Equipment Briefs: April 2012
The 3M Molecular Detection System from 3M Food Safety is designed to quickly, accurately and easily detect dangerous pathogens, like salmonella, E. coli O157 and Listeria. Available worldwide, the system is based on a combination of unique technologies involving isothermal DNA amplification and bioluminescence detection. Individual, pathogen-specific assays and procedural tests are available as test kits. Each assay test kit uses the same software interface and DNA extraction protocol for testing between one and 96 samples per run. Assays for salmonella, E. coli O157 (including H7) and Listeria are available immediately; a test for Listeria monocytogenes is expected in early 2012.
3M Food Safety
St. Paul, Minn.
888-364-3577
www.3M.com/3MMolecularDetectionSystem
Reiser and Vemag designs a variety of bar-extruding systems for all types of extruded bar products, including cookie bars, energy bars, nutrition bars and more. At the heart of the system lies the Vemag Stuffer, which features a powerful, positive displacement double-screw pump that provides the highest levels of portioning accuracy. The bar extruder attachment also produces a continuous flow of shaped product with consistent thickness and width. The integrated cutoff device controls the length of the product and ensures exact-weight portions with clean, even edges. It is designed for easy changeover from one shape to another.
Reiser
Canton, Mass.
781-821-1290
Hinds-Bock’s high-speed servo-filling machines feature the latest in controls technology to achieve the highest efficiency with the smallest possible footprint. They collect data such as performance, up-time information, maintenance monitoring and fault alerts. The custom-tuning of filling parameters control the velocity and the appearance of the fill. Plus, the traveling spout bridge moves the spouts within the continuously moving containers.
Hinds-Bock Corp.
Bothell, Wash.
877-292-5715
Linde “shakes up” production with the Cryoline CW freezer. Suitable for pizza toppings and other high-value individually quick frozen products, this high-efficiency freezer provides significant cost savings, eliminates CO2 snow carryover and improves cleanability. The freezer top lifts vertically, providing full access to all food contact and internal areas, while the sloped surfaces above and below the belt direct unwanted moisture and cleaning solution directly to floor drains.
Linde North America, Inc.
Murray Hill, N.J.
800-755-9277
Magi-Cake Strips from JT Products take the guesswork out of baking cakes. That’s because Magi-Cake Strips eliminate high-rise centers, uneven layers, cracked tops and dry crusty edges. These straps are made of aluminized fabric that wrap around 8- and 9-in. round cake pans, insulating to retain moisture and control heat.
JT Products
Libby, Mont.
406-293-9225
Eriez high-deflection series feeders are designed to handle products—from micron size to bulky chunks—that normally can’t be fed successfully on an electromagnetic feeder. The patented magnetic drive travels at speeds up to 80 ft. per minute and produces throughputs of 150-700 cu. ft. per hour.
Eriez
Erie, Pa.
888-300-3743
QC Industries releases the Conveyor Configurator, a new online tool for quoting and configuring low-profile conveyors. This system allows end users to customize conveyor details—ranging from width and length to motor sizing—with the help of an intelligent assistant. Selections are guided by answering a series of questions to determine the right conveyor for the customer’s application.
QC Industries, LLC
Cincinnati, Ohio
513-753-6000
WeighPack Systems’ new Vertek VFS baggers can be used for a wide range of applications, including snacks, nuts and candy. The series comprises the Vertek Junior, 750, 1150, 1600 and 2400. Vertek Junior runs at speeds up to 70 cpm with bag widths up to 5.5 in., and bag lengths up to 8 in. Vertek 2400 runs at speeds up to 20 cpm with bag widths of 16-24 in. and bag lengths of 9-36 in. All models come with an Omron programmable logic controller and Weinview color touchscreen for custom programming, if required. Other features are motorized film unwinding; dual, digital temperature control; encoder bag-length control; and a photocell for bag registration.
WeighPack Systems Inc.
Montreal, Quebec
888-934-4472
Tharo Systems’ PA1200cw corner wrap label printer/applicator can print and apply a label to two adjacent product surfaces—front and side or front and top. After a label is printed, it is stripped from the liner and held by suction on the tamp applicator pad, which is mounted on a swing arm that tamps the label to the front surface of a carton. A roller completes the procedure by wrapping the label around the corner. PA1200cw has a print width of up to 4.4 in. wide and a print length of up to 13 in. long. It is currently available using the H Series direct-thermal or thermal-transfer printers with print resolutions of 203 dpi or 300 dpi.
Tharo Systems Inc.
Brunswick, Ohio
800-878-6833
Unitherm Food Systems’ mini and micro spiral ovens enable small food processors to affordably bridge the gap between small-batch cookers and large spiral ovens. These small, spiral units deliver the same benefits of large, continuous spirals, such as cooking consistency and flexibility, setpoint controls and recipe selection, but in a smaller footprint. The mini spiral oven has more than 180 linear ft. of belt, with the throughput of up to 1,500 lb. per hour. The micro spiral oven has more than 60 linear ft. of belt, with the throughput of approximately three batch ovens.
Unitherm Food Systems
Bristow, Okla.
918-367-0197
PDC International’s KST 80A-712 is a dual-zone steam tunnel with five rows of steam distribution tubes on each side. Each row is externally adjustable for steam volume, flow and rotary position, so users can make adjustments without waiting for the tunnel to cool. A proprietary nozzle positioner directs steam during the shrinking process, optimizing steam resources and keeping utility costs low. The KST 80A operates at up to 200 containers per minute depending upon container shape. Containers can be filled or empty, and virtually any shape. PVC, PETG, OPS and PLA films in gauges as thin as 30 micron all shrink uniformly in the KST-80A.
PDC International Corp.
Norwalk, Conn.
203-853-1516
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