Over the last few years, Apple has invested significantly on a research and development program in order to create, design and manufacture a fully automatic and real three dimensional Multi-Axis Universal Decorating Machine. Initially, the machine was developed with the savory market in mind for cream potato topped products such as, cottage pie, shepherds pie and fisherman’s pie, however, as the machine was a continuous development, further flexibility was enhanced utilizing the very latest technology. It is now recognized that other markets are available where labor intensive hand decoration is required i.e. confectionery, gateaux decoration and celebration cakes.
Initially all program designs were written and supplied by Apple International to suit customer requirements, however this was found to be very labor intensive and customers demanded a more user friendly approach. Due to technological advances in computer aided design, we now have that availability in as much as the design can now be drawn by light pen or tracer pen directly onto a graphics pad and that can be transferred onto the cake in minutes.
Speed of throughput is totally dependent upon complexity of design being decorated, accordingly a simple design may only require a 5/6 second cycle time while a more complex design could exceed 30/40 second cycle time, however, multiple pumps can be adapted to the same motion control system and a corresponding number of products to be decorated can be accepted at the same time in a linear or Multi-Lane configuration, thereby reducing decorating time to a minimum.
The type and configuration of conveyor which is integrated into the decorating system is designed accordingly to suit product type and throughput. Generally, flighted indexing is used in the savory market due to the containers i.e. foils or pet trays, alternatively for confectionary, gateaux and celebration cakes would require a continuously run, food quality plastic or PVC belt with synchronized stop motion and program start signal via a through beam product sensor.
Apple has forged themselves an enviable reputation for the supply of high quality production equipment for the production of muffins, bar cakes/twinkies, or cupcakes. Every aspect of the production of muffins can be catered for with the considerable range of equipment available from Apple. The MR150 Series Depositing unit is particularly adapt at depositing every type of batter, with or without the inclusion of cherries, blueberries, currants etc.
The MR150 Series Depositing unit can be supplied as a free standing, individual machine for manual operation, i.e. The operator would present the baking trays to the depositor and initiate each deposit by means of a foot pedal, or the machine can be incorporated into an automated production line, also designed and manufactured by Apple.
All types of smooth free flowing fillings can be handled, including, aerated cream fillings, chocolate sauces, jams, custards and syrups When incorporated into an automated production line the single machine can be mounted at close proximity centers (minimum 50mm) upon a common support frame with outlet nozzles positioned to suit the configuration of the baking tray.
For the more dedicated production lines, the machine is offered in a common drive arrangement with the centers of the outlets as close as 50mm. Electronic menu selection for varying products to be deposited is available as standard. Both options of depositing unit offer the user extremely accurate depositing with targets of +/- 0.5 grams being easily achieved. If batter is to be deposited directly into baking trays, Apple offers release agent spray systems to suit all production capacities, manual or automatic. If paper cases are to be filled Apple can offer paper cup dispensers for the automated processes.
For post bake filling or topping of muffins, Apple has a range of injection and depositing equipment to suit every need. Whether you require top injection, top decoration, side injection or even injection from beneath, Apple has it all. The range of equipment offered is designed and manufactured to the same high standards as the proven range of depositors produced by Apple.
Gateaux Assembly Line, designed and manufactured by Apple offers the highest standards in innovative engineering techniques and system control. Safety, hygiene, flexibility and reliability are but a few of the many features of this complete processing line designed to provide the maximum level of versatility, with the minimum level of change over time, for the production of a wide range of Gateaux products.
Ultra Sonic Cake & Pizza Cutter has been specifically designed to transport /centralize and cut round cakes into segments on an integrated linear conveyor. The number of segments is selected on the operator panel. Once the start button has been pressed the conveyor will start to index. The operator can place an un-cut cake in the centralizing “v” between indexes. The cake is then indexed to the cutting blade were the cake is cut into the selected segments.
The new Automatic Cherry Placing System involved a 15 across automatic cherry placer. Whole cherries are dispensed onto a vibratory table and then fed via loading chutes to the transfer mechanism. The cherries are then cut into halves and each half is then placed accurately onto the center of the product, either Bakewell tarts trifles or any other type of confectionery or dessert which requires a decorative finish. The systems are designed to customers individual requirements from single lane to 24 across. Major benefits from the automatic cherry placing innovation are substantial labor savings, both financial and reduced production staff and also repetitive strain injury. The efficiency of the machine is approximately 94% is common and by careful production control of the selected cherries 97/98% efficiency is achievable. Anyone who has the troublesome task of hand placing cherries now only need to contact Apple Food Systems for the automatic solution.
The Multi Functional Compact Cassette Pump has been designed to offer the customer the ultimate in flexibility for product decoration depositing and injection. The pump units are the revolutionary Apple; designed twin gear pumps fitted with acid resistant Waukesha gears. When configured in multi-lane set up, the pumps are designed in such a way as to offer maximum output of outlet nozzles with a minimum footprint size. The revolutionary Multi-Functional Compact Cassette Pump design allows for additional units to be added to the multi lane configuration quickly and easily at a later date if required. The pumps are controlled via an operator interface unit which facilitates multi function decoration, limited only by the operators imagination. Each individual parameter has adjustments that can be quickly and easily altered to give the desired presentation and once achieved the parameters are then saved into the menu function within the operator panel. Each menu is then selected as and when required, with dynamic adjustments still being available for varying process modifications.
The BM300 series paddle blender is manufactured to the same high standards as our proven range of Apple depositing equipment and is manufactured throughout in stainless steel. Available in both fixed speed and variable speed models with the option of forward and reverse facility, the BM300 offers mixing and blending in minimal time with no product damage. The Rotating Paddle Blender is designed to provide a fully mobile, mixing-blending unit capable of being positioned on line and supplying one or more depositors.
Manufactured in two sizes, 150 and 300 liter capacities, the Blender Unit mixes quickly and efficiently a wide range of products, and transfers directly into any METERITE Depositing Unit via the integrally mounted TP1250 Transfer Pump. The Contra-Rotating Paddle Blender is fitted with quick release shaft and paddle assembly. Combined with the easy strip TP1250 Transfer Pump, disassembly and hygiene operations are kept to a minimum, and with a discharge rate of up to 37.5 liters per minute, the unit is rapidly available for additional mixes.
