Auto biscuit machine cuts stacking systems to reduce staff costs, claims EPP

The Capptronic, from Comas, was showcased last year at Interpack and has just been launched in the UK through supplier EPP.

Personnel saving​

EPP director Stewart Morris told BakeryAndSnacks.com: “There is no manual operation required. It’s a saving in people.”​

“The biscuit over cooling conveyor takes the biscuits to the machine and collates them automatically to pick and place in a regular pattern.”​

He said that eliminating stacking systems was not particularly uncommon in modern machines.

“It’s not a unique feature, but the way we've done it is extremely efficient.”​

He claimed his company was confident that no operators were needed to stand next to the machine, which may still be required on other automatic lines.

Costs​

According to Morris, the machine, designed for medium to large scale manufacturers, is more expensive than its manual counterparts, but comparable to other automatic sandwiching machines.

He added that the Capptronic would make up only a tiny percentage of a manufacturer’s overall energy consumption. It runs on electricity and compressed air and produces no more emissions than other machines, he said.

The company said downtime could also be reduced with the total electronic operation that uses brushless motors on all control devices. This allows working heights and doses to be carried out while the machine is running.

Morris said that the company had not had interest from UK customers yet, but Comas was already selling the machine on the continent.

Cleaning​

EPP managing director Keith Stalker said that the machine’s fee conveyer had a continuous washing system that required no monitoring personnel.

He said that lateral guides, aligning roller and dosing manifold could be removed quickly for cleaning.

“Its fully washable frame is covered in stainless steel panels allowing the machine to be easily cleaned on site,”​ he added.