Whether batch or continuous process, AZO is your expert for automatic raw material handling for feeding mixers and kneaders. Our solutions include the storage, discharge, screening, conveying, dosing, weighing and feeding of bulk materials and liquids. Plant engineering, process engineering and automation are perfectly harmonised as integrated and reliable solutions - all from a single source!
The AZO solution for kneader feeding in detail
Product delivery and storage in outdoor silos
Large quantities such as flour and sugar are delivered by silo vehicles. Product reception is integrated into the building and shielded to ensure the highest standards of hygiene.
- Hygienic product reception in a closed environment, protected from environmental influences
- Monitored receiving routines for safe and convenient operation
- Filter systems and monitoring devices for safe silo filling
- Integrated silo headspace drying to prevent condensation
Reliable discharge and efficient feeding of flour
- Vibration bottoms in combination with rotary valves ensure safe emptying of the silos and a uniform mass flow to avoid flour nests.
- AZO cyclone screeeners remove foreign bodies and agglomerates
- Distributor agitators enable several lines to be fed simultaneously from one silo. This increases flexibility, reduces dependencies between the kneading lines and ensures reliable flour dosing.
Storing and weighing the medium quantities
Medium quantities such as baking agents are delivered in big bags and conveyed into indoor silos by vacuum conveying. An AZO cyclone screener ensures that no foreign bodies or agglomerates enter the production process.
The stored products are precisely dosed into a hopper scale according to the recipe. As soon as all the components are in the scale, they are emptied into a secondary container so that the scale is ready for the next batch. The batch is conveyed to the kneading lines via the vacuum weighing systems.
AZO vacuum weighing systems for conveying and weighing the flours
The flours are distributed to the various kneading lines with the aid of vacuum weighing systems. Each line has a conveying scale in which the flours are weighed.
Advantages of vacuum weighing systems:
- High weighing and dosing accuracy
- Closed and hygienic conveying
- Low-dust product infeed for greater cleanliness
- Automation ensures consistent product quality and process reliability
- Flexibility when adapting to new recipes
Liquid handling
AZO LIQUIDS GmbH supplies the appropriate conveying, dosing and weighing systems for handling liquids such as water, oil, liquid yeast and brine and liquid egg as well as CIP systems.
Continuous kneader feeding
The powdered raw materials supplied via the vacuum weighing systems in the conveying scales are homogenised in a downstream powder mixer. They are then
continuously fed into the premixer via the
AZODOS® dosing unit .
This is where the liquid components are added and mixed intensively with the powdered raw materials. The homogenised dough is then continuously transported to the continuous kneader.
Batch kneader feeding
The kneaders or kneading bowls are fed with powdered raw materials via vacuum weighing systems. Other ingredients, such as cocoa, are added via separate lines. Separating the lines minimises the amount of cleaning required.
