Ajax Equipment develops hybrid continuous / batch mixers for global chocolate producer

Solids handling equipment specialist, Ajax Equipment, has developed and supplied a leading global confectionery producer with two heated mixers on mobile frames for chocolate production.

While designed for continuous production, the mixer can switch to ‘batch mode’ and hold the chocolate mix should a manufacturing issue occur further along the line.

The stainless steel mixers feature Lynflow paddle flights to provide efficient though gentle mixing of chocolate and a variety of inclusions. While the casing’s hot water jacket maintains material temperature, ensuring consistent ingredient condition and thorough mixing.

To maintain the condition of any chocolate and inclusions held in ‘batch mode’ the mixing screw has been designed to run in both directions enabling the ingredients to kept moving and in optimum condition for when production is able to resume.

To assist hygienic and agile food production, the mixers are mounted on mobile frames allowing each machine to be moved to and from the line. The casings include a polished ‘crack and crevice free’ finish denying the material opportunity to build-up. To further facilitate the machine’s ease of cleaning the mixers’ casing is also able to hold water, allowing the machine to be filled and run.

“Ajax has continually developed a range of mixer features over 50 years to make to deliver a safe and high quality product as easy as possible,” said Eddie McGee, managing director, Ajax Equipment. “The latest, a hybrid continuous / batch mixer, allows greater manufacturing flexibility without any compromise on product quality. In addition, Ajax provides customers the option of custom casing profiles to minimise dead space where material could otherwise sit as well as quick release augers, allowing screws to be removed for cleaning or swapped over for different products.”

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