks to its secure remote access function, the machine can be operated through various digital devices such as a PC, tablet, or smartphone and from anywhere in the plant.
As the new solution is built on the same footprint of its predecessor, Airtronic, replacements can be made one-to-one, simplifying the installation process as no complex building adaptations are required. Connecting the fixed speed feeding roll to the main roll’s drive guarantees a more streamlined system that is easy to install and maintain.
“We also thought of our customers who want to upgrade their systems. Conversions of existing productions are usually very complex, and the available space is limited. With the Arrakis, we have the opportunity to replace Airtronic and other roller mills in a short time, thereby saving valuable production time,” says Urs Schwendener.
The feeding unit is equipped with a cleaning flap, which ensures the complete discharge of the remaining product and easy cleaning of the feed module. Brushless scrapers remove grain fragments jammed in corrugations.