Industry Insight
“The breakthrough technology of the ChocoX provides an answer to this need and will become a gamechanger in the industry”
diverse range of end products in its manufacturing operations? An essential aspect here is the utilisation of proven technologies. The core modules of the ChocoX are complemented by established process solutions that are based on the working principles of traditional moulding lines systems. These solutions have demonstrated their success over years of operation in 24/7 environments, combining reliable and precise process control with end product fl exibility due to their modular design. For example, the shell forming station is based on our widely known CoolCore technology, which is capable of producing highly precise and reproducible chocolate shells. The cold stamping technology is enhanced through the signifi cant simplifi cation of the stamping tools, which makes this modern way of shell forming attractive for a wide range of different end products.
Q: What strategies does Bühler employ to minimise downtimes and optimise changeovers when transitioning between different end product confi gurations? According to our philosophy, a fl exible moulding line should produce chocolate without long downtimes, especially not during the transition from one product to another. This is where another advantage of the modular concept comes into
12 Kennedy’s Confection November 2023
play. Essential cleaning processes, such as those required for different colours, fl avours, and especially allergens, are no longer obligatory within the production line. For instance, intermediate coolers can be detached from the production line relatively quickly and effortlessly. They can be cleaned offl ine, without disrupting the ongoing production process, ensuring continuous operation. Therefore, you can achieve a very deep level of cleaning while still being able to run another product on the line. But even with the fi xed modules of the ChocoX, ease of cleaning and accessibility for quick and frequent changeovers has been a fundamental guideline for our engineers. Despite a total hourly capacity of at least up to 2,500 kilograms, the line only reaches an overall height of 2.4 meters. And in total, the ChocoX is even shorter than traditional lines. As you can expect, these design features have a signifi cant impact on accessibility for changeovers and cleaning.
Q: Can you share insights into the challenges and opportunities Bühler sees in maintaining and improving end product variety and fl exibility in the rapidly changing manufacturing landscape? From a long-term perspective, we truly believe that the ChocoX will be a gamechanger. Currently, we are continuing to promote traditional systems in parallel. However, the advantage of the ChocoX naturally grows alongside the number of lines our customer potentially operates. Having multiple lines allows the interchangeability of process modules across facilities, facilitating seamless collaboration even across different production units. Thus, in the medium term, we are convinced that this concept will prevail in the market over traditional technology for the fl exible production of moulded chocolate articles. Customers with a diverse range of products will fi nd it exceedingly challenging to overlook this solution.
KennedysConfection.com
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