Confectionery Machinery Evaluation
Adansonia Confectionery Engineering has encountered numerous instances where companies sought a confectionery machinery evaluation for potential replacement due to their equipment’s inability to meet current sales requirements and lower-than-expected profit impact from their production machinery.
All production equipment has an operating range and, in many instances, a target number based on the product size or requirements. For example, a cut and wrap machine may have a minimum and maximum speed of between 50 and 600 pieces per minute. However, for a specific length of candy, the target number is 400 per minute or 67% of the maximum empty run speed.
In this case, the 400 pieces per minute should be considered the maximum speed, with an average of 320 to 340 pieces per minute (80% to 85%) over a year, which is well within the expected cost structure and selling price and may be considered acceptable.
When unexpected machine downtime reduces the average from 40% to 50%, the primary issue may be inadequate operator training and insufficient maintenance rather than a poorly designed machine.
Safe Machinery Procedures
The following training specifics are common to both sections. They are:
Safety Procedures
Depending on the specific machine or production line, this will include the use of safety equipment, such as eye and ear protectors, head protectors, safety gloves, uniform–type clothing, electrical isolation, correct machine cleaning procedures, standard parts removal and replacement, and, where applicable, safe and correct cooking procedures.
Machine Operation
Correct startup and shutdown procedures ensure safe machine operation and control, including product feeding, product size monitoring, packaging material usage and replacement, scrap control, batch production timing versus machine usage, and operator–permitted machine adjustments, as well as other associated procedures.
Mechanical Training
Any parts, such as the training procedures specific only to mechanical training, include:
Mechanical
Machine diagram and electrical codes – correct machine disassembly procedures – Correct rebuild sequence – QC checks – prestart inspection and final startup.
Preventive Maintenance
Examples of preventative maintenance reserved for the mechanical staff include recommended oiling and greasing according to a checklist, checking and replacing worn parts, conducting internal inspections for oil or pressure leaks, and performing quality control checks on electrical usage or draw, where applicable.
Additionally, operating temperatures and other PM requirements listed in all operating manuals are also taken into account. A dedicated mechanical staff is integral to achieving high profits.
