A Sorting System Even Willy Wonka Would Envy – NetterVibration Supplies Chocolate Factory With Customized Sieving/Sorting Feeder

Initial Situation

A medium-sized confectionery manufacturer produces a vast quantity of chocolate eggs and balls in various formats every year. The eggs are made from two halves, which are filled and then joined together. During the production process, a mixture of whole eggs, half shells and smaller fragments is regularly created due to technical factors, all of which are removed together from the moulds. Manual sorting had previously been time-consuming, error-prone, ergonomically challenging and resulted in high personnel costs.

Objective

The aim was to develop an automated solution that would enable reliable separation of the product fractions without damaging the delicate chocolate items. In addition, the system had to be easy to clean, meet the strict hygiene requirements of the food industry and integrate seamlessly into the existing production line.

Technical Solution

A specially designed vibrating sieve and sorting trough was manufactured from stainless steel and equipped with two sieving levels in the form of a double longitudinal grid. After extensive testing, the optimum settings were determined. Two counter-rotating electric vibrators of the NEG type set the trough into targeted oscillation. By combining vibration frequency and amplitude, the eggs are conveyed in a controlled manner while being simultaneously sorted along the sieve bars.

• Upper level: whole chocolate eggs are conveyed across the upper sieve level due to their shape and size, and collected in a container for polishing and subsequent packaging.
• Lower level: half eggs and larger fragments remain here and are collected for potential reworking back into the melting process.

The parameters of the trough (frequency and amplitude) can be adjusted at any time, allowing the system, with the appropriate sieves, to be set for different product sizes and batches. The trough, including its control system, is designed as a mobile unit mounted on wheels, enabling it to be moved freely as required.

• Process stability: Continuous operation without manual intervention
• Hygiene: Smooth stainless-steel surfaces enable quick cleaning
• Integration: Compact design facilitates installation in the existing conveyor line