New releases: spiral freezer, flattener, paddle mixer and breader
breading machine are the latest releases from Alco-Food-Machines in
Germany.
The Alco spiral cooler and spiral freezer are suited for a rapid cooling and freezing of products. The freezer uses the individual quick frozen (IQF) method.
"Through the efficient cooling process, very short cooling and freezing times are achieved," Alco stated in releasing the machines earlier this month. "With these units any losses in the product weight can be minimised."
The cooler and freezer come with an optional continuously adjustable air speed allowing products to be cooled or frozen uniformly, not only over the entire width of the belt but also vertically along the racks as well, the company claimed.
Belt speed, air speed and temperature are controlled via the control system. The air temperatures can be up to -60 °C depending on the layout design.
Two different models are available. The Alco quick-freeze is a conventional system that is pre-fabricated and delivered as modules. Final assembly is done at the plant. The Alco quick-freeze compact is pre-assembled in the factory itself. It is mounted on a stable mounting base and thus forms a plug-in container unit.
After insertion, only the energy connection must be made at the plant.
The flattening machine, ASP-HDN, is used mainly for reducing the thickness of the product while at the same time enlarging the surface area. It can be used for meat products such as poultry cuts, Cordon Bleu, kebabs, primary salad products and turkey joints.
The machine is a redesigned of Alco's flattening series of models to meet current industry requirements, the company stated. The 1,000-size unit achieves an hourly capacity of up to 3,000 kg.
With the help of belt-widths ranging from 400 to 1,000 mm, a higher hourly weight yield can be achieved, the company stated.
Meat thickness can be reduced from 50mm to 5mm in a single operating cycle. A special device makes it possible to change the belt within a few minutes without the help of any tool, the company stated.
The framework can be pneumatically opened from the side for cleaning and changing the belt. The flattening belts have an edge-sealing, an antimicrobial coating and taper gibs for guidance.
The belts are available in multiple versions in white or blue. Separate outfeed conveyors deliver the product to the next production unit in the line. All components are made from rust-proof and water-proof materials. The drives are regulated through frequency converters.
The company's new paddle mixers are also a redesign of previous models. The machine can be used for conventional mixing tasks in the food industry. They can also be used during cooking and frying processes. It can also be used during cooling for processes involving cryogenic gases and vacuum condensation.
Alco has developed a flexible building block system allowing plants to adapt the machine for specific needs.
"Thus, an economical use of the mixer can be carried out on the same platform through numerous stages of development," the company stated.
A few improvements were carried out on the mixers that were manufactured to precision with the help of laser technology. Better nozzle systems, increased operator safety, hygienic design, and a more efficient sealing system are part of the package, Alco claims.
The Alco breading machine, the APT-UC, is a multi-purpose coating machine. It can be used to coat products with different types of flours and spice mixtures.
The products are guided through the machine over a conveyor belt and are coated with bread crumbs from all sides.
"Through the use of separation sieves, an even, homogenous flour coating is achieved on the top as well as the bottom of the product," the company stated in a press release. "The breadcrumbs in the machine are carefully and continuously circulated by means of an efficient screw-feed system."
Excess breadcrumbs are cleared away with the help of a blower and fed back into the production process. The machine is made entirely from rust-proof steel and plastic components. The machine is mounted on four swivelling wheels with adjustable height.
No component of the machine needs to be detached for cleaning. All components are accessible for cleaning and maintenance. The machine is manufactured with the standard belt widths 400, 600 and 900 mm, Alco stated.
