Fast food mixer for TSC

Scunthorpe, UK — Prior to its launch a new range of products, called ’Glorious! ’Skinny Dip’, TSC Foods of Scunthorpe had an urgent need for a new mixer that could be used to produce both coarse and smooth textured products in volumes of up to 500kg per batch.

The company turned to Advanced Engineering, which had already supplied it with in-line, direct-drive mixers and high-speed, belt-driven mixers - even though this requirement was totally different to these machines.

Rochdale -based Advanced Engineering had just eight weeks to design, build and prove a mixer with a high throughput capability and an assured product consistency for all the different products processed. These included textured dips and smooth, creamy food bases.

“Although a challenge, we realised that essentially the solution was a package based upon our in-house mixer experience”, said Andy Hudson, Advanced Engineering’s managing director. “We were also able to draw upon the electrical systems expertise of our sister company, QualTech Engineering Services.”

The mixer supplied to TSC Foods comprised a large top-loading mixing vessel supported on two rotating arms located in an enclosed support structure either side of the vessel.

The stainless steel vessel has a bottom mounted specifically designed chopping/reducing blade and a rotating anchor equipped with hinged PTFE scrapers to prevent product adhering to the vessel and ensure effective mixing of all ingredients.

Different products and textures are achieved by varying speeds and mixing times. These variables can be set/run manually or through a pre-programmed recipe on the mixers HMI to ensure on-going product consistency.

After mixing, the product is discharged into tote bins by using the motor-driven vessel tilting function. Discharge by tilting increases the product yield and simplifies cleaning compared with a pumped discharge. This is paramount when requiring quick turnaround between batches of different products.

In addition, this design eliminates the need for connecting hoses and valves. Consequently, cleaning is minimised, again saving time, whilst also promoting better hygiene.

“The new mixer does everything we need it to do,” said Shane Barrick, projects & installations manager at TSC Foods. “It works really well. It provides a good all round solution whilst boosting yields per batch, increasing the capacity, and making life easier and more efficient as regards cleaning and maintenance.”

TSC Foods produces chilled and frozen products, chilled soups, sauces, and dips. Its portfolio also includes restaurant-quality products including risottos, prepared cooked vegetables, dips, dressings, gravies and marinades; each of which is created in a unique process.