Cost-effective ingredient dosing from Azo
Dosibox which it claims allows for the cost-effective dosing of
additives and other minor ingredients.
The Dosibox system allows customers to integrate all minor ingredients in a fully automated process that is highly cost-effective per ingredient, Azo claimed.
Integrating the system into existing automated processes gives a number of advantages, according to the company. All minor ingredients used in the production process can be automated, while storage is made cleaner and stock control more effective. There is also improved product and operator protection through the use of automated systems, while product consistency can be maintained and ingredients can be more effectively tracked.
The system also allows for greater compatibility with just-in-time production and makes it easier to change product formulas quickly and effectively.
Azo's Dosinenter unit can also be integrated, offering the possibility of a number of Dosiboxes arranged in a line.
The only part of the process which cannot be automated is the loading of the Dosiboxes with the ingredients, although the transfer is nonetheless carried out with operator guidance and barcode monitoring by means of feeding hoppers with vacuum extraction. The ingredients are safety-screened, weighed and then correctly dosed into the Dosibox.
Each Dosibox comprises a form-stable hopper made out PE, fully conforming to the hygiene requirements of the food industry. An integrated dosing screw makes it possible to dose bulk ingredients precisely as required, Azo claims.
For larger quantities, supplied for example bulk bags, there is a dedicated discharge system which allow for dust-tight docking. Here the material is also safety screened, using a cyclone screener type DA, as it is transferred into the Dosibox located on a scale.
The DosiBox system is also well suited for contamination-free formula composition, according to Azo, and can be used in conjunction with Azo's Batchtainer unit. A driverless transport system (Dosishuttle) moves the Batchtainer to the individual DosiDock stations, where the container is lifted and connected dust-tight to the Dosidock system.
Phil Plummer, sales director at Ingredient Handling Solutions, agent for Azo in theUK where Dosibox has just been launched, said: "The automation of a minor ingredient used to be almost as expensive as automation of a major ingredient, with difficultly in demonstrating its return on investment. The arrival of Dosibox succeeds in providing a system which is cost effective per ingredient.
"Many companies handle a large number of minor ingredients, a process which may only be partly automated so far. In this area, Azo also offers ManDos, a micro ingredient weighing system with operator guidance. It also contributes to formula consistency, but is manually operated."
