The feeder cutter unit from GEA offers customers flexibility and versatile processing, combined with gentle curd handling to retain top quality.
Feeder units from GEA comprise an accumulation vat into which the curd is transferred, either by hand or automatically, and which contains a 500 mm auger to transfer the curd to a pneumatically controlled curd cutter unit. Vats with capacity 1000-2,000 kg product can be supplied, and both the vat and strainer for whey recovery incorporate level feelers.
The auger can be programmed precisely to rotate either continuously or intermittently. This rotation feeds the curd to the curd cutter unit, which is attached to the distal part of the vat. The cutter comprises guides that move the curd to a blade with knives that cut the curd in parallel pipedal strips. The blade is driven by a pneumatic system that can be programmed to regulate the frequency of the downstroke.
The timing of the auger rotation and the blade downstrokes are set independently to each other, so that the thickness of the cut curd slices can be adjusted precisely. The cut curd is then conveyed by means of an auger loader at the end of the accumulation vat, to the stretching lines. GEA can supply a bi-directional chute with pneumatic control and two sonar feelers, to feed two stretching machines simultaneously.
The GEA feeder unit is constructed from AISI 304 stainless steel, and features electro-mechanical drives and a waterproof control panel.
GEA's innovative process marks a milestone in the pretreatment of biofuels such as hydro-treated vegetable oil and sustainable aviation fuel. By eliminating the bleaching process, manufacturers benefit from significant savings potential: over 50% lower operating costs and up to 12% less CO2 emissions.
Climate change and a growing world population put increased pressure on the energy-intensive food industry to feed more people without further impacting the planet. George Shepherd, GEA’s Global Technical Sustainability Manager, explains how GEA uses its engineering know-how to help processors produce more sustainably yet increase productivity.
The world's population is growing and with it demand for milk. Dairy is an essential component of many global diets. However, its production can be resource-intensive and impact the environment. GEA’s Christian Müller, Senior Director Sustainability Farm Technologies, sheds light on how technological innovations powered by GEA make milk production more efficient and profitable.