PET Food Processing - September 2019 - 50

EQUIPMENT

most pet food products, Brunel says. "These operate at
the extruder die and work in conjunction with the die
to create many product sizes and shapes. Pincher/cutters
are used for filled (co-extruded) products to shape and
crimp the product into the desired shape," she adds.
Clextral also offers a treat cutter specifically for
extruded pet treats. "This is a clip-on module that cuts
treats after they have been cooled to optimal cutting
temperature," Brunel says. "This high-performance
cutter has an off-center blade that ensures a continuous and perfectly straight cut, plus specific motor technology to drive the blades, providing top flexibility at a
wide range of speeds."

Trend tracking

A clip-on cutter slices
treats into desired
shapes and sizes
after they have been
cooled to an optimal
temperature.
Clextral

The shift in pet owner preferences toward fresh and
human-quality pet food products is increasing the pace
of equipment changes as many pet food processors are
developing new products and operating with new processing standards, McGady says. "These changes require
equipment solutions that not only meet what are very different food safety requirements and production demands
but must also operate with the precision and efficiency
required by ever-stricter business performance demands
when using more expensive raw materials," he says.
Furthermore, McGady says the power of automation and the precision of data-driven performance are
starting to redefine processing efficiency in ways that
will dramatically change processing operations. "Smart
software that can link critical processing information to
plant, enterprise or cloud-based process optimization

initiatives is becoming more necessary just to maintain
operational competitiveness," he says. "And now, intelligent planning, monitoring and control systems for
filling departments - like our Handtmann HDS family of Digital Solutions - are customizable so they can
efficiently address the many and varied production
management concerns of even the most niche players."
The use of servo motors with Reiser's Vemag systems
have allowed processors to increase portions per minute
(or lbs. per line hour) and improve weight control,
Frieberg says. Servo motors on its waterwheel allow
control of the cutting system as well. "The raw materials
in pet food are known to have high calcium and sinew
content," Frieberg says. "With the combination of an
angled shear bar and controlling the cut-off knife with a
servo motor, these raw materials are no longer a concern.
Reiser's engineers have developed gauging blocks that
deliver portions that look like random pieces but with
the same portion weights, and each portion cooks at the
same rate."
In addition, Freiberg says the development and use
of an alginate co-extruded casing is becoming a new
standard for pet treats because of the ease of changing
the portion weight based on animal size. Also, the handling of an alginate casing product is accepted more by
vegetarians than a beef-based casing, he adds.
Brunel says the trend of adding fresh meat to kibbles
and treats has created new textures and product styles
that may require adaptation of cutting techniques. "New
and unique shapes attract the attention of pet owners
and provide new ways for manufacturers to differentiate
their products," she says. "Also, dual-textured foods are
popular, which we make through co-extrusion and form
and cut with a pinching former/cutter."
Jacko agrees that pet food processors are creating
more uniquely shaped cuts to differentiate themselves.
"We offer an on-site, free-of-charge product test cutting
facility where customers can see different types of cuts
on various models of Urschel machinery," he says. "We
frequently work with R&D to assist in the creation of
new SKUs. We project an increased amount of test cutting as more specialty ingredients enter the market."

Knife knowledge

Best practices for using these manufacturers' equipment to optimize product quality, consistency and food
safety include the maintenance of knives used in the
dies of extruders.
Tramp says the extruder operator needs to check these
knives regularly to make sure they are sharp and not missing or damaged. Knives and their assemblies need to be
sanitized regularly as well. "These extrusion systems have
a substantial capital expense, and if the operator doesn't

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PET Food Processing - September 2019

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