New ServoForm lollipop depositor

APV Baker has developed a new generation of electronic ServoForm lollipop depositors, based on its newly introduced range of market-leading hard candy depositors. These systems are designed specifically for the lollipop market, incorporating many of the process and operational benefits of the latest technology. Completely automated, high capacity APV Baker lines for lollipops are now at work in Europe, India and Asia, at rates of up to 1,320 lollipops per minute. With over 500 confectionery installations worldwide, APV Baker is the world's leading manufacturer of lollipop and confectionery depositing plant. APV Baker was the first company to develop lollipop depositing technology to provide a higher quality lollipop, giving the potential for an almost unlimited product variety, and offering greater production flexibility compared to traditional die forming processes. Superior appearance, high clarity and rapid flavour release with a smooth 'mouth feel' are some of the key quality advantages. The nature of the depositing process creates complete control throughout the system, leading to extremely high dimensional, shape and weight accuracy; negligible scrap rates and efficient wrapping; plus maximum hygiene with low maintenance, Lollipop plants include a specially developed 2-part hinged mould arrangement to enable a range of profiles including balls and 3D shapes to be produced. Automatic stick feeding, placing and detecting technology minimises labour requirements. The ServoForm depositor can produce a wide range of lollipops in one, two, three and four colours, with a multi-component capability providing solid, centre-filled, layered and striped options. Additions to the end product range are lollipops with soft centres, adding a new range of textures to the portfolio. Conventional centre-filling opens up new markets via the ability to introduce gum, toffee and chew fillings. All these products can be produced in sugar-free varieties, and there is also the ability to add medicinal or nutraceutical elements. The new APV Baker ServoForm depositor incorporates a range of innovative technologies that set the standard for depositor design. Building on the first generation of servo driven APV Baker depositors, these new machines take the benefits of electronics a stage further, with three-axis servo control as standard, ensuring complete mastery of the depositing process, with fine 'on-the-run' tuning of operation. PLC control technology is standard, with full recipe management, alarm handling, and data logging, all controlled via a touch sensitive HMI screen. The introduction of a totally self-draining hopper ensures an improved product flow, with reduced hopper retention time and no reduction in capacity between single and two component products. All the drive components are mounted on the machine frame rather than on the hopper. This unique under-band design provides extra room for flexibility in the feed area, where differing hopper configurations can easily be accommodated as retrofits. It also makes a significant contribution to throughput, rapid cleaning and maintenance. Complete APV Baker lollipop systems include automatic weighing, feeding and dissolving, plus the 'Microfilm' cooker - regarded as the industry standard for sugar and sugar-free high boiled lollipops and candies.