Tetra Pak high-capacity ice-cream extrusion line

Tetra Pak has released a high-capacity ice-cream extrusion line. Delivering up to 43,200 pieces/h, the line is more than twice as fast as the highest speed production line currently operating in Australia at about 18,000 units/h.

According to the company, a 60% increase in production can be achieved with only 44% more energy and without extra operators, due to automation of previously manual operations and easy machine access for cleaning and maintenance.

The extrusion line allows flexibility in switching between sticks and sandwiches, as well as handling up to four flavours and up to 12 different coatings.

The efficient freezer and high-precision cutting equipment produce a uniform product with high stability — due to effective temperature control at every stage — as well as identical thickness.

Further along the process, the dip and transfer unit allows a gentle and precise dipping as well as a careful and error-free lay-off to the wrapper, resulting in minimal product waste.

Key extrusion technology innovations include: optimal hardening thanks to intelligent product placement and evaporator design; a combination of robot technology and mechanical design; computer-based synchronisation of machines; high process repeatability.