Product safety is rapidly changing the way the world looks at foods and feeds. Fortunately, Extru-Tech continues to look forward and design for these market progressions. One example is the company’s new Advanced Feature product line.
Realizing the extruder is the first line of defense in the control of pathogens and other contaminants in the production of food and feed, Extru-Tech, Inc. introduced the Advanced Feature Extruder design. The Advanced Feature Extruder design concentrated on two important criteria- quick and easy to clean and providing a validated means to greatly reduce/eliminate contaminants during the extrusion process.
Starting with the extruder base redesign most horizontal edges were reduced, while increasing access under, on and around the unit. Extru-Tech completed an industry-first scientific validation study proving the kill/lethality step of the Extru-Tech extrusion system design.
An equal number of modifications at the pre-conditioner were made to facilitate validated operations and validated sanitation which ultimately resulted in the newly released Advanced Feature ADP (Aseptic Dual Pre-conditioner). In addition the AVT (Advanced Venting Technology) was introduced for best in class steam and renegade product suppression at the pre-conditioner.
“As the market continues to seek advancements in improved food/feed safety our continued focuses will be to apply research, development and design into technologies that reduce/eliminate microbial contamination risk and prohibit recontamination” , says R. Scott Krebs, executive vice-president and C.O.O. of Extru-Tech, Inc.
With the Advanced Feature Vertical Cooler design, one can also move easy cleaning and sanitation to the top of the feature list. The Vertical Cooler design features Extru-Tech’s multiple air inlet cone that allows air to be drawn through the product from a full 360° for superior product cooling consistency. To facilitate direct air supply control in less segregated installations an optional easy-access dedicated air plenum enclosure is also available. Another feature is the rail mounted discharge feeder for quick removal and ease of cooler and conveyor cleaning. This dramatically reduces downtime and cost all while maintaining your food safety program requirements.
While designing the Advanced Feature Dryer, Extru-Tech recognized a need for quick cleaning and better methods to handle/reduce fines. To that end, the Extru-Tech Advanced Feature Dryer was designed with unparalleled features that include fines augers that span the full length of the dryer side plenums and air supply plenum dump gates to allow quick cleanout. Horizontal ledges were reduced/eliminated minimizing fines accumulation; increased floor to dryer pan clearance; easy access door latches and added access panels throughout the dryer — all for reduced cleaning time and improved access to the most problematic areas. The design provides on the fly adjustment of spread pattern and bed depth as well as advanced airflow and temperature control over current dryer offerings to the market.
“As a world leader in supply of cooking extrusion solutions, our ultimate goal is to help our clients stay well ahead of current industry standards and remain at the leading edge of their markets,” says Scott Krebs, “The new Advanced Feature products are just a few of the steps we’ve taken toward that goal.”
Extru-Tech, Inc., headquartered in Sabetha, Kansas, currently produces and markets one of the industry\'s most complete lines of extrusion processing systems. Since 1985, Extru-Tech has installed extrusion solutions worldwide, designed for the production of human food, pet food, aquatic feed and animal feed products.
