Feeder enables easy cleaning and dismantling, says Gericke

Zurich-based Gericke said that its GDU 151, which was showcased at the Anuga FoodTec trade show in Cologne this week, can be used as a volumetric feeder or integrated into a weighing frame for gravimetric tasks.

The manufacturer of conveying, sifting, high-precision feeding and mixing equipment, said the GDU 151 is the latest addition to its precision feeder range, which is used for metering dry, granular and fibrous bulk materials.

Typical applications for the GDU 151, it maintains, are the feeding of minor ingredients, refilling of micro feeders and the dosing of dyestuff and pigments and it is aimed at both the food and pharmaceutical sectors.

Steffen Böhmer, sales and product manager for Gericke feeders told FoodProductionDaily.com that the design of the GDU 151 enables the feeding assembly to be rapidly removed and stripped for autoclave cleaning, making the system ideal for demanding food applications.

He said that all parts of the new feeder were designed to meet hygienic surface criteria and it includes features such as polished surfaces, continuous weldings, round corners, machined groove and o-ring sealings.

In addition, said Böhmer, there are no hollow bodies on the feeder where bacteria an hide.

He added that the GDU, which doses in the range of 0.05 – 600 l/h, allows for quick changeover between products and the feed rates ensure minimum production downtime on product change, while its variety of helix configurations mean a single system can be used for a wide variety of products.

The company said that all its precision feeders are available in compact and modular construction with supplementary equipment available such as extended metering fittings, outlet pipes, closing units, as well as special metering units for short-time accuracy and difficult bulk materials.

According to Gericke, its feeders are used in a vast variety of production applications including ice tea, syrups, spices, mustard, milk powder, cereal bars and pizza toppings.