Automated Dough Handling System
Automated Dough Handling System
The Reading Pretzel & Snack Dough Handling System is designed to meet daily production demands while maintaining ease of operation and sanitation. All variations of our Dough Handling Systems are configured to precisely portion, condition and transport wheat, corn, potato-wheat or sweet biscuit dough to your forming equipment. These totally integrated systems utilize modular designs and user-friendly controls to maintain a smooth transfer between dough mixing and product shaping.
The fully integrated Dough Handling System consists of a Mixer Discharge Conveyor, Loafmaker, Lift Conveyor and Shuttle.
Mixer Discharge Conveyor
The Reading Pretzel & Snack Mixer Discharge Conveyor is designed to transport large masses of dough produced by batch mixers. It receives the dough batch directly from the mixer and conveys it to the Loafmaker. This process eliminates the need for manual labor between the mixer and the loaf making equipment. This conveyor can be designed to accommodate a wide range of mixing systems. The loading, belt movement and belt type can all be uniquely designed to fit production requirements.
Loafmaker
The Reading Pretzel & Snack Loafmaker receives dough in a batch format and portions it out into loaves that can be easily handled by downstream forming equipment. A set of powered rollers draws the dough batch down into a pair of augers, which push the dough through a compression housing. A blade mounted on the outside of the compression housing separates the dough into loaves that range from 5 to 15 pounds.
Lift Conveyor
The Reading Pretzel & Snack Lift Conveyor is typically arranged to receive dough loaves from the RBS Loafmaker and transport them to an elevated position in the production process. The dough loaves are sandwiched between two counter-rotating conveyors and conveyed to a height that will allow it to be used in the dough forming process. The conveyor beds and frame are built of stainless steel tubing and sheet metal. All three belts are driven separately by totally enclosed wash down gear motors. The belts have a Vee-Guide Tracking System, which provides reliable performance without the need for adjustments.
Shuttle
The Reading Pretzel & Snack Shuttle uniformly feeds dough loaves from the discharging conveyor across the width of the forming system. Positioned above the dough Extruder hoppers, the Shuttle automatically moves back and forth dumping dough on demand into each hopper to maintain the required level. Photo eyes placed just above the hopper constantly check the level of dough. The pneumatically actuated dump gate keeps dough from sticking to the Shuttle.
