PET Food Processing - December 2021 - 46

EQUIPMENT
Improved software and user interfaces are also playing
an important role in increasing capability.
" The newest technology available for dicers and
slicers is 4.0 software that continuously monitors, reports,
and dynamically supports the operational efficiency
and parts supply needs of cutting equipment, "
White said. " Deville's newly released software platform,
Deville Digital, is a perfect example of such technology.
Additional technology includes robust, high-capacity
block breakers (or cubers) that reduce full blocks of frozen
meat and meat by-products for downline precision
dicing and high-quality knife sharpeners that decrease
overall blade cost and ensure a strong supply of blades. "
In some cases, however, simplicity is winning out over
technology. Maki said many of Fusion Tech's customers
like simplicity and favor mid- to low-technology slicers
and dicers as an economical option both for initial
investment and for ongoing equipment cleaning and
maintenance costs.
Sanitation and maintenance
Dicers and slicers have evolved over the last few years
from a maintenance and sanitary design standpoint. The
onus is on equipment manufacturers to make equipment
that is simple to clean, operate and maintain.
" As with all food manufacturing, hygienic equipment
design is paramount, " Williams said. " Marlen has really
set the standard for open hygienic frame design by replacing
hollow tube welded frames with open channel
stainless steel frames for complete wash down. "
When it comes to maintenance, keeping blades sharp
is crucial to ensuring consistent throughput and quality.
" Knives are at the heart of every machine, and should
Top: In this application,
extruded treats
are cut to an initial
length then further
reduced to lengths
that perfectly fit the
packaging.
Sosland Publishing Co.
Bottom: Test cuts
of products prior to
purchase provide
proof of a dicer or
slicer's ability to
handle each unique
application.
Urschel
abled us to develop fully integrated systems to automate
everything from raw product receipt to precise dispensing
post-reduction. These integrated cutting systems include
versatile, robust, high-capacity cutting equipment that
will support the ongoing growth of the industry. "
In recent years, a number of advancements in dicing
and slicing technology have led to better sanitation,
higher capacity, and a more user-friendly experience.
" Urschel is always looking for new applications, always
making continuous advancements in cutting machinery
to be more modern, high capacity, more user friendly,
and increase sanitary features, " Jacko said. " Our USDA
accepted Affinity Dicer is becoming the go to machine in
freeze-dried and hot extruded applications for pet food.
New on the Affinity is a built-in precutter - this offers an
all-in-one solution to assist in the processing of logs. "
46 PET FOOD PROCESSING | December 2021 | www.petfoodprocessing.net
be replaced on a routine basis, " Jacko said. " A high-capacity
machine running fast with dull blades will not
deliver the correct in-spec product. The shafts and bearings
should also be maintained optimally and replaced
as necessary. When blades become dull, they obviously
don't cut easily, so it creates more pressure on the equipment
drives, thereby requiring parts and motors to be
replaced more frequently. "
Preventative maintenance (PM) schedules can help
keep cutting equipment in peak performance.
" For particularly rough applications cutting frozen
or hard products and in processes requiring high precision,
it is important to develop a daily blade check
SOP in addition to keeping a high-quality blade sharpener
available to help manage the cost of blades, " White
said. " Manufacturers can keep their cutting equipment
in peak performance by developing daily, weekly and
monthly PM schedules to inspect and repair any mechanical
(gears, belts, lubrication) or cutting zone components
(blades, shafts, bearings). "
PFP
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PET Food Processing - December 2021

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