MECHANICAL PROCESSING EQUIPMENT
MECHANICAL PROCESSING EQUIPMENT
Mechanical processing operations are employed (without the application of heat
or chemicals) to reduce, enlarge, homogenize, or otherwise change the physical
form of solid, semi-solid, and liquid food matter
By altering the form and size of the food matter, manufacturers can facilitate and
increase the efficiency and effectiveness of subsequent processes, improve the
overall quality and edibility, and allow for a greater range of food products to be
produced
Within the general mechanical processing classifications—i.e., size reduction, size
enlargement, homogenization—there are numerous unit operations, such as
cutting, forming, and grinding/crushing, which fall below them
MECHANICAL FOOD PROCESSING EQUIPMENT BY UNIT OPERATION
Unit Description Equipment Employed
Operation
Size Reduction Reduces the average particle size of solid food matter through Grinding/Crushing
mechanical processes involving compression, shear, or impact •Impact mills
force •Pressure mills
•Attrition mills
•Jaw crushers
•Roll crushers
•Strainers/pulpers
Cutting/Chopping
•Knives/blades
•Band saws
•Slicing machines
•Meat grinders
Impact mills Meat grinders Jaw crushers
Band saws Attrition mills
MECHANICAL FOOD PROCESSING EQUIPMENT BY UNIT OPERATION
Unit Operation Description Equipment Employed
Size Enlargement •Increases the average particle size of solid food matter Extrusion
through mechanical processes, such as extrusion, •Non-thermal extruders
agglomeration, or forming •Single and twin extruder
•Refrigerated extruders
Agglomeration
•Rotating pans
•Rotating drums
•High-speed agitators
•Tableting equipment
•Pelletizing equipment
Forming
•Bread molders
•Pie and biscuit formers
•Confectionary molders
•Enrobing machines
MECHANICAL FOOD PROCESSING EQUIPMENT BY UNIT OPERATION
Unit Description Equipment Employed
Operation
Mixing •Also referred to as blending Fluid Mixers
•Combines and disperses two or more components into one another •Agitated tanks
to achieve and maintain a uniform mixture and/or an alteration to the •Paddle mixers
functional or aesthetic qualities of the food product (e.g., texture) •Anchor mixers
•Type of equipment depends on the form of the food components— •Turbine mixers
gas/liquid, liquid/liquid, liquid/solid, solid/solid Dough/Paste Mixers
•Horizontal dough mixers
•Sigma-blade mixers
•Cutter mixers
Solids Mixers
•Diffusive (passive) mixers
•Convective (active) mixers
•Drum blenders
Bread molders
Single-screw extruder
Convective (active) mixers
Pelletizing equipment Paddle mixers
MECHANICAL FOOD PROCESSING EQUIPMENT BY UNIT OPERATION
Unit Operation Description Equipment Employed
Homogenization •Also referred to as emulsification •Homogenizers
•Reduces the average particle size and increases the •Emulsifiers
consistency of semi-solid and liquid food matter •Colloid mills
•High shear mixers
Homogenizer
Colloid mill