Glen Koster, Area Sales Manager, Bühler Johannesburg says digitisation has the potential to advance almost every aspect of the food industry. “Harnessing the power of digital technology means we can address important issues such as food safety, transparency along the value chain, energy conservation and waste reduction more efficiently than before.”
The Arrakis MRRK roller mill incorporates advanced hardware and software for efficient production.
In line with the trend towards increased digitisation and automation, the all-new Arrakis MRRK roller mill from Bühler incorporates a host of new features and improvements. With state-of-the-art hardware and software, the new roller mill enables smoother production and enhanced operational efficiency.
The feeding unit provides a continuous product flow and ensures an even spread of product for the grinding rolls – a key step for an effective grinding process. The design has been kept deliberately simple with the fixed-speed feeding roll connected directly to the drive of the main roll, so there is no need for an additional motor and frequency converter.
“This straightforward system ensures less time is needed for installation and maintenance,” says Koster.
He adds that the heart of the Arrakis is the grinding unit, which delivers stable, reliable grinding performance. “A proven loadcell sensor is used to keep a constant product level in the inlet and adapts the feeding gap to ensure a steady product flow over the entire gap of the grinding rolls. This increases operational reliability and reduces the need for operator intervention.”
When the machine is not in operation, the feeding gap is closed automatically, preventing any accumulation of product between the rolls. This saves time and energy when restarting the Arrakis. A quick release function allows fast opening of the feed module. With its wide opening angle, the cleaning flap ensures the rapid discharge of any product remaining in the feed module. All these design features save time by simplifying cleaning operations, streamlining the required steps.
Replacing previously used bristle brushes, the new solid synthetic scraper hovers tightly over the rolls. It experiences up to three times less wear and eliminates the risk of product accumulation. This results in improved food safety and lower maintenance needs.
The flexible knife holder allows the knives to align to the surface of the rolls automatically by constantly applying optimal pressure, eliminating the need for manual adjustments. The blade also undergoes uniform and therefore reduced wear.
The integrated grinding gap adjustment is stripped down to its essential parts for a simplified design that also facilitates cleaning and maintenance. The patented grinding gap adjustment ensures rigidity and stability over time to maximise grinding performance.
In terms of control, the Arrakis has an intuitive interface that provides a quick, simple overview of key operating parameters. It makes control and monitoring of the roller mill straightforward. An integrated touchscreen is available as an optional extra and is not essential to control the roller mill.
“Safety is a priority for Bühler, and the Arrakis incorporates several protective features to ensure safety without hindering performance,” says Koster. Perforated side panels allow for quick and safe inspection of the machine while it is running. Additionally, optimised airflow provides for improved cooling. Safety grids protect roller mill operators from moving parts yet afford them optimal access for product sampling.
The sturdy design of the Arrakis, the robust casting frame with the load-carrying structure translate into a high vibration absorption. This durability ensures reliability for long operating periods. The Arrakis MRRK is built to the same footprint as the MDDK model, allowing one-to-one replacements where applicable. Installation is fast and simple with no need to adapt the flowsheet or extend the existing building.
The Arrakis MRRK forms part of Bühler’s portfolio of roller mills and integrated grinding systems. The portfolio includes the Dolomit MDDP/Q, the Diorit MDDY/Z, the Antares MDDR/T and the Arrius MRRA.
For more information visit: www.buhlergroup.com