PROCESS EQUIPMENT UPDATE
before they become problems at your facility. With product testing, your equipment supplier will conduct a demonstration using your ingredients and a version of your equipment. Tis test will allow you to see how the process actually works, and how this compares to how it’s supposed to work. Product testing can reveal issues that arise at any point in the process, such as inadequate mixing, inconsistent coating, cycle times that are too long or too short, inaccurate weighing, or other challenges. Ten, these can be addressed before your equipment is finished and shipped.
PROVIDES REFERENCES One of the best ways to choose a food processing equipment manufacturer is to take a closer look at the equipment they’ve built in the past. Your equipment manufacturer should provide a list of references, including a contact person you can ask about the equipment. Consider the following when examining the list of references. Are your ingredients, products and processes comparable? Are your environments and volumes comparable? Keep in mind that changes in temperatures, humidity, and facility size can impact the equipment design. Did the customer have any unexpected problems? How did the supplier respond? Did the machines require repairs or maintenance? Are the parts difficult to obtain? How long has the equipment been running, including both time and volume?
WILL CUSTOMISE Food processing is not one-size-fits-all. Although some standard fittings may work for your process, you should be able to customise some aspects without much
Welding of food processing equipment
Food processing equipment in situ
trouble. You may wish to add or remove some features, add coatings or finishes, or alter the dimensions of the machine to fit your facility.
COMPLETE PROCESS ENGINEERING SOLUTIONS Now more than ever before, each step in the food processing chain affects the next. For the system to perform at its highest level, each step in the process
should work together. Tis means a food processing equipment manufacturer should have experience with every part of the process, including mixing, coating, weighing, batching, controls and more. When you choose a food processing equipment manufacturer with a range of experience, you can optimise each machine to get the most efficient mixing time, and minimal waste and maintenance.
DOES THE MANUFACTURER OFFER PLANT VISITS? To choose the right food processing equipment manufacturer, you may wish to inspect the manufacturer’s facility. Tis will give you a closer look at how the manufacturer does business, including the manufacturing equipment and technology they use, the condition of the facility, its capacity, and adherence to safety requirements. Tough these details by themselves may not tell you much, all together they can show you the manufacturer’s attention to detail, level of organisation and use of technology. When you choose the right food
processing equipment manufacturer, you will not only have exceptional equipment to support a highly efficient process; you will also have a problem-solving partner to support your equipment into the future.
Terry Stemler is president of APEC.
www.apecusa.com
Example of a batch mixer Close-up of mixing technology
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